This article was originally published here: Brian Kow – Co-Founder and Managing Director at Nic & Wes Builders
The experience of improving his own home made Brian Kow decided to help others improve theirs.
What’s your story?
My wife, Jude, and I were homeowners ourselves going through the same problems other homeowners have gone through and continue to go through. Being actively involved in our own projects, we saw the issues and realised that there must be a better way.
It’s really about simplifying a complex and time-consuming process and repackaging it into something that will make it more enjoyable for the homeowner as it should be.
What excites you most about your industry?
It’s about a home, a place you belong to and where memories are created. It’s about a Lifestyle. It’s a Home.
It’s about translating an inspiration into a tangible reality and what if we can take it a notch higher and make it better.
It’s transcribing the homeowner’s wish list into an inhabitable art form.
We are not in the business of creating wealth per se. The land is essentially a wealth nest, but the excitement comes in seeing the value in it and unlocking that potential for the homeowner through creative design.
What drives you in business to push beyond what other people consider normal?
I visualise business as a jigsaw puzzle, except that each piece is mouldable. It’s about using creativity to form a masterpiece. Having an interest, creativity and curiosity mixed with the belief that there is always a better way and that the alternative method could work.
Followed by the satisfaction of those that put their trust in you to deliver and the people who we work with together, believing in what we do and seeing our combined effort come to life.
You don’t have to be the best, just do it the best you can.
What have been the most useful skills you have learnt and applied in your journey?
It would be management. As the home-build journey is complex, with many moving parts and different people involved, it is about being able to manage the team with respect. Everyone must be a winner, and no one gets left behind.
With each project, experience is gained to fine-tune the process further. Having a clear direction and belief in the purpose of the journey is fundamental. Be unafraid to try. If something doesn’t work, then be creative and find alternatives. In business, you have to embrace it to move forward.
Collaboration is key and it’s about working together rather than competing.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Do what you love, and you won’t have to work a day in your life. I get to do something I’m passionate about while helping others to realise their dream homes.
When you wake up every day with a purpose, there is excitement and meaning to it.
Who inspires you?
Simon Sinek and Jim Rohn.
What have you learnt recently that blew you away?
A team can have highly skilled people however, the dynamics play an essential part towards its success.
While it has become a natural process of our system, it is through an evolving process of compounding trust, teamwork, watching each other’s back and working as much in unison as possible that has contributed to the success and longevity of the Nic & Wes way to a large extent.
It’s a rare thing, and we’ve been lucky to have great people that we work with.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Getting to where we are, it’s a process and a journey, and we can’t miss the steps.
However, all the signs were pointing at committing to this. While I am happy to see how far we’ve come, a tiny part of me sometimes says I should have started this much earlier.
How do you unwind?
– Quiet time with my thoughts.
– Love of family time.
– Cycle and enjoy the lovely scenery via the Park Connector Network (PCN).
– Create light-hearted videos of our family outings and gatherings.
What is a major mindset change, belief shift or ‘ah ha’ moment that you’ve experienced in relation to your business?
Your future is not predetermined – you have to predetermine your future.
Intelligence plus knowledge give you the opportunity to move forward, but without integrity and empathy, you can only go so far.
There is no end game in running a business, at least not one that will prevail over the test of time. It’s a continual pursuit, and that’s where the fun is.
Everyone in business should read this book:
– Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
– Good to Great by Jim Colins
Shameless plug for your business:
What sets Nic & Wes Builders apart is our knack for conceptualising, designing, and building not merely homes, but a sanctuary that fuses form and function effortlessly together.
Brimming with brilliant ideas and inimitable flair, we’d go the extra mile to ensure your home‐build journey consistently is seamless and sans souci; whether you enlist us for a major reconstruction or a style sculpting makeover.
With a firm foothold in the industry and a vision into the future, Nic & Wes Builders is set to craft structural masterworks and lifestyle homes exclusively designed around our customers’ lifestyles and indisputable tastes.
How can people connect with you?
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-kow-804990/
Website: https://nicnwes.com/contacts/
Email: [email protected]
Social Media Links?
Website: https://nicnwes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicnwes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicnwes/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nic-&-wes-builders/people/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Nicnwes
This interview is part of the CallumConnects series.
Brian Kow – Co-Founder and Managing Director at Nic & Wes Builders
The EnterpriseZone Writing Team
