“I think it is truly unmatched as a place to raise and grow a family, as a way to build your career, and as a way to have, you know, a deeply authentic connection in your community.” Coleman Team, Winston-Salem, NC
For Colemaeam, President & Managing Partner at Front Street Capital and resident of Winston-Salem, the Carolina Core isn’t just where he built his career—it’s where he found the rare combination of opportunity, community and culture that has shaped his life over nearly two decades.
As the president and managing partner of Front Street Capital, a real estate investment and development firm based in Winston-Salem, Coleman has played a pivotal role in the region’s transformation—and in return, the region has given him a deeply rooted sense of belonging and possibility.
“It’s a deeply enriching place to find who you are, find what your family wants, what’s important to you.”
Raised in Lexington and High Point, Coleman stayed close to home when he attended Wake Forest University. Graduating during the economic recession of 2008–09 forced him to look seriously at where and how he could begin a meaningful career. Rather than chasing opportunity in a big city, Coleman saw promise right where he was, and staying in Winston-Salem turned out to be more than a practical decision. During his time in the Core, Coleman has been able to build a successful, entrepreneurial and impactful career.
“Being able to start and really shift enduring entrepreneurial businesses in the real estate industry is what has kept me in the Carolina Core. It’s been a real blessing to be a part of this community.”
He has launched several real estate ventures that have grown into lasting businesses—something he credits not only to his entrepreneurial drive, but to the Carolina Core’s uniquely supportive ecosystem. In other cities, he believes, he might not have had the same chance to innovate and lead. But here, he found a business community that offered mentorship, engagement and collaboration across industries. That spirit of mutual support is what’s made the region a true home for him.
For Coleman, the Carolina Core’s appeal goes far beyond business. The lifestyle is a major draw—from paddleboarding at Salem Lake to hiking at Pilot Mountain or teeing off at a world-renowned golf course, the region offers a breadth of outdoor experiences that are both affordable and easy to access. The local culture is just as fulfilling, with James Beard-nominated restaurants, a thriving arts scene and a deep tradition of creative expression. It’s no wonder that many who leave the region often come back, realizing what a unique place it is to live, work and raise a family.
Sports are another passion point. Coleman shared that the Carolina Core offers major college athletics, PGA and ATP tour events and local access to high-quality competition—all without the hassle of big-city crowds or traffic. He describes it as the kind of lifestyle you can actually live daily, not just occasionally.
Now, nearly two decades after choosing to stay in Winston-Salem, Coleman has no regrets, and for those wondering if a smaller region can offer the same richness as a larger city, Coleman has a simple answer: it can—and often, it does it better.