From Sweeping Floors to now Building a Brand:
My Journey in the Drywall Industry as a 3rd generation contractor and now employing the 4th Being a business owner and entrepreneur means getting comfortable with both winning and failing—sometimes in the same week. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, but one I wouldn’t trade for anything.
My journey in drywall started 38 years ago, back in the summer of 1986—the same year as Expo 86 in Vancouver. While the world marveled at futuristic exhibits, I was getting my first taste of the construction industry through my father’s company, Fehr Drywall. Based in Abbotsford, BC, they were tackling projects across the Lower Mainland, including work on the Expo grounds. My early years in the trade? Cleaning up scrap drywall and sweeping floors—the true apprentice experience.
From Apprentice to Entrepreneur
By 1998, I moved to Calgary, jumped on a boarding crew with some buddies, and quickly moved up to running projects as a site foreman. Then came my first big break: when my employer’s company shut down, I partnered with my boss and launched Pro West Drywall. We hit the ground running, closing out $4.5 million in contracts in our first year.
Not long into our second year, I decided to move back to BC, where I teamed up with my father again to form Pro West Interiors BC, working on projects in Kelowna and the Okanagan.
Then, disaster struck.
Losing Everything & Starting Over
In 2003, the Okanagan Mountain Park Fire—Canada’s largest natural disaster at the time—destroyed my home and everything I owned. With nothing left, I moved back to Calgary to start over. Again.
For a few years, I drifted between jobs, trying to find my next move. Then, during a business presentation at a multi-level marketing event, I unknowingly made the best sale of my life—Amanda. My future wife. The results? Let’s just say, I nailed that presentation.
Fast forward nearly 20 years together, 16 years of marriage, and three amazing daughters: Brooklyn (15), McKenzie (13), and Emma (10).
Mastering the Trade & Hitting Big Numbers
From 2007-2008, Amanda and I moved to Kelowna to start our family, and I went back to work with my dad. I was eventually “pushed” (or promoted, depending on who you ask) into estimating, where I spent a decade behind a computer, learning how to read drawings and bid projects.
Then the 2008 financial crash hit. With builders unable to secure financing, work dried up. Back to Calgary we went.
Over time, I reconnected with past contacts and landed major apartment projects across Calgary, Kelowna, Peachland, Victoria, and Red Deer. In 2019, I set a personal milestone: $10 million in contracts and sales in a single year.
When the Industry Breaks You (Twice)
Then, the first round of U.S. tariffs hit, shaking up material costs. Just as we were recovering, COVID-19 came along and finished the job—our projects weren’t viable anymore.
Determined, I struck out on my own, completing buildings in Red Deer and Lacombe, but when a developer went under, I found myself last on the list of unpaid trades. Pennies on the dollar was all we got.
That’s when I had an epiphany: The construction industry is broken. The low profit margins and high risks made me rethink everything.
A Fresh Start: Building a Service-Based Business
In 2019, I decided to shift gears and focus on drywall repair Calgary, with a strong emphasis on ceiling texture repair and painting. Instead of chasing high-risk contracts, I built Patchmasters Drywall Repair, a service-based business designed to be sustainable, scalable, and customer-focused.
Today, we help homeowners with everything from drywall hole repair to clean, seamless finishes that look like the damage never happened. We also specialize in popcorn ceiling repair, matching texture and blending paint so the patch doesn’t stand out.
Now, we’re growing steadily, embracing social media, marketing, and top-tier customer service to build a brand that stands out. I truly believe we’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible. The opportunities are endless—including supporting residential drywall repair needs across Alberta.
Notable Achievements
• Fastest building completed: 62 units in a 4-story apartment in just 13 days.
• Hit $10 million in sales in 2019.
• Overcame multiple economic downturns, wildfires, and unpaid contracts—and still here, stronger than ever.
The Future
As we continue to grow, the focus is on:
Expanding into new markets (Jasper for new builds, Calgary for hail damage repairs).
Scaling operations while maintaining quality.
Strengthening our marketing and customer service.
Final Thoughts
I’ve learned that business is all about adaptation, resilience, and relationships. I want Patchmasters to be known for quality, reliability, and a little bit of fun along the way.
If you ever need drywall repairs—or just want to hear a few crazy business stories—let’s connect!
📞 Phone: 587-216-4336
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.Patchmasters.ca
This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com