Today we’d like to introduce you to Brendan Murray.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
From a very young age entrepreneurship was my calling. When I was six years old most kids would set up shop selling lemonade. Me? I set up shop selling souvenirs collected while traveling around the world with my family. To this day the family jokes about my “yard-saleing” as a child.
While studying for my B.A. at Providence College in the early 2000’s I was asked by a friend if I would work with him for his uncle installing paver patios and driveways as a summer job. Immediately everything about the work drew me in; working outdoors, the physical demand, and the artistic results had me hooked. I went on to graduate in 2005 and knew that masonry would be a great business to start. It has relatively low barriers to entry and considering the region of the country in which we live there would always be a demand.
After working for several companies honing my skills I started Murray Masonry in August of 2007 at the age of 24. Armed with perpetual determination, a pick up truck, and a bit of know-how I have steadily built the business, growing year over year, despite starting during a down economy, to where I am today. Currently we have 24 employees and complete nearly 200 projects of varying size from $1000 to $500,000.
Has it been a smooth road?
Starting the business at a young age, combined with starting during the economic downturn of 2008, struggle was the name of the game until about two or three years ago.
Entering into a highly competitive market without knowing exactly how my competition operated due to having only worked briefly for other operations first resulted in the virtual re-invention of the wheel at nearly every turn. Operations, pricing, and most importantly client management have been a challenge. All challenges are met head on with the attitude that nothing is insurmountable, whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger! Never compromise your core values or integrity in any situation and things always work out, for better or worse, and a lesson learned is invaluable.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
As a consummate student of history the restoration aspect of masonry construction seemed, to me, natural from the outset. Today Murray Masonry specializes in historic restoration and has completed dozens of projects on properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, most notably Boston Custom House Tower, the first sky scraper in Boston, and the Ebenezer Hancock House in Fanueil Hall, as well as hundreds of others on the Massachusetts Register and those not listed.
Client satisfaction is our highest priority. This has been at the center of our culture from day one. We have built an excellent local and online reputation with dozens of highly satisfied client reviews. Murray Masonry prides itself on responsiveness and affirmation that our clients are totally satisfied before calling a project complete.
Highly congenial and proud of their work, the employees are the real story behind our success. As their chosen profession, not their only option after failing out of other callings, they propel the company forward and sustain the image we have created as historic masonry experts.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Boston is the perfect city for what we do! Steeped in history and growing significantly, there is an unending need for historic masonry restoration. It’s a difficult market from a construction industry perspective. Clients are demanding but typically great to work with, traffic creates logistical quandaries, and regulations can be burdensome. However, the joy and satisfaction of the work overcomes these obstacles and stimulates creative thinking as well as logical problem solving. When undertaking construction in Boston there is never a dull moment.
For anyone looking to start a business in Boston, I always recommend doing research first, chat with those who have been working within the city and have that experience, find advisers, and most importantly: ask lots of questions! You’ll be surprised how willing people are to aid and show off their breadth of knowledge on a subject.
Contact Info:
- Address: 100 Rear Lynn St.,
Suite #1, Peabody, MA 01960 - Website: http://www.murraymasonry.com/
- Phone: 978-594-1138
- Email: info@murraymasonryandmore.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Murray-Masonry-More-Corporation-376369349055403/
- Other: https://www.angieslist.com/companylist/us/ma/peabody/murray-masonry-and-more-corp-reviews-2335804.htm
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