We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ben Levi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Ben with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My work ethic comes from the incredible example set by my parents. Moving from Israel to the US at such a young age, I watched my dad grind his way up from nothing, building a life of stability and success for our family. Even after my parents divorced, his resilience never wavered. My mom and stepdad also showed me the value of hard work and perseverance. They taught me that dedication to your family and daily habits can create a life of prosperity. I work hard not just for myself but for the future family I want to build. I see it as my responsibility to honor my parents’ sacrifices and take my family to heights we’ve never reached before.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I come from a family deeply rooted in construction and development. My dad built new homes and medical facilities, and my stepdad worked on luxury homes as part of a development group. After graduating with an economics degree from UC Santa Barbara, I was fortunate to gain valuable expertise from Tamir Pinhas, owner of Preferred Home Builders. Over the last six years, I’ve managed hundreds of projects, collaborating with clients to design 2-D and 3-D plans, ensuring their vision is perfectly realized, and overseeing projects from concept to completion.
What excites me most is transforming ideas into tangible, beautiful spaces while building strong relationships with homeowners. I thrive on the details, ensuring nothing gets lost in translation and that every project is a success.
Looking ahead, I’m eager to step into my next chapter as a developer in Los Angeles, flipping properties and creating luxury housing. My goal is to blend my experience, creativity, and passion into a brand that delivers exceptional quality and design to the city I love.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been organization, urgency, and curiosity.
Organization is critical in any field, but especially in one like mine, where so many moving parts need to come together seamlessly. Staying organized ensures that nothing slips through the cracks, whether it’s scheduling, managing budgets, or keeping communication clear with clients and teams.
Urgency, moving with speed and intent, has also been key. Those who act decisively and get things done efficiently often rise to the top. In my field, where we’re often working in homeowners’ personal spaces for months, timing and quality are crucial. Projects need to be completed efficiently without compromising on excellence, and I’ve always made sure to prioritize that balance.
Finally, curiosity has been a game-changer. Asking the right questions, seeking out knowledge, and being open to learning from others have allowed me to continually grow. Whether it’s gaining insights from mentors or understanding the nuances of a client’s vision, curiosity fuels improvement and innovation.
For those just starting out, my advice is to:
1. Develop systems to track your tasks, progress, and goals.
2. Learn to prioritize and make decisions quickly while maintaining focus on quality.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek advice from those ahead of you in the journey. The willingness to learn will set you apart.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone who is genuinely excited about their project, knows what they want, and is open to collaboration. A great client is willing to embrace suggestions that enhance their project aesthetically and financially, understanding that my team and I share their goal of delivering outstanding results quickly, efficiently, and within budget.
It’s also important that clients trust the process and have patience, recognizing that construction isn’t perfect—there can be unexpected challenges along the way. My job is to set clear expectations upfront and ensure we navigate any issues smoothly. Clients who maintain a positive attitude and excitement throughout the process often end up with the most rewarding outcomes for themselves and for us.
I’ve been fortunate to work with many incredible clients, some of whom have returned for multiple projects over the years. That kind of trust and collaboration is invaluable. Once you find a contractor and client relationship that works, it becomes a partnership that benefits both sides—and that’s the kind of client I strive to work with.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @benlevibuilds
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/preferred-home-builders-canoga-park-6
- Other: email: [email protected]
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