40 Under 40: John Stephen Nichols

John Stephen Nichols is the chief operating officer and owner of Cornerstone Commercial Investments.

He started his family-run apartment development and management business right out of college. He moved to North Idaho seven years ago and also started as an agent with Coldwell Banker in commercial and residential sales.

Nichols majored in marketing and minored in communication at Baylor University.

"I am constantly marketing myself and my businesses and use my communication skills to deliver my message," he said.

Playing golf in high school and on his college club team gave Nichols a lifelong love for the sport and his best friends.

"It taught me to fuel my individual drive and always be honest with myself and my competitors," he said. "I was also fortunate to meet the love of my life at 18. We started dating at 19 and got married at 24. She's a neurosurgery physician's assistant at Sacred Heart. She's incredibly smart and a wonderful partner in my life."

In five to 10 years, Nichols said he and his wife I hope to be raising children.

"We love to travel, so we envision running our businesses and showing our kids the world," he said.

Nichols credited his parents for work ethic and helping shape his outlook on life. 

Advice to his younger self: "Patience and persistence answer most of life's most difficult challenges."