Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!
You're IT Blue Ridge Builders!
Three questions with Tim Foley, founder of Blue Ridge Builders.
Why did you start your business?
I didn’t exactly start this business on purpose. It started a little after the recession of 2011. I had been in construction for more than 29 years and was happily working as the Project Supervisor for Right Brothers on ‘small projects’, which to them meant 2-5 million dollar houses and teams of 8-40 workers. After 10 years of working for them, they had to file for bankruptcy and I was laid off. I searched for weeks on end only to find that no businesses were hiring due to the recession.
So instead, I started to do odd jobs here and there with my carpenter friend Don Layfava. We started for friends and then friends of friends. Eventually, the business found me. More and more people asked us to help them with their projects so soon we started Blue Ridge Builders, named after the street where Don and I live here in Wilton. Don relocated to Colorado leaving me with the business, we are still close friends to this day.
When I first started the most popular projects I worked on were kitchens, bathrooms, and decks. Now we’re working on anything from replacing a mailbox to a total home renovation. What started off as a way to pay the bills grew into a successful small business with the support of the Wilton community and my family.
How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?
I prefer working with small local businesses because I am usually able to get the owner of the company on the project with me. As the owner of a small business myself, I personally look at and work on every project I get. Additionally, I’ve gotten to know other small business owners well over the years and they’ve become family.
I work closely with Moreira Electric LLC, Northern Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning, DM painting, Stonecraft & Landscaping Services, James Capossela LLC, EcoLogic Energy Solutions, and Ring’s End.
Blue Ridge Builders is located in Wilton, go visit them online on their Facebook page here, or give them a call at (203) 940-1008!
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!