SLHL: Please share an experience that was a major influence on your career decision.
Randy: I was 19 or 20 years old and I was driving down Delmar in University City in the evening in summertime under the canopy of tree limbs, and just fell in love with the feeling an old neighborhood gives you. I always wondered why no one who renovated homes matched existing materials like slate or tile roofing, copper guttering, windows, etc. I thought the market needed someone who actually restores historic homes, and so my journey started.
SLHL: What has been the biggest compliment you've received in your career?
Randy: Someone purchasing one of our historic restorations or new period-correct infills. Nothing is more flattering that someone paying money for one of our creations.
SLHL: What was a project or experience that was a turning point in your career?
Randy: I’m a pretty optimistic guy and have a "we can do this" or "figure out how to fix this" or "preserve this" kind of attitude, but the 11,000-square-foot mansion on Pershing Place we did gave me a run for my money. The problems we tackled on this job were unlike anything up to that point I have ever faced.
SLHL: Tell us a story from your childhood where your creative design genius kicked in.
Randy: My parents have built every house I ever lived in and my grandfather also was a builder. I grew up around construction and my folks oftentimes looked at houses for fun. I've always been fascinated by architecture and more drawn to old homes and the architects who built them. The passion for preserving the original intent of the architect is what we strive for. All these exterior materials and details matter and create the look that we are consciously and subconsciously drawn to.
SLHL: What does it take to achieve a high level of success before 40?
Randy: Support. No one is self-made and I certainly am not either. I've had a lot of support from my family, specifically my wife and father. I work a lot of hours like most small business owners and our company often is going seven days a week to finish projects. So I guess my answer is support and work ethic.
Edited by Melissa Mauzy
Portrait Photography by Colin Miller/Strauss PeytonUniversity City. I started my business working on homes in University City. I love the variety of architecture there; you see Tudor, French eclectic, Italian Renaissance, Spanish Revival, etc. What an awesome variety of homes.
