Meet the Builder: Jim Yezbak - "Extraordinary Achievements Never Come from Your Comfort Zone."

I heard him say something that sent my mind spinning with excitement, “Look over there son, dad built that house!” ⁠

The pride in his voice was unforgettable and pinpoints the exact moment my love for the industry began. ⁠

How'd you get into the industry?

My love for design came years later thanks to my mother.

Always rearranging our furniture, changing décor, etc. Making subtle changes that impact a space.⁠

While my initial love of architecture/design gave way to pursuing an accounting degree and a career working in equity research.

I was fortunate to work with housing research guru, Ivy Zelman, for a number of years. ⁠

While I loved following all facets of the housing food-chain through her research...

I found undeniable fulfillment in the many number of renovation and new construction projects my wife and I took on during those years. ⁠

It was that shared loved that led my wife to suggest pursuing my lifelong passion of designing/building custom homes. ⁠

A few weeks later and by sheer chance, Andrew Eggeman, a co-founder of Old World Classics and someone I have considered a friend for a number of years, called to catch up on a home he was building for me at the time. ⁠

Little did we both know, I was itching to talk to him about the business and he was disguising the catch-up call as a way of gauging my interest in joining the team! ⁠

Now after 4 years of designing and building some really great homes for some really great people. ⁠

"I take such joy in seeing my 3 little boys’ eyes light up when dad says, “hey boys, look over there! Dad built that one!”⁠

What makes you excited about the future of construction?

What's now exciting is the social media idea sharing and the recognition that our industry is in dire need of skilled tradesman. ⁠

The idea sharing platforms are kicking new residential design into high gear, it’s great to know there is an ever-increasing focus on bringing new young skilled professionals to the industry to build these fresh new ideas.⁠

What's your mantra?

It’s an oldie, but goodie and it led me from working on Wall Street to building homes…⁠

"No extraordinary achievement can be accomplished by staying in your comfort zone!⁠"

Jim Yezbak // Builder and Project Visionary at Old World Classics

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