Ozarks Profile: Michael Robbins

Tell us about your company.

Robbins has been in the building business since 1980, and has he been building homes since 1985. He is his company's sole employee; he utilizes subcontractors in his work. This year, Robbins has homes at 2353 S. Lexus Ave. and 3577 W. Driftwood St. in the HBA Parade of Homes.

Why do you participate in the HBA Parade of Homes?

"The HBA promotes and advertises it so well, it's by far the best way to get people in your houses whether they are serious buyers or not." Robbins said he has participated in the Home Builders Association Parade of Homes for seven or eight years.

How has the industry changed since you began building homes?

"I think the average person buying a home is much more discriminating wanting more value for less money probably because the price of houses has gone up so much. Since houses cost so much more than they used to, people just expect to get more and more and more than, say, they would have expected 10 years ago."

What are some of the biggest issues you face as a home builder?

Robbins said that as a home builder, he faces many of the same basic issues faced by other businesses, including "fighting the rising cost of materials and labor, while making (the) product affordable to consumers." Robbins said he builds several different styles of homes, and he doesn't really specialize in any one type, although he did note that most of the homes he builds might be considered traditional.

How did you come to choose a career in home building?

"I grew up in the business with my father and my brothers."

Tell us about your family.

Robbins is married to Tara, his wife of 11 years. The couple's children are Dalton, 9; Victoria, 8; and Ashlie, 5. In his spare time, he coaches the children's baseball and basketball teams, and also plays golf at Twin Oaks Country Club, where he is a member. And golf isn't the only sport that sparks his interest.

"I guess everyone that knows me knows that I'm an avid St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Rams and Missouri Tigers fan." He supports Missouri's home teams, "except for the Chiefs I can't stand them."

If you could choose another career, what would it be?

"I guess in a perfect world I'd be a professional golfer. But that's not something I could choose. If it was an occupation I could choose, I still don't know what I would choose (except) possibly something sports related." Robbins mentioned a career as a sports agent as a possible choice.