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Whether itB次元官网网址檚 waiting for the steel to heat up when heB次元官网网址檚 blacksmithing, waiting for the hay to dry on his Central Saanich farm or waiting for the right business opportunity, construction guru Dan Schuetze has learned to have patience.

B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 say I always have patience, but IB次元官网网址檝e learned throughout my life that things always work out in the end,B次元官网网址� the 43-year-old owner of Villamar says. B次元官网网址淚t can sometimes be short-sighted to think it has to happen now and we have to have the answer now. There are times you really have to work hard and you really have to make something happen. But there are other times you have to sit back and be at peace. You do just have to hurry up and wait sometimes.B次元官网网址�

That inner calm, coupled with a strong work ethic, is definitely working for Dan. Since starting Villamar in 2006, heB次元官网网址檚 built a name for himself as one of the top high-end custom homebuilders in Greater Victoria in addition to running successful renovation, commercial construction, design and telecommunication technology arms of the business.

B次元官网网址淚 like the creativity of it and turning a concept into reality,B次元官网网址� Dan says. B次元官网网址淓very project has a bit of a different challenge. The whole idea of being able to think outside the box and having great people around you seems to be the best way to meet any challenge.B次元官网网址�

DanB次元官网网址檚 start in construction came early. His dad was a builder and he began working with him right out of high school. His parents were missionaries and the family moved to the Saanich Peninsula when Dan was 16 years old, after living in Northern Spain and Mexico during his childhood.

B次元官网网址淲e flew down to Mexico on a small plane and thatB次元官网网址檚 where we lived for nine years,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚 think the experience that I was able to grow up with was incredible B次元官网网址� seeing how other people lived, different cultures and different countries.B次元官网网址�

Dan says it taught him to be resourceful and helped cement a strong work ethic instilled in him by his parents.

B次元官网网址淎 lot of the people around us were so poor B次元官网网址� they had nothing and we didnB次元官网网址檛 really have much either,B次元官网网址� he explains. B次元官网网址淵ou looked around and saw how resourceful people had to be and how hard they had to work to get ahead. ThatB次元官网网址檚 something we donB次元官网网址檛 really see or experience here as kids.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 a different kind of childhood to what own his two daughters, aged 11 and 14, are growing up with on the pastoral Peninsula, enjoying the tranquility and freedom of their farm.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just such a peaceful place to live and it gives our kids a ton of freedom to run around,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚 get to drive a tractor and bale hay in the summer. ThereB次元官网网址檚 something about being on a noisy tractor on a hot day, with no distractions, watching birds fly around.B次元官网网址�

For Dan, who got into blacksmithing about a year ago, thereB次元官网网址檚 also something about forging metal with his own hands and creating something out of nothing.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 rewarding to make something you can actually use,B次元官网网址� says Dan, who is planning to make a set of kitchen knives for his house. B次元官网网址淚 like the pace of it. You have to wait until the steel is hot enough, and then you have to act fast or you miss your window of opportunity. ItB次元官网网址檚 like a lot of things in life B次元官网网址� timing is everything.B次元官网网址�

DanB次元官网网址檚 other passion is cars B次元官网网址� heB次元官网网址檚 owned hundreds over the years and he bought his first vehicle before he could even drive.

B次元官网网址淭he first car I bought was a 1978 Toyota Corolla B次元官网网址� so definitely not a glamorous car by any means or a collectable or fun car B次元官网网址� but it was the one I could afford at the time!B次元官网网址� laughs Dan.

It was the first car he owned after he got his license, a 1972 BMW 2002, which really ignited his passion. He now has a small collection and says early Porsches are his favourite.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 something so timeless about them,B次元官网网址� he explains. B次元官网网址淢y favourite is my 1968 Porsche 912. I love the lines, the way they drive. ThereB次元官网网址檚 just something really authentic about them. An older car reminds you that youB次元官网网址檙e driving, where a new car kind of makes you forget youB次元官网网址檙e driving.B次元官网网址�

As Dan continues to drive Villamar forward into bigger and better things, one piece of advice really sticks out.

B次元官网网址淭he biggest shift for me has been from thinking what can I get from someone to what can I give?B次元官网网址� he explains. B次元官网网址淚f you do something that only gives you something back, itB次元官网网址檚 a one-sided relationship and it wonB次元官网网址檛 work. Being able to add value to others is the key.B次元官网网址�