THIS FAQ PAGE
WAS CREATED BY ANDREI
FROM INTERVIEW
WITH LARRY
1) What classes did you attend in High School that helped you achieve your current position?
1.) The classes I was interested in were the more creative ones. I was never very interested in math and science but got through them. I liked art and music best. It was a way for me to express myself and keep me interested in school.
2) How hard do you think it was to achieve you position?
2.) I do not think HARD is the word. To achieve anything worthwhile, you need to be dedicated and committed. When you have that burning desire, your choices in life become easy and fun to do. That is what creates a successful life.
3) Do you actually design the homes yourself?
3.) Yes, I do ! I have a designer who actually draws the plans. I spend several hours each time I design a home. I sit with my designer and we discuss my ideas. I review the floor plans and when we are both satisfied, we work on the elevations. When this is completed and feels good, I let him go at it to complete all the details.
4) When building a home, what part do you actually do?
4.) In the beginning, I did much of the work myself. I have been building for 23 years now and can afford to have all the work sub contracted. Now I spent my time planning, scheduling, and working with the customers. I am on each site every day to check on the quality and progress of the job. This very important and necessary in order to assure nothing falls through the cracks and each step is completed properly before the next step begins.
5) What kind of skills do you need to be a home builder?
5.) Hands on experience is always the best experience. I learned by doing. You need to be creative and have good business sense which amounts to good ol' common sense.
6) Does your job involve knowing architecture?
6.) Yes! Having a good sense of architecture is always a plus but it is not necessary to be an architect. I am constantly looking at houses and buildings and learning something new. This keeps me fresh. When I travel, I always take many pictures of buildings and homes and keep them on hand for reference. It is a life-long process.
7) How long did it take you to build your career?
7.) As I said, it is a life-long process. I started my career as a teacher of art at the high school level. I always wanted to have my own business, so I bought an apartment building and renovated it. I learned a lot about construction doing that. I moved on to building a home from the bottom up. That was 23 years ago. I still love my career choice. It kind of just happened. It made sense to me.
8) Do you usually build large houses or mostly medium size ones?
8.) I think you can call them large homes. I found my niche in the up-scale market. I cater to the second or third time buyer. My very first home, 23 years ago, cost over $200,000 to build. Now my homes range from $500,000 to $1,000,000.
9) Are you a specialist in any distinct type of homes?
9.) Yes! I do one-of-a-kind homes. That is what I am known for. I have never duplicated a home in my entire career. I do not know of another builder that can say that. It's more work, but that's what I am all about. Once I have done it, I do not feel the need to do it again. I am not in it just for the money, but for creative expression. It turns me on, and keeps me going. Do what you love and love what you do, and riches become a by-product. That's my philosophy.
10) Do you think that home building really affects your family life?
10.) Of course it does! You cannot and should not separate one from the other. I designed my business as a lifestyle business. It is a part of me. What I do, is who I am. That's what creates a successful life. You combine your personal life with your business life. You combine your emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental aspects of your life together to form a smooth working machine. It all comes together as one. One supports the other.