Ozarks Profile: Wanda Johns

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Tell us about your company.|ret||ret||tab|

W. J. Johns Construction has been in the business of building homes, not just houses, for more than 14 years. Efficiency, speed and mass production define American industry today. Unfortunately, these same techniques do not work so well with home building. Each person buying a home wants a unique building, stamped with their own personality. W. J. Johns believes in craftsmanship the time honored tradition of building each home one by one.|ret||ret||tab|

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What specifically does your job entail?|ret||ret||tab|

Home building is not house building; much of my time is spent creating the craftwork necessary to produce homes to match the future house buyer. Selecting the best subcontractors helps ensure that the builder's vision is accurately reflected in each new home. I start with picking out the subdivision I want to work in and setting up the financing. I draw my own plans and do all the paper work. I hire all my subcontractors and get everything going. I pretty much oversee what they're doing. I'm on the job a lot. I do my own marketing and all of my own interior design as far as colors, carpets, design and all. I pretty much make all the decisions unless I'm doing a custom. If I'm doing a custom, I'll introduce the buyers to all the subs and make sure the subcontractors know what we want.|ret||ret||tab|

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How did you come to choose this career?|ret||ret||tab|

My father, Henry H. Johns, was a builder. He's always been real involved in the local Home Builders Association. I have a degree in accounting from Southwest Missouri State University, and I worked in property management and development accounting in Newport Beach, Calif. |ret||ret||tab|

I felt a desire to return to the family tradition of home building, and my background seemed to be an asset.|ret||ret||tab|

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What challenges is your industry facing?|ret||ret||tab|

Excessive regulations and land development challenges resulting in increasing cost to home buyers.|ret||ret||tab|

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Tell us about your family.|ret||ret||tab|

I'm engaged to Tom Foster, and we're trying to find time to plan something special.|ret||ret||tab|

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Tell us about your spare-time pursuits.|ret||ret||tab|

I like snow skiing and traveling when time allows. I'm always looking for new home plans and ideas, and I keep abreast of current home-building trends.|ret||ret||tab|

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