If someone told you at the end of 2006 that the next four years would push you to your limits while slashing your net worth, would you have believed them? If they said that from 2006 to 2009 the single-family home building permits would decrease by 92%, would you believe that? I wouldn’t either, but here we are. The Atlanta homebuilding industry is about to wrap up its fourth year of the Great Recession.
Much like you, the recession has had a big impact on the financial situation of both our company and personal finances. As an entrepreneur there is often very little separation between the two.
Throughout this time the Herbert household has had to make a lot of adjustments in order to get through these tough times. We’ve scaled back on everything. We now choose between this OR that – instead of getting both as in years past. Doing more with less has gone from a catchy slogan to an operational mandate.
We haven’t had to resort to adding water to the ketchup to make it go farther…at least not yet. Ask me about that next year.
Like everyone I know, the recession has made us look for work in many places and in many forms. The positive thing about this has been our company’s expansion throughout the South and Southeast.
- In 2009 my brother, Mike, started our division in San Antonio, TX. From this location we do work in Austin as well. You can learn more about this on our website.
- In mid-summer we completed a five month project just North of New Orleans, LA. This was a huge 12,000 sq. ft. above-grade concrete home that we constructed. See our feature article for more on this.
- Most recently, we finished the foundation for, what we are told, is the largest single-family home in South Carolina for our client, Rick Fierer of Bildon Construction. Look for an article on that project in a future Newsletter.
These events, coupled with a few active clients in Atlanta, have been the bright spots for us over the last two years. We are Thankful for that activity.
This brings me to my next item: Thanksgiving is upon us. In spite of the chaos of the last four years, we have so much to be Thankful for. One of those things to be thankful for are our clients throughout this past year. Thank you. All five of you know who you are (just kidding).
Be sure to recognize and acknowledge all of the things you have to be thankful for, regardless of the difficult environment we find ourselves in. There are always bright spots in our lives – if we look for them.
And, there are always things we can do to improve our situation. I have talked with friends in the home building industry that have been able to find new niches, new ways to turn their knowledge and experience into profitable conditions. That’s what we do as entrepreneurs – we create value in the marketplace for a profit.
So here’s your November shot-in-the-arm: Figure out how to use what you know and then apply it towards improving something – for a profit. There is always something more we can do. I hope you find yours.
As for Thanksgiving Day, I’ll be running in the Atlanta Half Marathon that morning. I’ll look forward to that big Thanksgiving Dinner latter that day. O.K., so maybe we’ll have to choose between ham OR turkey – instead of having both as we’ve had in years past. I’m fine with that.
Happy Thanksgiving,
