Q: Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
A: Premier Structures is a premier custom home builder based in Ashland, VA. We specialize in designing and constructing custom homes and renovations within a 45-mile radius of Hanover, VA, including New Kent, Charles City, Goochland, King William, Hanover, Henrico, and the city of Richmond.
At Premier Structures, we take immense pride in building homes the right way. Our foundation in carpentry and adherence to the highest standards of craftsmanship set us apart. We draw on principles passed down from experienced craftsmen with generational expertise to ensure every home we build exceeds minimum code requirements.
Our commitment goes beyond just meeting the basics; we focus on incorporating superior structural integrity and efficiency practices into the very bones of each home. This meticulous approach ensures that our homes are not only beautiful but also durable and energy-efficient, reflecting our dedication to quality and excellence in every project.
Q: Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
A: Eric Pair, the founder of Premier Structures, began his carpentry career in 2001, honing his craft with some of the finest craftsmen in the industry. His passion for home building led him to launch Creative Carpentry in 2007, a company specializing in framing, interior trim, and siding. In 2012, he rebranded the company as Premier Structures, marking its evolution and dedication to excellence. Since then, Premier Structures has built over 200 homes and complicated renovations with a hands-on approach. This direct involvement is a key differentiator, as the leadership team’s deep, practical knowledge ensures high-quality construction in an industry where many builders rely heavily on subcontractors’ experience to guide the building process.
Q: What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
A: Eric Pair’s deep-rooted passion for carpentry and home building was a key motivator. Starting his career in 2001, Eric trained under some of the finest craftsmen in the industry, which ignited his enthusiasm for creating exceptional homes. This passion led him to launch Creative Carpentry in 2007, focusing on framing, interior trim, and siding. His extensive experience and dedication to craftsmanship were crucial in shaping his vision for the business.
As Eric honed his skills, he identified a gap in the market for home builders who could offer superior quality beyond the minimum code requirements. This realization inspired him to rebrand his business to Premier Structures in 2012. The rebranding was not just a name change but a strategic move to emphasize a commitment to high standards in structural integrity and efficiency.
Eric’s decision to rebrand and refine the business was driven by a desire to elevate the quality of construction. Premier Structures was founded on the principles of exceptional carpentry, incorporating the best practices learned from experienced craftsmen. This focus on excellence is reflected in their hands-on approach and commitment to building homes that exceed standard code requirements.
The shift to Premier Structures allowed Eric to build a legacy based on the values of meticulous craftsmanship and dedication to quality. By applying his deep knowledge and hands-on experience, he aimed to create homes that stand out for their durability, efficiency, and superior construction.
Q: What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
A: Choose a business idea that aligns with your interests, skills, and values. When you’re passionate about what you’re doing, it won’t feel like a chore, and your enthusiasm will translate into better work. Passion fuels perseverance. When challenges arise (and they will), your genuine interest in the field will help you overcome obstacles and stay motivated.
Your passion can also resonate with customers, creating a more authentic connection and building a loyal customer base.
Q: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
A: Entrepreneurship is full of setbacks and challenges. Resilience is crucial for bouncing back from Successful entrepreneurs have a clear vision of what they want to achieve and a strategic plan for how to get there. This involves setting goals, identifying key milestones, and planning the necessary steps to reach them.
Strong communication skills are essential for building and maintaining relationships with customers, investors, partners, and employees. Being able to articulate your vision, negotiate deals, and manage conflicts effectively can greatly impact your business’s success.
Q: How many hours do you work a day on average?
A: 10
Q: To what do you most attribute your success?
A: Passion
Q: How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
A: Word of mouth
Q: Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
A: Eric Boot strapped the business starting with 0 dollars never pursuing funds outside of the business
Q: What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
A: Continually doing what is right every day, putting the customer and product first
Q: Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
A: Becoming one of Richmond Va’s most sought after custom home builders
Q: Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
A: Habitat for humanity
Q: How important have good employees been to your success?
A: Couldn’t have gotten to where we are without good people involved on a daily basis.
Q: How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
A: We never give up on good ideas What motivates you? The people we work for, and the employees that help us build our forever homes
Q: What are your ideals?
A: Attention to Detail, Durability and Longevity, Personalization, Communication,Integrity and Transparency
Q: How do you generate new ideas?
A: Relying on past experiences to optimize new ideas is a powerful approach
Q: How do you define success?
A: Happy Customers and employees
Q: How do you build a successful customer base?
A: Providing homes that customers can raise families in knowing that they can be proud of their purchase, while showing off their home!
Q: What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
A: Flexibility and autonomy
Q: What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
A: Final walkthrough!. Building a custom home is a lot of work for both the Premier and the customer. When we deliver a home it is a powerful moment and a huge sense of accomplishment that started out as an idea.
Q: What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
A: Ability to take on risk
Q: What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture
A: Results-Oriented: Prioritize achieving goals and measuring success based on performance and outcomes. Employees are driven by targets and achievements.
Q: In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
A: Dynamic