An Inspired Chat with Moses Hall of River North

Moses Hall shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Moses , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think many people are secretly struggling with failure, or at least the fear of it. We live in a world that celebrates the victories but rarely talks about the battles it took to get there. What people don’t often admit is how heavy that silence can feel. You start believing you are the only one stumbling while everyone else has it figured out.
The truth is, every successful person has a trail of failures behind them. Those failures are not proof of weakness but proof of courage. They show that you were willing to step out and try when it would have been easier to play it safe. When you shift your perspective and see failure as a teacher instead of an enemy, it stops holding you hostage. It becomes a guide that shapes your strength, your resilience, and your wisdom.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Moses Hall and I am the founder of MoHall Commercial & Urban Development, a Chicago based brokerage and advisory firm that focuses on commercial real estate and community revitalization. I started my journey as a first generation entrepreneur with nothing but grit, vision, and a desire to change the narrative of what’s possible for people who look like me in this industry. What makes MoHall special is that we are not just in the business of transactions, we are in the business of transformation. We work with local municipalities, land banks, and small business owners to breathe new life into neighborhoods that have often been overlooked. Our mission is to help people see potential where others see problems.
My story is one of faith, perseverance, and resilience. I’ve experienced setbacks and more than a few closed doors, but each one pushed me to get sharper and more creative. Along the way, I’ve been blessed to be recognized nationally for my work, yet my real pride comes from watching a vacant building reopen with new energy, or helping a business owner finally get the keys to a space they’ve dreamed of.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that shaped me the most is the one I have with my parents. From the time I was young they poured into me with love, structure, and belief. They did not come from wealth but they gave me something far more valuable: confidence, faith, and a strong sense of who I was. My parents invested in me early, whether it was through education, encouragement, or simply reminding me that my voice mattered.
When I look back on the risks I have taken in business and in life, I realize a lot of that courage came from them. They believed in me before I believed in myself. They showed me what resilience looked like in real time and they taught me that my character would carry me further than talent alone ever could.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, I would tell him to be patient with his journey and trust that every setback is shaping him for something greater. As a child I often felt the pressure to have everything figured out and I carried the weight of wanting to prove myself. What I did not understand then is that growth takes time and the seasons of waiting are just as important as the seasons of winning.
I would remind him that mistakes are not proof of failure but evidence that he was brave enough to try. I would tell him to keep walking with his head high because confidence is built in the quiet moments when nobody is clapping. Most of all, I would assure him that he is enough, that his voice matters, and that his purpose will make room for him in ways he cannot yet imagine.
If I could whisper those words into the ears of my younger self, I believe he would have stood a little taller, worried a little less, and embraced the process with more joy. Looking back now, I see that everything I once doubted about myself was already a seed waiting to grow.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A belief I am committed to, no matter how long it takes, is never giving up on Chicago. Although I was born and raised in New York, this city welcomed me and gave me a place to build my vision. Over time I developed a bond with Chicago that goes beyond business. I see the untapped beauty of its neighborhoods and the incredible potential of its people.
When I first began working here, I would walk past vacant buildings and empty lots and imagine what they could become. I did not see blight, I saw possibility. I saw future storefronts filled with life, families creating memories, and entrepreneurs taking their first steps toward generational wealth. That vision has stayed with me and it fuels the work I do every day.
Chicago is a city with grit, resilience, and soul. It has its challenges, but it also has unmatched creativity and heart. My commitment is to continue investing in its communities, to partner with local leaders, and to help shape spaces that spark new opportunities. I believe that if we keep planting seeds of investment, faith, and vision, those seeds will grow into thriving neighborhoods that reflect the greatness already living inside this city.
This is not a short journey, but it is one worth taking. Because when Chicago rises, it does not just change a skyline. It changes lives.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I am gone, I hope people say that I lived with purpose and loved without fear. That I did not just chase success but chose to plant seeds of hope everywhere I went. I want the story of my life to remind people that resilience is stronger than failure, that faith can outlast fear, and that kindness is never wasted.
If someone remembers me, I hope it is because I made them believe in themselves a little more. I hope they say I left rooms brighter than I found them and that I carried a vision bigger than myself. At the end of the day, titles and accomplishments fade, but the way you make people feel will echo for generations.
That is the legacy I want. To be remembered as someone who showed that ordinary people can create extraordinary change when they lead with love and never stop believing in what is possible.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moseshall/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moseshall/