A Carlsbad Star
Jack Horak through the looking glass
By Erika Finch-McCaffrey
With over 30 years in the building industry and over 20 years in Carlsbad and North County, Horak Building Products works with builders and home owners by providing products and services to make the client's job run smoothly. They provide everything from windows to custom doors to shower enclosures to crown moldings.
Executive's name: Jack Horak
Title: Owner
Company name: Horak Building Products
Address: 6550 Ponto Drive #108, Carlsbad, CA
Phone: (760) 213-0594
Web site: www.horakglass.com
Founded: 1989
Prior experience: When I was 12 years old I helped my dad remodel our garage into a "boy's room." By the time I was 17, I was gutting and remodeling old Victorians in San Francisco. So I really learned everything from my dad and my uncle, who was a plumber. I was also a glass apprentice for six years.
2003 revenues: $275,000
2004 revenues: $425,000
Average hours worked weekly: 40
Number of teammates: Three
Residence: Carlsbad
Family: I have a wife and two sons. My 14-year-old son has his own drip irrigation business at a local mobile home park. When he was 3, he helped me build a shed. He's mechanical and good with his hands but I don't necessarily want him to go into this business. I want him to find his own gift and use it.
Hobbies: Surfing, playing music, RV-ing, church mission work
What got you into this business? My father taught me construction. I have done a little bit of everything so I know the entire process from concrete to finish.
What makes your business a standout? Honesty, hard work and meeting my client's requirements through personal service. I look at each house I work on as my house so the price and product quality needs to meet my expectations. Whether it's a $100 project or a $100,000 project, when it's done, it's done right,
Drawbacks to your line of business: You live with your company 24/7.
Why is your company located in Carlsbad? It's the best place to live and work.
How do you plan to grow? More distribution.
Toughest career decision: Starting my own company.
Ongoing challenges: Material quality control and supplier's performance.
Best way to stay competitive: Listen to your clients and meet their needs.
In five years, where would you like your business to be? Personally, I would like to be semi-retired with my company still in operation.
What does your company contribute to the Carlsbad community? I have been a member of the Business Resource Committee for the past five years. I also volunteer at North Coast Calvary Chapel.
What are your guiding principles? I make sure that all of the products I sell are what I would use in my own home. For instance, we only use Milgard windows because they are the best in the industry and absolutely guaranteed for life. People hire me for what I know and I strive to provide quality or else I will have to return to the job to fix it and that's going to cost me money.
What's one thing other people do not know about you? I play the harmonica.
What would you change if you could do it all over again? More distribution.
Choice for a second career: Spending more time doing mission work with my church.
People you look up to and why: Dr. Billy Graham and Dr. James Dobson.
Favorite quote: "Happiness is not having what I want but wanting what I have."
Advice for new entrepreneurs: Seek advice from others in the same industry and know your competition.
Jack Horak through the looking glass
By Erika Finch-McCaffrey
With over 30 years in the building industry and over 20 years in Carlsbad and North County, Horak Building Products works with builders and home owners by providing products and services to make the client's job run smoothly. They provide everything from windows to custom doors to shower enclosures to crown moldings.
Executive's name: Jack Horak
Title: Owner
Company name: Horak Building Products
Address: 6550 Ponto Drive #108, Carlsbad, CA
Phone: (760) 213-0594
Web site: www.horakglass.com
Founded: 1989
Prior experience: When I was 12 years old I helped my dad remodel our garage into a "boy's room." By the time I was 17, I was gutting and remodeling old Victorians in San Francisco. So I really learned everything from my dad and my uncle, who was a plumber. I was also a glass apprentice for six years.
2003 revenues: $275,000
2004 revenues: $425,000
Average hours worked weekly: 40
Number of teammates: Three
Residence: Carlsbad
Family: I have a wife and two sons. My 14-year-old son has his own drip irrigation business at a local mobile home park. When he was 3, he helped me build a shed. He's mechanical and good with his hands but I don't necessarily want him to go into this business. I want him to find his own gift and use it.
Hobbies: Surfing, playing music, RV-ing, church mission work
What got you into this business? My father taught me construction. I have done a little bit of everything so I know the entire process from concrete to finish.
What makes your business a standout? Honesty, hard work and meeting my client's requirements through personal service. I look at each house I work on as my house so the price and product quality needs to meet my expectations. Whether it's a $100 project or a $100,000 project, when it's done, it's done right,
Drawbacks to your line of business: You live with your company 24/7.
Why is your company located in Carlsbad? It's the best place to live and work.
How do you plan to grow? More distribution.
Toughest career decision: Starting my own company.
Ongoing challenges: Material quality control and supplier's performance.
Best way to stay competitive: Listen to your clients and meet their needs.
In five years, where would you like your business to be? Personally, I would like to be semi-retired with my company still in operation.
What does your company contribute to the Carlsbad community? I have been a member of the Business Resource Committee for the past five years. I also volunteer at North Coast Calvary Chapel.
What are your guiding principles? I make sure that all of the products I sell are what I would use in my own home. For instance, we only use Milgard windows because they are the best in the industry and absolutely guaranteed for life. People hire me for what I know and I strive to provide quality or else I will have to return to the job to fix it and that's going to cost me money.
What's one thing other people do not know about you? I play the harmonica.
What would you change if you could do it all over again? More distribution.
Choice for a second career: Spending more time doing mission work with my church.
People you look up to and why: Dr. Billy Graham and Dr. James Dobson.
Favorite quote: "Happiness is not having what I want but wanting what I have."
Advice for new entrepreneurs: Seek advice from others in the same industry and know your competition.