Question & Answer interview with Delaware new home builder, Brian Lessard. Questions originally appeared in the Dover Post, Milestones In Business community newspaper.
Q: How did the Lessard family become introduced to the real estate and construction industry?
A: My grandfather, Dan Lessard, started a business based on providing new construction homes, pole barns and buildings in Long Island, New York in the 1940s. Following in his footsteps, my father, Addie Lessard, worked on the construction sites with my grandfather, learned the trade and passed the knowledge onto my brothers and me. When I was young, my family relocated to Delaware at a time when Delaware’s economic outlook was developing and there was more opportunity for the construction and agriculture industries. Before you continue you should make sure you find a construction scaffolding company to hire, that way the construction process can go by much more smoothly with the aid of a reliable and professional scaffolding company.
Q: What type of projects has Lessard Builders worked on throughout the years?
A: Lessard Builders has built schools, commercial buildings and residential homes in Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties over the years. Commercial construction projects include Saint Thomas More Academy in Magnolia, All Climate Storage Center in Lewes, Sea Colony projects in Bethany Beach and office buildings in Camden. Some of these constructions have been more complex than usual, and valuable learning experiences. Thankfully, technology has made working in construction easier and simpler over time. Things that would have been impossible to build are now possible thanks to the use of tools and equipment. A good example is overhead cranes, allowing for more complex roofs, as well as faster and safer construction of taller structures.
Q: What type of changes have you seen throughout the years in the new home building industry?
A: Lessard Builders personalizes every home design we build so naturally we’ve seen a variation in residential plans over the years due to market trends and client requests. We’ve also seen new technologies be introduced that streamline certain processes or allow us to save time, making the whole process much faster. On our previous project we had a storm pass by and flood our new construction when we were only on our fifth or sixth day. This would usually mean halting everything for a week or two until the terrain was in good condition to work in. Instead, we employed a wellpoint dewatering system, and that made short work of the problem. Not having to wait for something like this to pass, and doing something about it instead has made our job easier, faster, and more comfortable for everyone involved.
Q: How many hours in a week do you typically work?
A: About 70 hours a week.
What is the best part of owning your own business?
Being able to share the business with my children.
What is the feedback or accomplishment you are most proud of?
Turning people’s dreams into reality. Before we hit the drawing board for a new home design we have a creative brainstorming session with each client to talk about how they live, what they want in their next home, the products they love and budget. Our goal is to shape these concepts into a personalized functional design that works in their price range and makes them happy.
What is a good business tip you don’t mind sharing?
Wake up every day with an optimistic outlook. Tell yourself that “today is going to be a good day”. If you start the day with a positive attitude, you’re setting an expectation for how the rest of your day will turn out.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to someone starting a business today?
Make certain that you love what you do. If you’re going to start a business, make sure you are truly passionate about your vision and not just in it to make the most money.
Where did you go on your last vacation?
Disney World & Universal Studios with my children and grandchildren
Do you have a guilty pleasure?
Vacations. I really enjoy traveling and vacationing with my family. It allows me to unplug, recharge and think creatively without distractions of the common business day.
Brian Lessard – in a snapshot:
Brian Lessard is the owner of Lessard Builders. Brian is a third generation Delaware new home builder with over 35 years of experience designing and building custom homes. His passion for quality craftsmanship sparked at an early age when he first built a home from frame to finish with his father, Addie. His practical, on-the-job experience is a driving factor in the traditional, proven methods and first rate products used in the construction of every custom home built by Lessard Builders. Brian personally meets with each client and oversees the residential and commercial projects to ensure Lessard’s building standards are met. Native to Delaware, the Lessard family is very active in the community and is loyal to using local reputable subcontractors and trades. Brian is involved in many community organizations, coaches youth volleyball, is President of Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity and serves on the board for Dover Federal Credit Union and The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.
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