Meet Terri Bailey | President

We had the good fortune of connecting with Terri Bailey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Terri, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and have developed and renovated property since I was in my twenties. When I was approached to manage a project for a homeowner, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to bring what I had been doing for myself to the marketplace. So, starting Kendall Design Build was more of a happy accident, then a concerted plan.

As Kendall has grown, my thoughts and planning have been centered around bringing a new approach to home remodelling, filling gaps in the industry and providing the best customer experience possible. And I think that as we continue to excel in this area, there’s an opportunity to impact the industry in our area by changing expectations.

What should our readers know about your business?
As a woman-owned and run Design-Build construction firm, Kendall Design Build is already unique. We’ve won multiple Detroit Design awards, and we’re dedicated to making each and every project special and specific to our client. That makes us unique too and I’m really proud of the care, concern and incredible dedication that we bring to the people who trust us with their homes. Our work is elevated, and exceptional and attainable.

What I’m most proud of though is the internal workings of Kendall Design Build. We function as a matriarchy – where everyone has a voice that’s equal, where work/life balance and support of one another define the corporate culture. As the leader of the company, my job includes the right to hire and fire – but the common good is at the center of those decisions (and firing is very very rare!) – not just the profit motive or the employee handbook regulations. And as a leader, it’s imperative in my position to listen to what my employees need and to meet those needs including changing my own communications and mandates on occasion. I’ve always believed that power structures like this could work – and they do! I have an extraordinarily productive and dedicated team, who work far more than I ever expect, and are consistently taking the. initiative to improve their performance, support their coworkers in doing the same and make the company more successful. THIS is what I hope is seen and absorbed by all small (and large) business owners because improving the lives of your employees, improves the life of your company.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a week, I would start with a little Detroit tour to show her how vibrant this resilient community has become. We’d drive stop at Baobab Fare in New Center for an African lunch, drive through Mid-Town and Downtown (maybe stop in for a drink at San Morello) take a walk on the RiverWalk, pop around Indian Village, West Village, stop at Pewabic Pottery for a souvenir and then probably dinner at Coriander Kitchen on the east side. But then, I’d be in the car driving up I-75 as fast as I could because I think the best part of Michigan is up north. I’d spend a few days in Leelanau County at the Sleeping Bear Dunes, in Leland and Suttons Bay and the Lighthouse north of Northport and then Traverse City and Mission Point for some Michigan wine (which keeps getting better!). If we hadn’t lounged and hiked enough, I’d make my way over to Charlevoix and Petosky and take a nice boat ride on Walloon Lake and brag about Hemingway’s life there. I’d make her eat fried perch and cherries and tell her why I think fudge is overrated, and then home we’d go.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The people who deserve the credit for my business being what it is today, are my employees and my contractors, and in particular my daughter Hannah Bailey. These extraordinary women and men have all believed in me, encouraged me, and told me daily what I need to do better! I rely on their expertise and vision and I learn from them every day. I wouldn’t be where I am without them. My daughter Hannah was my first employee and when I gave her control of the financial side of the business (a scary thing to turn over control), she took off! Hannah created better processes for the company and our clients, she made observations that helped me improve our sales, and because of her direction, we made more money than ever. Hannah taught me that “giving my employee a seat at the table” was the best thing I could do and I haven’t stopped!

Website: https://www.kendalldesignbuild.com

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Image Credits
Shelby Dubin, Photographer