Built America Magazine
Being small allows Coleman to stay hands- on, present, and in control of quality. It also allows him to build real relationships with builders, GCs, and trade partners. “We’ve got great relationships,” he says. “A buddy will call and say, ‘Hey, I’ve got a situation and a storm coming in.’ A select few of us will change our schedule around to help each other out.” He would love to employ more veterans, but he refuses to sugarcoat the financial realities of small contracting. “The money in residential isn’t always there to pay what a veteran deserves,” he says. “So our crew tends to stay younger.”
Still, the values he learned in uniform shape the culture of his company.
“As a business owner, you’re doing what I used to do as a first sergeant,” he says.
“You watch for changes in behavior. You teach the right way. You keep the culture strong. Do the job right, ask questions, and if something feels like it’s about to break, stop.” “Seeing the final product is rewarding. You’re taking somebody’s dream and making it come true.”
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