High-energy owner finds success building low-energy properties

Tru-Building owner and president Jeff Jones has a simple philosophy when it comes to growing a business.

“Too many people make the mistake of confusing revenue with income,” Jones said.

Jones said one of the keys to being a successful business owner is to continually reinvest in the operation and the employees that help run it.

With more than three decades in the construction business, Jones is focused on building energy-efficient, cutting-edge properties.

Whether a project involves downtown redevelopment, a dream home or a new industrial space, Jones said Tru-Building is ready for the job. Jones founded the company in 2010.

Q: Best business advice you have received:

A: Your company is only as good as your employees. Therefore, develop a team where every person truly values every other person in the company for what they do.

Q: Best business advice you have given:

A: To the new business just getting started – it is so tempting when you are seeing really good growth in revenue to think you can pay yourself more. To an established business with employees – your company is only as good as your employees, therefore develop, encourage and grow through your employees.

Q: What sets your company apart?

A: Our focus is on building efficient buildings, both commercial and residential. We save our customers a lot of money.

Q: What have you learned about your company by going through this process?

A: Everybody has a different perspective, but all embrace the need for change. Whether the change is how we build or the technology we use, when we get past the learning curve it really does change the way we do things.

Q: Why do you prefer to run your own business as opposed to working for someone else?

A: Probably the greatest pleasure I have in owning my own business is being able to chart new territory. It’s a privilege to be able to share a passion with the team, develop new ideas and find a better way to do something.

Q: How has your business changed in the digital age?

A: Years ago, you couldn’t reach someone on a job site during the day unless you drove out there to visit in person. First we had two-way radios and pagers, then cellphones. These greatly helped. Now we use tablets, camera phones, and software that ties it all together.

Q: What’s your company’s next goal?

A: We are working on a design of an affordable, yet very energy-efficient house with high-quality features that we can introduce to the Wichita market for $150,000. This puts a quality home within reach to many just entering the housing market, but also is a great option for those on a fixed income. Keep in mind utility costs will be at least half of what the same house without these efficient upgrades would be.

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 3:54 PM with the headline "High-energy owner finds success building low-energy properties."