Decision Points E76 – Turning Crisis Into Opportunity: A Journey Through the Great Recession

Richard Dix has built a career defined by curiosity, reinvention, and resilience. From launching a headwear company in college to leading a NASDAQ-traded business, navigating the Great Recession, and now reimagining housing with Winchester Carlisle Companies, his story is one of bold pivots and lasting impact.

In this episode of Decision Points, Richard shares how a simple Baylor class project became Durags—an NFL-licensed company and Olympic sponsor—and how that early taste of entrepreneurship sparked a lifelong pursuit of innovation. He opens up about global influences from his childhood years in Singapore, corporate lessons from Pulte Homes, and the leap of faith that led to founding Winchester Carlisle during one of the toughest housing markets in history.

Richard explains how the financial crisis became a turning point, pushing him to acquire distressed assets and build Dunhill Homes into a leading brand later sold to major public builders. Today, his focus is on the build-to-rent sector, applying production homebuilding principles to create quality, affordable housing that restores dignity and stability for families across underserved markets.

More than a business story, Richard’s journey is a testament to staying grounded, surrounding yourself with great people, and continuously learning. His perspective bridges the worlds of corporate scale and entrepreneurial grit—reminding leaders that adaptability, humility, and vision are essential to long-term success.