Inspiring Conversations with Richy Teixeira of LUGO Homes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Richy Teixeira.

Richy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story, and my company’s story, go back to my parents who grew up in Brazil. My dad lived in the slums of Brazil and eventually worked for my mom’s dad in his bakery. The two fell in love and, long story short, after years of trying to be together, against the desires of my grandfather, they married and moved to the US where they had, and raised, my brother and me, outside of Chicago, IL.

I had a wonderful childhood and although we weren’t rich I never remember feeling like we didn’t have enough. My dad worked hard and eventually settled on being a truck driver which he did for many years to provide for our family. The big downside was that he was gone most of the week. At a young age, I began working for my friend’s dad’s company doing large-scale renovations. Not only did I learn a great deal about construction, I realized I had a natural ability to do that type of work and I enjoyed it.

I continued doing this work as I went to college at Northern Illinois University where I studied business and Spanish which led me to a study abroad program in Spain where I met my wife. She is from Nashville, TN so that is how I ended up living here. After years of sales and marketing jobs, I finally landed back in construction working at Pulte Homes in OH. We lived in OH for 3 years for my wife’s job up until we had our daughter and decided to move back. I then worked a short time in commercial construction before going back to Pulte and then jumping off on my own to start LUGO Homes, LLC.

This story, just like the significance of my company name, now comes full circle. LUGO is a combination of my parents’ names (Lenita and Hugo) and an important part of what my company does is use a portion of profits to build homes in Honduras for families just like my father’s.

Now, I am able to do something I love, construction, build a more flexible lifestyle that allows family time, unlike what I had with my dad, and give back to families who were just like my father’s.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been smooth. The road to figuring out what I wanted to do with my life was loaded with frustration. I never felt fulfilled in my sales or marketing roles but I didn’t know how to break into the construction world. I spent years reviewing my life and my skills and networking.

When I finally received my first job at Pulte, I continued to explore what it would take to start my own construction company. Not only is starting a business difficult, but it’s also scary. I struggled with the confidence to do it and worried I wouldn’t be able to provide for my family.

When I finally made the leap to obtain my GC license, it took countless hours of research, studying, time away from my wife, who was pregnant at the time, and my daughter, plus financial resources. Even once I obtained the license I then had to begin promoting myself and seeking out clients to ensure I could leave my steady paycheck. Already I have had to work late nights and weekends.

I have had a business partner try and take money from me. I have worked tirelessly on potential projects that fall through. However, I have learned a great deal and the hard work continues to be worth the reward.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
LUGO Homes, LLC focuses on custom renovations, additions, and homebuilding.

Not only do we provide a high level of customer service and quality products, every client knows that through their project, but we are also able to build homes for those in need in third world countries. I am extremely proud of this part of our business as it makes us unique but also gives meaning to all we do.

I also have a deep connection to our brand as the name is a combination of my parents’ names and the logo of LUGO is actually written in my father’s handwriting who is no longer with us today.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was always the more reserved child, compared to my older brother, and very attached to my mother.

Being Brazilian, we were very family-centered and spoke only Portuguese in our home. It wasn’t until I started elementary school that I even began learning English.

My brother and I were always very involved in sports and I, of course, grew up playing soccer. I continued playing soccer through high school and also was a state champion volleyball player.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @lugohomesllc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LUGOhomesllc/