Palatine home builder pushes through tough times
An interview with Patrick A. Finn.
Q: Describe your business. What do you do?
A: We are homebuilders and remodelers. We build and remodel homes in Chicago, as well as the north and northwest suburbs. We usually work within a 15-mile radius of our company's office.
Q: What made you start your business?
A: I always wanted to work for myself, to hire employees, train them, and help them make their lives better. I also like helping others achieve their dreams and ambitions.
Q: What has been the most difficult obstacle in running or starting a small business?
A: The recession of 2008 and 2009. Our business was off over 50 percent in 2008. Fortunately we got through these rough years and things have been a lot better since.
Q: What do you enjoy most about operating your business?
A: I enjoy helping others achieve their dreams and ambitions, helping our clients realize their goals, and also helping our employees realize their goals.
Q: Is this what you pictured yourself doing when you were young? When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: Yes, I always wanted to work for myself. I always wanted to be self-employed. It didn't matter what I was doing as long as I was working for myself.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: I am always concerned about having enough work to keep all my employees employed all of the time.
Q: If you could give one tip to a rookie business owner, what would it be?
A: Make sure that you know all the fundamentals of business before you begin, learn how to properly value your time, and learn to price your product and service correctly 100 percent of the time.
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Patrick A. Finn LTD
<B>Address:</B> 1244 West Northwest Highway, Palatine, IL 60067
<B>Year company started: </B>1991
<B>Employees:</B> 12
<B>Web address:</B> Patrick@patrickafinn.com