MEET THE BUSINESS
March 2020
Mr. Walid Wahab – Founder
Mr. Walid Wahab is the founder of Wahab Construction, a general contracting and construction management firm in South Florida.
Mr. Wahab’s holds degrees in architecture and civil engineering, and an MBA from George Washington University in Logistics Operations and Materials Management. It was during his MBA studies that he learned how to customize ones interests into a career or vice versa. He decided to become a builder right after school, and focus on architecturally significant projects, as to always maintain awareness and an interest in architecture and design. In other words, keeping his interests very engaged in his projects and work.
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Tell us about your business
Founded in 1992 by Walid Wahab, the general contracting and construction management firm is widely recognized as a leader in providing superb craftsmanship and construction tailored to sophisticated and challenging residential and commercial showcase projects in South Florida.The driving force behind Wahab Construction is its dedication to quality, management, materials and execution of projects. Wahab Construction has provided services to a broad roster of clients, including captains of industry, celebrities, distinguished movers and shakers, large international corporations, private individuals, as well as many more. The firm works closely with an impressive list of leaders in the Architecture and Design arenas to maintain the aesthetic image clients seek and enjoy.
Wahab Construction takes great pride in delivering exacting quality and cost-effective work through hands-on management at every level. The firm is made up of a team of highly-trained personnel, including project managers and subcontractors, with vast experience in all elements of construction, architecture and design. Wahab Construction enjoys a long-term relationship with its staff, many of whom have worked with the firm for more than 15 years.
The firm takes on less than a handful of projects at one time, in order to provide the attention to detail, quality, design and personalized service that clients of this caliber deserve and expect. Mr. Wahab is fully involved in all daily activities of his company and is completely cognizant of each project. With its successful track record of customer satisfaction and excellence in performance, Wahab Construction is uniquely positioned in its industry to pave the way to providing the best quality results.
How did you become an entrepreneur? Please discuss a moment or turning point in your life that led you to start this business?
I became an entrepreneur mostly by accident. My first job out of school was with a local small construction company, within 3 years the company was almost bought out by an out of town builder. But the buyer opted instead to recruit me to open a new construction company with them rather than purchase the company I was working for. I accepted with little hesitation, and within 6 months form starting the new company, I bought out my partner as our goals were quite different. It was a professional and amicable split as my partner was a gentleman and understood that this wasn’t going to work. Thus within one year I left my first and only job, started a new company with a partner, and then bought him out, and all of the sudden I was an entrepreneur. Now back to work, hard work. It dawned on me very soon after that I was the one that needed to find work and run the projects, with a very small team that I has put together. a company of 4 people back then. It was during this time that my wife and I had our first child so there was a lot to absorb and handle. Not one regret as I look back.
Please discuss a role model that motivated you or mentor you had that helped guide you and/or helped grow your business:
My father was my mentor for working hard and most importantly being honest in all dealings. He engraved this on me! However since my father’s business and education background was very different than mine, he could not advise me on day to day business decisions. I tapped into friends and even clients early on in my career for advice. They were pivotal to my decision making process and always there for me. I never lacked good support and advice, and I never hesitated to ask for help when I needed it. At home, my wife Susie gave me all the confidence that I needed to move forward and never worry about home and its happenings. This was very important as I could focus on work. There is a sense that I cannot describe when one can focus on a few things, vs taking on the world.
Do you recall any specific challenges you encountered and overcame? How did you overcome that and what advice would you give others in your situation?
Business and life challenges are a daily occurrence, all the way from the beginning until today. Nowadays I’m older, wiser and more confident of decision making. I must admit, my biggest challenge has always been and still is, watching out over my team and work to protect ourselves form the bad people element out there. Its unfortunate and it took me sometime to understand and admit, that there are people out there whose purpose is to move forward by stepping on others. The challenge still remains to tell who these people are and stay away from them early on in the conversation. I have a great team that I have assembles in my 28 years in business. They are more alert that I am and we protect each other well. It’s a great feeling to be surrounded by such talent and trust.
As an entrepreneur, what is it that motivates and drives you?
Passion for the beautiful work that we deliver drives me every day. As I mentioned above, our work is very architecturally and design strong/significant. They are very difficult to build, but words cannot express my satisfaction when I see them completed. Then I start the next project with the same excitement if not more than the previous one. The other component that drives me is our clients. We build homes and offices for the worlds most accomplished people, and what I learn from them no money nor college can buy. This is my ultimate luxury… my clients.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who are starting out?
The advice I give to my loved ones is to understand what one’s deficiencies are and stay away from them, focus on what you are good at and improve at it. I never wanted to run a big company and am not good at dealing with major changes in my professional or personal life. Thus is created a small boutique luxury construction company, that is small and is almost resilient to major market swings. I was able to dine with my family almost every day of my life. That is what I’m most proud of and happy about. There were compromises but one has full control of choosing them. I’m conservative in the manner in which I run my business and life, it’s not for everyone, and it has worked well for me.
Where do you see your business in the next 10 years?
The next 10 years will be very similar to what we are doing today, with a focus on better projects and better clients that treat us with the respect we deserve for working this hard for them. We are delivering the spaces where people live and work, thus it’s a very personal relationship that is developed. At this point, we interview our clients more than they interview us.
Tell us a little bit about your hobbies outside of your field
My hobbies include Art, Travel and Yoga, in that same order.
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