How Jeff Bower Built a Construction Empire!
On this episode of The Closing Table, we sat down with Jeff Bower!
To watch the full episode, check it out on YouTube below. In the meantime, here’s a summary of the conversation…
Here’s what you missed from Jeff Bower…
At 40, Jeff Bower made a significant career shift, moving from vocational ministry to the construction industry. Having spent years teaching and engaging in international humanitarian work, Jeff faced financial pressures, especially with four teenagers to support. This situation prompted him to seek a new path.
A friend’s suggestion led Jeff to explore the construction business. Despite lacking experience, he founded Bower and Sons, a company specializing in post-frame construction. With the help of a website and Google ads, Jeff quickly attracted interest, although he initially struggled to manage the influx of inquiries. This period, while challenging, gave him hope that his new venture could succeed.
Jeff’s early days in construction were marked by uncertainty and self-doubt. However, his connection with the Amish community and the success of his first project—a $2,000 roof job—proved to be a turning point. This initial success fueled the growth of his construction business, leading to more projects and eventually expanding into commercial construction. Jeff found his niche in barn construction, leveraging the high demand in the Midwest and rural communities, and relying on his Amish connections to specialize in post-frame structures.
His journey into construction began with simple sketches and plans made in his purple Toyota Corolla alongside an Amish builder. Recognizing the need to establish credibility, Jeff rented a Chevy Silverado to make a better impression on potential clients. This effort paid off as he successfully built three buildings, marking the beginning of Bower and Sons’ evolution.
As his construction business grew, Jeff sought to diversify his income and secure a retirement plan by transitioning into real estate. He initially operated a property as an Airbnb, but after facing challenges with a business partnership, Jeff rebuilt his real estate portfolio from scratch. Today, he owns and manages multiple properties, including a four-bedroom home rented out by the bedroom, a model that has proven successful and profitable.
Jeff views real estate as a hospitality business, drawing on his experience in nonprofit Christian-oriented ministry. He prioritizes building relationships with tenants, often spending time with them socially, and aims to provide a higher standard of service and care. Jeff believes in the responsibility of landlords to care for their properties and communities, encouraging local ownership and responsible investment.
With years of experience in real estate and over $1 million in properties, Jeff has shifted his focus from Airbnb to platforms like Furnished Finder, Roomies, and Facebook Marketplace. He found these platforms more reliable, especially for attracting traveling medical professionals as tenants. This approach has led to high occupancy rates and steady income.
Jeff’s approach to real estate is personal and empathetic. He prioritizes understanding his clients’ long-term plans and compatibility, minimizing paperwork to keep the process smooth. Despite challenges, such as tenants leaving without paying rent, Jeff views these experiences as learning opportunities. He categorizes clients into four types—cheap, problematic, affluent, and sophisticated—and tailors his interactions accordingly.
The pandemic brought challenges to the construction industry, particularly with the rapid increase in material costs. Jeff emphasizes the importance of working with reputable builders to ensure quality and integrity in projects. He highlights the necessity of building a trusted team for real estate investing, including bankers, contractors, and agents.
Jeff attributes his resilience to his innate disposition and a genuine enjoyment of meeting new people and exploring new opportunities. Having faced significant challenges, including being a single-income father of four and losing jobs multiple times, Jeff has learned to take control of his life and retirement. He encourages others to embrace life, learn from their mistakes, and take ownership of their journey.
Check out Jeff Bower:
https://www.facebook.com/justpolebarns/
https://www.youtube.com/@barnandhome/videos
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