CHRIS EHRENFELD
ABOUT
I’m Chris Ehrenfeld—entrepreneur, investor, and father of twin boys. For over 25 years, I’ve built businesses, helped families buy and sell billions in real estate, and created financial freedom. Now my mission is to share what I’ve learned so others can go beyond just “getting rich” and start living boldly in every area of life.
👉Money matters. But life matters more.
👉The goal isn’t just to get rich — it’s to get rich and live fully.
Wealth without life is empty. Life without wealth is limited. You deserve both.
That’s what Bold Wealth is about: me helping you get rich in money and in life.
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MY LIFE IN MILESTONES
From Steel City Grit to Building My Own Empire
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, I grew up with a blue-collar work ethic and a love for building things—a combination that’s powered every step of my journey.
BOLD Wealth Lesson
Success often starts with work ethic, not money. Skills and discipline compound just like investments.
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Graduated with More Drive than Direction
In 1994, I left Pittsburgh ready to make something big happen. I didn’t have the exact plan yet, but I had the determination to figure it out.
BOLD Wealth Lesson
You don’t have to know your final destination—just keep moving toward growth.
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Finished College in 3 Years—Because Waiting Wasn’t an Option
Earned my Business degree from UNC-Chapel Hill in record time. I was eager to get into the real world and start building my future.
BOLD Wealth Lesson
Speed matters. The faster you get in the game, the longer your money has to compound.
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Launched My First Company with Nothing but Hustle
That same year, I started what would become BOLD Construction. Just two people and a lot of determination—framing houses for other builders to raise our first capital.
BOLD Wealth Lesson
Start small, but start now. Cash flow from early work can seed future opportunities.
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Taught Myself to Code… and Built a Business from One Page
In 1998, I got my real estate license and opened my first brokerage. I taught myself just enough coding to build a one-page website that brought in clients and kept the lights on.
BOLD Wealth Lesson
Lean skills—like marketing and tech—can be force multipliers in any business.
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Built My First Dream Home—and a Multi-Million Dollar Strategy
In 1999 , I built my first personal home—much of it with my own hands. It became the first of six primary residences I’ve built, generating millions in (mostly tax-free) profit.
BOLD Wealth Lesson
The IRS exclusion on capital gains for primary residences can be a powerful (and overlooked) wealth-building tool.
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One Condo Became a Multi-Million Dollar Portfolio
In 2001, I bought my first investment property—a 2-bedroom condo near UNC. That one deal was the start of what’s now a portfolio worth tens of millions.
BOLD Wealth Lesson
Real estate rewards patience. Buy right, hold long, reinvest.
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The Only Job I Ever Had for Someone Else—and What It Taught Me
In 2002, while running my companies, I worked as a mortgage broker for 11 years and became a top producer—learning how money moves and how to structure deals for long-term gain.
BOLD Wealth Lesson
Understanding how financing works is just as important as finding the deal.
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Why My Oldest Friend Became My Best Business Decision
In 2002, my best friend since preschool, Jason Dell, joined BOLD. We’ve been business partners for 20+ years and friends for 40+ years—a rare and valuable combination.
BOLD Wealth Lesson
The right partnerships multiply success. Trust is worth more than capital.
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The Gondola Ride That Changed My Life → Married My Best Decision
Met Jana in 2006; proposed in a gondola at The Venetian in Las Vegas two years later; married in 2009 in Wilmington, NC.
BOLD Wealth Lesson
Build a life partner relationship that supports your bigger vision—wealth is more than money.
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Double the trouble? No, double the joy!
In 2012, our twin boys, Max and Mason, were born—and life instantly became more fun, chaotic, and full.
The Family Deal That Cemented Our Footprint
In 2013, my mom (one of the Triangle’s top 10 agents) and I bought the on-site agency at Governors Club — the community we both call home. I can remember learning sales skills from her as a child — lessons that still drive my businesses today.
BOLD Wealth Lesson
Sales skills learned early + trust built over time = the foundation for lasting success.
The Turnaround Deal That Cemented Our Momentum
That same year, we bought a distressed self-storage property, rebranded it, boosted occupancy, and sold for ~3x — rolling profits into bigger deals through a 1031 exchange.
BOLD Wealth Lesson
Forced appreciation + tax deferral = rocket fuel for compounding wealth.
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The Holiday Program That Sparked a Movement
In 2016, we took over the Holiday Cheer program at our local elementary school, providing gifts for 87 children in need. That effort grew into the BOLD Foundation, which has now served thousands.
BOLD Wealth Lesson
Giving back builds more than goodwill—it builds a legacy.
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When One Company Became Two
In 2018, I spun off our commercial brokerage into BOLD Commercial Real Estate to better serve a growing client base.
BOLD Wealth Lesson
Structuring businesses strategically protects assets and creates focus.
Going Bigger with BOLD Development
In 2019, I launched BOLD Development Group to focus on larger development projects.
From ‘Best Of’ to Best in the State
In 2022, BOLD Construction won the Matsumoto Prize for Best Custom Home in North Carolina—adding to our long list of ‘Best Of’ honors.
Taking on 4,500 Acres of Possibility
In 2025, we launched our first major mountain development portfolio—three projects spanning 4,500 acres.
Still Building—But Not Just Buildings
Today, I’m focused on building businesses, communities, and relationships that stand the test of time. The work is never done—and that’s the way I like it.
BOLD Wealth Lesson
The real measure of wealth is the freedom to work on what matters most.
Where BOLD
Stands Today
What started with two guys framing houses has grown into a family of companies—each one recognized as a leader in its market.
BOLD Construction
Hundreds of millions of dollars in award-winning custom homes.
BOLD Real Estate
Billions of dollars’ worth of homes sold in Chapel Hill and beyond.
BOLD Development
Premier communities across North Carolina, including transformative mountain projects.
BOLD Commercial Real Estate
The go-to firm for investors and business owners buying, selling, and leasing.
BOLD Foundation
Thousands of children served through holiday programs and community initiatives.
BOLD WEALTH
WITH CHRIS EHRENFELD
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