Meet Aaron Lewis

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

Hi Aaron, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Construction is something that I always felt drawn to. Its just something that I always felt that was a passion and skill of mine that just came naturally to me. My desire to want to take things apart and put them back together, take something from nothing and see it made, or fix something that was in bad condition also seemed mesmerizing. My mother is a very successful realtor and I would see the investors she had do “flips” . I would be envious of them being able to put that project together and many times I would watch them do things that I thought could have been better and I just felt like I could do a better job. To me it just seemed so cool if I could do that for a living. I went to college and even got my MBA in accounting because construction seemed like more of a dream and I worked for many corporations in sales roles which I had success in but never felt fulfilled. My sisters boyfriend at the time and now husband, saw some work I did and really wanted to see me do a project because he saw the skill that I had.
Without going into the whole detail of how my first project started with him, it was something ordained by G-d because of how we were able to do that project.
The project was a huge success because it sold for the highest price per square foot in that neighborhood at the time. Furthermore, it sold pretty quick.
From there, I started getting some notertiary and word of mouth that I finally knew that this was a real thing and I left my corporate job and dedicated full time to my business and its been a lot of fun.

While every business has its challenges I have learned so many things that relate to business and just life in general that I would not have learned had I stayed in my corporate job or learned in school.

I still have that same mindset as I had but today I am happy that I am the one doing the work for my client but my mentality is the same that I can do a better job than anyone else.

At the end of the day we run an ethical business in an industry that is riddled with unscrupulous people that give contractors/builders a bad name.

At Luria we always use the best materials and do what we feel will give our clients the best long lasting product possible.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We are a luxury home builder. Thats not meant as as cavalier statement but more meant as far as the standards that we have in our business.

Luxury to me doesnt always mean flashy, over the top, or super expensive but what it means is quality.

Our work is always held to the highest standards possible. While some people are focused on fast and cheap, we are obsessed with quality and I hold everyone to the highest standards possible.

We do not use inferior materials, we do not cut corners, and we do not do work that is subpar EVER.

My company is still growing, there are still a lot of goals that I am wanting to accomplish. Getting to where I am today was a grind and candidly it still is.

It was not easy but nothing in life that is good is easy. The thing is that if you are passionate about something then challenges dont seem intimidating because you are always willing to fight and persevere through whatever adversity you find yourself in.

The biggest thing I feel like you cannot do when things are not perfect or going how you want is to start feeling sorry for yourself.

Pity parties dont get you anywhere and they are not constructive.

When things get tough, sometimes just taking out a piece of blank 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper and just start writing out everything that you’re worried about and then writing what the worst possible outcome is. Then looking at it and realizing that if that does happen. Life still goes on and you can still bounce back from it. From that point, it allows me to start maping out how I can get through a particular challenge.

As a business owner its also really important to find people who you look up to that you know can give you good advice. It does not necessarily have to be someone in the same industry but finding people you know who are supportive and constructive is crucial.

I never wanted to be a business owner that didnt want its employees to feel as if they dont have a voice or that their opinions didnt matter. There are also times where people will give you advice and you feel like “wow I should do that because they said so” While there are times you get good advice, you also have to realize that sometimes its not advice and just someones opinions and not everyones opinions are correct. There is a reason that “you” started this business and got it to this place that is why”you’re” in charge so having the confidence to believe in yourself and do what you know is the better decision and it takes a lot of courage and determination.

Also be willing to stickup and fight for your business. When you are in a business that has the reputation that contractors have, people can easily be critical because they watch HGTV, or you find yourself in a position where you can just be someones punching bag because they are having a bad day. Construction projects take time and when you work with people life happens to them as well so sometimes you can catch the wrath of whatever is haunting them at that time . If you are doing the right thing and doing what you know in your heart is right, always be willing to be assertive and defend yourself because if you dont no-one else will.

Luria Construction has been around for sometime but its no where near its final destination. We will continue to perform industry leading work and do everything we can to provide service to anyone who is seeking our services. Expansion is always on my mind and as I look at what I have done since I started the company I could not have fathomed the amound of knowledge and success I have now. All of the types of projects I have mastered excites me about what I will be saying I have accomplished in the next 5, 10, 15, 20 years from now.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a friend visiting I would start by taking them on a tour of my projects in Houston. I have literally worked all over the City. Whether it be the private cities located in the middle of Houston to the clients that live on the outskirts of Houston I would be able to show all the sites and attractions while also getting to showcase my work.

Houston has a lot of really good food, so I would definitely want them to check out our food scene.

One of the things that I am super passionate about is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I always encourage people to visit Houston during that time because there is just so much fun to be had. Whether it be the rodeo cookoff, to watching bullriding, seeing the kids that are showing animals, to the stars playing their concerts it is one of the most magical times of the year in Houston.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family.

I could not be where I am without my family.

My mother had the experience in real estate that gave me the exposure to so many jobs and her father (my grandfather) and her brother (my uncle) worked in construction. I think watching her excitement growing up for new homes and homes is what made me interested in homes. Additionally hearing her critique projects and giving feedback on construction sites crafted the standards that I have. Even to present day Ill take her to jobsites and listen to feedback that she has because shes usually right.

My father was always a major supporter. He always was an ear that would listen to me or be willing to stop what he was doing to help me get caught up when I was overwhelmed. Whether it was picking up a check for me or telling me that I should let him go pickup materials for me so I could concentrate on a more pressing matter was always a relief and support that meant so much. Additionally when things were hectic during Hurricane Harvey my Dad jumped in and was willing to help me oversee whatever administrative functions needed until I had developed the infrastructure in my company to handle the additional workload.

I have two young brilliant and beautiful sisters (they are twins) and they would always listen to my stories or look at all the pictures of my projects. I think many times they would just pretend to be interested because they didnt want to kill my passion or enthusiasm haha. But I am super grateful to their encouragement and support.

My brother in law, Jonathan who gave me the push I needed to start my business and taking a chance on me.

Website: www.luriaconstruction.com

Instagram: @luriaconstructioncompany

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewisaaronj/

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

Image Credits
Picture of Bun B in front of Trill Burgers is credit to Trill Burgers All other pictures are to my company, Luria Construction Company