Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Silva.
Hi Beth, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was working alongside my husband – with what started out as managing and organizing his builders projects for optimal sales success behind the scenes. As someone who is very type-A all the moving parts of construction was interesting and fun to learn and navigate through challenges. This coupled with the deep insight we would get from potential buyers really helped paint a clear picture of buyers priorities; something that builders/developers would sometimes completely overlook.
This expertise then morphed into me assisting builders with their floor plans and finishes. With the challenges of not being in total control of the success of the project birthed my interest in construction. Oak Forest was is an urban family neighborhood and I was living the life that the families were experiencing so I really understood what they needed at their life stage. At the time Michael and I were living in an updated 2bed/2 bath house and talking about expanding our family. We were not quite ready to make the jump in price for the additional space we needed so Michael and I decided that this would be the perfect project to jump into. So I got to work on our personal home renovation/addition project. The thought was that if the project was successful and I felt it was something that we could do and do well that we could give construction a go. 10 years and 100 projects later here we are!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No! The thing about construction is that things are always changing but also remaining the same. What I mean by that is commodities fluctuate but the construction process remains consistent for the most part. Finding quality trades can sometimes be difficult. Weather can play mean jokes on you and you have to keep rolling with the punches. The financial component in construction is one of the most underrated keys to success (in any business) so I have had to learn good bookkeeping practices, financing strategies to maximize cash flow and align myself and my team with the same core values. Covid was really interesting, business was booming, but so were pricing and supply challenges. Weathering that storm taught me more than I could probably put into words, but I also feel that was when the deep roots of Harvard Homes were planted.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am know for bringing and elevating speculative construction through thoughtful design. As a mom of two very active boys, lover of hosting friends and family I approach construction through life cycles to ensure that your home can make those pivots alongside whatever life brings at you. Function, flow, and finesse are things that most builders miss. They focus too much on the data missing key elements that drive the success of a project. Trends come and go, seasons change, but your home should be something that can flex with each of those moments.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I have a very creative mother. She was always painting, crafting, and creating. As a homemaker she created a house where everyone always wanted to be. As a middle child I spent a lot of time with her and I think a lot of her desires in our home rubbed off on me. As cliche as it may sound, construction is just a means to home making for me. Imagining and dreaming who might grow up in these houses and the love that will be shared within the walls is something that drives me. I love color and texture – I have been asked before what my style is and I would define it as a traditional eclectic. I like the traditional elements of a home, much like the one I grew up in, but love expressing my big personality in each room. Art on every wall, sure why not! Crazy wallpaper, sure why not? My grandmothers marble commode, yes, please! I love being home and filling it with people that I love and to create a home that everyone is comfortable being themselves in is whats most important to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.harvardhomeshou.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harvardhomes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573099207367
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvard-homes-houston/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HarvardHomes
