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A business built on teamwork
Before they became business partners, Jonathan Rezendes and Adam Seaberg owned separate construction businesses in Rhode Island. Rezendes shared how he and Seaberg became co-owners of Seaberg Construction in Johnston, RI.
“I had started in the construction industry as a teenager cleaning up job sites and such with a friend of my family that owned a construction company. We worked together through school breaks and summers until I completed high school, and then I became a full-time employee of that company. My business partner, Adam Seaberg, has a similar story of how he began working in construction,” said Rezendes.
The business owner continued discussing his and Seaberg’s career trajectories. “In 2006, I had decided that I had enough experience in what to do and what not to do as far as business goes. So at that time, I decided to venture off and start my own company. Coincidentally, Adam had also done the same thing, just out of sheer coincidence. It was the same year. We were friends back then, and we both operated separate entities, and we always worked together because Adam's forte was roofing and siding. Mine was carpentry and framing. So, if there was something that wasn't in my wheelhouse or vice versa, we would recommend each other to our clients.”
Rezendes continued, “I would be in a position where I would be framing or building houses or additions, and then I would rely on Adam to either side or roof the projects. If Adam had a one-off roof customer, and they asked him to do another project, such as a deck, Adam would give them my name. So, we unofficially had a partnership before we were even partners because we worked together so frequently.”
Working together on a large construction project inspired Rezendes and Seaberg to make their business partnership official. “Fast forward to 2016, Adam had the opportunity to bid on a large project in Johnston, and he asked me to partner with him on that project. So, we worked together on that one and several others immediately following. And at that time, we concluded that it didn’t seem to make much sense for us to be operating two companies, and our relationship had always been good—never any animosity. So, we decided to form a partnership officially in 2019, and I acquired half ownership of Seaberg Construction and dissolved my company.”
Rezendes offered some advice for people considering partnering on a business. He said, “It's essentially a marriage. It’s two different personalities with ultimately the same goal. But unlike a marriage, finances are probably the leading driving force in a business partnership. My advice is patience and understanding, and just know that there are different personalities other than your own.”
When asked what he likes best about co-owning a construction company, Rezendes said, “The personal interaction with people. It's rewarding to be able to work with a homeowner because it's personal. Your home is your home. That's your private, safe space. If a client is willing to work with us to the capacity that allows us into their home, into their everyday lives, into their kind of sanctuary—that's a really good feeling. It's a great amount of trust that a homeowner puts into anybody in our industry.”
Rezendes shared that working in Rhode Island means a lot to him and Seaberg. “It’s a very small state, and word travels fast. I grew up in North Providence. Adam grew up in Johnston—they’re neighboring towns. We try to do everything we can to help whoever we can. We've come across instances where folks have just had really poor experiences with the construction industry, and some folks have been taken advantage of. Unfortunately, it takes a lot to earn somebody's trust in this business. So, we just try to be as open and honest and do what we can for the community.”
Seaberg Construction gives back throughout the year—holding a food drive for the Rhode Island Food Bank, a toy drive for Adoption Rhode Island, and a backpack and school supplies drive for children in need, to name a few charitable projects.
For more information about Seaberg Construction, Inc., check out their BBB Business Profile. To learn more about BBB and read more stories like this, visit Behind the Business Stories with BBB in Eastern MA, ME, RI & VT.
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