Lessons from a Contractor Who Conquered Building His Dream Facility

I had the privilege of sitting down with John Siegers of Signature Landscape Corp to discuss his journey of building a brand new facility for his company. Let me tell you, this was no easy feat - especially in the highly regulated state of Illinois. From the moment we started talking, it was clear that John had been through the wringer. He shared how the permitting process alone was a nightmare, with endless inspections, code requirements, and bureaucratic red tape. At one point, he was ready to throw in the towel when he found out the cost to upgrade the power supply would be astronomical. But John persevered. He leaned on his network, got creative with solutions, and refused to compromise on his vision for the building. Listening to him recount the challenges made my own construction projects seem like a walk in the park in comparison. What struck me most was John's determination and adaptability. When faced with setback after setback, he didn't give up. He adjusted his approach, delegated more to his new administrative assistant, and kept his eyes on the prize. And now, on the other side of it all, he has a state-of-the-art facility that is already generating interest from potential buyers. The key takeaways I gathered from John's experience are:

1. Don't underestimate the power of your network. Tapping into the right connections can make all the difference when navigating complex construction projects.

2. Be willing to adapt your original plans. Things rarely go exactly as envisioned, so having the flexibility to modify your approach is crucial.

3. Invest in the right support. Bringing on an administrative assistant allowed John to focus on the big picture rather than getting bogged down in the day-to-day.

4. Stay the course, even when it gets tough. Perseverance pays off, as evidenced by John's hard-won victory.

As contractors, we're no strangers to challenges. But John's story is a testament to the rewards that can come from pushing through the difficulties. His willingness to share the highs and lows of his building journey is sure to inspire others who are considering taking on a similar project. I'm grateful to John Siegers for his openness and honesty, and I have no doubt that his new facility will take Signature Landscape Corp to new heights. Onward and upward!