Don Young & Associates, Inc. | www.dyaconstruction.com
You each navigated to construction—one pulled in by the craft, the other by the process. What are major takeaways from your experience?
John: Being interested in several disciplines in college made it difficult to settle on a specific path. I found that construction grounded me, it allowed me to work with my hands and see creations come to fruition.
Rhonda: When creating a custom vision there are thousands of details and decisions. We’re handed outlines to bring to life, so navigating a myriad of weighted answers is a beautiful process.
How did working in construction from the ground up (John) and decades in operations and management systems (Rhonda) impact how you run the business?
John: Constructing a home or shelter seems basic and almost primal. Though, the more I dig, the complexities increase. Each trade and craft person brings a wealth of knowledge and endless possibilities.
Rhonda: Quality management is all about defining cycles, so when issues come up, it’s getting to the crux as swiftly as possible, so solutions can grow. Construction assembly lines just have different moving parts.
Why is it important to work alongside skilled craftspeople?
John: Our projects require unique skills. Having craftspeople proud of what they do, and good at what they do, motivates us all to become better.
Rhonda: Complicated situations are met with skilled trade experience, so decision making is sped up. People know what works, so end results meet our expectations.
Each project is different and provides unique challenges. How does your knowledge benefit your clients?
John: Decades of build experience helps calm our clients in a hectic industry. Knowing how sequencing works, when to push or pull, and having a wealth of resources taps us into solutions.
Rhonda: Driving a nearly half-a-century old Portland company means storing many stories and scenarios, evolving materials and workforce shifts. Our longevity also enables us to adapt to industry innovation and change. It is easier to bridge gaps when roots go deep.
You produce everything from retreats to spaces where one can create. Tell us about this.
John: We are fortunate to participate in assembling dreams. Often clients plan unique projects for years before we even break ground. We take the path seriously, having a good time living through their anticipation to realization.
Rhonda: The “behind-the-walls” craft creates those dream canvases. Hidden steel, molding layers, piping labyrinths. Executing that controlled infrastructure is a creative challenge that draws like-minded people to this industry. It’s tangible beauty.
What is the driving force behind your business?
John: Relationships. I didn’t go into this to be a business owner. It was a difficult decision after Don Young asked me to take over his life’s work. I’d built 25 years with great coworkers. My children had an interest, and when Rhonda decided to join, it made sense to jump.
Rhonda: I grew up in family-owned restaurants where benefits outweighed challenges. It’s a gift to work with family. Even our granddaughter comes to work!
Your main role is to collaborate with clients to pull diverse pieces together. How does one bridge the gap between concept and reality?
John: Humility. Patience. Communication. Sometimes plans work, sometimes pictures or mockups are the best way. The best collaborations evolve out of listening. Everyone’s needs are so unique.
Rhonda: Pulling the team together with expectations on the table. Scheduling is critical. Having long-standing relationships with our collaborators is essential because they know we’re going to do everything we can to accommodate them, and in turn, they deliver.
