Resilience in Construction: Steven Frechette's Entrepreneurial Journey with Board Boss Drywall

Construction is a field that can be described as entrepreneurship as it involves the creation of something from scratch. An example of this is the drywall sector, which is one of the essentials of constructing new buildings in the modern world; here, as well as in many other cases, knowledge, and talent are not enough to succeed – here a skilful entrepreneur, a businessperson, is needed. It is in this competitive environment that many great companies have emerged and are constantly growing, and it is not different from Board Boss Drywall that has become a success story through Steven Frechette.

Competition is high mainly because construction projects are unique and require adaptations in the market; the market is volatile. For instance, how Steven manages to operate in these complicated waters while putting together a multi-million dollar business from scratch shows one’s tenacity, insightful planning, and leadership prowess.

Steven Frechette explains the idea behind the show and therefore exposes us to the thinking style that fosters success in an industry that demands physical strength best suited to personal businesses such as construction. Today, we have the privilege of interviewing Steven and delving into his mind to learn how he manages it all.

1. The construction industry is not an easy market for any fresh business entities to venture into. How did you navigate through the initial challenges of creating Board Boss Drywall?

I was fortunate to have already built a solid reputation in the Niagara region from my time working as an employee at another drywall company. This made it relatively easy to secure small jobs when I first started Board Boss Drywall. However, when I aimed for larger projects without prior experience, I faced significant resistance.

My advice is to be tenacious and take risks. Don't hesitate to reach out directly to estimators or general contractors and speak to them personally. Many of my early contracts were secured because companies decided to take a chance on me before Board Boss had established its reputation.

Tenacity, dedication, and persistence are crucial when starting your first business. These qualities helped me overcome initial challenges and gradually build the reputation and success of Board Boss Drywall.

2. Could you reveal one of the tough times you faced in your entrepreneurial career and how you were able to deal with it?

One of the most recent and challenging situations we've faced has been in the post-COVID-19 landscape. With increased interest rates causing construction projects to stagnate, presales slowing down, and many builders and developers falling behind on payments, it has been a tough period for the industry.

We managed to navigate these challenges primarily through strong relationship management. Open communication with builders and suppliers was crucial, allowing us to find mutually beneficial solutions and maintain trust. Additionally, having a contingency account proved to be incredibly important, providing us with the financial cushion needed to weather the storm and continue operations smoothly despite the setbacks.

3. Balance between work and private life may be a challenge for many people, especially CEOs due to their work in certain fields. Have you ever planned on how to handle both sides of your life?

Honestly, having my wife as my business partner has been a tremendous help in balancing work and our relationship. We understand each other's challenges and deadlines, and working together every day ensures we spend quality time together despite our busy schedules.

Managing time with our two daughters is more challenging, but I try to involve them whenever it's safe. They often come with me to job sites, helping with tasks like cleaning up or loading the truck. Their eagerness to participate at this age is a huge help. They also assist my wife, Kelly, in the office, giving them a sense of involvement in our business.

To ensure we make lasting memories, we prioritize a monthly family activity that's a bit more special than our weekly movie night. This commitment helps us maintain a strong family bond despite the demands of running a business.

4. Board Boss Drywall is already highly successful at this level, within the industry and also among competitors, so what does the term ‘growth’ mean for it?

For Board Boss Drywall, the term 'growth' encompasses both expanding our business operations and enhancing our reputation within the industry. It means continuing to take on larger and more complex projects, as well as increasing our geographic reach within the Niagara region and beyond.

Ultimately, our goal is for Board Boss Drywall to be recognized as one of the premier construction companies in our region. By focusing on incorporating new technologies, expanding our team, using quality control processes, and training existing team members, we aim to solidify our reputation for excellence and dependability, ensuring long-term success and continued impact on the communities we serve.

5. In a field that's often seen as traditional, how do you foster innovation within Board Boss Drywall?

Fostering innovation within Board Boss Drywall involves a multifaceted approach that combines continuous learning, embracing new technologies, and maintaining open lines of communication.

Firstly, we prioritize continuous learning by regularly updating our team with the latest health and safety courses and staying current with building codes. On-the-job training through our foremen, including regular Tool Box Talks and pairing apprentices with journeymen, ensures our team is always improving and learning from the best.

We also stay on top of industry trends by attending events and tradeshows and reading industry publications. This allows us to explore new tools and technologies, testing them on-site to determine which innovations can enhance our productivity and efficiency.

Furthermore, fostering a positive company culture where our foremen are empowered to make quick decisions on the job site encourages a dynamic and adaptive work environment. By supporting our team and promoting open communication, we create a space where new ideas and methods can be implemented effectively.

Through these strategies, we ensure that Board Boss Drywall remains at the forefront of innovation in the construction industry, continuously improving and adapting to meet the needs of our clients and the market.

6. Building a team is crucial in construction. What's your approach to hiring and developing talent in your company?

The industry is currently facing massive labour shortages making hiring more challenging and retaining talent is more important than ever. Our approach at Board Boss Drywall involves a careful evaluation and development process to ensure we build a strong and skilled team.

When we hire new workers, we typically start with a trial period of one to two weeks. This allows us to assess their quality of work, punctuality, efficiency, and conscientiousness on job sites. If they meet our standards during this period, we move forward with their development.

For apprentices, we pair them with our experienced journeymen workers. This mentorship ensures that new workers are developing their craft under the guidance of our best talent, leading to consistent results across projects. This approach not only helps in skill development but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and learning within our team.

By focusing on both careful hiring and continuous development, we are able to maintain high standards and ensure the successful completion of our projects, despite the challenges posed by labor shortages.