-Words Tess van Straaten Photography Lia Crowe
While most kids were playing outside on weekends and during school breaks, award-wining custom homebuilder Terry Johal was put to work on his dad91裸聊视频檚 construction sites.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 just in my blood,91裸聊视频� says the founder of Terry Johal Developments. 91裸聊视频淢y father was a prominent homebuilder and I started working alongside him, I think as early as age 12. So, all my weekends and some breaks were all spent on a construction site.91裸聊视频�
At the time, the tween and teenage Terry didn91裸聊视频檛 fully appreciate the amazing on-the-job training he was getting91裸聊视频攐r what it would mean for his future.
91裸聊视频淗onestly, at first, I didn91裸聊视频檛 like it,91裸聊视频� the 46-year-old says with a laugh. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檇 rather be hanging out with my friends or doing something else. But as an adult, I realized what a great life experience that was and the incredible work ethic it instilled in me.91裸聊视频�
Terry decided to strike out on his own in 2001. In his mid-20s and newly married to his wife, Angela, he wanted to carve his own niche in the industry, so they started their own company.
91裸聊视频淚 think I91裸聊视频檝e always been a bit entrepreneurial, I have such an interest in business, and I was determined to be successful,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淛ust being married and thinking about our future together, it was the right path. It was definitely a little scary at first because we were so young, but I had such a great partner in Angela that we just did it all as a team and it all worked out.91裸聊视频�
They realized early on that luxury, custom homes were what they had a special talent for building.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 just my jam, this is what I91裸聊视频檓 good at, and it91裸聊视频檚 just something that I love doing,91裸聊视频� the father of two teenagers says. 91裸聊视频淢y skill set and my niche revolve around servicing the needs of our clients and building these luxury homes that are of the utmost quality and the highest of standards.91裸聊视频�
Terry quickly learned being an entrepreneur is a 24/7 job and he admits that for the first seven years of the business, there was very little balance in his life.
91裸聊视频淭he world only revolved around the business and then we had a couple of kids and as my boys started growing up, I realized that there needs to be a family-first approach,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淭his is something that we really instill in our employees as well. Family needs come before anything. A balanced family/work life leads to longevity and success in business and life, and once that balance was in my life, everything just seemed to go smoother.91裸聊视频�
Growing up with some great mentors on construction sites, Terry says the other big lesson he learned is that there91裸聊视频檚 only one way to do something91裸聊视频攁nd that91裸聊视频檚 the right way.
91裸聊视频淣ever compromise on quality,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e lived with that mantra the whole time we91裸聊视频檝e been in business and it91裸聊视频檚 really worked out.91裸聊视频�
As a result, the small, bespoke company takes on just four to six projects at a time. Any more than this could compromise the high-end, personalized service they provide, Terry says.
91裸聊视频淚 love the journey we go on with our clients, because we91裸聊视频檙e with them every step of the way and I like to guide them through each step,91裸聊视频� explains Terry. 91裸聊视频淲hether they91裸聊视频檙e choosing plumbing fixtures or flooring, I like to be there not only because it gives me knowledge of what91裸聊视频檚 going on, but I91裸聊视频檝e been through all this on so many projects that I like to give them my advice, the pros and cons on certain items, to help them.91裸聊视频�
With more than 100 homes91裸聊视频攆rom ultra-modern to traditional91裸聊视频� under his belt, Terry doesn91裸聊视频檛 have a favourite style. He says he loves all the different styles, but, as an experienced builder, he does have a very important piece of advice.
91裸聊视频淥ne thing I stress in whatever we do, and I try to emphasize this with clients, is that we want it to have a timeless feel and look to it,91裸聊视频� Terry says. 91裸聊视频淵ou don91裸聊视频檛 want to start doing a renovation in five or six years. A fad is just that.91裸聊视频�
The industry91裸聊视频檚 definitely faced its challenges and the biggest one right now is the high cost of construction, which Terry says has almost doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the increased development costs for land.
91裸聊视频淟abour and material costs are at an all-time high and to be honest with you, the reality is they91裸聊视频檙e most likely only going to keep increasing,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淭here are a lot of things like bureaucratic policies and red tape that only exasperate the issue, but I think our government is seeing that now and there have been some recent changes made to hopefully steer the ship in the right direction.91裸聊视频�
Terry91裸聊视频檚 helped create positive change in the industry as a former board member and president of the Victoria Residential Builders Association. Born and raised in Victoria, he says it was important for him to give back to an industry that has given him so much.
91裸聊视频淚 advocated for housing affordability and regulatory reform, including mandatory continued education for licensed builders,91裸聊视频� he explains. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 really proud of the fact that there was change made in the industry.91裸聊视频�
Terry is also carrying on the tradition of dragging his 15-year-old son, Jagger, to building sites in the summer91裸聊视频攁nd 13-year-old Terran could be next.
91裸聊视频淚 love building, but as a parent, I91裸聊视频檓 hoping they chart their own path and do something they love and are passionate about. And if that means continuing with the family business, great, but it91裸聊视频檚 got to be something that they want.91裸聊视频�
As Terry enjoys his success after two decades of hard work, his best parting advice is to 91裸聊视频渟tay hungry.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淲ith success, you have security and you become very comfortable, but that can be a real detriment,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淵ou have to continue to push yourself to get the best out of yourself. Like they say, pressure makes diamonds.91裸聊视频�
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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