What a 22-Year Partnership with Pella Windows Has Taught Me
Table of Contents
There’s something rare about a relationship that lasts 22 years. Not just lasts but grows, evolves, and continues to open new doors. That’s what comes to mind when I think about Pella.
It Started Simple
Like most partnerships in this industry, it didn’t start with some grand vision. It started with trust. Pella took a chance on me early.
I ended up building a couple homes for one of their owners. Then ownership changed. Teams shifted. A lot of things that typically disrupt relationships, in this case, didn’t.
And here’s the part that still kind of blows my mind: I’ve had the same sales rep for 22 years. That doesn’t happen.Not in construction. Not in manufacturing. Not in really any industry. But I think that consistency says a lot about who they are and how they think about relationships.
Growing Together (Without Knowing Where It Would Go)
If you had asked me 10 years ago if we’d be doing national events, launching Collectives across multiple states, or building something like the Curious Builder ecosystem I wouldn’t have even known what you were talking about.
And yet, here we are. What’s made that possible is pretty simple: Every time I’ve come to them with an idea, they’ve said yes. Curious Builder Boot Camp? Yes. Sauna Camp? Yes. Mysa Hus? Yes. The Collectives? Yes.
That kind of support changes how you think. It gives you the confidence to keep creating, to keep pushing, and to keep building something bigger than yourself.
And now, looking back, we’ve both grown our businesses alongside each other in a way that only happens when there’s a shared vision.
When a Partner Becomes Part of the Vision
At some point, the relationship shifted from transactional to integrated.
Pella isn’t just showing up on projects, they’re woven into everything we’re doing.
Supporting the podcast
Helping scale the Collectives nationally
Playing a role in projects like Mysa Hus
Opening doors at a corporate level
We’re now in multiple states, building out new Collective hubs each year and that simply doesn’t happen without a partner who’s aligned at a national level.
Sometimes that support looks like helping identify new markets or connecting us with the right people. Other times, it’s being part of something before the rest of the country even knows it exists.
Being Early Matters
A great example of that is the Vista product line.
Pella acquired an aluminum window company and started rolling out this new product. Because of our relationship, we got early access before most people even knew it was coming.
We ended up using it on a modern home we’re building with Christopher Strom Architects and Linda Engler Design Studio, the first order in the country.
That’s the kind of opportunity that only happens when you’re deeply connected, not just casually partnered.
Mysa Hus and the Power of Quiet
When we started designing Mysa Hus, I had a pretty clear vision: I wanted something slower, and quieter that felt intentional. That’s where the triple-pane windows came in.
And interestingly, it wasn’t primarily about energy efficiency, though they perform incredibly well there, or custom solutions, though of course we wanted those. It was about sound. Or more accurately, the absence of it.
When you’re trying to create moments of stillness, quiet becomes one of the most important design elements in the entire home. Pella understood that vision immediately.
Now we’ve used triple-pane windows in multiple homes since then. But Mysa Hus was really the start of that story.
What I Value in a Partner
After 22 years, you start to see what really matters. It’s not just the product or design. It’s the people. Communication. Reliability. Craftsmanship. Willingness to collaborate. Showing up when things are hard. Those are the things that matter at the end of the day.
Every project has challenges. Every business has tough moments. We’ve had ours. And every time, Pella has had our back. That’s why I keep choosing them.
When Big Companies Actually Listen
Smaller companies don’t usually have a real voice inside a large national brand. But that’s been one of the most unique parts of this relationship. I’ve been able to share ideas, influence direction, and collaborate on marketing.
A few years ago, we created a campaign with Brad Leavitt playing off the contrast of building in extreme heat (Arizona) versus extreme cold (Minnesota). It turned into a national campaign. Won a Telly Award. Got a ton of attention. But more importantly, it showed that they weren't the kind to dismiss the idea. They saw the story. That’s a partner move.
Why It Matters
As builders, designers, and architects, the partners we choose shape everything. And when you find a partner who aligns not just with your work but with your values, that’s when things start to expand in ways you didn’t expect. That’s what’s happened here. The Collectives. The podcast. National growth. There’s a thread that runs through all of it and Pella has been part of that thread from the beginning.
Looking Ahead
The partnership is about having a foundation you can rely on moving forward. Because when you have that you can take bigger swings, think longer term, and build things that actually matter. And that’s really what this whole thing is about. Not just building homes, but building relationships that stand the test of time.
