PBC Design + Build (+ Balance)

We all know that new construction isn’t exactly experiencing a lull. And if you live in Southeastern North Carolina, you’ve seen first-hand how “hot” the market continues to be (insert simultaneous knocks-on-wood). Real Estate teams are growing, General Contractors are creating back-logs, and you can’t seem to drive more than a few miles without seeing commercial development.

PBC Design + Build has seen both sides of this economy over the last 21 + years and business partners Dave Spetrino and Kyle Henry have weathered the storm.  They have proven in the meantime, that a great partnership shouldn’t solely be based on intelligence, trust, and a shared vision.  Suffice it to say, through the trials and tribulations of running a business they always seem to be able to laugh (eventually) and to be friends (mostly) all while building beautiful custom homes for wonderful, fun clients.  Keep reading, secret divulging to commence…

Clearly there are a lot of factors that go into a great partnership.  All the obvious qualities like vision, motivation, and common work ethic are important but it is no secret that a great sense of humor and good taste in music can go a long way.  Let’s not forget about differences though, because those can be a huge strength in that solid foundation (no pun intended…get it? Foundation?  Moving on…)  We could go on and on about the generic qualities that successful business partners have in common (or don’t) but instead we give to you a small window into the minds of one of our favorite twosomes…

DAVE VS. KYLE: A quick-answer quiz to the MOST important questions

Birth order?

DS: First

KH: Middle

Middle name?

DS: Arthur

KH: Jeremy

Favorite year of high school?

DS: Either Junior or Senior I suppose.

KH: Senior year.  I finally figured out the system.  Little work and a lot of play…

Toddlers or teenagers?

DS: I hate them all.

KH: Toddlers.  They can’t talk yet.

First job?

DS: Washington Post paperboy.  Age 11.

KH: Giovanni’s (Italian Restaurant in Hickory, NC) bus boy. Age 14.

Sal, Murr, Q, or Joe?

DS:  I don’t know these people.  I know a guy named Sal, he’s a cool guy.

KH: Murr

Go-to drink at a bar?

DS: Diet Coke with ice or a Moscow Mule (but only if it’s in that fancy copper mug)

KH: Pellegrino

Favorite song. EVER.

DS: “Night and Day” Al B. Sure!

KH: “Love is a Rose” Neil Young

I’d absolutely ruin my diet for…

DS: Peppermint milkshake with hot fudge at the bottom of the cup from Baskin

Robbins.

KH: SUGAR

Last time you cried?

DS: Either when they froze Han Solo in “The Empire Strikes Back” or when I thought

E.T. was going to die.

KH: Friday

Cinema, theatre, or live music?

DS: Cinema

KH: Live Music

Charleston or Savannah?

DS: Savannah

KH: Charleston

Favorite EVER custom home detail?

DS: I’m a sucker for great light fixtures and I love seeing brick work on interior walls.

KH: I love modern architecture.  We have several recent modern homes. I appreciate the designs of all of them.

Best quality about Kyle?

DS: Crazy smart.

Best quality about Dave?

KH: He is “in it” for all the right reasons.  He never quits.

It looks like Paula Abdul said it best in ’88,  clearly opposites do attract.  As a senior in high school, Dave was entering his seventh year in the workforce and Kyle was signing up for his seventh semester of shop class.  From two different locations, completely different family dynamics, and opposite academic paths these two have managed to create a lasting and functional business partnership, some pretty nice custom homes, and a dang cool place to work.

In conclusion, a common work ethic and (mostly) questionable sense of humor can really take you places!  Cheers to PBC’s “perfect match.”