What we do: We are a whole home remodeling company with a focus on kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor living space redesigns. We will work on any home but we really love working on homes built in the 80s and 90s that need a refresh.
Why you chose to work in your field: Honestly, I love transforming spaces into something new. People can’t see a space as it could be; they only see it as it is. My job brings so much utility to people. It makes me happy to work with my family to help people remodel their homes.
Kitchens are a focus for Smyth Design and Remodeling.
Courtesy Smyth Design and Remodeling
When and why I chose to start my business: We are about a year old, but I started working with my dad about a few years ago. We started to notice a cookie-cutter approach to home building and design, and we wanted to play a role in helping Valley residents take a more custom and creative approach to their home remodels.
What I like most about what I do: The customer experience is everything. When a client walks into a new space and their face lights up, it puts everything into perspective. Someone saying ‘I can’t believe this is my house’ is the best feeling in the world.
What is something many people don’t know about you? Our company often does half days on Fridays so we can go fishing. My family and I got really into fly fishing about 30 years ago, and we just never stopped doing it.
How did you get into your career? I was working with my dad, who was a contractor at a very young age. I went to work with dad, and that meant working on houses. My dad is my lifelong mentor. I love working with him so much that I just thought we should never stop doing it. I also wanted to give my son the opportunity to work in this business and make it a truly family-owned business. My son is going to be doing electrical work. He is currently working on becoming a journeyman electrician.
What originally brought you to the Valley? We wanted to be homeowners, and honestly, a starter home in California was out of our budget. We moved out here so my wife and I could buy a home and start a family.
One thing I want my clients/neighbors to know about me: Home remodeling is a passion project for me and not a way to get rich. I do this because I want to help people. I want remodeling to be a personal thing.
A before and after shot shows the work of the company on an outdoor living space.
Courtesy Smyth Design and Remodeling
What I am thankful for: I am thankful to have a healthy, happy family and the chance to grow a business in a field I love.
People who inspired me (and how): My father. Watching him build his own business over 40 years was an inspiration to me. I also had a manager while working an office job for a custom door installation company. When I was in my mid-20s, he told me the truth: this job was not for me. He helped me find new inspiration and discover the things I needed to improve on. It meant a lot for someone to be honest with me while also investing in me.
How are you involved in the local community? We help out our neighbors all the time. We have done everything from community cleanups to yard sales and baking drives for charities, as well as to help raise money for local events. Our kids were really into community theater, and I helped build sets for community shows for Fused Performing Arts in Mesa.
What advice would you give to people entering your field? Have patience. You have to start at the bottom. You won’t own everything in a year. You have to learn to dig ditches before you can build a house. Put in the work, be patient, and learn everything you can. Also, find a mentor.
Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@inusua.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines. Tom Blodgett can be reached by email at tblodgett@iniusa.org or follow him @sp_blodgett on X.
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