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/A big thanks to the Columbia Business Times who wrote the following article about us for their first Q&A subject. Our entire Girard Homes team truly is proud of each home that we build and we hope that you will consider us for your next new home!
The CBT Q&A: Zack Girard, Girard Luxury Homes
September 04, 2015 BY CBT Staff
Zack Girard is a busy young man. The MU senior and Trulaske business school ambassador recently launched a home building business, Girard Homes, in Columbia. While getting his degree, Girard is carrying on a family legacy of home building. Get to know Zack in the first installment of our CBT Q&A.
CBT: So tell us a bit about the new business.
Zack Girard: Sure. Girard Homes is a family owned and operated custom and semi-custom home building company. I started this company just over a year ago with my parents, Greg and Sue Girard. As a family, our passion is and always has been to provide customers with the highest quality homes that allow them to live an easier, healthier and more energy-efficient lifestyle. At this point, my major role in the company is sales and marketing, plan design and estimating.
CBT: What made you want to start in home building?
ZG: Home building has always been the family business. My grandfather, Howard Buescher, had a very successful career with Ryan Homes. As he was retiring, my mom was graduating college in Florida, and the two of them got together to start their own company down there. My grandfather, my mom and a few of her siblings grew that company to be a big private builder, having homes in several markets throughout the U.S. Now, I’m following in those foot steps by starting my own company with my parents. It was an appealing opportunity for me because of the fact that I get to spend every day working with my family building homes that we are all very proud of and passionate about.
CBT: What challenges have you faced in getting the business started?
ZG: One of our major challenges up to this point was just getting our name out there and letting people know who we are and what we do. A lot of this problem was solved when we opened our model home out in Old Hawthorne. Having this model home open to the public 7 days a week has really given us a lot of exposure, and it’s helped people to get a good feel for the style and price ranges of homes that we build.
CBT: What’s going to happen when you graduate?
ZG: After graduation, I plan to stay here in Columbia to continue to develop and grow Girard Homes. Within the next four years, we would really like to expand our company to include the Jefferson City and Kansas City markets.
CBT: So do you have any free time? At all?
ZG: I do have a little bit. In my spare time I like to do some team roping. I have a horse here in Columbia at a local boarding barn, which is where I end up spending a lot of my free time. I’m a big Mizzou football fan, so if it’s football season, you’ll find me out around Faurot Field tailgating and watching the games. I also enjoy a good boating day at the Lake of the Ozarks with a good group of friends.
Girard Homes Old Hawthorne Model Home grand opening ribbon cutting! August, 7th 2015
The CBT wants to learn more about leaders and up-and-comers in our community. If you or someone you know would be a good fit for the CBT Q&A, email matt@businesstimescompany.com.
