Meet Kryshon Bratton | Entrepreneur, Mom, and Wife

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kryshon Bratton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kryshon, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
1. Take a break- Owning a business uses all of yourself. It’s a mental, physical, and emotional marathon at a sprint pace. Burnout is real. Allow yourself to walk away and recharge. Take that vacation, enjoy your hobbies, and spend time with friends and family. I’m also a wife and mother, so taking time for myself is important too.

2. Listening- You will learn more by listening. People love to talk. Listening is an action. When you listen, you understand what is needed to close a deal, hire the right person, and resolve problems. You will avoid many hurdles by listening.

3. Create and surround yourself with a good team- I have two great teams, a professional team that includes my banker, CPA, and insurance agent. I’ve chosen these people because they were interested in me first and then my business.
The other team is an informal group of other small business owners. They provide an opportunity to discuss ideas and issues while at the same time encouraging and celebrating achievements. They say it is “lonely at the top,” but it doesn’t have to be. As a small business owner, it’s great to have a group of people who understands your perspective.

4. Never stop learning- Read everything! Reading keeps you informed and inspires you. Not all my learning is specific to business or the construction industry. I attend lectures on topics that interest me and experience things for myself.

5. Never be afraid to ask why- I think asking why is inherent in business owners—asking why is an essential and often forgotten question. So many are comfortable with the status quo. Asking why gives you the information you need to make adjustments to your business, or it might inspire you to add a different product or service to your business. It’s also helpful in addressing a need you didn’t know existed. I recently started a scholarship at the University of Houston because I asked a few people why.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Piper Whitney Construction LLC specializes in installing and selling permeable paving products. Permeable paving is a sustainable alternative to concrete and asphalt. It helps prevent flooding, reduces the heat island effect, protects tree roots, and removes toxins and pollutants from stormwater runoff. Permeable paving is strong and durable, so it lasts longer than traditional hardscape materials. We have installed permeable paving at parks, schools, emergency access lanes, trails, parking lots, and driveways. Many products we install and sell are upcycled plastics and tires. These products are made locally or in the United States.

I’m a native Houstonian, and flooding is a city-wide problem. So I decided to research different products and materials that were sustainable as hardscaping. In 2006, I started a pool construction company, Bratton Pools LLC. We often addressed preexisting drainage issues when building a swimming pool and outdoor living space.

We started incorporating permeable paving in our designs, and our clients loved it. Soon we were getting calls from homeowners who had pools but still had drainage issues. Many small business owners know that one good job gets you two or three. In 2014, I started Piper Whitney Construction LLC while still running the pool business. Sometimes there was cross-over on projects.

In 2019, I sold the pool company to focus entirely on Piper Whitney Construction LLC. We have experienced a lot of growth as more and more homeowners, builders, and cities have decided to choose sustainable materials in their projects.

Everyone has heard about sustainability and green construction. Many people have not seen an example of permeable paving. Much of what I do is educate about the benefits of this type of construction.

Piper Whitney Construction LLC is the only hardscaping company specializing in permeable paving. It’s also proudly woman-owned.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d start at Herman Park. I love Herman Park. There is so much to do and see there. I also like being outdoors, and it’s a perfect place for a picnic. You also have access to all the museums and the zoo. Plus, you might catch a show or cultural event at Miller Outdoor Theater.

Next would have to be Bayou Bend. You could spend hours walking around the gardens and taking a tour of Ima Hogg’s home. For more history of Houston, we would go on a Houston City Tour while riding in a double-decker bus.

Off to Galveston for a few days. We would stay at The San Luis Resort. Enjoy relaxing at Stewart Beach, then off to The Strand for some ice cream at LaKing’s. For dinner, it would have to be at Rudy and Paco.

On our way back to Houston, we stop at NASA to see the Saturn 5 rocket and other unique artifacts from the different missions. Houston’s history and future all come together at NASA.

For our last night, we will have a delicious dinner downtown before catching a play, ballet, or opera. There is so much talent in Houston.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Peran&Scannell Jrudy ewelers. My favorite place for a bit of sparkle in my life. We’ve bought gifts for our daughters and restored heirloom jewelry at Peran&Scannell. No matter what I am looking for, the customer service and quality are second to none. I get many compliments when I wear pieces purchased from Peran&Scannell.

Website: www.piperwhitney.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/piperwhitneyconstruction/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kryshon-bratton-8b1a553b

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/piperwhitneyconstruction

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWbaHX4HIFpsv07THyOafQg