A Conversation With ... Scott Neville

Tell us about Welhener & Saville, which you and your dad, Ron, bought in October 2008.

We produce commercial and residential canvas, metal and vinyl awnings, canopies, patio covers, any kind of shade-related device. A large majority is commercial - probably 80 percent. We have six employees plus me. Our service area is about 100 miles (from Ozark).

What made you and your dad decide to buy a business?

It's something different to do, and no one likes to work for somebody else. It's just fun. It's a challenge ... and we saw great potential. We have some rental property, but those aren't quite as involved as this is.

Have you made any significant changes to the business?

No. It was very well set up, efficient, smooth operating, with somewhat low overhead for a business like this. Our plan was really not to make a big deal about (buying the company) because (previous owner Jim Conley) did a fantastic job of treating his customers well ... and business as usual was my plan.

What has been the biggest challenge - or surprise - as a business owner?

Certainly, finding people to spend money with this slow economy. A lot of the ... repair work ... is being put off because of the economy. New construction stuff, it's just a matter of (owners) actually finishing the buildings, because the awnings are always planned as part of a project and architecturally designed into the drawings. ... We're busy, and that's all that matters. We could be busier and have to hire more people, but right now we've got a full load going and we're moving along.

How have you worked to overcome that challenge?

We've had to go a lot further away from town and our normal market to find people who are actually moving forward with their projects. ... A lot of it has been repeat work or referrals from companies that we've (helped) before. There are plan rooms where you can go to view plans, and a lot of these companies (with) projects put them in these rooms ... so they can get bidders from all around. They're looking for the cheapest price.

What are some of the farthest points you've stretched to?

In Oklahoma, Pryor and Miami. Since I've been here, we've gone north a ways toward the Kansas City area. We've not gone south into Arkansas yet, but that's not to say we won't. I'd like to control the Springfield market. ... I don't think logistically, we can expect ourselves to do anything in St. Louis or Kansas City. We'd have to add the costs to get us there and put my guys in hotel rooms into the quotes.

Why should awnings be considered an energy-saving option?

They keep the sun from blasting in your house. And the nice thing is, you can retrofit them to a building that's already been there for a while with relative ease. It's just like slapping a shade on it.

You're also a licensed commercial Realtor with CJR Commercial. Does that experience help with the awning business?

Sure. The real estate work was all commercial - leasing, subleasing and selling commercial properties, and those are a lot of our clients because a lot of those buildings have awnings. I've already got the contact information because I've done work for them in the past as far as leasing a space in their open building, so perhaps that gives me the option to call them before anybody else. I think it probably gives me a little insight into what tenants and landlords need and what they want ... obviously you don't want to lease a property that's got a torn awning, because it doesn't look good.

Tell us about your family.

My wife is Lindsay. She's from Houston, Texas. We met in college and moved here in the summer of 2005. We have a daughter, Abby, who's 1 year old.[[In-content Ad]]Interview by Features Editor Maria Hoover.