When I think about when we started John Merrill Homes, I don’t only think about the first contract or the first project, but, as a family business, I also think about the stage of life we were in.
Joy was one, and the boys were six and eight. Dana was keeping everything together while I worked from a home office with glass doors. The kids could see me, which meant they were knocking on the door more often than not.
Ten years later, when I look around, there are some very clear differences between then and now. The business has changed, our family has changed, and even the area we live in has changed. At the same time, some of our founding principles have remained the same.
Here are ten things that stand out to me when I think about how far we’ve come.
1. Our family has grown up
When we started, life revolved around young kids and early bedtimes. In some ways, there was some predictability in that stage of life, as you could control the schedule and decide when the day was over.
Now our boys are driving, Joy has her own schedule, and the conversations we’re having as a family are different. As Dana said recently, it doesn’t necessarily get easier—the issues just get bigger and louder.
Back then, we were tired from parenting small kids. Now we are navigating teenage independence, sports, activities, social lives, and everything that comes with that stage. It is a different kind of busy, but it is busy all the same.
2. From doing everything myself to a team we can trust
In the beginning, I handled every part of the business. I ran jobs during the day and then worked on estimates, design, and bookkeeping at night. Fridays were set aside for cutting checks and managing payables. I didn’t have payroll at first because there was no one to pay besides myself!
About a year into the business, I hired our first superintendent so I could spend more time in the office. In year two, we rented our first small office space and brought on a bookkeeper.
Today, we have a team of nine people. We have field staff, sales support, and office staff who all contribute to the work. The biggest change is not just the number of people, but the fact that I do not feel like the entire company depends on me personally managing every detail. We have built a team that we trust, and that has changed everything.
3. We used to take every opportunity; now we look for the right fit
When you start a business, there is urgency: you want the work, and you need the work. In those early years, you don’t always have the luxury of being selective.
Over time, we learned that building a custom home is a long-term relationship, not a short-term transaction. You are working closely with someone for eighteen months or more, making hundreds of decisions together.
Now we take more time at the beginning to determine whether a project feels like a good fit. We have learned that when personalities, expectations, and processes align, the entire experience is better for everyone involved.
4. We were careful and anxious about money; now we run a more predictable business
Starting a business with young kids was stressful. We were disciplined with our finances and very aware that things could change quickly. There were certainly nights when we wondered whether it would all hold together.
Over the years, I have spent a lot of time learning how to run the business side of this company more effectively. Joining Builder 20 several years ago forced me to look at forecasting, planning, and accountability in a different way.
We still pay attention to the numbers, but there is more confidence now because we understand the business more clearly.
5. The type of work we do has changed
In the early years, we were building more homes at once, and they were generally smaller projects. We were focused on building momentum and gaining experience.
Today, we take on fewer projects at one time, but the homes are more complex and more detailed, and we spend more time planning and refining. I find myself having longer conversations about things that I might have moved through more quickly ten years ago.
For example, I recently spent two hours discussing the trim details around four windows. That level of focus comes from experience as you begin to understand how much the small decisions affect the finished product.
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6. Design has become more thoughtful
When we first started, the design trends leaned heavily toward minimalism. Clients wanted very clean lines, simple finishes, and straightforward details. Now we are seeing more layered design, texture, and architectural detail coming back, which is a lot of fun.
Dana has grown significantly in her role within the company, especially on the design side. She thinks deeply about how people actually live in the spaces we build. She also got her Interior Design (AS) degree a couple of years ago.
7. We have built and moved—and now we are renovating our own home
Ten years ago, we were living in the first house we bought together, and we had recently completed an addition to make room for our growing family.
Since then, we have moved more than once, including into a home that we built as a spec. Now we are adding onto the house we currently live in because we truly love where we are.
Living through our own renovation has been humbling. We have dealt with temporary walls, construction dust, and the occasional cold shower. Even though I understand the construction process inside and out, living inside it is different. It has reminded me how much patience and flexibility our clients need during their own projects.
You can follow Our Home Addition Diaries for all the behind-the-scenes bits.
8. Our area has changed
When we moved to Ponte Vedra in 2018, it was a desirable area, but it didn’t have the widespread attention it has today.
Over the past several years, especially during COVID, we saw a significant influx of people relocating here. The demand for housing increased dramatically, and the pace of the market accelerated.
Today, things have leveled out somewhat, but the area is still growing. Land is more difficult to find, and buyers have become more intentional.
9. Experience has changed how we handle problems
In the beginning, every unexpected issue felt like a major setback. When you have limited experience, you don’t yet have the confidence that comes from having seen similar challenges before.
After ten years, we have experienced supply chain disruptions, weather delays, complex renovations, and large custom builds with intricate details.
Problems still arise, but they don’t create the same level of stress because we know that most things can be worked through with time and communication.
10. We know who we are now
As with many businesses, the first ten years were about figuring it out. We were learning what kind of builder we wanted to be and what standards we wanted to uphold.
Now we have more clarity. We know the level of quality we expect. We know the type of projects that align with our strengths. We know the kind of relationships we want with our clients.
Personally, we also know that the early years were worth it. Although a lot has changed, we’re still doing what we set out to do: building homes, building them well, and doing our best to treat people the right way.
Looking back on 10 years of John Merrill Homes
We’re not the same people we were when I was working behind those glass doors with little kids knocking to come in. The company isn’t the same either. We’re now more confident in who we are and how we build.
But the core hasn’t changed. We still care about doing things the right way. We still believe the small details matter. And we still understand that building a home is also about building trust.
If you’ve been following along, or if you’re considering building in this next season of life, we’re grateful to be part of the conversation.
