Today we’d like to introduce you to David Haack.
Thanks for sharing your story with us David. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Well, I come from fairly humble beginnings. When I was 15, I secured a job at a local plant nursery and landscape company as a suggestion from my mother. She felt it would be a great idea for me to work somewhere that I could be outside and get paid for it. I think secretly, she wanted to get a discount on plants for her garden projects. I worked there for nearly three years and for most of my time in high school. After I graduated, I left home to pursue my goal of becoming a US Marine.
I graduated boot camp and began my career in the Marine Corps. It wasn’t long after that I sustained an injury to my knee and hand and was subsequently discharged. In the early spring of 2001, I returned home to Texas where I began to work small odd jobs here and there to earn money and carry on with life. I also returned to work at my local fire department as a firefighter. I had become a fireman in my last semester as a senior in high school. My grandfather was a fireman and I wanted to be one as well.
During the summer of 2001, I found a job working in construction and general labor. What I thought was going to be just a summer job ended up becoming a 6-year stretch. By the end of my time there, I was running most of the day to day operations of the business. I left the company to pursue higher ambitions of working in the construction industry. All the while, attending the Art Institute of Houston for graphic design, I have always had a passion for art, drawing and creating. I come from a family of designers and artists.
My grandmother was an interior decorator for many years in Houston. My sister is an interior designer as well in Pennsylvania and also attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh around the same time I was in school in 2005. I guess you could say that it runs in the family. In 2007, I ended up working for an outdoor living area builder as a designer/salesperson. Shortly after, the owner had a need for a project manager and asked me if I wanted the position given my background in construction.
The transition was a lateral move for me with my background. I quickly began to enjoy my work of not only designing but also constructing outdoor living areas. It was the start of something great in my life. After several years of learning and gaining knowledge of this side of the industry, I chose to leave and start my own business. About a year into my new venture, the market took a bigger hit as a result of the 2008 recession. Pools and outdoor living areas were amongst the more common luxury items that the everyday person was not looking to purchase.
Companies who were already established were having a very difficult time keeping their doors open. In the spring of 2011, my son was born and our life as you could expect began to change very quickly. With a new baby and an infant business not quite stable enough to support a family, I chose to put my business on hold and go back to work for a larger company so that I could have a good insurance program and take care of the family. I knew that someday I would be back to owning and operating my own business.
The entrepreneurial spirit is strong for me and I’ve always had a calling to live outside of “the box”. Sometimes the right time isn’t when we think it is. Years passed and I was still working for the man. Although I was still in the industry doing what I enjoyed, I was still making someone else’s dreams a reality. I finally had enough and made a statement to myself one day saying, “I’m going to make this work one way or the other and I’m going to start now!”. It was small baby steps and continues to be small steps but I wouldn’t change my decision to jump and take the risk.
My business is still in designing and building custom outdoor living and indoor areas. Only, this time, I’ve gained an experience level that is beyond what I had previously and the timing feels right. After 18 years in firefighting and nearly 17 years in the construction industry, I feel like I can take on almost any challenge that is set before me. All the while, I’m still learning and growing in my knowledge of my craft and industry. My father and grandfather always taught me to never stop learning in life and the career I choose. Its a constant and almost daily growth journey for me.
Recently, I have chosen to pursue my more spiritual goals and work towards my master’s degree in the arts by attending Trinity Theological Seminary for Worship and Graphic Arts. It both furthers my knowledge of the arts industry and my spiritual life of being a Christian. Two aspects for me that are critical to the success of both business and personal life.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Struggles are an everyday part of being a business owner and entrepreneur. Life can become stressful when you’re having to be responsible to others for their well being and that of their families by creating and sustaining jobs for them. Day to day struggles of growing a business can weigh on you heavily. Every day is a negotiation and every day is a hustle.
I believe that we are faced with obstacles in life when the journey is worth taking. I honestly don’t want the easy road. I know that I was made strong with a wild and courageous heart. I’d get too bored taking the easy road and need the challenge and obstacles. Every trip and stumble along the way provides the opportunity to learn and grow not only as a business owner but as an individual human being.
Although the road may seem long at times, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Everyday obstacles are inevitable and some days its hard just getting out of bed. What keeps me pushing forward is that no matter what, the days go on with or without me. I might as well take charge of it the best I can and enjoy the ride.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Texas Premier Designs – what should we know?
Our specialties are designing and building outdoor and indoor living areas. There really isn’t a limit to what we can do and offer to our clients in the residential construction industry. Pools, spas, outdoor kitchens, patio covers, fire and water features, landscape design and install, irrigation, custom carpentry, home additions and remodels, and the list goes on.
We offer our One Builder Program and handle all aspects of the project from concept and design to financing and of course the build out. We know it can be frustrating for clients to have to seek out multiple contractors to complete their projects. Our services capture everything under one contract and with One Builder, Texas Premier. Which offers more piece of mind to the client and the build process.
The company is also expanding its horizons with the opening of our new commercial division, Texas Premier Builders, that will service the multi-family industry for outdoor living areas. The growth in Houston and around the state of Texas for luxury and high-end apartments homes has offered a unique opportunity for our services to thrive.
We offer superior products and materials for the trending elegant and classic looks that are in high demand today for multi-family properties. We also will be launching a custom home building division in the near future where we will specialize in Farm Style and Build On Your Lot homes.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My Lord and Savior, Jesus deserves all the credit for His amazing grace and love that has been poured out over the years as I have pursued this journey. My family has been a great encouragement to me as well during all of this.
I would not have wanted to do this without support. I great and sustaining support system is vital to the life of a business. No matter where that support comes from. I’ve had the unique privilege of learning from great and not so great leaders along the way. There’s a lesson in every experience.
One such great leader, I have and continue to learn from, is John Maxwell. His teachings on leadership have opened my eyes to a whole new way of growing and learning that I never thought possible before. I’m grateful and blessed to have been a student of his teachings over the last several years.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1795 N Fry Rd Suite 257 Katy, TX 77449
- Website: www.texaspremierdesigns.com
- Phone: 832-334-7381
- Email: David@texaspremierdesigns.com
- Facebook: @texaspremierdesigns.com
Image Credit:
Olive Shoot Photography
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