Von Raisanen, President of TraVek Remodeling, was featured in Voyage Phoenix magazine.
The article is taken directly from Voyage Phoenix as published:
July 28, 2018
Today we’d like to introduce you to Von Raisanen.
TraVek was founded in 2001 by the Raisanen family, who wanted to leave a legacy for their children. The goal was to create a design build company that would take a project from design through completion. With 3 employees and specializing in kitchens and baths, TraVek started to create roots in the market and establish itself as a go-to remodeling company in the metro Phoenix area.
Fast forward 17 years through economic ups and downs in the market, TraVek has realized that goal and so much more. Through change, creativity and initiative, TraVek has grown to focus on kitchens, baths, whole house remodels, guest homes, casitas, garages, and now, a new Handyman division. We have established ourselves in the valley as the contractor/project management firm of choice and through advertising (Mike Broomhead, Dave Ramsey, et al) are well known in the marketplace. TraVek is pleased to be employing 28 full-time employees and offering a safe, fun and creative environment for them to provide for their families. Competitive wages, competitive benefits, employee engagement programs and integrity within the team contribute to who we are today.
Von Raisanen (TraVek President) has taken this team from great to greater. He is an avid learner and passionate for creating systems, processes, and efficiencies that translate into happy employees, happy customers, and economic growth. His keen eye for innovative solutions has played a huge part in the success of TraVek. Von currently sits on the board of our local NARI Chapter as the Chapter VP and he is also involved with a national remodeling round table group which allows him to share ideas to help build and improve the company. Recently, Von was nominated for a national award for Top Remodelers (it will be published in July). His passion and enthusiasm for creating innovative programs and building on his roots deserve great recognition!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
All contractors faced the struggle of the market crash in 2008-2010 and TraVek was no different. People in the trades found jobs in other industries, which created a labor shortage. Spending slowed down in the marketplace, job sizes shrunk. When other contracting firms failed, TraVek saw an opportunity by adapting to change. What do we have to do differently? What are people needing/wanting now? How can we adapt to the change? These are all questions that led to TraVek’s growth.
Please tell us about TraVek.
TraVek is a design build company that takes a project from design to completion. We specialize in kitchens, baths, whole house remodels, casitas, guest homes, garages.
TraVek is known in the marketplace for customers receiving “The Ultimate TraVek Experience”, which means that they will be taken care of by every member of our team throughout the process. We operate with integrity and have proven that to the community throughout the years.
TraVek is most proud of its ability to provide livelihoods for its team members and their families as well as helping our customers enjoy their greatest investment, their home.
What sets us apart? We know that our customers receive the Ultimate TraVek Experience each and every time! You know what to expect with TraVek. We have professionals working in each department, people that take their jobs seriously and work together for the client. We have established accounting, which means are subcontractors never go without a check. A team that is passionate to serve, that is what sets us apart.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I was 14 and hungry to work, to help. I would wake up early each summer day and wait for my uncle, who at that time had a painting company called Painting Unlimited, to call and ask if I could help him that day. I wanted to be the first person in my family of 8 brothers (+ 4 sisters!) to jump in his car and seize the opportunity to learn and make money. He was a brute of a man, 6’5″, a bull in a china shop, and I would follow him around the job and make sure everything was out of his way so he could focus on his job as efficiently as possible. Whether I was prepping, cleaning, holding the sprayer or moving bushes out of the way so he could work, it didn’t matter. Those days were exhausting, but I learned great work ethic, which I have taken with me throughout my career and worked to instill in my children and the younger generation.
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