Forty Under 40: Brandon Rains

Brandon Rains said success is measured by the relationships one builds. His career is a good example. Rains graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2004 with a bachelor’s in computer systems engineering and was working for ProLand Title when he met Brandon Barber. He hadn’t considered a ca-reer in real estate, but three years later it seems he’s found his niche.

Rains was the project manager for the Divinity Hotel project in Fayetteville. He said the work he did on that proposal was crucial to his recent career highlight: a $125 million hotel project approved in Nashville, Tenn. “Taking it to the city [council] and getting through the approval process gave me the education I needed to succeed in Nashville.”

Rains’ favorite thing about leading a project is unusual. “In a weird way, I enjoy the stress of being ultimately responsible for the success or demise of the project,” Rains said. “It’s extremely motivating to know you’ve helped set it up for success.”

Rains was a co-founder of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals group. He said that the best advice he can give other young people in NWA business is to know when to listen.

“Don’t be afraid of a new opportunity, and be a sponge,” he said.