Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandon Sanders
Hi Chandon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
After graduating from the University of North Texas in 2009, I started my career as a club promoter, organizing events and building connections in the entertainment industry. Over time, I transitioned to producing larger-scale events with legendary Dallas DJ QuickMixxRick, bringing major artists to venues across Texas. This experience taught me the importance of marketing and audience engagement, which ultimately led me to the field of digital marketing.
I began as a digital marketer and worked my way up to a director role, gaining expertise in a rapidly evolving industry. During this time, I also taught myself day trading, using the earnings to significantly grow my financial holdings within just a few years. These gains allowed me to invest in new ventures and expand my professional horizons.
In 2021, alongside my friends Ana Nelms and Jywon Young, I co-founded Fort Worth Forever, a promotional company aimed at revitalizing Fort Worth’s service industry in the wake of COVID-19 shutdowns. We partnered with major liquor brands to host events at bars and restaurants, which helped breathe life back into the local community.
In early 2022, I took the leap into bar ownership with Brian Torres, a long-time bar manager and owner. Together, we purchased The Local in Fort Worth’s West 7th entertainment district. Brian handles the day-to-day operations, while I focus on marketing—our complementary strengths have been critical to the bar’s success.
That summer, I expanded into real estate, acquiring and rehabbing rental properties. In November 2023, my CPA Andy Fitzhugh and I purchased Ninja Sushi Fort Worth in the South Hulen area. While our bar experience helped with the restaurant transition, running a kitchen has been a new and rewarding challenge.
In late 2024, I teamed up with friends to launch an e-commerce business, MacRestos.com, specializing in refurbished Apple products. Our goal is to provide high-quality refurbished MacBooks at some of the best prices available.
Looking ahead, in early 2025, Brian Torres and I are set to open a new bar in Fort Worth’s River District—a neighborhood cocktail and wine bar designed to create a relaxed yet upscale experience for the community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to success often appears smooth from the outside, but in reality, it’s anything but linear. It’s a journey marked by sleepless nights, moments of doubt, and the kind of uncertainty that can cause significant anxiety. Each new venture comes with its own set of challenges, and overcoming them requires resilience and adaptability.
For instance, when rehabbing my first property, the initial budget of $30,000 ballooned to over $100,000 due to unforeseen issues, turning it into a financial loss for years. However, it became a valuable learning experience that shaped how I approach real estate today. Similarly, taking over Ninja Sushi Fort Worth taught my partner and me just how demanding it is to manage a kitchen operation effectively. It took time, but by assembling the right team and management structure, we were able to turn things around and set the business on a path to success.
There will always be hurdles along the way, but the key is staying flexible and prepared to pivot as needed. Challenges aren’t roadblocks—they’re opportunities to learn, grow, and improve.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a serial entrepreneur with a passion for taking on new challenges and creating opportunities. While many entrepreneurs admire figures like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, or Elon Musk—visionaries who’ve reshaped the world—I’ve always been drawn to a more practical approach. These icons revolutionized industries, but for most people, success looks different. That’s why I’ve modeled my approach after Warren Buffett: identifying or acquiring cash-flowing businesses, building them up, and scaling sustainably.
What sets me apart is my combination of an extremely high-level skill set in marketing and the ability to pick the right partners. This strategic approach has been the foundation of my continued growth and ability to scale across various industries. It’s not about doing everything myself; it’s about building the right team and ensuring that each venture is positioned for long-term success.
While I’m proud of all my ventures, my true passion lies in contributing to the growth and development of Fort Worth. I want to be an integral part of the city’s progress, helping it evolve and thrive. By following a methodical yet ambitious entrepreneurial strategy, I believe I can create meaningful opportunities for both the community and the businesses I serve.
This approach reflects what I see as the real American Dream—leveraging hard work, strategy, and collaboration to turn visions into reality. It’s not just about starting businesses; it’s about making them impactful, sustainable, and beneficial for everyone involved. For me, it truly is Fort Worth Forever.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I owe a great deal of my success to the incredible people who have supported and guided me along the way. First and foremost, I have to thank my parents, Bob Ray and Dorothy Sanders. Their unwavering love and dedication ensured I had access to a great education, which laid the foundation for many of the opportunities I’ve been able to pursue.
I also want to acknowledge my late mentor, Jeff Rider. Jeff was a truly humble and generous man who built an empire of his own, yet he took the time to befriend me and teach me what it means to be a real entrepreneur. His guidance, wisdom, and belief in me shaped my journey in ways I can never fully repay. May he rest in peace.
My business partners deserve significant credit as well. They each bring unique strengths to the table and execute their roles with precision, which has been critical to the rapid growth and expansion we’ve achieved together.
Finally, I’m incredibly grateful for my best friends, who’ve always kept me grounded and made sure my head stayed on straight, no matter how busy or chaotic life became. Their support and perspective have been invaluable.
No journey to success is a solo endeavor, and I’m deeply thankful to have had such an incredible network of mentors, partners, and friends by my side.
Pricing:
- The Local has Happy Hour drinks starting at $3.50, some of the best for the West 7th District.
- Ninja Sushi Fort Worth has All You Can Eat Sushi starting at $20 for the basic and $25 for the premium.
- Marketing and Business Development consulting are on a per project basis.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelocalfortworth?igsh=MTZtbmVvMHV3eDJrbQ==
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/ninjasushifortworth?igsh=MXR2cnc3bnk2MXplYQ==
