Naples Illustrated
Summer 2003

BUILDING BLOCKS

The Construction Business has long been a leading industry In Southwest Florida. New residents mean more building. Since Naples’s beginnings as a swamp through boom period of the 1920s, post- World War ii and post Hurricane Donna in 1960, firms meeting the demands of the market have borne the proud names of pioneer builders past and present. The same holds true today. Although building and designing custom homes sometimes can be a tricky and arduous process, the growing number of family run development enterprises is by all appearances robust. Here are some personal reflections on the fun and frustrations of building- block by block- a demanding family business.

Family Foundation: Rick Harwick, President
Wife Kathy, director of sales and marketing.

Year company founded: 1987

What is your company specialty?
Rick: Bridging life with style by making the home-building process seamless and enjoyable for our homeowners.
Kathy: Building high-end custom home that are unique and personal, innovative and stylish.

What is the biggest challenge of working together?
Rick: Finding time outside of work
Kathy: Separating time for work and home.

What is the biggest reward of working together?
Rick: Having someone you trust to talk to.
Kathy: Sharing success and support of each other.

What is the most unusual request you have been asked to execute?
Rick: Building secret hiding places for a variety of things.

Do you talk shop at home?
Rick: That’s all we do.
Kathy Yes- a lot at dinner. Our daughters get to know our customers by name.

What do you do with your time off?
Kathy: We do a lot together; boating, going to art shows, collecting cactus and succulents, watching everbaldes hockey. We spend time with our daughters who are involved with Barron Collier High School marching band and track.

Who defers to whom?
Kathy: Rick is in charge- no doubt about that!

What is your proudest achievement?
Rick: Having a happy family.
Kathy: Starting a company from scratch and watching it grow, along with seeing our daughters become young adults.

What is your fantasy Career?
Rick: Beer and Beverage distributor
Kathy: CSI investigator.