We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Aaron Barnard a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Aaron, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I think in order to be successful you have to start by making sure you are spending energy doing something that you value and can do well. If you are not interested in the work, or at least in the type of problem solving it requires, then it’s not sustainable to bring the level of focus required to be successful. You have to identify what problems you enjoy solving, and then focus on a line of work that facilitates that. Discipline is a part of it, but in my experience, discipline without passion can’t keep a person engaged in a career for the length of time that it takes to be successful. Once you are on that path, then it’s about developing the skill set and the knowledge to become an expert in your field… which can only come with experience and repetition. If all of those aspects can be brought together, you’ll find success.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started Beacon Home Design after years of working with contractors, homeowners, and investors in the construction and real estate industry. Starting out in carpentry, I had the chance to get creative with different details and naturally started to gravitate toward more of a design focus and eventually started drafting up floor plans for clients. That progressed to working with structural engineers to develop full plan sets and develop the process that is unique to Beacon today.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

My top books are Cal Newport “So Good They Can’t Ignore You” – “Follow your passion” find something you can be good at, and do it religiously until you find success… That success will turn into a passion for the work, and that passion for the work will allow you to sustain the success and build upon it.
Steven Pressfield “The War Of Art” – There is an inner battle in all of us with something Steven calls the resistance. This book is about having the discipline to do the hard work it takes to create something of substance. Very relatable for art and business alike.
Mike Michalowicz “The Pumpkin Plan” – This book is about focusing on quality over quantity, and for the right customers… and Mike writes it in a very funny engaging way.

Bill Walsh “The Score Takes Care Of Itself” — Written by the 49ers legend head coach, this book is about staying mindful of the details. Bill Walsh was famous for telling his team not to pay attention to the score… staying focused on one play at a time, focus on your job, focus on the process, and the score will take care of itself.

Jeffrey Liker’ “The Toyota Way” – About thinking lean, not just as a management practice but as a way of life. Toyotas, and really the Japanese influence on the world transcends manufacturing. Incredibly valuable lessons in this book,

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients has always been local referrals from clients, builders, and realtors. Building up trust with my core clients has led to referrals to their families and friends, and the opportunity to work on multiple projects with them. Developing an organic referral source through satisfied clients and teams has been the key.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.beaconhomedesign.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beaconhomedesignfl/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beaconhomedesignfl

Image Credits
Anne Yarbrough Photography