We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeremy & Kelley Irwin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeremy & Kelley, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Since Jeremy and I are not only spouses but also business partners, this is an especially relevant issue for us. The first four years of operating Irwin Construction, we ran ourselves ragged. We had very small children and would often sit up late into the night working after the kids went to bed, only to still feel constantly behind. We had very little time to be husband and wife because our business was growing so fast and needed so much care. Around the time our youngest was born, we hit a wall and realized we needed to bring on some help so we could reclaim some family and rest time. That was a game changer for us! To have members of our team that were committed to our company’s success and clients’ satisfaction step in and take tasks off our plate so we could breathe a bit made all the difference in the world. Since then, we’ve slowly built safeguards to separate work time from family time. For example, we rarely work in the evenings or on the weekends anymore. While in busier seasons it’s occasionally necessary, it’s the exception rather than the rule. We’ve also continued to delegate tasks we used to only do ourselves to trusted members of our team. This gives us the opportunity to grow further as a company without taxing our time even more. And lastly – no business talk on date night!

What should our readers know about your business?
Irwin Construction is a residential remodeling and design firm. We focus on top quality, highly-customized specialty remodels ranging from a single bathroom or kitchen to an entire home. We believe we are unique in the remodeling industry as we both work in design as well as construction, and are able to view each project from both practical and aesthetic perspectives. We walk our clients through each design decision and material and color selection for the project, often staying involved after the remodel is complete to plan furniture and decor as well! We take pride in our work quality and consistency, and always strive to be better at what we do. Jeremy and I are both very driven. We joke that in our marriage we have two gas pedals and no brake. While this helps with professional growth to an extent, over the years we’ve had to learn together how to rest and preserve time for our family. Now our two sons enjoy helping with the family business, and we’re always aware of what we’re teaching them with our own actions. Work hard with great character, but take time to care well for your family and friends too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We live in Argyle, which gives us access to many great spots in the metroplex. If we’re staying close to home, our favorite places to eat are Craft & Vine in Roanoke, and Hannah’s or Barley & Board in Denton. For laid-back live music on the patio, we love Marty B’s in Bartonville. Sixty Vines in Uptown is our favorite for the wine selection! With our kids, we love the Perot Museum, the Dallas World Aquarium, and the Ft. Worth Zoo. A family stroll on the Denton Square with a trip through Recycled Books and ice cream at Beth Marie’s always takes us back to our college days at UNT. We’ve been exploring the metroplex for 15 years and still have so much more to discover!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Our incredible mentors John and Ann Wright saw potential in us long before we were married or started our business. As successful business owners themselves (who have also worked together), they not only guided us on the creative and business side of things, but also our work-life balance. They’ve been instrumental in both our family and professional success!

Website: www.irwinbuilds.com
Instagram: @irwin.construction
Facebook: @irwin.construction.denton
Other: Pinterest – @irwinconstruct Houzz – Irwin Construction, LLC

Image Credits
Darby McFall

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.