Mike Whitcomb: Brookstone Companies

Brookstone Companies provides clients with commercial property development, general contracting and restoration services. Whitcomb got his start by learning from his father, a residential contractor in California. “I built my first home when I was 18 years old. I bought a lot for $5,000, built the home and then sold it for $78,000—I paid for my college education with the profit from that house.” 

Early in his career, he constructed the first five PetSmart stores and then later ventured back into residential building before returning to commercial contracting. This year, he launched a new division: Brookstone Restoration. The new division will focus on fire-, water-, and wind-damaged properties.

“I’ve done a lot of remodeling work and I believe that insurance work will bridge the gap for our company right now,” Whitcomb says. The decision to pursue this new contracting niche presents some challenges: Chief among them is the need to focus on marketing and branding for the new division. As part of pursuing restoration work, the company is expanding into other regions. 

Whitcomb is among a growing number of contractors who have made the conscious decision to change their businesses in order to survive and grow. He is optimistic about growth: “If you take care of the customer, the business will come.”

Construction Business Owner, March 2011