Parade of Homes

>> Building homes is a family tradition for many of the men and women who are driving forces in manitoba's construction industry. Get acquainted with a few of today's movers and shakers over the next several pages and you'll find they bring a special pas- sion to their work. Some second and even third-generation builders grew up visiting job sites and getting hands-on experi- ence with the tools of the trade. Others came back to the family business after gaining education and experience further afield. And many have joined forces with parents, siblings, cousins and other close relatives to take their operations to new levels of success. typically, company found- ers channelled on-the-job construction knowledge into businesses that have blossomed with a helping hand from sons and daughters who bring fresh, complementary skills into the fold. melanie Snow, who owns Warkentin Homes, worked part-time with her father, Walter Warkentin, while she was in university, and she joined the business full-time 13 years ago, after earn- ing a bachelor of commerce degree. "He's been doing this his whole life. He was a framer and worked different construction jobs and then started his own business," she says. "I realized that with my business degree and with the business that he's built up, if we worked together we could grow the business and just make it more vibrant." the company Walter founded in 1980 has seen sub- stantial growth thanks to teamwork, and it remains very much a family affair. Snow's mother carol Warken- tin and sister Amy Warkentin work on the administra- tive side, and her husband ed Snow works in a consult- ing capacity. While Walter now has time to pursue his philanthropical interests, he's still involved in the busi- ness, as well. "He brings along the technical experience and exper- tise," Snow says. "We do bring two sets of skills to the table." the four brothers who run Artista Homes give their unique skills free rein to create imaginative showpiec- es. two brothers at Gino's Homes and the extended family at maric Homes have focused on design and marketing to spur on growth while maintaining tradi- tions of fine craftsmanship. And at Irwin Homes, cousins Andrew Koop and Joel neufeld have found that while they have different strengths, they work well in concert. Keeping the faith with founding principles is a priority for younger generations. And family trust is an impor- tant part of happy working relationships. Snow says being able to speak openly and bounce ideas off one another leads to good solutions for the business — and for clients. "It's all the parts that work together," she says. "It's be- cause we have a good team working together that al- lows it to be successful." NEW KidS ON THE BlOCK 'It's because we have a good team working together that allows it to be successful' Feature meet the new generation of manitoba builders by pat St. germain – photo by marianne helm << Warkentin homes owner melanie Snow. 30 Parade of Homes Fall 2014

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