- Words Tess van Straaten Photography Lia Crowe

While most kids were playing outside on weekends and during school breaks, award-wining custom homebuilder Terry Johal was put to work on his dadB次元官网网址檚 construction sites.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just in my blood,B次元官网网址� says the founder of Terry Johal Developments. B次元官网网址淢y father was a prominent homebuilder and I started working alongside him, I think as early as age 12. So, all my weekends and some breaks were all spent on a construction site.B次元官网网址�

At the time, the tween and teenage Terry didnB次元官网网址檛 fully appreciate the amazing on-the-job training he was gettingB次元官网网址攐r what it would mean for his future.

B次元官网网址淗onestly, at first, I didnB次元官网网址檛 like it,B次元官网网址� the 46-year-old says with a laugh. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 rather be hanging out with my friends or doing something else. But as an adult, I realized what a great life experience that was and the incredible work ethic it instilled in me.B次元官网网址�

Terry decided to strike out on his own in 2001. In his mid-20s and newly married to his wife, Angela, he wanted to carve his own niche in the industry, so they started their own company.

B次元官网网址淚 think IB次元官网网址檝e always been a bit entrepreneurial, I have such an interest in business, and I was determined to be successful,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淛ust being married and thinking about our future together, it was the right path. It was definitely a little scary at first because we were so young, but I had such a great partner in Angela that we just did it all as a team and it all worked out.B次元官网网址�

They realized early on that luxury, custom homes were what they had a special talent for building.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just my jam, this is what IB次元官网网址檓 good at, and itB次元官网网址檚 just something that I love doing,B次元官网网址� the father of two teenagers says. B次元官网网址淢y skill set and my niche revolve around servicing the needs of our clients and building these luxury homes that are of the utmost quality and the highest of standards.B次元官网网址�

Terry quickly learned being an entrepreneur is a 24/7 job and he admits that for the first seven years of the business, there was very little balance in his life.

B次元官网网址淭he world only revolved around the business and then we had a couple of kids and as my boys started growing up, I realized that there needs to be a family-first approach,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭his is something that we really instill in our employees as well. Family needs come before anything. A balanced family/work life leads to longevity and success in business and life, and once that balance was in my life, everything just seemed to go smoother.B次元官网网址�

Growing up with some great mentors on construction sites, Terry says the other big lesson he learned is that thereB次元官网网址檚 only one way to do somethingB次元官网网址攁nd thatB次元官网网址檚 the right way.

B次元官网网址淣ever compromise on quality,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e lived with that mantra the whole time weB次元官网网址檝e been in business and itB次元官网网址檚 really worked out.B次元官网网址�

As a result, the small, bespoke company takes on just four to six projects at a time. Any more than this could compromise the high-end, personalized service they provide, Terry says.

B次元官网网址淚 love the journey we go on with our clients, because weB次元官网网址檙e with them every step of the way and I like to guide them through each step,B次元官网网址� explains Terry. B次元官网网址淲hether theyB次元官网网址檙e choosing plumbing fixtures or flooring, I like to be there not only because it gives me knowledge of whatB次元官网网址檚 going on, but IB次元官网网址檝e been through all this on so many projects that I like to give them my advice, the pros and cons on certain items, to help them.B次元官网网址�

With more than 100 homesB次元官网网址攆rom ultra-modern to traditionalB次元官网网址� under his belt, Terry doesnB次元官网网址檛 have a favourite style. He says he loves all the different styles, but, as an experienced builder, he does have a very important piece of advice.

B次元官网网址淥ne thing I stress in whatever we do, and I try to emphasize this with clients, is that we want it to have a timeless feel and look to it,B次元官网网址� Terry says. B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 want to start doing a renovation in five or six years. A fad is just that.B次元官网网址�

The industryB次元官网网址檚 definitely faced its challenges and the biggest one right now is the high cost of construction, which Terry says has almost doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the increased development costs for land.

B次元官网网址淟abour and material costs are at an all-time high and to be honest with you, the reality is theyB次元官网网址檙e most likely only going to keep increasing,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭here are a lot of things like bureaucratic policies and red tape that only exasperate the issue, but I think our government is seeing that now and there have been some recent changes made to hopefully steer the ship in the right direction.B次元官网网址�

TerryB次元官网网址檚 helped create positive change in the industry as a former board member and president of the Victoria Residential Builders Association. Born and raised in Victoria, he says it was important for him to give back to an industry that has given him so much.

B次元官网网址淚 advocated for housing affordability and regulatory reform, including mandatory continued education for licensed builders,B次元官网网址� he explains. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really proud of the fact that there was change made in the industry.B次元官网网址�

Terry is also carrying on the tradition of dragging his 15-year-old son, Jagger, to building sites in the summerB次元官网网址攁nd 13-year-old Terran could be next.

B次元官网网址淚 love building, but as a parent, IB次元官网网址檓 hoping they chart their own path and do something they love and are passionate about. And if that means continuing with the family business, great, but itB次元官网网址檚 got to be something that they want.B次元官网网址�

As Terry enjoys his success after two decades of hard work, his best parting advice is to B次元官网网址渟tay hungry.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲ith success, you have security and you become very comfortable, but that can be a real detriment,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淵ou have to continue to push yourself to get the best out of yourself. Like they say, pressure makes diamonds.B次元官网网址�

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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