Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Perkins.
Patricia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
For as long as I can remember I have always had an interest in construction, building, and architecture. Growing up in Houston there definitely has never been a shortage of buildings and homes going up. Seeing a structure whether a residence or a commercial property and understanding the many moving parts that brought it together fascinated and grabbed my attention in a really profound way. Early on, at about 16 I landed my first job in the industry working with Ace Building Supply and that really kind of lit the fire in me and I knew this is what I wanted to do.
After graduating from A&M with a Degree in Industrial Distribution I began my career at a Millwork Company and at first, it was a bit of a shock. I had joined an industry that was predominantly male-dominated, and that was more than just a little intimidating. In a short time, I overcame that and I thrived. I worked hard and over time I became well respected by my peers because of the effort I put forth. Then in 2009, the original owner of Renaissance put the company up for sale and as soon as my husband and I learned of it we made an offer and here we are!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Having had such a strong foundation in the industry before purchasing Renaissance really made the transition to business owners a much smoother transition for my husband and I. But it was also that experience that gave life to some of the biggest challenges that we faced early on. Our background had really always been more on the business to business side of things. We had developed strong relationships with area builders and architects and we all spoke the same language so to speak.
When we purchased Renaissance 9 years ago the company sold exclusively to homeowners looking to replace the windows and doors in their home and it was a completely different conversation than what we were accustomed to. When selling to a Builder its a relatively simple and straightforward process, we can speak as peers and for the most part, they are aware of all of the nuances that come along with the products. Selling to homeowners required a different approach. We learned that we really needed to educate our customers on the different products that are available as well as the best installations techniques for their applications.
Renaissance Windows & Doors – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Renaissance Windows & Doors is truly a multifaceted one-stop shop for the best replacement & new construction windows, doors and installations in the Houston & Austin marketplaces. We are known for offering high-end products that do not take away from the original integrity of the home. When we replace windows in areas like West University Place where you have a lot of historical homes & architecture we are able to do so in a way that blends seamlessly into the homes original design and appear as though they have always been there.
Because of our beginnings in the building materials industry, we understood that no two jobs will ever be exactly the same and what works for one project may not work for another. Knowing this we brought in a much larger than normal manufacturer base which enables to ensure that we are always finding the best products for each individual project rather than just kind of sticking customers with a product because it is all we have or pushing just our own brand.
I am overwhelmingly proud of the growth that we have seen as a company. When we started we were doing replacement sales only. We have been able to expand our offerings adding a Trade Division to our portfolio and opening a second location in Austin. The company has gone from one million in sales to five million a year in less than a decade. We have the best team members in the business working for us and each of our employees brings something so unique and so vital to the table and we really feel so incredibly proud of all of their hard work and dedication.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
There are so many ways that we measure the success of the company so it’s hard to pinpoint a certain idea or philosophy. For me, success is witnessing the professional and personal growth of the people around me. When we hire a new employee we get this amazing opportunity to watch them develop both personally and professionally as they embrace the challenges that come with the territory and really come into their own is such a gift.
The same applies to our customers. It’s not the sales volume, its are you doing it right? Are your customers happy? Have you made a lasting impression? Usually, when a customer first approaches us they have a lot of questions about the products, services, manufacturers and install. In the beginning, they are nervous and rightfully so, their home is such a large part of their lives and the biggest investment they will ever make. It isn’t easy to just trust someone with their 200,000+ investment and we understand and appreciate that. When a customer chooses us and they are pleased with the work we have done from beginning to end, so much so that they recommend our company to their friends and family and plan to use us again in the future we know that we have achieved something great, we’ve made a difference.
Contact Info:
- Address: 7026 Old Katy Rd, Suite 158
Houston, Tx 77024 - Website: www.renaissancewindowsanddoors.com
- Phone: 713-863-9988
- Email: info@renwd.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RenaissanceWD
- Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/home/LWkG5sXXmD-7-8-U1TyTUg
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/user/renwd
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