Welcome back to another episode of Success Unleashed: Beyond the Jobsite. I'm your host, Gerritt Bake, and today we have a special guest with us, Cameron Barr, the owner of Barr Construction. Since September 2020, Barr Construction has been making waves in the industry, generating $15.5 million in revenue last year and projected to reach between $22 and $25 million this year. They focus on commercial development, high-end homes, and land development. Cameron, along with his wife Amber and father-in-law, run this family business. Let's dive in and learn more about Cameron's journey and his approach to business.
Cameron's Journey into Construction
Cameron grew up in the Salt Lake Valley, always fascinated with architecture. As a child, he marveled at the buildings in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle. Initially aspiring to be an architect, he quickly realized his passion lay more in understanding the construction process than in design. After high school, he started framing houses and gradually moved into commercial construction, coupling hands-on experience with formal education.
Building Barr Construction
- Early Career: Cameron started as an assistant project manager, gaining insights into various facets of construction. Despite some discouraging experiences, he persevered, eventually completing a degree in construction management and later, a master's in real estate development.
- Starting the Business: The decision to start Barr Construction came from a desire to build a business where employees were valued beyond their roles. Cameron and his wife Amber worked without pay initially to ensure they hired the right people from the start.
Overcoming Industry Challenges
Cameron identified several internal challenges within the construction industry:
- Employee Valuation: Many companies treat employees as expendable, which can be demotivating.
- Role Pigeonholing: Workers are often restricted to specific roles without opportunities for growth.
Importance of Relationships
Cameron emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with employees and subcontractors. This approach has led to:
- High Retention Rates: Most of Barr Construction's work is negotiated rather than bid in open markets, thanks to strong, repeat relationships with clients and subcontractors.
- Early Involvement: By involving subcontractors early in projects, Barr Construction ensures better planning, scheduling, and execution.
Personal and Professional Growth
Cameron balances his business growth with personal responsibilities as a husband and father. His advice to up-and-coming contractors is to surround themselves with mentors and resources that challenge and support them.
Rapid Fire Questions
- City with the Best Architecture: Cameron loves both the modern architecture of Seattle and the historical buildings of England.
- Favorite Part of the Job: Cameron enjoys working with people and the challenge of problem-solving in complex projects.
- Starting Over: With $1,000, Cameron would invest in hiring a knowledgeable advisor to guide the business setup process.
Key Takeaways
1. Surround Yourself with Smart People: Always have mentors and advisors who can help you grow.
2. Build Strong Relationships: Focus on long-term relationships with clients and subcontractors rather than transactional interactions.
Cameron, thank you for sharing your insights and journey with us. To our listeners, take Cameron's advice to heart—surround yourself with the right people and build meaningful relationships to accelerate your growth. Here's to hitting that $25 million mark this year, Cameron!
