Episode 131: Greenside Design Build: Balancing Partnerships & Growth with Michael Conneely
Today Brad speaks with Micheal Conneely of Greenside Design Build. He has been involved in the world of home building since he was just a kid working alongside his father. This lifelong experience was invaluable in allowing Micheal to master the ins-and-outs of every role in the process, from handyman and carpenter to sales and finance, all the way to management.
In 1999, Micheal founded his first company, Micon Construction. In 2010, he formed a partnership with his cousin John Fullard and together they established Greenside Design Build. The firm has a focus on high-end residential renovations and new construction single family homes.
Over the last decade, Greenside has grown into one of the premier custom builders in the suburban Chicago market.
Listen in as Micheal shares his process for working with trade partners remotely in a challenging market, his fascinating old-school versus new-school dynamic with his cousin and business partner John, using Instagram to further his business growth, and incorporating newer technologies and green options into his more recent projects.
Sponsors:
Visit https://buildertrend.com/aft/ to get a 60-day money-back guarantee on your Buildertrend account!
Pella Windows & Doors - https://www.pella.com/
Events:
Learn More/Register for Contractor Coalition Summit May 01-04 https://www.eventcreate.com/e/contractorscoalitionsummit
Topics Discussed:
[02:47] Micheal’s selection and finalization process
[07:54] Competitive bidding in the Chicago market
[18:58] Working with John Fullard
[21:03] Micheal and John’s lean team at Greenside
[27:25] Hiring employees
[35:16] Working with trade partners remotely
[38:50] Dividing responsibilities with your business partner
[43:36] How Micheal has been finding more business through Instagram
[47:57] The next 12 months for Greenside
[50:09] Micheal’s process from pre-construction to completion
[55:10] Incorporating newer technologies such as solar
[01:01:12] What’s next for Micheal
Connect with Michael & Greenside Design Build:
Website - https://www.greensidedesignbuild.com/
Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-builders/greenside-design-build-llc-pfvwus-pf~1887529727?
Connect with Brad Leavitt:
Website - https://www.aftconstructionpodcast.com/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/aft_construction
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aftconstruction
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ph/AFT_CONSTRUCTION/
Key Quotes by Micheal:
Probably to my detriment, I’m a little bit of a control freak [...] and that comes down to the level of quality. It’s like the old Ronald Reagan saying: “Trust, but verify.” I have to verify all the jobs, and my cousin John is the same way.
In any partnership—even marriage—there are things you are going to have to do more than your partner, and that’s just the way it is. And sometimes you’re going to be doing less than your partner. And the sooner someone accepts that [...] and knows that what we’re doing is for the benefit of the team, you’re not going to have problems.
I’ve noticed a definite uptick in potential business from Instagram. I’ve noticed a bigger awareness. I try to portray who we really are. I try to portray our experience and our knowledge in the market.
What you put on social media is a reinforcement of what you do.
I would recommend all [builders to] get into a Builder 20 group because it’s like a board of directors for you.
