Hotondo Homes, builders of outstanding homes, want to help us recognise an outstanding new business. If you’ve been in business between 6 and 24 months and believe you can demonstrate excellence in your business, you are eligible to enter^ the Outstanding New Business award. Businesses that have had a complete change in ownership and a proven new direction in operations within this timeframe will also be eligible.
We talk with Adam Sturt, director of Hotondo Homes South Coast about Hotondo’s ongoing success and his commitment to supporting the Awards as a sponsor.
Why did you choose to sponsor the Outstanding New Business award?
I love to see new, upcoming businesses in the community as well as see the Shoalhaven grow and move forward. I believe new business needs as much local and community support as possible. This gives them a much better chance of excelling.
What makes Hotondo Homes outstanding?
We are different to other builders in the community. We are not just about building as many homes as possible. It’s about building people’s dreams and working to their needs. We don’t tell our clients what to build. We give them the freedom to design their dream home. Our quality of homes is exceptional, as, to be honest, I would not build a home that I personally would not live in. Our customer service experience is second to none and we always ensure our clients feel they can come and see and deal with me directly at any time throughout their building process – and after if they need. As this is such a big investment in our clients’ lives we want them to know that they are part of our Hotondo family and we are not just sales people here to sell them something that they just don’t want or cannot envisage.
What advantages does a new business have over an established business?
I believe being a new business, you will have drive and passion over an old established business that are too relaxed, and even bored. Also, they tend to have great ideas and new ways to get their business running and marketed.
What was Hotondo Homes’ biggest non-financial achievement in its first 24 months?
It would have to be the marketing and picking the brand name back up to where it should be. When we brought the Hotondo franchise it didn’t have the greatest reputation. So, to bring it to our current level of success was a huge achievement. Plus getting more builds in the first 12 months then was expected.
What was your toughest challenge when you first launched your Hotondo Homes franchise?
I would have to say the community trust, as people didn’t really know us, or who we were. So to be such a big part of the community now with our local presence is really satisfying, and now I believe I have gained the respect of the community. Our quality of homes that we build and also what we are doing with the community is a great achievement to me, and now I can start to give back to the community.
If you could give one piece of advice to yourself back when you started your business, what would it be?
Make sure you know it is going to be a hard road and not easy. So when it does go bad or there are mistakes – and believe me there will be with a new company – you have to try not to get disheartened. If you can do this, it will be so much easier to get back up when you get knocked down – and it is easy to get knocked down. Also to know that there are people out there like me to talk to; my door is always open. I guess that’s what it is to be part of the community and the Business Chamber. There are people here to help and who want to see you succeed.
Thanks to Hotondo Homes for sponsoring the Outstanding New Business Award.
Enter the Outstanding New Business award, here. To learn more about this category, download the Award Entry Information Pack.
