SAN ANTONIO \u2013 Long before he became known for creating Morgan\u2019s Wonderland and championing inclusion around the world, Gordon Hartman was a teenager who simply wanted to build homes.<\/p>\n
Hartman shared his unlikely journey with KSAT\u2019s Ernie Zuniga during an appearance on \u201cPickup Lines,\u201d tracing his path from a Catholic seminary to becoming one of San Antonio\u2019s most successful developers before dedicating his life to serving people with special needs.<\/p>\n
The youngest of five boys, Hartman attended Blessed Sacrament School before spending four years at St. Anthony\u2019s Seminary. He credits the experience with giving him the discipline that shaped his career. <\/p>\n
\u201cI needed that,\u201d Hartman said. \u201cIt helped really discipline me, which allowed me then to go straight from the seminary into business.\u201d<\/p>\n
While his brothers pursued college degrees, Hartman had different plans. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to go to college. I want to build homes,\u201d he recalled telling his parents.<\/p>\n
At 19, he completed his first house despite having little construction experience. One early mistake still makes him laugh: He thought a foundation crew had forgotten to pour the front of a home\u2019s slab before learning it had intentionally been left open for plumbing work.<\/p>\n
Hartman grew his business quickly, building two homes, then seven, then 20, before expanding into real estate development. His career nearly unraveled after buying his first lot, only to discover it flooded after heavy rain. A local governing board granted him an easement, allowing him to move forward with the project. <\/p>\n
\u201cOtherwise, I probably wouldn\u2019t be sitting with you right now,\u201d Hartman said.<\/p>\n
Today, Hartman oversees a growing network of inclusive ventures anchored by Morgan\u2019s Wonderland, which opened 16 years ago, and the 165,000-square-foot Morgan\u2019s Multi-Assistance Center. He said the center has helped about 10,000 people in just three and a half years and is one of 12 Morgan\u2019s initiatives, with three more projects in development.<\/p>\n
Hartman, who received an honorary degree in social work, now describes himself simply. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a social worker,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s the way I think of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said his daughter Morgan remains the inspiration behind the mission, even if she doesn\u2019t fully understand her impact. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just getting started,\u201d Hartman said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a lot more we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watch the full Pickup Lines with Gordon Hartman in the video player above.<\/p>\n
More Pickup Lines episodes:<\/p>\n
Ernie Zuniga started Pickup Lines, a digital talk show, straight from his vehicle. The segments feature a diverse range of guests, including executives, small business owners, and everyday individuals, as they share personal journeys, news, and stories.<\/p>\n
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