Darion Barnhart
Ten years ago, Jamie Duncan and her now-business partner Shaun Burroughs were working together for a local developer/builder, but letting someone else call the shots wasn’t in the cards for the duo. Six years ago, they started Build Nashville with the business model of creating homes for clients who become much more than customers.
“We have been so grateful for the outpouring of support from the real estate community and the buyers that we truly consider our family when we finish their homes,” she says.
Their time working for someone else was an education unto itself, and one for which she’s incredibly grateful.
“We definitely learned a lot while working with the previous builder,” she says. “We have surrounded ourselves with smart, hardworking, forward-thinking employees, realtors, business partners, subcontractors and vendors that have helped encourage us along the way. I couldn’t be more thankful.”
SURROUNDED BY SUPPORT
You would think that being a woman in a male-dominated industry would be challenging or difficult but honestly, it hasn’t been. Fortunately, I have been surrounded by very positive and encouraging people including my business partner, mentors, and peers, and I have never felt inadequate or intimidatated. I think humility and honesty go a long way. If I don’t know something, I know someone who does, and I don’t mind asking for advice or help when needed. You are the sum of the people you surround yourself with; find people that push you and make you better.
A PASSION FOR THE WORK
I love the thrill of the hunt for the next lot or development opportunity, the analysis of the deal, designing the home with awesome architects, choosing the pretty things that go into the homes, designing and building dream homes for amazing people, and contributing to the overall fabric of Nashville’s real estate community. Collaborating with other developers and builders to support new zoning policy changes and create new neighborhoods is an exciting part of my job as well. In keeping with my sometimes-cheesy quote habit, we truly believe in the “rising tides lift all boats” theory, so we choose to work closely with our friendly competitors and share ideas.
MAKING TIME FOR TIME OFF
Honestly, I am not maintaining balance right now. I think we can all agree that 2020 has thrown so many curve balls and thankfully, even though we have been really busy, I choose to focus a lot of time on continuing to build our business. My daughter Kelsey is 23 years old and finishing college in Tampa. And after being married for almost 25 years, my husband Jay knows that I am a workaholic and he accepts that and supports me in every way possible. I do squeeze in some backyard pool time with him and our three Goldendoodles during the summer months. We have always loved to travel, and we have made a commitment to focus our exploring in the United States to try and help contribute to the recovery of tourism in the U.S. There are so many wonderful National Parks to explore, and we recently visited Grand Teton and Yellowstone for the first time. It was breathtaking. Next up: Utah.
BUILDING UP THE INDUSTRY’S FUTURE LEADERS
I would recommend offering to be an intern with a strong, established real estate team that focuses a lot of attention on new construction, so you have the opportunity to learn from great minds. To understand the inner workings of how to analyze a deal is critical. You don’t make money when you sell a house, you make it when you buy the lot because a bad lot purchase is a bad project. There are great resources such as real estate investors network groups and BiggerPockets podcast groups where you can surround yourself with like-minded people and absorb tons of knowledge. Never stop learning and believing in yourself and your abilities.