Kristianson Business
Growing up, brothers Joel and Neal Kristianson, owners of Crimson Design & Construction, Naperville, Il., couldn’t have been more different. “We were four years apart and that was enough to make sure that all we did was bug one another and fight,” Joel says. Yet, years later, they’re in business together and find it’s a perfect fit.
And the process was smoother than either would have anticipated. “Once we were both in our 20’s, we found that our relationship had changed,” Joel said. “We’d matured.” So when Joel approached Neal about starting a business together, there was no hesitation . . .on his part. “Of course our mother, who had lived through our rocky years said ‘Are you two crazy!’” Neal laughs.
The first step was to decide on a business and, because of their past work experience and the ease of entry, they decided to enter the remodeling industry.
As they began growing their small business, they realized that they’d made a smart choice in going at it together. “Without discussing it in advance, we found that we really were on the same page,” comments Joel. “Because we’re brothers, we shared the same important values, the same work ethic, the same sense of family.” These shared values led to a strong sense of trust which was an important element as they molded the company.
For many years, they both did sales and production. Other duties were split. Joel, with his architectural education, handled design and Neal took on bookkeeping as his responsibility. During the day, both of them put on a tool belt and made it happen. This worked fine while the company was small but as volume grew, their hours expanded and they found the workload to be taking its toll.
This is when their partnership was tested. “We knew that we had to change the model if we were to grow,” says Joel. So they began exploring different business models. “One thing that was clear was that we had to take off the tool belts, manage the company and hire others do the work,” says Neal. As they reviewed the array of responsibilities, they realized that neither of them wanted to be responsible for sales. Neal adds, “We’re naturally both pretty introverted and while we loved the business, we didn’t like the whole sales process.”
But it had to be done so, after long discussions, Joel agreed to be the company’s salesperson. “I didn’t want to do it. Knowing that I’d be solely responsible for all of the company sales was daunting,” says Joel, “but it made the most sense.” Neal then accepted the role of Production Manager. “I didn’t like this either,” says Neal, “but I had to hold up my part of the company. Joel was taking sales so I had to be fair and equal.”
Now that the positions were clear, they still had the issue of the division of power to deal with. Neal, the more introspective of the two, laughs, “Joel thinks he’s in charge and I let him.” Joel agrees. “It’s hard to give up my bossiness so I find myself doing more of the directing.”
Now, they’re finding that they’re working together better than ever but they’ve discovered some guidelines that have helped them form this effective relationship.
Joel says, “First, whether it’s family or another partner, make sure that you do share the same values before you join together in business. Without that basis, the chances of a long term partnership are out the door.
“Next, leave your ego at the door. As brothers, there was always a sense of competition between us but this has no value when we’re trying to build something together. We have to work and act as one.”
“And don’t hire other family members unless the roles are very, very spelled out and understood by all parties,” adds Neal. “Disagreements from working together can add significant pressure to the family’s interpersonal relationships and there’s already enough baggage with out it.”
The brothers know that they’ll probably have new issues crop up in the future but they also know that they’re shared values, their complementary talents, and their willingness to take on all responsibilities will help them develop a dynamite company.
Remodelers Advantage Inc., 535 Main Street, Suite 211, Laurel, MD20707