How Did They Do It?
How Did They Do It? Trout Glass
Brothers Mike and Jeff Trout came up with a business dream during Thanksgiving dinner. They bought a glass company with a loan from a local bank. Their father ...
How Did They Do It? Polhemus Savery DaSilva
Mike Merrill has been with Polhemus Savery DaSilva (PSD) for two years as the Director of Finance and Business Operations. They are a residential contractor focused on the ...
How Did They Do It? Notch Mechanical
Fifty years ago, Roger Neveu started welding in his garage to support his growing family. He decided to go into industrial welding, which wasn’t as common at that ...
Ali Felschow – Crystal Pools Interview
In a recent interview with Syscon, Ali Felschow, the owner of Crystal Pools, discussed her journey and the company's success in the pool design and construction industry. Her ...
How Did They Do It? Roper Electrical
In an exclusive interview with Syscon, Rob Roper, the owner of Roper Electrical, shared insights into his company's journey and the factors driving its success.His venture into the ...
How Did They Do It? Shepherd Response
In a recent discussion with Syscon, John Bunting, Controller of Shepherd Response, shared key aspects of the company's journey and the challenges they've encountered in the realm of ...
How Did They Do It? Axis Commercial Inc.
In a recent chat with Al Mondoux, the CFO of Axis Commercial Inc, we got a glimpse into his rich, four-decade journey in the realm of commercial Aquatics ...
How Did They Do It? Guthrie Glass & Mirror
The CFO of Guthrie Glass & Mirror, James Baumgardner, provided insights into the construction industry and the company's strategies for success.With a family history in construction dating back ...
How Did They Do It? Sterling Commercial Roofing
In a recent interview, Kevin Froeter, president of Sterling Commercial Roofing, shared key insights into the company's journey, challenges, and success-driving philosophy.With roots tracing back through three generations ...
How Did They Do It? Collier Custom Homes
In a recent interview with Sycon, Collier Bashara, the creative force behind Collier Custom Homes, shared insights into his successful journey in custom home construction.Encouraged by friends, he ...
How Did They Do It? Brawley
In a revealing dialogue with Sycon, owner Jon Gore opens up about Brawley's remarkable journey over the last 30 years. From a childhood fascination with building to a ...
How Did They Do It? Ambrose Construction
Brad Wageman, owner of Ambrose Construction, has paved a path in the construction industry through his unwavering passion for carpentry. Starting alongside his brother, his journey has been ...
How Did They Do It? Hartwig Mechanical
Vincent Wilas, the CFO of Hartwig Mechanical, recently shared insights about his journey and the challenges faced by the company in an interview with Sycon. He emphasized the ...
How Did They Do It? Lakeview Construction
In a recent conversation, Ron Schaefer, the Lakeview Controller, shared insights into the company's journey, challenges, customer-centric approach, and the role of technology.With a passion for fulfilling unique ...
How Did They Do It? Post Road Iron Works
I had the opportunity to visit their office recently. The little store front window has a custom ‘Tree of Life’ glass and iron table with the forbidden apple ...
How Did They Do It? Lynch Construction
In December 1990, Jeff Lynch was ‘let go’ following some owner decisions. Joan had a good job, so they were ready to start their own company specializing as ...
How Did They Do It? Westin Homes
Despite a lingering pandemic, building material price increases, and soaring inflation rates, 2021 proved a successful year for Westin. Emphasis on a few key areas enabled this success: ...
How Did They Do It? Precision Excavation
“Complacency will be the architecture of your downfall.” – Jeremy Gutsche Before COVID hit, the phones at Precision Excavating were practically ringing off the hook. There was no ...
How Did They Do It? Nappa Electrical Contractors
Changing guidelines. Supply chain struggles. Increasing costs. Workforce challenges – keeping everyone healthy and working. Setting up and administering FFCRA leave. These may sound familiar – so many ...
How Did They Do It? Wellen Construction
It’s all about the teamwork. Teamwork was how Wellen Construction kept everyone safe during the pandemic. The team needed to collectively develop policies for everyone to follow, according ...
How Did They Do It? Weaver Brothers Construction
Be prepared for anything and try to sleep at night. These two practices equip Adam Bates, co-owner, for success. The unexpected often interrupts a planned workday, such as ...
How Did They Do It? MSL Electric
Shelly Griffin, controller at MSL Electric, pinpointed the reason for the company’s success. “The owners don’t want to cut corners – they want us to get it right ...
How Did They Do It? Walsh Electric
Electricity and entrepreneurship run in the Walsh family. Pat Walsh’s grandfather and great grandfather were both electricians and his parents owned their own business as well. Pat Walsh ...
How Did They Do It? JJ Costa Company
Handshakes, hard work, and honesty. That’s how brothers Joe and Jay saw their father run the company before they took it over, and it’s how they run it, ...
How did they do it? TW Chicago
Three traits make it possible to navigate recent challenges: attention to detail, flexibility, and persistency –a little luck along the way doesn’t hurt either, according to Project Accountant ...
How Did They Do It? GAR Bennett
The month prior to the eruption of a global pandemic is not the most ideal time to complete a major merger, but of course neither of the two ...
How Did They Do It? Duco Construction
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller The right partner makes all the difference. Nick discovered this when he was ...
How Did They Do It? Preferred Electric
According to Accounting Manager Renee Cichon, it’s all about collaboration. Preferred Electric has a strong team that’s powered by technology. Their team had to come together to keep ...
How Did They Do It? Kisby Shore
James Lees traded in his career as an attorney for the chance to work with his father at the company his dad built from the ground up. James ...
How Did They Do It? Better Builders
Courtney Burke has always loved real estate and architecture, so serving as controller at a design build firm aligns her talents and interests well. Everyone at Better Builders ...
How did they do it? Corenic Construction Group
Donald Wilson grew up with construction– his grandfather, dad, uncle, and brother all worked in mechanical contracting. Donald spent his college summers doing field work for a mechanical ...
How Did They Do It? Chicago Electrical Company
Two Cs make all the difference at Chicago Electrical Company (CECO) –communication and commitment to quality, according to Tim Havlat, project estimator. Communication helped the CECO team navigate ...
How Did They Do It? Harling
The midst of a global pandemic may sound like a strange time to purchase a masonry company, but that’s just what Pat and Julie Brenner did. Pat brought ...
How Did They Do It? Flooring Solutions
For Diane, happily ever after is running a commercial flooring company with her husband Joe. He came from the flooring industry and she was a commercial designer. Their ...
How Did They Do It? Powell Architecture and Building Studio
Luke Tidwell started as a sculptor in the art world. As much as he enjoyed it, he wanted to find a career that let him contribute to society ...
How Did They Do It? Capitol Region Watershed District
Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) grew from a single staff member to a group of 25 employees in just over 20 years. Its mission is to protect, manage ...
How Did They Do It? Alpine Demolition
Karsten Pawlik, vice president of Alpine Demolition, happened to drive past the charred remains of the Masonic Temple that caught fire the night before. The five-story temple was ...
How Did They Do It? C.J. Erickson Plumbing
Frustrations are prime opportunities for improvement. At least, that’s how Shawn Erickson at C.J. Erickson sees it. She enjoys identifying pain points and finding ways to remedy them ...