The Story

The story of Solomon builders is a testimony to the power of partnership.

The Foundation

It all started with two friends and business associates — Ty Osman and Gregg Turner. One worked in real estate development and acquisitions, and the other in construction. They got to know each other by working on projects together. In addition to their complementary skills, the two shared a desire to build something that would support their families and fill a need in their community. And so, they left their comfortable jobs during a shaky economy with the idea of going into the construction business. The year was 1992. Their first project was a $5,000 tenant build-out. And they never looked back.

At first, Ty and Gregg had to win each project solely on their wits and their word. They had no portfolio, so instead they worked to build a reputation. Each job well done opened the door to the next, and more clients began to trust Solomon with larger projects. More partnerships were forged.

Years of Building

Soon, it was time to grow the business. But Ty and Gregg knew two things. First, they wouldn’t expand beyond the middle Tennessee area — because neither man wanted to be away from his family for too long. And second, no amount of financial success would be worth compromising their fundamental values. Simply staffing up wasn’t the answer. They wanted like-minded people who could work toward a common vision. They needed partners. And slowly, carefully and deliberately, Solomon added to the family.

With more people and more projects came more opportunities — including an opportunity to make a difference and change the industry. Recognizing a need to preserve a dying breed, Ty and Gregg reached out to master craftsmen in every trade and offered them full-time positions with benefits. At the time, most field personnel in construction were hourly workers migrating from job to job for a 25-cent-per-hour raise. Adding skilled workers to the payroll meant Solomon could self-perform many critical trades — bringing time-honored expertise to each job while still delivering on schedule. For the men and women themselves, it meant the difference between a job and a career. To their surprise and satisfaction, Ty and Gregg saw their peers take notice — and even follow suit. They feel it’s because they never viewed self-performed work as a profit center. What mattered was delivering consistently and with quality. And if that meant giving a talented individual a 401(k), health insurance, a vacation and the opportunity to do his best work, even better.

The Result

As it turns out, their hunches were right. The middle Tennessee community needed a builder like Solomon. Ty and Gregg became active members in the community and organizations such as of BOMA, WCRE of Nashville, NAIOP, the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, ABC of TN and the AIA. Their participation put them in touch with more ideas, more resources, more people and more partners throughout the industry. And in turn, the community responded by naming Solomon Builders one of the area’s “Top Places to Work.”

Today, Ty, Gregg and the team find themselves at the conference table with more and more architects and owners during the conceptual and schematic phases of each project. Sharing insights. Offering practical and logistical advice. Creating value. Acting as partners.

For two guys who started out working in a spare bedroom on a card table, that’s a pretty good place to be.