Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to k MET fourteen ninety am ABC News Radio
in the Southern California Business Report with the Vettwalker, a
show dedicated to highlighting successful Southern California businesses and the
people behind them.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Welcome and thank you for joining the Southern California Business
Report on ABC News and Talks k MET fourteen ninety AM,
ninety eight point one FM and km ET TV. I'm
e Vettwalker, live blasting our signal from the center of
Southern California, serving a population of over twenty five million.
Get us crystal clear and on demand by downloading the
(00:38):
free live streaming.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
App on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
As always, a tremendous shout out to the team Mitch,
Bill and Sean I love you guys, and to our
special advisory committee that can be found at www dot
scbr talk dot com forward Slash Advisory Committee. Click on
the link and learn about the remarkable leaders doing the work.
(01:04):
As always, I am absolutely thrilled to be introducing my
guest today. For over two decades, mister Mark Gergis has
been a transformative force in Southern California's construction landscape as
the founder and CEO of home Masters International. His unwavering
commitment to design driven construction has reshaped both residential and
(01:27):
commercial properties, making a lasting impact on the region. With
an emphasis on integrity, craftsmanship, personalized service, Mark has cultivated
a reputation for excellence crafting not merely structures, but homes
and spaces that resonate with the lives within them. Born
and raised in a community where teamwork and ambition were valued,
(01:50):
Mark developed a passion for building from an early age.
His journey began as a carpenter, where he immersed himself
in the intricacies of construction. This foundational experience fueled his
vision for home Masters International, a company rooted in a
philosophy that prioritizes quality and a tailored approach to each project.
(02:13):
In addition to this, he has adopted this mantra, which says,
our approach is simple, deliver high quality, high end work
with integrity, craftsmanship and personalized service. Beyond his entrepreneurial achievements,
Mark wears another important hat president of the Rancho Cucamonga
(02:34):
Chamber of Commerce. In this role, he champions the idea
of building business and community. He understands that strong relationships
are the bedrock of sustainable growth, both in construction and leadership.
Through various initiatives and community programs, Mark has galvanized local businesses,
fostering an environment where success can be shared and celebrated.
(02:56):
His commitment to community extends beyond mere words. Actively engages
in mentorship, nurturing the next generation of builders and leaders.
He believes that investing in youth is crucial for a
thriving future, and he works tirelessly to provide opportunities for
aspiring professionals in construction and entrepreneurship. Thank you so much
(03:17):
for being with us here today, Mark.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
Thank you, thank you for having me. It's an honor
to be on your show. I've been I've known you
for a long time, and I've been watching your show
and your speakers and guests for a long time now,
and I'm honored to be one of them now.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Well, thank you so much, Mark, And the honor is
truly mine, especially as a pillar of the community, so
invested not only on the business aspect, but of course
on the community side and the business development of others
that you engage with.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
So the privilege and the honor is truly mind Mark.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
And so let's start off by talking about your journey
into construction on your bio that you started as a
carpenter at a young age.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Please start us there.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
Carpentry was was just a hobby, wasn't never never, was
never a profession. It was just a hobby that I
would do carpentry around the house. But I came from
a third generation in the construction. My parents, my father
and my grandfather both were We are originally from Egypt,
(04:30):
and it's more of a comprehensive thing over there. The
developer is usually his the one that managed the construction.
So they were building, developing and building. And I've always
been in the family looking for my father. I never
met my grandfather, he passed away before I was born
at a young age, but heard from my dad always
(04:52):
how hard worker he was and seeing my dad out
doing that, and on a young age, I started going
to job sites with them building not high risers compared
to what you see in New York, but like fourteen
and fifteen stories.
Speaker 5 (05:09):
How the buildings and.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
Going over those and usually I would I would go
with like journeymen on sites. And so it's been a
passion for me looking to construction and seeing a piece
of dirt come into a building. It's really something that
they have I love seeing happening.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Well, you know, it's clearly in your DNA at a minimum,
you have you're the third generation in construction and coming
from Egypt. I'm curious to see if there are any
connections with the Pyramids down the line if you look
far enough right, I mean, those are some massive constructions
and beautifully intricate and still captivating pillars in Wonders of
(05:55):
the world. So I think it's it's in your blood
because you have game so much success, and not only that,
you have been able to diversify your company. So we're
going to be focusing more on Home Masters International.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
But I know during COVID you.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Also opened another area of focus for construction.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Please tell us a little bit about that.
Speaker 5 (06:23):
Well.
Speaker 4 (06:23):
During COVID, we had a big team and we didn't
know what to expect from the residential market.
Speaker 5 (06:30):
We are always been in the residential market.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
And we weren't sure how COVID, how people are going
to react to COVID. At first month and two we
were like kind of like in dormant doing nothing, and
we felt like there's a need to keep our talents
and instead of losing them and we started, I always
wanted to approach the public works and the tenant improvement
(06:58):
commercial tenant improvement in the market. I felt like this
might be the time now to approach that, so that
we put off focus into We started Construction Masters and
started looking into public projects, small smaller TI projects tenant improvements.
Speaker 5 (07:15):
So the speaker listeners can understand the term knowledge.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
But it's tenant improvement for commercials and public works. And
right after that, COVID actually impacted the residential market in
a good way, and the residential market picked up even
more than before. Everyone was staying home trying to get
(07:39):
some work done into the houses. People were moving from
from LA and OC for bigger homes and doing a
lot of renovations in those homes. So the presidential market
picked up and it was just an extra line of
business that we picked with Construction Masters. We just recently
(08:00):
did a TI project for upland PD with their gym
and locker rooms for that. We did the project for
custom mesa Newport school district, San Berardino Community College. So
we gained some nice interesting projects and a virgu wort
amount of time and that was just God's blessing again
(08:21):
and God's working our life.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Oh, without a doubt, you are staying very busy. And
that's not by accident, that is by design of your choices.
Speaker 5 (08:31):
Right.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
So we're talking about home Masters International and Construction Masters,
two very distinct entities. But I want to recall as
well two turning points in your life that could have
impacted the viability of these two wonderful organizations that serve
our community today.
Speaker 5 (08:53):
Thank you, of course.
Speaker 4 (08:54):
And I had actually two turning points, two big turning
points in my life. I was twenty years old and
I was way heavier. I was obese at the time,
much more than that. And I had a major surgery
and I had a lot of complication.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
I had what they call now.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
A gastric bypass, but that was way back then, so
and I got a lot of complication. I stayed in
coma for months and came out of it.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
Just it was a.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
Turning point for me to know God. You know, I
grew up in a very religious family. My dad and
my mom are very religious, always at church. But for me,
that was a really big turning point to experience God myself,
you know, to experience and have this connection with God myself,
(09:54):
and also as you.
Speaker 5 (09:56):
So in my bio, I'm recovering alcohol, so.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
I had That was my second turning point is that
just four years ago I decided to seek recovery and
and alcoholism to make some change in my life. And
that was another turning point in my life. I was
I wasn't that guy that's behind seven eleven with a
(10:22):
with a cart, but I was. And and the and
the and the and the recovery. We always called and.
Speaker 5 (10:30):
Say, yes, you don't know what's coming yet, you don't
know how.
Speaker 4 (10:33):
It is a progressive disease, and you don't know what
is the next thing that is going to happen to you.
And that was really a big change in my life
that made me maybe I was taking care of my business,
but I had to now look into giving back, giving
back to my to the community. Opening up to the
community helped me even on a personal family from a
(11:00):
personal family perspective, and I'm grateful for it. That was
both of those turning points in.
Speaker 5 (11:06):
My life were things that had changed a lot in me.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
And the reason I highlighted those is that I want
anyone who is in in in suffering from any any
any addiction or any We have a lot of addictions
around that and if anyone need sees that he's going
(11:35):
through this, not that there is hope, that is, you
can change, you can be successful, you can your life
can change. And I wanted to make sure that to
highlight this to others. It's something in my heart.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
It's so important mark you.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
You know, when you say you have something on your
heart and you need to let it out, that is
because of your connection with God and so through addiction
or affliction. Those two turning points are are quite remarkable,
and obviously I commend you for addressing this relationship with
alcohol that you wanted to change right four years ago,
(12:12):
and normally for your own personal betterment, but for the
betterment of the community, for the betterment of your family,
so you can stay healthier for longer and really realize
your client's visions both in their home and in their business.
I think it's terrific that you recently renovated the up
(12:34):
on police departments locker room. I would love to see
photos of that later as well.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
So we talk.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
About some of those turning points. Let's talk about growing
pains and challenges, and not only that, but the the
importance of being able to pivot and adjust to meet
new needs within the marketplace.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
Sure, when I know on your entry you mentioned that
I'm a founder of home Messes, I am not actually founder.
Speaker 5 (13:04):
I am.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
I acquired home Masters when I when after the market
Resessvend two thousand and eight, two thousand and nine, when
it was going through a challenge at that.
Speaker 5 (13:16):
Time, I moved. I moved or I haven't moved yet.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
At that time, I was between here in Egypt investing
in real estate and moving some of our portfolios from
Europe to the US, seeing the market growing in equity.
Speaker 5 (13:37):
Every day in two thousand and six and seven.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
And tried to move that portfolio at the time before
and then the market hit and when that happened, I got,
I mean more invested. I needed to do more investment
at that time and take opportunity of the market to
catch up on things that were lost at the time.
And the home Masters was I was using home Masters
(14:05):
in some of the projects and seeing home Masters and
I felt like that maybe knowing that they're going through challenges,
I took the opportunity to partner and home Masters at
the time, and it wasn't I didn't have enough experience
with the US market and moving from Egypt. I ran
(14:30):
hotels before the time. Right before that, I ran hotels,
and the the US market was new to me. And
you know, all over the world everyone looked at the
US economy and US market, especially California, It's like, boh,
that's really difficult market to attack him. So I had
(14:52):
all these fears inside me and not knowing what to
expect after that we had I mean, there was there
was some partnership conflicts and things like that that basically
brought us down to a point where like we had
to split and we had to it was.
Speaker 5 (15:12):
It was a very challenging time.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
For me, and not knowing much about the market always,
so this was one of the challenges that when it happened,
I started digging more, started getting into the marketetting to
understand that the market I had no other option. Was
like I was forced to get into that and I
(15:35):
grew up and the business grew up big time. From
this experience, I would say it changed everything for me
because I was looking now into the market and a
different perspective. I was looking as trying to understand the market,
where what is the needs really needs in the market,
what does the homeowners want to see from a construction company,
(15:57):
and I started doing some market research at the time,
looking into most homeowners. At the time, we're getting out
of a recession and getting out of that time. Everyone
wants be busy with their jobs, and they're busy with
the jobs. That means they don't have time for what
they need to do at home. We give them a
(16:19):
comprehensive kind of all in one we call it the
all in one solutions. So we help them for the
project from the starting.
Speaker 5 (16:28):
Point, where planning point.
Speaker 4 (16:30):
We go to them, see what listening to them, hear them,
see what they want to see in their homes, and
from there we start the planning process, developing, developing plans,
developing blueprints, help them with submitting plans through the cities,
getting entitlements, getting permits, getting the project done all the
(16:51):
way from all aspects of the job, not only one
part of it. Everything from electrical to plumbing, to cabinetry,
to paint to roof to whatever needed to be done.
Structural work. Working with concrete buildings back in Egypt, I
had a lot of experience with structure and for me,
(17:13):
implementing this here was very easy. With with with the
wood frame buildings that we do here. So it was
a very easy move or very easy for me to
understand and to get into that type of work. Of
course with with the with the professionals opinions, but it
(17:36):
was it we had a different we can get you to,
like a different vision. We would go to your house,
maybe give you suggestions on increasing your house opening floor plan,
moving sometimes the kitchen from a place in the house
to another place where we give you a better room
in here. So we listen to our clients and give
them an a two Z experience turnkey project here, this
(17:59):
is what we heard from you, this is what you're
the end result, and give them a comprehensive solution basically
and even sometimes introducing them to financing options to professionals
if needed, depending on the situation. So this, this experience
(18:22):
actually took home masters in the market to a different level.
Speaker 5 (18:28):
We had we.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
It it we kind of like been an all inclusive
option for the clients. So the client that needed that option,
we became the solution and it gave us good, good
strength in the market.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
So yes, I mean that is a huge undertaking. Right
to come into a completely foreign country, into a state
that you I identified as a tough nut to crack
when it talks about, you know, penetrating certain markets and
being successful and planning, you know, for the future, and
how to establish a viable and successful business in not
(19:14):
only the United States but in California. So in creating
these plans and developing home Masters International, talk about how
God's plan was revealed in your life.
Speaker 5 (19:27):
God, thank you for that question.
Speaker 4 (19:30):
And I God played was a big part in my life,
and probably that's why I wanted to highlight the event
with my illness at some point and for my surgery
and the turning point at that because.
Speaker 5 (19:49):
God had always did for me things like I.
Speaker 4 (19:52):
Was never never ever in my mind to move or
wasn't even on any horizon that I can move from
Egypt to the US. We are a big family in Egypt.
We own multiple businesses. At the time, I was busy,
(20:13):
as I mentioned, with the real estate investments over here.
Speaker 5 (20:19):
And while this is happening, my dad.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
On the other side seeing like, oh, the political regime
in Egypt is not really doing well and not seeing
we were deep involved in the tourism business at that time,
and hotels and tourism business, and the political regime in
Egypt is Mostlim brotherhoods were taking over the government in Egypt,
(20:47):
and there was fear of what's going to happen with
tourism and the how is that can affect tourism and
news like maybe we need to wait, maybe we need
to like diverse somewhere else, and the other opportunities. And
here I am in California, busy with with moving those
(21:08):
basically fixed and flips homes, and the home master's opportunity
comes here. And it was never for me a plan
to move to the US or to move anywhere I was.
I had great family connections, friends, We were well well connected,
(21:28):
and when you are connected in Egypt, that opens a
lot of doors, you know. And it wasn't plans at all.
It wasn't a plan for at all. But that was
one of God's work in my life. Was like and
I would say it was one of the best decisions
that have ever happened.
Speaker 5 (21:48):
I mean, I loved.
Speaker 4 (21:51):
Com Love brought California, Love, Wrench cook amonga. I thought
it was going to be very difficult for me, but
in few to those like this is home. I love this,
I love the it and it wasn't that difficult. It
was difficult to part from things that you're used to
(22:13):
and from family and parents and siblings and all that.
Speaker 5 (22:17):
But at the end, I think.
Speaker 4 (22:19):
That was God's work and it was God's calling for
me to be here.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
Absolutely no.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
God calls us to pursue challenges and dreams that exceed
our own imagination. So you know, if God puts it
in your heart, you have to go after it. But
when he does it, he makes sure it happens. So
I'm thrilled for your success.
Speaker 3 (22:39):
Mark.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
And with that said, we are going to come on
a break everybody. Evatt Walker with ABC News and Talks
Southern California Business Report Today with Mark Gergis, CEO of
home Masters International, redefining Southern California's construction landscape his unwavering
commitment to integrity and design driven construction and sends mere structures,
(23:01):
crafting homes that resonate with life beyond his entrepreneurial success.
As president of the Rancho Chamber of Commerce, he champions
community building through mentorship and collaboration.
Speaker 6 (23:14):
When we return, Ontario International Airport is onto a better
(23:35):
way to fly with over sixty five daily NonStop flights
to more than twenty major destinations and the easiest airport
experience in southern California. Visit fly Onto dot com slash
Ontario to learn more about Ontario International Airport Today.
Speaker 7 (23:51):
Hi, I'm Sambordino County Sheriff Shannondikas. If you're looking to
start an exciting career in law enforcement and make a
difference in your community, we are hiring dispatcher's versus deputies, laterals,
and many more. For a complete list of our jobs
and more information, visit Sheriff's jobs dot com.
Speaker 6 (24:07):
Hi.
Speaker 8 (24:08):
I'm Dana Rademaker with MGR Property Management. A lot of
people wonder about the value that property management has for
their property. Property management can include all property types, including residential, commercial,
and HLA. It is valuable because property managers are experienced
in what can happen at your property. We're aware liabilities.
Speaker 9 (24:28):
We're able to do predictive and preventive maintenance. We know
what is coming up with the changes in the weather,
the seasons, how old, certain aspects or different capital projects
that your property are. We're able to best negotiate contract pricing,
legalities with your tenants, and anything else that you may
need to ensure that you're getting the full value.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
Of your property.
Speaker 10 (24:49):
If you're interested in speaking with the representative at MGR
Property Management regarding your property management needs, You can visit
our website at mgrreal Estate dot com or you can
call our number DIN zero and I by by one
six six zero zero to be connected with the representatives.
Speaker 11 (25:07):
Cal State Samernardino is home to the only School of
Entrepreneurship in California with globally raked degree programs.
Speaker 5 (25:14):
You can start your.
Speaker 7 (25:15):
Journey today to become a successful entrepreneur.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
Learn more and connect at e NTRE dot c, SUSB
dot edu.
Speaker 11 (25:26):
We are the Empire Strikers, the professional sports team of
the Inland Empire. We are a fast, actioned and community
inspired pro indoor soccer team. Our mission is to inspire
the Empire. Home games, community events, watch parties, and youth
camps are all back. Professional indoor soccer is back. Join
(25:52):
us and come watch the greatest show on turf at
Toyota Arena or on Twitch. Visit www dot the Empire
Strikers dot com for more and any information.
Speaker 12 (26:06):
The University of Laverne is rated first in California for
alumni satisfaction. Learn more about accelerated programs offered online and
on campus in Laverne, Irvine, Ontario, Burbank or College of
the Canyons. Visit go dot Laverne dot edu the University
of Laverne, go dot Laverne dot edu.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
Welcome back everyone.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Evett Walker with ABC News and Talks Southern California Business
Report here today with Mark gergis President and CEO of
home Masters International, redefining Southern California's construction landscape. His inn
wavering commitment to integrity and design driven construction transcends mere structures,
crafting homes that resonate with life beyond his entrepreneurials access.
(27:00):
As president of the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce, he
champions community building through mentorship and collaboration. Thank you so
much again for being with us today.
Speaker 3 (27:11):
Mark, Thank you beautiful.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
So prior to the break, you gave us a really
inspiring in depth background into the founding and the establishment
of home Masters International and Construction Masters, which is your
way of diversifying during the COVID timeframe. So let's go
into more of the process of design and building within California,
(27:40):
because California, as you mentioned, is not only tough when
it comes to integrating or penetrating a new market or
a market that's established. But it's also a challenge when
it comes to certain permitting and things of that nature.
Speaker 3 (27:58):
So let's talk about that.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
When a new client comes to you and says, gosh, Mark,
you know in my home, I have this project that
I have in mind that I want to redesign or renovate,
let's say a kitchen. Where do we start and what
is the process? What is the time length that a
(28:22):
client can expect to have a remodel of that scope?
Speaker 5 (28:28):
Thank you? Yes, sure absolutely.
Speaker 4 (28:32):
The process starts actually with usually the client reaching out
to us. We go out to the client and as
I mentioned before, we listen to them and hear what
really they want to see. So even a small kitchen
remodel could get really in a lot of details and
(28:52):
get and depth with the functionality of this kitchen and
the new integration of accessirs and things that can be
added to the kitchen, even if it's a small kitchen
to get you the best outcome out of your kitchen.
So we start with going there, taking dimensions for the kitchen,
(29:12):
listening to them, and from there we invite them to
our showroom and go with them into multiple design process.
So we are prepare some designs for them and some
suggestions of this would be one suggestion.
Speaker 5 (29:29):
This is another one. If you are, for example, willing
to enlarge a little.
Speaker 4 (29:33):
Bit here, maybe we can move those windows, or enlarge
this door here, or move a wall, open a wall
between the living room. So then the designer usually after
they go there, they from there they have vision to
see what could be the best fit, listen to the
(29:53):
client and give them multiple options. Depending on those options
and the client preference budget, we start to work with
them on implementing those into whether if it's if it's
a water removal, and then we need a structural engineer
and we need to submit blueprints to the city. Then
(30:13):
we we depending on the scale of the project. But
in most of the time we have we work with
third party architects that basically work with us. Almost all
the time there are still a third party that we
need we because we keep them basically we have also
(30:33):
priority under schedule. We we can ask them to go
to city and have a meeting with a plan check
and go see what the city wants to see on
these plans. So it makes it a little easier, but
we connect the customer with the architect if needed, showing
them what designs need to be, what do we need
(30:55):
to do. We need to move this wall here, and
we need some structured helps, and that's requires one to
three and we never take it from there. That's what
the customer wants, and we show them how this is
going to look into in actually three D real rendering,
so they can feel their home after that war removal,
(31:16):
or after this addition to the enlarging their kitchen, expanding
it towards the backyard, or after all. So we show
them all these things, all these different designs and three
D rendering and make sure to bring it to life,
make sure that it is doable. With our experience now
(31:36):
having we work mainly in the Inland Empire and now
we have really good relations with almost every city and
in the neighboring cities around us or in the area
where we do work at, we know mostly what does
(31:57):
the city want to see on this Every city times
have a little bit different ways of how they won't
to see their plans and blueprints drone and they're all
about the same, but everyone has its own. Every city
has one or two things that they make sure to
see and their blueprints. We know those we we this
(32:20):
help us really navigate through the city quicker, make sure
if even if there is any corrections, it is usually
a minor corrections that we go backwards again, sometimes over
the counter, or sometimes we submit. But it's it kind
of expedites the process and that's what I usually tell homeowners.
(32:44):
We do not make any money out of the professionals architects,
the structural engineer.
Speaker 5 (32:52):
It is a service that we offer to our clients to.
Speaker 4 (32:55):
Help them navigate their through their project and get to
work they want. But at the same time we recommend
using them because they know what three in the city wants,
what the inspectors will come back and look at them
on site, so it eases the processes it having the
experience always is the process and makes it quicker. As
(33:21):
basically what when, how, It all starts from there. The
customer always have a connection to our portal and they
have their own log into our portal. They can see
their schedule and can see what is going to happen
in their house when their job starting. Based on coordination
(33:41):
between them and the project manager. We have a dedicated
project manager that handles every territory.
Speaker 5 (33:48):
We have four territories Each.
Speaker 4 (33:51):
Territory includes multiple cities and each project manager handled that territory.
Bigger project custom homes have ededucated superintendent on site. So
all all of these are.
Speaker 5 (34:10):
Customer service to the client that the customer be able
to see what, where's the process of his project, where's
his project? What can he when can he expect the
project to be completed? What is going to happen next.
Speaker 4 (34:25):
Sometimes we need the client to be outside of the
house and to move out for certain types of product
depending on the scope of work. When they can when
they need to be out, and when they can come back, and.
Speaker 5 (34:43):
They can arrange their life around that.
Speaker 4 (34:45):
They have access to the project manager and communication open
communication with the project manager on once a daily base.
So that's how it all starts and we even through
the process.
Speaker 2 (35:03):
You have a lot of tools for customer service integrated
for the customer to feel connected and understand the process
that their project is in and anticipating the timeline, which
is wonderful, right that's one of the unknowns for a
lot of people that are undergoing o remodeling project.
Speaker 3 (35:24):
This is the first I've ever heard of a portal where.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
A client can actually go in and track the progress
of their project, which sounds extremely innovative. So Mark, talk
a little bit about ADUs because accessory dwelling units have
been coming online the state of California has been supporting
the development of them since I want to say, approximately
(35:47):
twenty eighteen. It seems more and more that ADUs are
gaining popularity, not only for the multi generational use and
just the cost of housing in California, but also for
those that are displaced, for instance, those that recently lost
their homes in the fires in LA. Let's talk about
(36:08):
how ADUs fit into a homeowner's life in terms of
extended living for multi generational whether it be parents or children,
or how this ADU has enhanced revenue streams for homeowners
throughout California.
Speaker 4 (36:28):
Of course, thank you for the ADUs as a game
changer right now on the market.
Speaker 5 (36:34):
I started experiencing.
Speaker 4 (36:36):
ADUs early on, actually in towards the end of twenty
seven when I was doing some pick on flips in
LA and for profitability, it made sense to start putting
ADUs whenever possible. At the time was really new, so
I had to really navigate myself actually through the city
(37:00):
and sometimes through the county to go get those proof.
It was a really complicated process at the beginning, especially
with them being new at that time, a lot of
a lot of restrictions that not everyone was aware that
can be eliminated with then with with the state require
(37:24):
regulations and requirements and laws that came in place, so
they were much more difficult. But that experience also was
something that came to me to to bring life and
to how those ad us can shape the affordability of
homes in in everywhere, but also in the Inland Empire specifically,
(37:49):
given that we have big lots and that gives you
an opportunity to sometimes put a home a complete home,
you know, people, it's not only a DUS from you
can put up to twelve hundred square feet and in
some I'm just I'm doing one right now in vanchal
Kamonga on.
Speaker 5 (38:09):
Two streets where the main house is going to be
address on.
Speaker 4 (38:14):
Where it's currently that ADU is actually going to take
a number on a separate street, putting fencing between them.
Speaker 5 (38:21):
You can't really tell that it's an ADU.
Speaker 4 (38:23):
It looks like it's a standalone home and the parents
are selling their home and upland moving to the ADUs.
So that helped with with with afford them, help them move.
Speaker 5 (38:39):
And navigate their future.
Speaker 4 (38:40):
I mean after selling their home, making some taking some
equity out building the DU and they have something for
their retirement to live.
Speaker 5 (38:49):
On, also being close to their.
Speaker 4 (38:53):
Daughter and they can have help if needed, you know,
at any time.
Speaker 5 (38:58):
So it you wouldn't be able to do that.
Speaker 4 (39:03):
Without the new ADU laws that came in last year
and the last few years to place and keep.
Speaker 5 (39:11):
Evolving every year.
Speaker 4 (39:14):
ADUs also sold a lot of problems with growing families.
Sometimes people want to retire and want to move to
downsides to a smaller home with today interest rates, sometimes
for them, selling their home and moving to a smaller
(39:35):
home can bring them to the same payment where they
are paying in their bigger homes. But with ADU being
an option, they can build an ADU now and live
in the same neighborhood where they actually lived old life
at and ran the main house and lived from that
(39:57):
stream of income. Kids that want to move outside and
they can have now their own place to live in
with their privacy, but utilizing the empty space that was
left and the house there is.
Speaker 5 (40:14):
Ad US is a game changer on the market.
Speaker 4 (40:17):
There is a lot of conflict with conflicts to the
to the client from what can they expect from it?
Speaker 3 (40:28):
Us?
Speaker 5 (40:28):
They listen a lot. There's a lot because it's new.
Speaker 4 (40:31):
Everyone seemed to put their input in it, so there's
a lot of you always get a client was asking questions, No,
you can't do that, this can be done, this can't
be done. Client awareness and educating the clients and residents
of this our cities is something that I think needs
(40:55):
to take place. But for us, we help them through
the process from the beginning. So we get them from
the idea of just putting an ADU to going visiting
them showing them all the different options.
Speaker 5 (41:11):
If it's because.
Speaker 4 (41:12):
With ADUs you can have a detached ed US, you
can have an attached ed US, you.
Speaker 5 (41:16):
Can have actually a multiple ideas.
Speaker 4 (41:19):
You can have a regular DU and then you have
a junior ide that's attached to the residents. In some
cities you can have a second story ADUs.
Speaker 5 (41:27):
On top of the garag and some not.
Speaker 4 (41:30):
But with our experience in in in our area here
that we serve, we know what every city wants to see,
what every city approves and what not. So this helps
us educate the client on what can be done with
their in their project. We help them through also other
(41:55):
third parties into financing their projects, sometimes sometimes being more
creative and how to finance it. Maybe we get like
a temporary loan where we can build the IDEO and
then raise value of the house and then refinance. So
there is multiple things that we ideas that we give
the client into how to they can finance that project.
Speaker 5 (42:18):
So we take them from the process of just an.
Speaker 4 (42:21):
Idea all the way to making it shovel ready and
then getting it built and getting them moved into the
investments as well. There's a lot of opportunities for investments
rental homes.
Speaker 5 (42:38):
If you have rental home and you can.
Speaker 4 (42:39):
Put add an ADU into it, and that brings a
stream of increase the profitability of the of the revenue
coming from your project and as a result, increase profitability
of your investments. So there is a lot that can
be done with d US and I'm sure we will
seem more and more coming to adu's market. I am
(43:03):
very involved with all the new updates on what is allowed,
the legislation for all the new laws coming into ADUs.
I know what others some cities are started to allow
now manufactured homes to be accepted as ADUs, some not
(43:24):
some cities are in the process of studying it. So
we we have very good knowledge and experience with EDUS
and we help our clients with that's service we actually do.
And I'm excited to see what ADUs are going to evolve.
Speaker 5 (43:40):
In the market.
Speaker 3 (43:41):
And they're definitely exciting.
Speaker 2 (43:44):
And I'm going to keep an eye out on that
one that you're building in Rancho Cuckamonga because they're so
fascinating to me. But you do all of this in
addition now, as serving as president of the Rancho Cuckamonga
Chamber of Commerce, tell us a little bit about the
Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce, what we should know about it,
(44:04):
what's on the radar, any events that are coming up
that we need to be on top of, and the
best way to connect to the Rancho Chamber of Commerce.
Speaker 4 (44:15):
Sure, Brancho Chamber is one of the most active chambers
in the area. We had over the last year over
one hundred events in one year between between babcn's breakfast launches,
ribbing cuttings, innovation forms.
Speaker 5 (44:36):
But over the last year, our.
Speaker 4 (44:38):
Focus is building business and community and how we can
really make a connection between the businesses in the city
and the residents.
Speaker 5 (44:48):
And for the first time the Chamber.
Speaker 4 (44:51):
Is approaching to residents educating them to shopping local and
keeping the dollars in the city and on return as
say the same same thing that businesses are hiring locally
from the city as well in efforts to keep our
dolls in and improve our cities. So this has been
(45:13):
a big focus for us. Our team this year is
building business and community and that was like a big
part of it. We had actually some help from Supervisor
Jesse Armanderes. Supervisors Jesse Armandees was sponsoring that shop or
see initiative. We also have innovation forms that are new
(45:37):
to the Chamber, which is it is specific to each industry.
So for example, construction industry, we bring all contractors in
the city to come sit down together on one table
and share their pain points and challenges and brainstorm together
how can we overcome this challenge, how can we uh
(46:00):
and they my experience to another contractor and the other
way around and collaborations into how I can maybe this
job is a smaller than my scale and it will
be a better fit for you, so I will create
jobs with you and that actually did a big, big
impact onto the business community and our business chamber Chamber.
Speaker 5 (46:22):
Business community and through Shop or See.
Speaker 4 (46:26):
Also this year we are giving pre memberships for any
business who have a license in the.
Speaker 5 (46:32):
City of French chook Commongus.
Speaker 4 (46:33):
So if you have a business in the city of
French Cukomonga and we can you cannot go through our
regular membership.
Speaker 5 (46:40):
You can have a shop or See membership.
Speaker 4 (46:42):
It's a it had some limitations, but at the same
time you have you have most of most of the
facilities that chamber members get and and it's an initiative
to get the smaller businesses that cannot afford the chamber
membership to be involved and to to get to Chamber
events and learn and get from the resources that Chamber
(47:06):
can give them connections that the Chamber can give them.
We also started a Hispanic Business Alliance which is a
Spanish speaking committee for anyone who does business speak Spanish
can come and join that alliance and meet. They meet
on a monthly basis and get together get ideas.
Speaker 5 (47:30):
If they have.
Speaker 4 (47:33):
A mutual request, they bring it to our board and
we look into it and see how we can help
them and support them through that. We also just last
month started a Young Professional and Entrepreneurs kind of a meeting.
We get all the young professionals and entrepreneurs and see
(47:53):
how we can help them navigate business opportunities in the market. Yeah,
there's a lot going on in the chamber. Our next
event actually is June nineteenth. We have the State of
the Chamber and this would be a great opportunity for
anyone to come and listen and hear what did the
chamber didn't last year, what is our plans for future
(48:16):
future years and get to know more than more of
the chamber.
Speaker 3 (48:22):
That is so exciting.
Speaker 2 (48:24):
Mark, I'm gonna have to invite you again just to
focus on the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce because there
is so much happening in the city of Rancho Cucamonga
for those that are not familiar. This is also the
place where Brideline is going to be going through to
Las Vegas. So Rancha Kumonga is a huge partner in
(48:44):
that they're a catalyst for innovation, transportation, business, construction, growth, development,
the whole nine. So I'm definitely going to extend an
invitation to Mark to come at a later date to
talk in depth about the Rancho Gamonga Chamber of Commerce.
But for now, Mark, I want to thank you so
(49:05):
much for your work not only building homes and remodels
and businesses, but for building community which is such an
integral part, and championing and charging forward with the banner
of community, innovation, resilience, grit and especially collaboration.
Speaker 5 (49:27):
Thank you, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 4 (49:29):
I am being highlighting business leaders is music to my heart.
And you've been a business small business advocate and helping
businesses and you're always out on the community. I can't
thank you enough for all what you do and looking
forward to meeting with you again soon.
Speaker 2 (49:51):
Wonderful. Thank you so much, so much, Mark, the honor
is mine, so for everybody listening, don't forget to find
us on Facebook, YouTube link, and Instagram. Check us out
on SCBR talk dot com. Don't miss my conversation with
Naibe Reinoso, a multi Emmy Award winner and co founder
of Latina Fest. She's a Mexican American journalist who has
(50:15):
dedicated her career to elevating underrepresented voices across platforms from
KTLA to CNN and Espanol. As an author and founder
of Gontodo Press. She champions stories that reflect the richness
of Latino culture, not only informing, but inspiring and enriching
the narrative of Latino's roles in history and the future,
(50:35):
one story at a time. Next week, we will have
Wade no Mura, a dedicated humanitarian with a remarkable impact,
having contributed to over two hundred charitable projects that have
enriched the lives of more than two million people worldwide.
His personal journey overcoming polio as a child fuels his
passion for service, particularly evident in his work in India.
(51:00):
A respected leader in rotary, he has held significant roles
including charter member of the Rotary Club of Carpenteria, morning
past District Governor, and executive director of the Multi District
Pets Alliance. Wade has received multiple prestigious awards, including the
Service Above Self Award, highlighting his commitment to community and
(51:21):
global betterment. You do not want to miss that. We
will see you all next week.
Welcome to k MET fourteen ninety am ABC News Radio
in the Southern California Business Report with the Vettwalker, a
show dedicated to highlighting successful Southern California businesses and the
people behind them.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Welcome and thank you for joining the Southern California Business
Report on ABC News and Talks k MET fourteen ninety AM,
ninety eight point one FM and km ET TV. I'm
e Vettwalker, live blasting our signal from the center of
Southern California, serving a population of over twenty five million.
Get us crystal clear and on demand by downloading the
(00:38):
free live streaming.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
App on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
As always, a tremendous shout out to the team Mitch,
Bill and Sean I love you guys, and to our
special advisory committee that can be found at www dot
scbr talk dot com forward Slash Advisory Committee. Click on
the link and learn about the remarkable leaders doing the work.
(01:04):
As always, I am absolutely thrilled to be introducing my
guest today. For over two decades, mister Mark Gergis has
been a transformative force in Southern California's construction landscape as
the founder and CEO of home Masters International. His unwavering
commitment to design driven construction has reshaped both residential and
(01:27):
commercial properties, making a lasting impact on the region. With
an emphasis on integrity, craftsmanship, personalized service, Mark has cultivated
a reputation for excellence crafting not merely structures, but homes
and spaces that resonate with the lives within them. Born
and raised in a community where teamwork and ambition were valued,
(01:50):
Mark developed a passion for building from an early age.
His journey began as a carpenter, where he immersed himself
in the intricacies of construction. This foundational experience fueled his
vision for home Masters International, a company rooted in a
philosophy that prioritizes quality and a tailored approach to each project.
(02:13):
In addition to this, he has adopted this mantra, which says,
our approach is simple, deliver high quality, high end work
with integrity, craftsmanship and personalized service. Beyond his entrepreneurial achievements,
Mark wears another important hat president of the Rancho Cucamonga
(02:34):
Chamber of Commerce. In this role, he champions the idea
of building business and community. He understands that strong relationships
are the bedrock of sustainable growth, both in construction and leadership.
Through various initiatives and community programs, Mark has galvanized local businesses,
fostering an environment where success can be shared and celebrated.
(02:56):
His commitment to community extends beyond mere words. Actively engages
in mentorship, nurturing the next generation of builders and leaders.
He believes that investing in youth is crucial for a
thriving future, and he works tirelessly to provide opportunities for
aspiring professionals in construction and entrepreneurship. Thank you so much
(03:17):
for being with us here today, Mark.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
Thank you, thank you for having me. It's an honor
to be on your show. I've been I've known you
for a long time, and I've been watching your show
and your speakers and guests for a long time now,
and I'm honored to be one of them now.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Well, thank you so much, Mark, And the honor is
truly mine, especially as a pillar of the community, so
invested not only on the business aspect, but of course
on the community side and the business development of others
that you engage with.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
So the privilege and the honor is truly mind Mark.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
And so let's start off by talking about your journey
into construction on your bio that you started as a
carpenter at a young age.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Please start us there.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
Carpentry was was just a hobby, wasn't never never, was
never a profession. It was just a hobby that I
would do carpentry around the house. But I came from
a third generation in the construction. My parents, my father
and my grandfather both were We are originally from Egypt,
(04:30):
and it's more of a comprehensive thing over there. The
developer is usually his the one that managed the construction.
So they were building, developing and building. And I've always
been in the family looking for my father. I never
met my grandfather, he passed away before I was born
at a young age, but heard from my dad always
(04:52):
how hard worker he was and seeing my dad out
doing that, and on a young age, I started going
to job sites with them building not high risers compared
to what you see in New York, but like fourteen
and fifteen stories.
Speaker 5 (05:09):
How the buildings and.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
Going over those and usually I would I would go
with like journeymen on sites. And so it's been a
passion for me looking to construction and seeing a piece
of dirt come into a building. It's really something that
they have I love seeing happening.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Well, you know, it's clearly in your DNA at a minimum,
you have you're the third generation in construction and coming
from Egypt. I'm curious to see if there are any
connections with the Pyramids down the line if you look
far enough right, I mean, those are some massive constructions
and beautifully intricate and still captivating pillars in Wonders of
(05:55):
the world. So I think it's it's in your blood
because you have game so much success, and not only that,
you have been able to diversify your company. So we're
going to be focusing more on Home Masters International.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
But I know during COVID you.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Also opened another area of focus for construction.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Please tell us a little bit about that.
Speaker 5 (06:23):
Well.
Speaker 4 (06:23):
During COVID, we had a big team and we didn't
know what to expect from the residential market.
Speaker 5 (06:30):
We are always been in the residential market.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
And we weren't sure how COVID, how people are going
to react to COVID. At first month and two we
were like kind of like in dormant doing nothing, and
we felt like there's a need to keep our talents
and instead of losing them and we started, I always
wanted to approach the public works and the tenant improvement
(06:58):
commercial tenant improvement in the market. I felt like this
might be the time now to approach that, so that
we put off focus into We started Construction Masters and
started looking into public projects, small smaller TI projects tenant improvements.
Speaker 5 (07:15):
So the speaker listeners can understand the term knowledge.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
But it's tenant improvement for commercials and public works. And
right after that, COVID actually impacted the residential market in
a good way, and the residential market picked up even
more than before. Everyone was staying home trying to get
(07:39):
some work done into the houses. People were moving from
from LA and OC for bigger homes and doing a
lot of renovations in those homes. So the presidential market
picked up and it was just an extra line of
business that we picked with Construction Masters. We just recently
(08:00):
did a TI project for upland PD with their gym
and locker rooms for that. We did the project for
custom mesa Newport school district, San Berardino Community College. So
we gained some nice interesting projects and a virgu wort
amount of time and that was just God's blessing again
(08:21):
and God's working our life.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Oh, without a doubt, you are staying very busy. And
that's not by accident, that is by design of your choices.
Speaker 5 (08:31):
Right.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
So we're talking about home Masters International and Construction Masters,
two very distinct entities. But I want to recall as
well two turning points in your life that could have
impacted the viability of these two wonderful organizations that serve
our community today.
Speaker 5 (08:53):
Thank you, of course.
Speaker 4 (08:54):
And I had actually two turning points, two big turning
points in my life. I was twenty years old and
I was way heavier. I was obese at the time,
much more than that. And I had a major surgery
and I had a lot of complication.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
I had what they call now.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
A gastric bypass, but that was way back then, so
and I got a lot of complication. I stayed in
coma for months and came out of it.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
Just it was a.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
Turning point for me to know God. You know, I
grew up in a very religious family. My dad and
my mom are very religious, always at church. But for me,
that was a really big turning point to experience God myself,
you know, to experience and have this connection with God myself,
(09:54):
and also as you.
Speaker 5 (09:56):
So in my bio, I'm recovering alcohol, so.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
I had That was my second turning point is that
just four years ago I decided to seek recovery and
and alcoholism to make some change in my life. And
that was another turning point in my life. I was
I wasn't that guy that's behind seven eleven with a
(10:22):
with a cart, but I was. And and the and
the and the and the recovery. We always called and.
Speaker 5 (10:30):
Say, yes, you don't know what's coming yet, you don't
know how.
Speaker 4 (10:33):
It is a progressive disease, and you don't know what
is the next thing that is going to happen to you.
And that was really a big change in my life
that made me maybe I was taking care of my business,
but I had to now look into giving back, giving
back to my to the community. Opening up to the
community helped me even on a personal family from a
(11:00):
personal family perspective, and I'm grateful for it. That was
both of those turning points in.
Speaker 5 (11:06):
My life were things that had changed a lot in me.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
And the reason I highlighted those is that I want
anyone who is in in in suffering from any any
any addiction or any We have a lot of addictions
around that and if anyone need sees that he's going
(11:35):
through this, not that there is hope, that is, you
can change, you can be successful, you can your life
can change. And I wanted to make sure that to
highlight this to others. It's something in my heart.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
It's so important mark you.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
You know, when you say you have something on your
heart and you need to let it out, that is
because of your connection with God and so through addiction
or affliction. Those two turning points are are quite remarkable,
and obviously I commend you for addressing this relationship with
alcohol that you wanted to change right four years ago,
(12:12):
and normally for your own personal betterment, but for the
betterment of the community, for the betterment of your family,
so you can stay healthier for longer and really realize
your client's visions both in their home and in their business.
I think it's terrific that you recently renovated the up
(12:34):
on police departments locker room. I would love to see
photos of that later as well.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
So we talk.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
About some of those turning points. Let's talk about growing
pains and challenges, and not only that, but the the
importance of being able to pivot and adjust to meet
new needs within the marketplace.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
Sure, when I know on your entry you mentioned that
I'm a founder of home Messes, I am not actually founder.
Speaker 5 (13:04):
I am.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
I acquired home Masters when I when after the market
Resessvend two thousand and eight, two thousand and nine, when
it was going through a challenge at that.
Speaker 5 (13:16):
Time, I moved. I moved or I haven't moved yet.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
At that time, I was between here in Egypt investing
in real estate and moving some of our portfolios from
Europe to the US, seeing the market growing in equity.
Speaker 5 (13:37):
Every day in two thousand and six and seven.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
And tried to move that portfolio at the time before
and then the market hit and when that happened, I got,
I mean more invested. I needed to do more investment
at that time and take opportunity of the market to
catch up on things that were lost at the time.
And the home Masters was I was using home Masters
(14:05):
in some of the projects and seeing home Masters and
I felt like that maybe knowing that they're going through challenges,
I took the opportunity to partner and home Masters at
the time, and it wasn't I didn't have enough experience
with the US market and moving from Egypt. I ran
(14:30):
hotels before the time. Right before that, I ran hotels,
and the the US market was new to me. And
you know, all over the world everyone looked at the
US economy and US market, especially California, It's like, boh,
that's really difficult market to attack him. So I had
(14:52):
all these fears inside me and not knowing what to
expect after that we had I mean, there was there
was some partnership conflicts and things like that that basically
brought us down to a point where like we had
to split and we had to it was.
Speaker 5 (15:12):
It was a very challenging time.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
For me, and not knowing much about the market always,
so this was one of the challenges that when it happened,
I started digging more, started getting into the marketetting to
understand that the market I had no other option. Was
like I was forced to get into that and I
(15:35):
grew up and the business grew up big time. From
this experience, I would say it changed everything for me
because I was looking now into the market and a
different perspective. I was looking as trying to understand the market,
where what is the needs really needs in the market,
what does the homeowners want to see from a construction company,
(15:57):
and I started doing some market research at the time,
looking into most homeowners. At the time, we're getting out
of a recession and getting out of that time. Everyone
wants be busy with their jobs, and they're busy with
the jobs. That means they don't have time for what
they need to do at home. We give them a
(16:19):
comprehensive kind of all in one we call it the
all in one solutions. So we help them for the
project from the starting.
Speaker 5 (16:28):
Point, where planning point.
Speaker 4 (16:30):
We go to them, see what listening to them, hear them,
see what they want to see in their homes, and
from there we start the planning process, developing, developing plans,
developing blueprints, help them with submitting plans through the cities,
getting entitlements, getting permits, getting the project done all the
(16:51):
way from all aspects of the job, not only one
part of it. Everything from electrical to plumbing, to cabinetry,
to paint to roof to whatever needed to be done.
Structural work. Working with concrete buildings back in Egypt, I
had a lot of experience with structure and for me,
(17:13):
implementing this here was very easy. With with with the
wood frame buildings that we do here. So it was
a very easy move or very easy for me to
understand and to get into that type of work. Of
course with with the with the professionals opinions, but it
(17:36):
was it we had a different we can get you to,
like a different vision. We would go to your house,
maybe give you suggestions on increasing your house opening floor plan,
moving sometimes the kitchen from a place in the house
to another place where we give you a better room
in here. So we listen to our clients and give
them an a two Z experience turnkey project here, this
(17:59):
is what we heard from you, this is what you're
the end result, and give them a comprehensive solution basically
and even sometimes introducing them to financing options to professionals
if needed, depending on the situation. So this, this experience
(18:22):
actually took home masters in the market to a different level.
Speaker 5 (18:28):
We had we.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
It it we kind of like been an all inclusive
option for the clients. So the client that needed that option,
we became the solution and it gave us good, good
strength in the market.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
So yes, I mean that is a huge undertaking. Right
to come into a completely foreign country, into a state
that you I identified as a tough nut to crack
when it talks about, you know, penetrating certain markets and
being successful and planning, you know, for the future, and
how to establish a viable and successful business in not
(19:14):
only the United States but in California. So in creating
these plans and developing home Masters International, talk about how
God's plan was revealed in your life.
Speaker 5 (19:27):
God, thank you for that question.
Speaker 4 (19:30):
And I God played was a big part in my life,
and probably that's why I wanted to highlight the event
with my illness at some point and for my surgery
and the turning point at that because.
Speaker 5 (19:49):
God had always did for me things like I.
Speaker 4 (19:52):
Was never never ever in my mind to move or
wasn't even on any horizon that I can move from
Egypt to the US. We are a big family in Egypt.
We own multiple businesses. At the time, I was busy,
(20:13):
as I mentioned, with the real estate investments over here.
Speaker 5 (20:19):
And while this is happening, my dad.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
On the other side seeing like, oh, the political regime
in Egypt is not really doing well and not seeing
we were deep involved in the tourism business at that time,
and hotels and tourism business, and the political regime in
Egypt is Mostlim brotherhoods were taking over the government in Egypt,
(20:47):
and there was fear of what's going to happen with
tourism and the how is that can affect tourism and
news like maybe we need to wait, maybe we need
to like diverse somewhere else, and the other opportunities. And
here I am in California, busy with with moving those
(21:08):
basically fixed and flips homes, and the home master's opportunity
comes here. And it was never for me a plan
to move to the US or to move anywhere I was.
I had great family connections, friends, We were well well connected,
(21:28):
and when you are connected in Egypt, that opens a
lot of doors, you know. And it wasn't plans at all.
It wasn't a plan for at all. But that was
one of God's work in my life. Was like and
I would say it was one of the best decisions
that have ever happened.
Speaker 5 (21:48):
I mean, I loved.
Speaker 4 (21:51):
Com Love brought California, Love, Wrench cook amonga. I thought
it was going to be very difficult for me, but
in few to those like this is home. I love this,
I love the it and it wasn't that difficult. It
was difficult to part from things that you're used to
(22:13):
and from family and parents and siblings and all that.
Speaker 5 (22:17):
But at the end, I think.
Speaker 4 (22:19):
That was God's work and it was God's calling for
me to be here.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
Absolutely no.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
God calls us to pursue challenges and dreams that exceed
our own imagination. So you know, if God puts it
in your heart, you have to go after it. But
when he does it, he makes sure it happens. So
I'm thrilled for your success.
Speaker 3 (22:39):
Mark.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
And with that said, we are going to come on
a break everybody. Evatt Walker with ABC News and Talks
Southern California Business Report Today with Mark Gergis, CEO of
home Masters International, redefining Southern California's construction landscape his unwavering
commitment to integrity and design driven construction and sends mere structures,
(23:01):
crafting homes that resonate with life beyond his entrepreneurial success.
As president of the Rancho Chamber of Commerce, he champions
community building through mentorship and collaboration.
Speaker 6 (23:14):
When we return, Ontario International Airport is onto a better
(23:35):
way to fly with over sixty five daily NonStop flights
to more than twenty major destinations and the easiest airport
experience in southern California. Visit fly Onto dot com slash
Ontario to learn more about Ontario International Airport Today.
Speaker 7 (23:51):
Hi, I'm Sambordino County Sheriff Shannondikas. If you're looking to
start an exciting career in law enforcement and make a
difference in your community, we are hiring dispatcher's versus deputies, laterals,
and many more. For a complete list of our jobs
and more information, visit Sheriff's jobs dot com.
Speaker 6 (24:07):
Hi.
Speaker 8 (24:08):
I'm Dana Rademaker with MGR Property Management. A lot of
people wonder about the value that property management has for
their property. Property management can include all property types, including residential, commercial,
and HLA. It is valuable because property managers are experienced
in what can happen at your property. We're aware liabilities.
Speaker 9 (24:28):
We're able to do predictive and preventive maintenance. We know
what is coming up with the changes in the weather,
the seasons, how old, certain aspects or different capital projects
that your property are. We're able to best negotiate contract pricing,
legalities with your tenants, and anything else that you may
need to ensure that you're getting the full value.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
Of your property.
Speaker 10 (24:49):
If you're interested in speaking with the representative at MGR
Property Management regarding your property management needs, You can visit
our website at mgrreal Estate dot com or you can
call our number DIN zero and I by by one
six six zero zero to be connected with the representatives.
Speaker 11 (25:07):
Cal State Samernardino is home to the only School of
Entrepreneurship in California with globally raked degree programs.
Speaker 5 (25:14):
You can start your.
Speaker 7 (25:15):
Journey today to become a successful entrepreneur.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
Learn more and connect at e NTRE dot c, SUSB
dot edu.
Speaker 11 (25:26):
We are the Empire Strikers, the professional sports team of
the Inland Empire. We are a fast, actioned and community
inspired pro indoor soccer team. Our mission is to inspire
the Empire. Home games, community events, watch parties, and youth
camps are all back. Professional indoor soccer is back. Join
(25:52):
us and come watch the greatest show on turf at
Toyota Arena or on Twitch. Visit www dot the Empire
Strikers dot com for more and any information.
Speaker 12 (26:06):
The University of Laverne is rated first in California for
alumni satisfaction. Learn more about accelerated programs offered online and
on campus in Laverne, Irvine, Ontario, Burbank or College of
the Canyons. Visit go dot Laverne dot edu the University
of Laverne, go dot Laverne dot edu.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
Welcome back everyone.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Evett Walker with ABC News and Talks Southern California Business
Report here today with Mark gergis President and CEO of
home Masters International, redefining Southern California's construction landscape. His inn
wavering commitment to integrity and design driven construction transcends mere structures,
crafting homes that resonate with life beyond his entrepreneurials access.
(27:00):
As president of the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce, he
champions community building through mentorship and collaboration. Thank you so
much again for being with us today.
Speaker 3 (27:11):
Mark, Thank you beautiful.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
So prior to the break, you gave us a really
inspiring in depth background into the founding and the establishment
of home Masters International and Construction Masters, which is your
way of diversifying during the COVID timeframe. So let's go
into more of the process of design and building within California,
(27:40):
because California, as you mentioned, is not only tough when
it comes to integrating or penetrating a new market or
a market that's established. But it's also a challenge when
it comes to certain permitting and things of that nature.
Speaker 3 (27:58):
So let's talk about that.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
When a new client comes to you and says, gosh, Mark,
you know in my home, I have this project that
I have in mind that I want to redesign or renovate,
let's say a kitchen. Where do we start and what
is the process? What is the time length that a
(28:22):
client can expect to have a remodel of that scope?
Speaker 5 (28:28):
Thank you? Yes, sure absolutely.
Speaker 4 (28:32):
The process starts actually with usually the client reaching out
to us. We go out to the client and as
I mentioned before, we listen to them and hear what
really they want to see. So even a small kitchen
remodel could get really in a lot of details and
(28:52):
get and depth with the functionality of this kitchen and
the new integration of accessirs and things that can be
added to the kitchen, even if it's a small kitchen
to get you the best outcome out of your kitchen.
So we start with going there, taking dimensions for the kitchen,
(29:12):
listening to them, and from there we invite them to
our showroom and go with them into multiple design process.
So we are prepare some designs for them and some
suggestions of this would be one suggestion.
Speaker 5 (29:29):
This is another one. If you are, for example, willing
to enlarge a little.
Speaker 4 (29:33):
Bit here, maybe we can move those windows, or enlarge
this door here, or move a wall, open a wall
between the living room. So then the designer usually after
they go there, they from there they have vision to
see what could be the best fit, listen to the
(29:53):
client and give them multiple options. Depending on those options
and the client preference budget, we start to work with
them on implementing those into whether if it's if it's
a water removal, and then we need a structural engineer
and we need to submit blueprints to the city. Then
(30:13):
we we depending on the scale of the project. But
in most of the time we have we work with
third party architects that basically work with us. Almost all
the time there are still a third party that we
need we because we keep them basically we have also
(30:33):
priority under schedule. We we can ask them to go
to city and have a meeting with a plan check
and go see what the city wants to see on
these plans. So it makes it a little easier, but
we connect the customer with the architect if needed, showing
them what designs need to be, what do we need
(30:55):
to do. We need to move this wall here, and
we need some structured helps, and that's requires one to
three and we never take it from there. That's what
the customer wants, and we show them how this is
going to look into in actually three D real rendering,
so they can feel their home after that war removal,
(31:16):
or after this addition to the enlarging their kitchen, expanding
it towards the backyard, or after all. So we show
them all these things, all these different designs and three
D rendering and make sure to bring it to life,
make sure that it is doable. With our experience now
(31:36):
having we work mainly in the Inland Empire and now
we have really good relations with almost every city and
in the neighboring cities around us or in the area
where we do work at, we know mostly what does
(31:57):
the city want to see on this Every city times
have a little bit different ways of how they won't
to see their plans and blueprints drone and they're all
about the same, but everyone has its own. Every city
has one or two things that they make sure to
see and their blueprints. We know those we we this
(32:20):
help us really navigate through the city quicker, make sure
if even if there is any corrections, it is usually
a minor corrections that we go backwards again, sometimes over
the counter, or sometimes we submit. But it's it kind
of expedites the process and that's what I usually tell homeowners.
(32:44):
We do not make any money out of the professionals architects,
the structural engineer.
Speaker 5 (32:52):
It is a service that we offer to our clients to.
Speaker 4 (32:55):
Help them navigate their through their project and get to
work they want. But at the same time we recommend
using them because they know what three in the city wants,
what the inspectors will come back and look at them
on site, so it eases the processes it having the
experience always is the process and makes it quicker. As
(33:21):
basically what when, how, It all starts from there. The
customer always have a connection to our portal and they
have their own log into our portal. They can see
their schedule and can see what is going to happen
in their house when their job starting. Based on coordination
(33:41):
between them and the project manager. We have a dedicated
project manager that handles every territory.
Speaker 5 (33:48):
We have four territories Each.
Speaker 4 (33:51):
Territory includes multiple cities and each project manager handled that territory.
Bigger project custom homes have ededucated superintendent on site. So
all all of these are.
Speaker 5 (34:10):
Customer service to the client that the customer be able
to see what, where's the process of his project, where's
his project? What can he when can he expect the
project to be completed? What is going to happen next.
Speaker 4 (34:25):
Sometimes we need the client to be outside of the
house and to move out for certain types of product
depending on the scope of work. When they can when
they need to be out, and when they can come back, and.
Speaker 5 (34:43):
They can arrange their life around that.
Speaker 4 (34:45):
They have access to the project manager and communication open
communication with the project manager on once a daily base.
So that's how it all starts and we even through
the process.
Speaker 2 (35:03):
You have a lot of tools for customer service integrated
for the customer to feel connected and understand the process
that their project is in and anticipating the timeline, which
is wonderful, right that's one of the unknowns for a
lot of people that are undergoing o remodeling project.
Speaker 3 (35:24):
This is the first I've ever heard of a portal where.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
A client can actually go in and track the progress
of their project, which sounds extremely innovative. So Mark, talk
a little bit about ADUs because accessory dwelling units have
been coming online the state of California has been supporting
the development of them since I want to say, approximately
(35:47):
twenty eighteen. It seems more and more that ADUs are
gaining popularity, not only for the multi generational use and
just the cost of housing in California, but also for
those that are displaced, for instance, those that recently lost
their homes in the fires in LA. Let's talk about
(36:08):
how ADUs fit into a homeowner's life in terms of
extended living for multi generational whether it be parents or children,
or how this ADU has enhanced revenue streams for homeowners
throughout California.
Speaker 4 (36:28):
Of course, thank you for the ADUs as a game
changer right now on the market.
Speaker 5 (36:34):
I started experiencing.
Speaker 4 (36:36):
ADUs early on, actually in towards the end of twenty
seven when I was doing some pick on flips in
LA and for profitability, it made sense to start putting
ADUs whenever possible. At the time was really new, so
I had to really navigate myself actually through the city
(37:00):
and sometimes through the county to go get those proof.
It was a really complicated process at the beginning, especially
with them being new at that time, a lot of
a lot of restrictions that not everyone was aware that
can be eliminated with then with with the state require
(37:24):
regulations and requirements and laws that came in place, so
they were much more difficult. But that experience also was
something that came to me to to bring life and
to how those ad us can shape the affordability of
homes in in everywhere, but also in the Inland Empire specifically,
(37:49):
given that we have big lots and that gives you
an opportunity to sometimes put a home a complete home,
you know, people, it's not only a DUS from you
can put up to twelve hundred square feet and in
some I'm just I'm doing one right now in vanchal
Kamonga on.
Speaker 5 (38:09):
Two streets where the main house is going to be
address on.
Speaker 4 (38:14):
Where it's currently that ADU is actually going to take
a number on a separate street, putting fencing between them.
Speaker 5 (38:21):
You can't really tell that it's an ADU.
Speaker 4 (38:23):
It looks like it's a standalone home and the parents
are selling their home and upland moving to the ADUs.
So that helped with with with afford them, help them move.
Speaker 5 (38:39):
And navigate their future.
Speaker 4 (38:40):
I mean after selling their home, making some taking some
equity out building the DU and they have something for
their retirement to live.
Speaker 5 (38:49):
On, also being close to their.
Speaker 4 (38:53):
Daughter and they can have help if needed, you know,
at any time.
Speaker 5 (38:58):
So it you wouldn't be able to do that.
Speaker 4 (39:03):
Without the new ADU laws that came in last year
and the last few years to place and keep.
Speaker 5 (39:11):
Evolving every year.
Speaker 4 (39:14):
ADUs also sold a lot of problems with growing families.
Sometimes people want to retire and want to move to
downsides to a smaller home with today interest rates, sometimes
for them, selling their home and moving to a smaller
(39:35):
home can bring them to the same payment where they
are paying in their bigger homes. But with ADU being
an option, they can build an ADU now and live
in the same neighborhood where they actually lived old life
at and ran the main house and lived from that
(39:57):
stream of income. Kids that want to move outside and
they can have now their own place to live in
with their privacy, but utilizing the empty space that was
left and the house there is.
Speaker 5 (40:14):
Ad US is a game changer on the market.
Speaker 4 (40:17):
There is a lot of conflict with conflicts to the
to the client from what can they expect from it?
Speaker 3 (40:28):
Us?
Speaker 5 (40:28):
They listen a lot. There's a lot because it's new.
Speaker 4 (40:31):
Everyone seemed to put their input in it, so there's
a lot of you always get a client was asking questions, No,
you can't do that, this can be done, this can't
be done. Client awareness and educating the clients and residents
of this our cities is something that I think needs
(40:55):
to take place. But for us, we help them through
the process from the beginning. So we get them from
the idea of just putting an ADU to going visiting
them showing them all the different options.
Speaker 5 (41:11):
If it's because.
Speaker 4 (41:12):
With ADUs you can have a detached ed US, you
can have an attached ed US, you.
Speaker 5 (41:16):
Can have actually a multiple ideas.
Speaker 4 (41:19):
You can have a regular DU and then you have
a junior ide that's attached to the residents. In some
cities you can have a second story ADUs.
Speaker 5 (41:27):
On top of the garag and some not.
Speaker 4 (41:30):
But with our experience in in in our area here
that we serve, we know what every city wants to see,
what every city approves and what not. So this helps
us educate the client on what can be done with
their in their project. We help them through also other
(41:55):
third parties into financing their projects, sometimes sometimes being more
creative and how to finance it. Maybe we get like
a temporary loan where we can build the IDEO and
then raise value of the house and then refinance. So
there is multiple things that we ideas that we give
the client into how to they can finance that project.
Speaker 5 (42:18):
So we take them from the process of just an.
Speaker 4 (42:21):
Idea all the way to making it shovel ready and
then getting it built and getting them moved into the
investments as well. There's a lot of opportunities for investments
rental homes.
Speaker 5 (42:38):
If you have rental home and you can.
Speaker 4 (42:39):
Put add an ADU into it, and that brings a
stream of increase the profitability of the of the revenue
coming from your project and as a result, increase profitability
of your investments. So there is a lot that can
be done with d US and I'm sure we will
seem more and more coming to adu's market. I am
(43:03):
very involved with all the new updates on what is allowed,
the legislation for all the new laws coming into ADUs.
I know what others some cities are started to allow
now manufactured homes to be accepted as ADUs, some not
(43:24):
some cities are in the process of studying it. So
we we have very good knowledge and experience with EDUS
and we help our clients with that's service we actually do.
And I'm excited to see what ADUs are going to evolve.
Speaker 5 (43:40):
In the market.
Speaker 3 (43:41):
And they're definitely exciting.
Speaker 2 (43:44):
And I'm going to keep an eye out on that
one that you're building in Rancho Cuckamonga because they're so
fascinating to me. But you do all of this in
addition now, as serving as president of the Rancho Cuckamonga
Chamber of Commerce, tell us a little bit about the
Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce, what we should know about it,
(44:04):
what's on the radar, any events that are coming up
that we need to be on top of, and the
best way to connect to the Rancho Chamber of Commerce.
Speaker 4 (44:15):
Sure, Brancho Chamber is one of the most active chambers
in the area. We had over the last year over
one hundred events in one year between between babcn's breakfast launches,
ribbing cuttings, innovation forms.
Speaker 5 (44:36):
But over the last year, our.
Speaker 4 (44:38):
Focus is building business and community and how we can
really make a connection between the businesses in the city
and the residents.
Speaker 5 (44:48):
And for the first time the Chamber.
Speaker 4 (44:51):
Is approaching to residents educating them to shopping local and
keeping the dollars in the city and on return as
say the same same thing that businesses are hiring locally
from the city as well in efforts to keep our
dolls in and improve our cities. So this has been
(45:13):
a big focus for us. Our team this year is
building business and community and that was like a big
part of it. We had actually some help from Supervisor
Jesse Armanderes. Supervisors Jesse Armandees was sponsoring that shop or
see initiative. We also have innovation forms that are new
(45:37):
to the Chamber, which is it is specific to each industry.
So for example, construction industry, we bring all contractors in
the city to come sit down together on one table
and share their pain points and challenges and brainstorm together
how can we overcome this challenge, how can we uh
(46:00):
and they my experience to another contractor and the other
way around and collaborations into how I can maybe this
job is a smaller than my scale and it will
be a better fit for you, so I will create
jobs with you and that actually did a big, big
impact onto the business community and our business chamber Chamber.
Speaker 5 (46:22):
Business community and through Shop or See.
Speaker 4 (46:26):
Also this year we are giving pre memberships for any
business who have a license in the.
Speaker 5 (46:32):
City of French chook Commongus.
Speaker 4 (46:33):
So if you have a business in the city of
French Cukomonga and we can you cannot go through our
regular membership.
Speaker 5 (46:40):
You can have a shop or See membership.
Speaker 4 (46:42):
It's a it had some limitations, but at the same
time you have you have most of most of the
facilities that chamber members get and and it's an initiative
to get the smaller businesses that cannot afford the chamber
membership to be involved and to to get to Chamber
events and learn and get from the resources that Chamber
(47:06):
can give them connections that the Chamber can give them.
We also started a Hispanic Business Alliance which is a
Spanish speaking committee for anyone who does business speak Spanish
can come and join that alliance and meet. They meet
on a monthly basis and get together get ideas.
Speaker 5 (47:30):
If they have.
Speaker 4 (47:33):
A mutual request, they bring it to our board and
we look into it and see how we can help
them and support them through that. We also just last
month started a Young Professional and Entrepreneurs kind of a meeting.
We get all the young professionals and entrepreneurs and see
(47:53):
how we can help them navigate business opportunities in the market. Yeah,
there's a lot going on in the chamber. Our next
event actually is June nineteenth. We have the State of
the Chamber and this would be a great opportunity for
anyone to come and listen and hear what did the
chamber didn't last year, what is our plans for future
(48:16):
future years and get to know more than more of
the chamber.
Speaker 3 (48:22):
That is so exciting.
Speaker 2 (48:24):
Mark, I'm gonna have to invite you again just to
focus on the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce because there
is so much happening in the city of Rancho Cucamonga
for those that are not familiar. This is also the
place where Brideline is going to be going through to
Las Vegas. So Rancha Kumonga is a huge partner in
(48:44):
that they're a catalyst for innovation, transportation, business, construction, growth, development,
the whole nine. So I'm definitely going to extend an
invitation to Mark to come at a later date to
talk in depth about the Rancho Gamonga Chamber of Commerce.
But for now, Mark, I want to thank you so
(49:05):
much for your work not only building homes and remodels
and businesses, but for building community which is such an
integral part, and championing and charging forward with the banner
of community, innovation, resilience, grit and especially collaboration.
Speaker 5 (49:27):
Thank you, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 4 (49:29):
I am being highlighting business leaders is music to my heart.
And you've been a business small business advocate and helping
businesses and you're always out on the community. I can't
thank you enough for all what you do and looking
forward to meeting with you again soon.
Speaker 2 (49:51):
Wonderful. Thank you so much, so much, Mark, the honor
is mine, so for everybody listening, don't forget to find
us on Facebook, YouTube link, and Instagram. Check us out
on SCBR talk dot com. Don't miss my conversation with
Naibe Reinoso, a multi Emmy Award winner and co founder
of Latina Fest. She's a Mexican American journalist who has
(50:15):
dedicated her career to elevating underrepresented voices across platforms from
KTLA to CNN and Espanol. As an author and founder
of Gontodo Press. She champions stories that reflect the richness
of Latino culture, not only informing, but inspiring and enriching
the narrative of Latino's roles in history and the future,
(50:35):
one story at a time. Next week, we will have
Wade no Mura, a dedicated humanitarian with a remarkable impact,
having contributed to over two hundred charitable projects that have
enriched the lives of more than two million people worldwide.
His personal journey overcoming polio as a child fuels his
passion for service, particularly evident in his work in India.
(51:00):
A respected leader in rotary, he has held significant roles
including charter member of the Rotary Club of Carpenteria, morning
past District Governor, and executive director of the Multi District
Pets Alliance. Wade has received multiple prestigious awards, including the
Service Above Self Award, highlighting his commitment to community and
(51:21):
global betterment. You do not want to miss that. We
will see you all next week.
Popular Podcasts
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.