- 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.
We’re Great Lakes Fencing & Decking LLC — a locally owned and operated fence and deck contractor based in Elkhart, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients throughout Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan (including South Bend, Goshen, Niles, Kalamazoo, and more).
At GL Fencing, we believe your outdoor space deserves more than just a boundary — it deserves style, strength, and peace of mind. We handle everything from designing and building to installing fences, decks, and porch railings. We take pride in delivering high-quality workmanship and excellent customer service on every job
- Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
I started GL Fencing with a vision to provide top-tier fencing and decking services to homeowners and businesses in the Michiana area. Over the years, more than 9 years in business now, we’ve built a reputation for quality work and customer satisfaction. My major achievements include growing a small start-up into a trusted regional business, assembling a skilled team and maintaining customer satisfaction.
- 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?
Great lakes Fencing was born from seeing a real gap in the local market. Homeowners wanted reliable contractors who communicated clearly, showed up when promised, and delivered quality work without cutting corners. I had hands-on experience in the industry and knew that with the right standards, processes, and customer focus, we could build something better. The idea was simple: do high-quality work, treat people honestly, and build structures we’d be proud to put our name on.
- What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
- Build your reputation before you chase growth. Word of mouth is everything, especially in service businesses.
- Know your numbers early. Understanding costs, margins, and cash flow will save you from painful mistakes later.
- Stay consistent when things are slow. The difference between success and failure is often persistence through the tough seasons.
- What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Adaptability – Markets change, materials change, and customers change. You have to adjust quickly.
Communication – Clear expectations with customers and employees prevent most problems before they start.
Work ethic – Especially in the early years, you wear every hat. There’s no substitute for showing up and doing the work.
- How many hours do you work a day on average?
It varies by season, but on average I’d say 10-12 hours a day. Running a construction business doesn’t stop when the crews go home — there’s estimating, scheduling, customer communication, and planning that happens before and after job sites.
- To what do you most attribute your success?
Our success comes from quality workmanship, consistency, and trust. Customers know that when they hire GL Fencing, they’re getting honest recommendations, durable materials, and a finished product that’s built to last. That trust leads to referrals, repeat customers, and long-term growth.
- How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Our most successful marketing has been word of mouth and customer referrals. We also focus on maintaining a strong local online presence so customers can easily find us and see our work. Ultimately, the best marketing has been delivering great results and standing behind our work.
- Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
GL Fencing was built primarily through self-funding and reinvestment. Rather than relying on outside investors, we focused on steady growth, controlling overhead, and reinvesting profits back into equipment, materials, and our team. That approach allowed us to grow sustainably while maintaining full control over quality and operations.
- What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Long-term success comes from doing the right things consistently — treating customers fairly, taking care of employees, and never compromising on quality. Growth should be intentional, not rushed, and always supported by systems that protect your standards.
- Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
In the next 5–10 years, I see Great Lakes Fencing continuing to grow as a trusted regional name while maintaining the same hands-on quality we’re known for. The goal is sustainable growth, a strong team, and being the company people confidently recommend to their friends and family.
- Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
I admire businesses that scale without losing their standards — especially locally owned companies that prioritize craftsmanship, employee loyalty, and customer experience over rapid expansion.
Recommended Questions –
- How important have good employees been to your success?
Good employees are essential. Skilled, reliable team members are the backbone of our business. Quality work and satisfied customers don’t happen without people who care about what they’re building and take pride in doing the job right.
- How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
I don’t give up on ideas quickly — but I do adjust them. Persistence is important, but so is recognizing when something needs refinement. If an idea makes sense long-term, I’ll keep working at it while improving the approach.
- What motivates you?
What motivates me most is building something meaningful and lasting — both for our customers and for my family. Seeing a project come together, knowing it adds value to someone’s home, and hearing that a customer is genuinely happy with the result is incredibly rewarding. I’m also driven by the responsibility of providing for my family and creating a business they can be proud of.
- What are your ideals?
My core ideals are honesty, quality, reliability, and respect. I believe in doing what you say you’re going to do, standing behind your work, and treating customers and employees fairly. Those values guide every decision we make at GL Fencing.
- How do you generate new ideas?
Most of our best ideas come directly from listening — listening to customers, employees, and the challenges we face on job sites. When you pay attention to what people need and where processes can improve, ideas tend to come naturally. We’re always looking for better ways to serve our customers and operate more efficiently.
- How do you define success?
Success isn’t just growth or revenue — it’s building a company with a strong reputation, satisfied customers, and a team that takes pride in their work. If customers trust us, refer us, and feel confident recommending GL Fencing to others, that’s success.
- How do you build a successful customer base?
We focus on clear communication, quality workmanship, and follow-through. From the first conversation to the final walkthrough, we aim to make the process smooth and transparent. When customers feel respected and confident in the work, they naturally become repeat clients and referrals.
- What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
My favorite part is having the ability to shape the business according to my values. Being an entrepreneur allows me to make decisions that prioritize quality, customer satisfaction, and long-term stability rather than short-term gains.
- What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Some of the most satisfying moments come from repeat customers and referrals. When someone calls us back for another project or says they recommended us to a friend or family member, it confirms that we’re doing things the right way.
- What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Entrepreneurs take full responsibility — for outcomes, risks, and decisions. There’s no off switch. While that brings challenges, it also creates a deeper sense of ownership, accountability, and pride in what you build.
- What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
We’ve built a culture centered around accountability, teamwork, and pride in craftsmanship. That tone starts at the top — by setting expectations, leading by example, and valuing quality over shortcuts. We want everyone on our team to care about the final product as much as the customer does.
- In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Driven.
Great Lakes Fencing & Decking LLC
625 Jay Dee St, Elkhart, IN, 46514, United States
Phone: (574) 218-5531
E-mail Id:greatlakesfencing16@gmail.com