Title: CEO and cofounder.

What the company does: Developer of retail and mixed-use projects.

HQ: Danville.

2006 revenue: $2.1 million.

Number of employees: 11

Year founded: 2000

Source of startup capital: Personal funds.

Background: President, chairman and CEO of Western Properties Trust from 1998 to its merger with Pan Pacific Retail Properties in 2000. Held management positions at Pacific Retail Trust and PRT Development Corp. Partner at Spieker Properties and a project director at Trammell Crow Co.

Age: 49.

Residence: Alamo.

Web site: www.blakehunt.com

Big picture
Reason for starting business: With the sale of Western Properties Trust, where I was CEO, it was an opportune time to align with Pan Pacific on an independent basis and start my own company. I also thought it was a niche in a market that wasn't being well served -- downtown suburban infill, high density retail and mixed use.

Most difficult part of decision: Trading the security of high executive compensation for the entrepreneurial, risky rewards of profits from development projects.

Biggest plus of ownership: Being able to do whatever you want, when you want.

Biggest drawback: You take everything very personally.

Biggest misconception: People think it's really easy to make a lot of money fast. Most people don't understand the risks that come with opportunity.

Biggest business strength: I'm decisive and productive.

Biggest business weakness: I'm very impatient with process and more interested in getting to the result.

Biggest risk: Plaza de San Jose -- it was ... in an area in San Jose that many people were afraid of. It is a Latino-oriented shopping center. It is 100 percent leased and the retailers are doing quite well.

Biggest mistake: Investing and sponsoring an indoor soccer business in Livermore. We over-improved facility relative to what market was willing to pay. We built "Nieman Marcus," and no one wanted more than "Marshalls." I lost several hundred thousand dollars.

Smartest move: We aligned with the right joint venture partners very early on.

Biggest worry: That liquidity in the capital market will evaporate.

Top source of inspiration: My family and the people I work with at my company.

Daily routine
Most challenging task: Making sure I set aside time for family and friends.

Favorite task: Pursuing new projects and planning and designing them.

Least favorite task: Dealing with the politics of the government approval process.

Biggest frustration: I find no frustrations with business ownership because it's really up to me and my partners to determine how everything runs.

Source of support in a business crisis: My business partner, Jerry Hunt. Dreams

Key goal yet to achieve: To retire from worry but not from work.

First move with capital windfall: I'd make a generous distribution to our employees and would diversify into some stable, long-term cash flow generating assets.

Five-year plan: To grow and provide opportunities for our other partners to create wealth for themselves while maintaining a tight focus on what we do best.

First choice for new career or venture: A professional sports team owner. Personals

Most-admired entrepreneur: Ned Spieker (founder of Spieker Properties Trust).

Most interested in meeting: Muhammad Ali.

Stress reducers: I workout every day.

Favorite pastimes: Playing sports.

Favorite book: "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand.

Favorite film: "Caddyshack."

Favorite destination: La Jolla and Maui.

Automobile: 2005 Maserati Quattroporte.

-- Amanda Bishop