Starting a company should be fun and exciting, so that's just what Meghan Billings did when she began Meg & Co. Designer Homes. Starting from the ground up, Meg learned all about the industry and what it took to be successful.
"Immediately, I could just see all the ways that this process could be improved and changed and how the client experience could be so much better and easier, they could be more involved...
," Billings said. The Times-News had the opportunity to sit down with Billings to find out more about designing and building custom homes. Editors note: Answers have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Times-News: Briefly tell us how Meg & Co. came to be. What inspired you? Meghan Billings: I have always loved architecture.
As a kid I would "waste" all my film on taking pictures of old beautiful homes. Ha ha my dad made a rule that I had to have a person in each picture because developing the pictures was expensive! If only he could see my camera role now, full of homes and dull close-up shots of intrinsic construction details and build science. In college I studied Manufacturing Engineering because I loved the creativity of bringing ideas together into a real product but also, they taught all the 3D design programs, including the architecture ones.
I loved it but never thought of becoming a home builder. It wasn't until we built our dream home, and I got to learn from amazing trades and a fantastic builder, that I realized, I couldn't stop doing this. I loved everything about it, and not just the pretty, fun parts.
TN: How does it feel to be a woman business owner in a male-dominated industry? MB: I am so grateful to be on the national board of Professional Women in Building and the cofounder of the BuildHer retreat for women-owned construction businesses because it gives me a way to show other women that construction can be an amazing career and one that is available to them. No one ever told me I couldn't do it, but it never occurred to me that I could. I want to change that and help other women learn about the possibilities.
Twin Falls has been an amazing location to come into this industry as a woman. The trades have been so amazing to work with and learn from. The community has been so supportive.
It has been an incredible experience that I am very grateful for! TN: What are some of the things you've learned as you built Meg & Co. that might help someone entering the field? MB: You need to care about your people. Clients for sure, we all know that.
They are taking on a big risk trusting you with their dreams and with such a large financial purchase. And often times, this is a new process to them. You should do all you can to ease that stress and educate them.
But also, you need to take care of the people out there doing the physical labor. The people ordering the material and going through great lengths to make the paper plans come together into a beautiful constructible product. Building a home takes more than a hundred set of hands of people that must care about the final result as much as you do.
And the only way to have a team like that is to treat them with respect. TN: What are some of the core values that Meg & Co. are built on? MB: In an industry that is still very human, we believe in being the best possible communicators we can.
To our clients, to our team of trades, to our team here at Meg & Co.Communication can change a project drastically. Whether that is transparency in financials or weekly updates or our app that keeps clients involved every step of the way, communication is key.
We also enjoy having a little fun and celebrating the highs with our clients! Because, let's be honest, building a home can be tough, but it is also very exciting and loads of fun. TN: How is team building (no pun intended) vital to your business? MB: Team building is huge. When you are building custom homes, there are many moving parts.
There are situations that are new to each home and you need a team that is willing to collaborate and make the project come together smoothly. I am so grateful for the team we have and for all they do. TN: Any new and exciting news coming up for Meg & Co.
? MB: We are very excited to announce that we will be moving into the 150 Main building across from the splash pad at the end of the year and will have office spaces available for rent within it. It will help us better serve our clients and will be an incredible location! TN: Is there anything else you'd like our readers to know? MB: I am the only Certified Master Builder in the Magic Valley and this is so important to me, because like I said, clients are taking a big step of faith trusting you to build their home and this is a huge way I can show that I am setting myself apart as someone they can trust. The Idaho Home Builder's Association has intensely combed through everything in my business from interviewing past clients & suppliers to going through our finances.
I want our clients to feel at ease and know that we have their backs through the ups and downs of building. Know of a new or unique business in the Magic Valley that we should visit? Email Drew Nash at [email protected] Get local news delivered to your inbox!.
