Today we’d like to introduce you to Baky Soumare.
Baky, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
For many people, playing soccer at a professional level for several years might have seemed like the end goal, but for me, it was what guided me to my true passion—architectural design.
I feel like for most people there’s a moment when a feeling hits you, and you know you’ve finally found that one thing you’ve been searching for. For me, it happened when I was flipping homes. There was this one property I was working on in a new construction building with an extensive outdoor space deeded to the unit. Configuring the interior was fun, but what consumed my interest was the large outdoor space. I don’t know what it was about the space itself, but I was drawn to it. Being out there in that space made the whole process far more enjoyable.
Upon completion, there was something about that outdoor space that stuck with me. Not only did I love the process, but I realized that there was a niche market for designing and building such spaces, and it inspired me to create a firm specializing in that niche.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No successful business takes off without struggles.
There was one major problem with transitioning into that business, and that was my career as a full-time professional soccer player. Most people wouldn’t see a professional soccer career as a problem, but all the travel and time required to compete at that level didn’t leave me with much time to start and run a business, it was like having two full time jobs at once. There were other difficulties as well: Deciding between subcontracting versus hiring employees, creating a business out of something I was passionate about, and constantly sourcing new and improved building materials.
After the initial struggles, PITCH Concepts was born. PITCH Concepts focuses on going beyond simply designing outdoor spaces. Instead, we emphasize developing these spaces as extensions of the home that our clients will fully utilize. We have a reputation for creating clean, modern, functional and fun outdoor living spaces in urban areas, specifically with rooftops, backyards and other outside facilities.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about PITCH Concepts – what should we know?
Two years ago, we extended the company outside Chicago, specifically to New York City, where I call home. I have recently expanded to Montreal, Canada which I also consider home.
As the founder of the company, I take a deeply personal approach in all the spaces we design. Recently, as PITCH Concepts has expanded to new design ventures and product developments, I still managed to be involved in every project we take on. Whether big or small, it’s extremely important to me that we stay consistent, providing the high quality of work our clients have grown to expect from us. I’m extremely particular when it comes to details, thus I have trained my crews to carry out PITCH Concepts’ philosophy in every project we set to complete. Our attention to detail is what sets us apart from the competition. It is at the heart of PITCH Concepts. We’re not a company that simply rushes through projects to get to the next ones; we strive to fulfill our clients’ vision before moving on to the next project.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There’s no shortage of inspiration in the creation of a company and one local developer who really left his impact on me was Bob Ranquist from Ranquist development. His unique style is instantly recognizable with well-designed projects, completely thought-out and always consistent. Not only did I love his work, but there was something about Bob’s personality that I was drawn to.
At the core of PITCH Concepts rests a solid team of employees dedicated to helping an incredible list of clients who trust us. Our clients respect our proven track record of success and allows PITCH Concepts to come up with solutions designed to elevate their outdoor spaces while exceeding our clients’ expectations. Our clients’ trust in us to find and implement the right materials that will make their spaces work creates a freedom that makes the process far more enjoyable for everyone involved. This trust comes from having knowledgeable, consistent, and reliable crews that know how to complete projects in line with the mission of PITCH Concepts.
Most of our advertising is done by word of mouth. Our clients know that we approach their space like a blank canvas and allow us control of the outcome, with only a few guidelines to follow. This allows PITCH Concepts to create a masterpiece designed specifically for our clients every time.
Contact Info:
- Address: 500 N Michigan Ave
Suite 600 Chicago, IL 60611 - Website: Www.pitchconcepts.com
- Phone: 312-620-2391
- Email: contact@pitchconcepts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pitchconcepts/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/PITCHconcepts/
- Twitter: Twitter.com/pitchconcepts
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/pitchconcepts/pitch-concepts
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