Ben Horning and Brock Garber are the official partners of BH Design + Build. But you could say there’s a third one: Horning’s builder dad, who shares his 5,000-square-foot showroom with the firm, not to mention his years of expertise.
“I have a great relationship with my dad,” says Horning, BH Design + Build’s president. “We share resources. We share knowledge."
All of that sharing has led to quick success for the company, which is nearing $3 million in sales after just four years in business. Along with giving credit to his dad’s help for the company’s growth, Horning credits his partnership with Garber, his former subcontractor.
While Horning focuses on the business side, Garber zeroes in on the fieldwork. “We balance each other out,” Horning says. “We look at things differently but almost always agree at the end of the day on the final decision.”
That partnership also brought all current employees together, and the partners are making sure the crew is in it for the long haul. The team checks in with workers individually every six months to make sure they are being fulfilled in the job. If someone isn’t, the team figures out how to make that person happy. Additionally, everyone gets either a company car or a fuel allowance, company apparel, tools, and a retirement account.
“Our goal is to make it easy for employees to work here,” Horning says.
Happy employees typically lead to happy customers, which is the ultimate goal for BH Design + Build. Horning says that’s especially true with his field staff, who make customer service their top priority.
“The relationship they build with customers is way stronger from a sales end because they see them all the time,” Horning says. “They’re always asking how they can serve the customer better.”
