Today we’d like to introduce you to Frank Wickstead.
Frank, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
During my bachelor’s, I led a group of friends who built decks and fences… Minor construction projects. Prior to that, summer jobs usually had a construction slant. I always liked the environment around the industry. After my bachelor’s, I worked for a large Atlanta architecture firm for a couple of years before going it alone to work directly for clients and as a contract designer for a few small Atlanta firms. It was during that time that I learned structures and civil. Smaller firms are usually more than happy for you to take the first stab at engineering. I was still working on handyman type projects in the background for additional income and to fulfill my need to create and “fix things.” As an architect, I was nearly always disappointed by the general contractors who built the projects we or I designed, especially on the residential side. I carried the growing and gnawing feeling that I could do it better. I sought out a more “hands-on” partner. We formed my first company after a year as carpenters working for another GC to learn the biz. That partnership lasted at five years.
I moved on to start another company that focused on sustainability. Things went great even deep into the recession. My sustainability slant was well entrenched by the time others jumped on the bandwagon at 2008-9. It was around that time, in 2009, that my son was born. I found out quickly that it was my work ethic more than anything else that brought my success. That work ethic was defined as working 10 hours a day, seven days a week. I wasn’t the dad I wanted to be.
By that time. I’d just completed my master’s degree. I wasn’t exactly sure why I was pursuing the degree, but I wanted it for my own personal satisfaction. I found myself in conflict, not wanting to work all the time and seeing my business slide when I didn’t do so. Out of nowhere, I got a call from a consulting firm interviewing for a position managing utility sponsored energy efficiency programs. At the time, I didn’t see the beauty of the moment but I humored the firm with an interview. As an entrepreneur, you always wonder what your value is in the “real world”. This process helped me quantify that. Along the way, I found out this was 9-5 jobs with very few weekend responsibilities, the office was near my home, and I could pick up my son from school and bring him to work every day. I managed to sell my company to a competitor, I took the two rock-stars from my team to the firm with me, and I started over. The funny thing? I wouldn’t have received the offer had I not had the master’s degree, the sustainability certifications, the reputation. It was an incredibly serendipitous moment.
The consultant gig filled in most of my blanks. I became a competent speaker. Learned how to effectively manage a team, work within a corp structure (sort of), and I became a confident professional. Seven years later, my next step up way going to focus primarily on business development with 50% travel. I reluctantly jumped ship again and started Jones Pierce Structures by partnering with a longtime professional relationship with Jones Pierce Architects. I approached Bryan Jones and asked if he’d like to start building. The merger elevated Bryan’s architecture sales and gave me a feeder of beautifully designed buildings. The new company was designed around me being a dad and I drop my son at school and pick him up 1/2 the time. It is working out with great staff that step into the roles that I no longer want to fill. All of our projects focus on sustainability, while the vast majority of the industry is delivering mediocrity.
Two years into the consulting gig, I started teaching at Georgia Tech. I teach one grade level SLS (Serve Learn Sustain), affiliated class, a semester in the College of Design, School of Building Construction. If feels like giving back and it keeps me on my on toes in a classroom full of super bright and hungry students.
I find myself building awesome structures, I’m the kind of dad I want to be, I’m newly engaged, and I’m happy.
Has it been a smooth road?
This was mostly covered in the prior section. I’d add that every transition was very scary and not nearly as easy it may have sounded in the prior summary.
Challenges: Delivering perfect all the time. We have subcontractor and supplier challenges every day. It is a constant struggle to walk the walk. Delivering sustainability to the masses.
Please tell us about your work.
We specialize in; High design, building performance, excellent customer service. High end custom homes and remodels (there is a yin/yang here) Client representation to deliver what we can’t. (sustainability to the masses)
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Atlanta has begun the development of a culture. I’m from Savannah and miss the low-country culture there. It is distinct and known. You can see our fledgling culture most on the eastside and westside. I love our music and food scene. I like the retraction of the Atlanta from burb to city. I like the focus on walkability and transportation (sort of). Least? The above isn’t changing fast enough.
Contact Info:
- Address: 400 Plasters Avenue NE
Suite 225
Atlanta GA 30324 - Website: www.jonespierce.com
- Phone: (404) 688-1050
- Email: frank@jonespierce.com
Image Credit:
Sign, me (all): audreyalexanderphotography.com
Finished architectural: robknightphotography.com
Framing shot: me
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