Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Williams.
Michael, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started Butterfield and Sons Construction in February of 2014 and officially went out on my own two months later. I did not have a single project lined up, only a handful of contacts and a vague idea of what I wanted Butterfield and Sons Construction to look like. The first job I did was a minor plumbing repair for a friend earning me $197.50.
I still remember the feeling of seeing that money go into my own company’s bank account. There is something really intoxicating about creating your own economy. From that point forward I began to take whatever project I could get my hands on. I said yes to everything. During the summer of 2014, I was doing some paperwork at a coffee shop in the city and was eavesdropping on two interior designers having a meeting about various projects.
I literally had one foot out the door and turned around and introduced myself to them and they told me to sit down. The first project I did for them cost me more than I earned but it ultimately led me to do a 600 bottle wine cellar with floor to ceiling mahogany. Years later when my son and I sat on 500 board feet of rough sawn mahogany wood I couldn’t help but marvel at where that opportunity led me. I could never have planned it that way.
Now, I have a handful of clients that regularly call me to handle jobs as small as checking on their house while they are out of town to doing a $90K bathroom remodel and everything in between. 4 years later Butterfield and Sons is more like construction concierge service than a traditional construction company.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it has not been a smooth road. In 2015 I nearly lost my company. I lost a lot of money. I didn’t listen to the people that told me to not grow too quickly. I always quiver when I hear someone say that too much work is a good problem to have, it is not.
Butterfield and Sons Construction – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I specialize in interior residential construction. I love doing custom projects, stuff I’ve never done before. I love connecting with my clients to design something that is very specific and unique to them. I think that sets me apart from most other construction companies. I feel very proud when I complete a project and the client is blown away by the final product.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is an unrelenting pursuit to perfecting one’s craft, whatever that may be. I care less about money and more about how well I can be at my job. Some markers; please clients, empowered employees/subcontractors and a final product that has exceeded the expectations of the client.
Contact Info:
- Website: butterfieldsons.com
- Phone: 630-640-4906
- Email: mike@butterfieldsons.com
- Instagram: butterfieldandsonsconstruction
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