by M. Simone Boyd
Last week, we learned how the Loves worked together to build their award-winning residential construction company and weather the housing crisis. Another reason their family-owned business is thriving is that the Loves recognize each other’s strengths.
Tanisha Hart-Love explains that “Tarrick was an engineer for 12 years managing projects for Fortune 500 and 100 companies. He has a technical mind and the engineering skills required for a general contractor.” Tarrick Love explains that “Tanisha has a bubbly personality and she does a better job at sales and marketing.”
And it was Tanisha’s marketing savvy that landed Tarrick on a reality TV home-building competition. She found a description of the show and knew Tarrick would be a good fit. Thousands of people applied. But after two years of interviewing, testing, and traveling to meet NBC executives, Tarrick was selected as one of 12 contestants for American Dream Builders 2014.
Tanisha explains that “landing a role on the show was a factor of timing plus preparation. Tarrick made a decision in 2006 that he wanted to build homes and worked hard.” The Loves hard work is another reason their business is thriving. So, I asked them for tips on running a thriving family business.
First, the business must be at least one person’s passion. Tarrick explained “people may think ‘I’m going to start my own business where I control my time.’ The business controls you. But if it’s your passion you’ll figure out how to make it work.”
Second, separate business from personal time. For the Loves, after 7p.m. is family time. They remind each other when the boundaries are crossed.
Third, take a leap of faith. Tanisha explains that she was happy as an attorney until the birth of their first child. After that, she left her career to be a stay-at-home mom.
In 2012, Tanisha joined Hart Love Builders. She explains that “I used to think [the business] was Tarrick’s thing. But I’ve been able to take what I learned as an attorney, apply it to the home building industry, and do something that impacts people’s lives. Now it’s my passion too.”
As developers, the Loves understand the mixed blessing of rising home values and they want to help the community. Tarrick explains that an increase in property value is tough for people on a fixed income. He says that “in some cases property taxes are more than mortgages. Some senior citizens have property taxes that are increasing 10-12 percent per year, but their social security raise is 1.7 percent and [financially] it’s killing them.”
The Loves want to work with clients to help them maximize their land and home value. “We believe if your family home is where you want to live, you should not be forced out due to rising property taxes,” said Tanisha. For more information email Hart Love Builders at Info@hartlovebuilders.com or to see photos of renovations visit https://www.facebook.com/hartlovebuilders