Business and Balance

Behind the design firms, contracting companies and specialized vendors who create homes for local families are some rising industry stars, like the founders of Powers Design Studio, Hilweh Builders and Werk Arts. It takes courage and commitment to embark on your own enterprise, especially when you’re raising a family at the same time, as all of these company founders are. We caught up with them to learn more about what goes into building a business with ohana.

Their written responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Powers Design Studio

Architecture Firm
As told by Kris Powers
Photos: Aaron K. Yoshino

Why did you decide to start your own business?
The journey began when friends approached me during the COVID-19 lockdown about renovating their house to create an ohana unit for their son and his fiancée. That project served as the catalyst I needed to start my own firm. Initially, Powers Design Studio was a side gig, something I worked on during nights and weekends. Three years later, when I found out I was pregnant, I was faced with the prospect of balancing motherhood and work. I decided to dedicate myself entirely to Powers Design Studio.

What does “a day in the life” look like for you, with work and family?
A typical day is a delicate balance between work and family, especially with a son under a year old. I wake up before my son to ensure I’m ready for the day ahead. Once he’s settled, my workday begins, and it can take various forms. As the afternoon rolls around, I take a break from work to pick up my son, and shift gears to focus on family. The evenings involve cooking dinner, tending to my son’s needs and putting him to bed. Once he’s asleep, I often return to my work, especially when projects are in the design stage and the workload is more demanding.

What are the biggest challenges and lessons you’ve encountered?
As the owner there is no external force pushing me; the responsibility lies solely on my shoulders. A unique challenge for architects is the nature of billing for time. Unlike salaried positions, I bill my time, and when you’re self-employed there isn’t PTO. If I’m sick or take a vacation, it directly impacts my income as I only get paid for billable hours.

Kris Powers (shown above with her son) says she is most proud of this stunning Lanikai renovation she recently completed with contractor Kevin Pilbrow.

Which of your accomplishments or projects are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of the Lanikai renovation project, which recently finished construction. What started as a second-story addition featuring a new asymmetrical gable roof evolved into a full gut renovation without the originally planned addition and roof. The project became a dynamic and collaborative process between the client, the contractor Kevin Pilbrow, and me.

What advice would you give others who are looking to follow a similar path?
My advice to those looking to follow a similar path is simple: Just go for it. It’s a continuous process, and while the workload may not get easier, your confidence will grow.

Hilweh Builders

General Contractor
As told by Chad Hilweh
Photos: Chad Hilweh

Why did you decide to start your own business?
My inspiration to start my own general contracting business started at a young age — growing up in Kaaawa, I used to build treehouses and play with my dad’s tools. The decision to start my own business was made easier with the support of Liana, my wife and co-founder of Hilweh Builders. As a CPA with a background in business and finance, Liana played an integral role in the startup process. After years of construction experience and working for others, I started Hilweh Builders with Liana to create a company built on our own brand identity that reflects our “Aloha Values” of Adaptability, Learning, Openness, High quality, and Accountability.

What does “a day in the life” look like for you, with work and family?
My days start early, usually well before the sun and kids are up. Liana and I have daily routines, one of them being our “staff meetings” where we discuss our calendar, list of tasks and how we are going to manage our time for the rest of the day. The life of a general contractor is pretty busy, as I can be in Kailua in the morning and in Kapolei by the end of the day. However, even on busy days I connect with my wife and kids on breaks or in between business calls. On video chats, my son (2 years old) will roar at me like a dinosaur, my daughter (3 ½  years old) will ask to see what daddy is building.

What are the biggest challenges and lessons you’ve encountered?
One of the biggest challenges … has been patience in the growth process. The challenge is for us to grow smart, and this is hard because we are eager to grow. To overcome this, we align our decisions that allow for sustainable growth, even if it feels slow. We believe this mindset allows us to maintain quality control and financial health, which is crucial for our steady and long-term success. A key lesson I have learned is the importance of being OK with things beyond my control.

Chad Hilweh of Hilweh Builders (shown above with wife Liana and their children), built this custom pergola for one of his clients. It’s a beautiful space that connects the indoors to the outdoors.

Which of your accomplishments or projects are you most proud of?
Our greatest achievement as a general contractor is the happiness of our Hawaii customers and our five-star reviews. We have also started volunteering at the Children’s Discovery Center — professionally, it is a significant accomplishment as it aligns with our goal for Hilweh Builders to positively impact the local community.

What advice would you give others who are looking to follow a similar path?
Get licensed: Work toward obtaining the necessary licensing and insurance. Have an open conversation with your current employer about your goals, and plan for an exit strategy that leaves both parties in a positive light.

Understand financials and project profitability: Continuous learning in this area is crucial for long-term success.

Go in with the right intentions and support: We started Hilweh Builders because we are passionate about construction and our genuine intention of doing the right thing. And I am grateful for my family, friends and mentors [who] have been supportive since the beginning.

Learn to work with people: I have a degree in psychology from UH and my mom worked in counseling in the Laie school district. This background helps in business because interpersonal connections are essential.

Werk Arts

Custom and Architectural Millwork
As told by Barret and Krystle Werk
Photos: Mari Halsted, Werk Arts

Why did you decide to start your own business?
Having freedom over our own schedule is one of the main reasons we work for ourselves. The autonomy over what kind of work to specialize in and what direction to take the business over the years has been important to us. In our woodworking projects, our best work is done in collaboration with architects and designers who lean on us for our expertise … [and] trust us to make their visions come to reality.

What does “a day in the life” look like for you, with work and family?
Mornings start early with a 1-year-old! So we usually start off the day with a walk around the property — the baby wants his fresh morning fruit from the trees — while we have our coffee. After breakfast, Barret heads into his admin time, touching base with clients in the morning and then making a plan for the shop. Krystle primarily works on marketing, networking, photography and web design. The nicest thing about having a shop on our property is getting to touch base with our family throughout the day — we have lunch together almost every day and sneak baby hugs in whenever we can.

What are the biggest challenges and lessons you’ve encountered?
Work/life balance with a new baby has been our biggest challenge as of late. Hiring help and learning to lean on our friends has been our biggest asset, without having family close by on Hawaii Island or Oahu. Before Enzo was born, we could just go, go, go for 60 hours a week, but now we want to be available for him and really enjoy these early years.

This bathroom cabinet was custom-made by Werk Arts for a Kailua home. In the above photo are Barret and Krystle Werk, with their son Enzo.

Which of your accomplishments or projects are you most proud of?
One of our biggest accomplishments was our work on the award-winning Hoakalei Golf Course Clubhouse, designed by Peter Vincent Architects. We’re also very proud of a more recent project closer to home for Kumukahi Health + Wellness in Hilo. We recently finished a millwork package with the architects at Hamajang Studio that we were a part of from the start, offering millwork consulting early on and completed fabrication at the end of last year.

What advice would you give others who are looking to follow a similar path?
You know when something is going to work out, you’ll have an intuition where there is an opportunity in business — so go for it 100% when you see it and keep the momentum up. And most importantly, remember that relationship building is key, especially in an Island community.

Grow Your Business with BIA Hawaii

Offering opportunities for education, advocacy and networking, the Building Industry Association of Hawaii is a great source of support for upcoming industry entrepreneurs.

“The organization recognizes that these entrepreneurs are tomorrow’s construction leaders,” says Roseann Freitas, BIA CEO. “By nurturing and guiding them, BIA Hawaii ensures a bright future for the state’s construction industry.”

BIA memberships are open to developers, general contractors, specialty contractors, suppliers, Realtors, architects, financial institutions and more. New entrepreneurs can meet customers and industry peers through the BIA’s annual Home Shows, pau hana events, golf tournaments and membership meetings.

“The BIA is such a great place for entrepreneurs to start their businesses in this industry alongside other members, businesses and professionals that offer experience, knowledge and expertise in their fields,” shares Hinano Nahinu, BIA board president. Learn more at biahawaii.org.

Editor’s Note: This article has been slightly modified from the original print version for optimal online reading. To view the full print story, pick up your copy of Hawaii Home + Remodeling at one of our partner locations.