A business consultant who has worked with Victor Myers offers this brief but telling story: When a prospective client asked the Dallas-area custom builder for some references, Myers simply printed his entire contact list, which included everyone his company had ever done business with: clients, bankers, engineers, real estate agents, everyone. “The point,” says the consultant, “was that the client could call anyone…” Making a name for a new company is never easy. But in a competitive, word-of-mouth business, Myers has done just that. In business for only 5 years, he has built a reputation for quality work, thorough communication, and fair dealing that should stand him in good stead as his company matures. To reinforce that image, Myers runs a full-court press in customer service, with the aim of building each client contact into a long-term relationship.
Myers courts prospective clients by maintaining positions in sought-after developments, easing their search for land on which to build. Recognizing that many prospective jobs hinge on the sale of an existing home, he has built a network of contacts with real estate professionals, some of whom will discount their fees for his clients. Myers can even arrange a crew to spruce up an existing house for a quick sale.
Once a client signs on with the company, Myers and his staff go into full hand holding mode, staying in constant contact and supporting clients in their choice to be as engaged in or removed from the process as they like. Several times weekly during construction, Myers posts progress shots on the company Web site. At close-out he presents the photos in album form, along with a book containing all of the manuals and instructions for appliances and mechanical systems. Myers maintains contact after completion with a quarterly newsletter, an annual customer-appreciation dinner, a two-year warranty, and a network of approved subcontractors-dubbed Contractors United-to handle work beyond the warranty period.
Victor Myers Custom Homes, Bartonville, Texas; Type of business: custom builder; Years in business: 5; Employees: 4; 2007 volume: $4.4 million; 2007 starts: 5
