Meet Jason Willet, Owner of Willet Construction Remodeling Specialists (willetconstruction.com).
Tell us a little about your business. – Rick & Marcia Willet started Willet Construction in 1995 with three goals: Top-quality craftsmanship & top-quality service, Caring for customers and their home and On-time project calendars. We are a full-service, design/build remodeling company. This means that homeowners only need to hire one company to design, develop and construct their interior or exterior home remodel. We also have a design center where customers meet with our designers to see floor plans, 3D renderings, displays and product samples. Our team’s commitment to customer satisfaction is superb and proven by having over 500 repeat customers in the last decade.
How did you get started in the business? – After I graduated high school, I told my dad, “I’ll never come back to work in the company.” So, I went to study accounting in college and play baseball. After college, I made a list of characteristics for a company that I would want to work for. Reflecting on the list, it hit me that the best fit was Willet Construction. I went back to try it out and have loved it ever since.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – The challenge of transitioning ownership of a business from my dad, Rick. It seems simple, but only 30% of family businesses survive transitioning to the next generation. There are so many parts to have a successful ownership transition. Rick and I put together a seven-year transition plan in place, which lays out the steps year by year of what we need to accomplish. There were many challenges and difficult times, but planning this out over many years has greatly increased our chances for success. We are still working through our plan (Rick still works full-time), but weare able to see the results of a thorough transition plan.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Joining into ownership with Willet Construction. My parents created a company with an exceptional reputation of customer service. It has been a joy learning from that and expanding. It has been a joy being able to grow the company while building upon the foundation of what has made Willet Construction
Tell us a little about your family. – My wife, Heather, and I are celebrating our 10-year anniversary this year. We have four kids, two boys and two girls. All of us love to be active outdoors with playing sports, hunting, fishing or camping.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – “Break the rules for the right reasons” – this is a perfect explanation of why I love working in a small business. There is risk and reward in everything we do, but you can decide to break the rules to do the best thing for the customer.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – Heather and I are very involved at Indian Hills Community Church serving in ministries. I serve as one of the room leaders of our Boys Of Faith program for 1st-6th grade boys during our Sunday evening service. Heather serves in the orchestra and co-directs the girls’ choir for girls in 4th-12th grade. We also host an in-home bible study during the week.
What is your favorite local Lincoln restaurant? – Ginger Grill – our family loves to go here to watch the grill and eat good food.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – jason@willetconstruction.com | willetconstruction.com