Jason McCann on How Vari Built a $2 Billion Empire Starting from a Cardboard Box

What does it take to turn a cardboard prototype into a $2 billion business movement? In this episode of the Sunbelt Developers Podcast, hosts Tim Wright and Zach Bean, Executive Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield, sit down with Jason McCann, Co-Founder and CEO of Vari. Famous for creating the sit-stand VariDesk movement and growing into a full-scale workspace innovation leader serving 98% of Fortune 500 companies, Vari is fundamentally reshaping commercial real estate. The conversation covers the evolution of workplace real estate: how flexible spaces, hospitality-first amenities, modular design, and AI-driven efficiency are redefining the modern office landscape. Jason breaks down his journey from consumer products like Big Mouth Billy Bass to scaling Vari into a multi-asset landlord. He reveals how VariSpace converted a 90% vacant 22-acre campus into an 80%+ occupied community hub, why 10- to 12-year office leases are making a comeback in DFW, and how AI visualization is helping tenants execute 45-day move-ins. Whether you are a commercial developer, broker, investor, or business owner navigating the future of work, this masterclass offers actionable insights into capital efficiency, space-as-a-service models, and resilient leadership. Key Highlights: • The cardboard box origin story and the flight that changed everything • How Vari scaled into a workspace solutions giant with 300+ products • The Space-as-a-Service model: turning distressed assets into vibrant communities • Why modern office tenants are locking in 7- to 12-year leases • How Vari uses Claude and AI tools to save time on financial modeling and sales test fits • The role of hospitality, biophilia, and energy in driving office occupancy • Leading through crisis, maintaining workplace culture, and giving back #CommercialRealEstate #OfficeDevelopment #Vari #PropTech #SunbeltDevelopers More info: https://linktr.ee/timwright.cre