Green	Miller

The Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce is a vital element in the life of our community. This year’s Chairman, David Flow, president of Flow Construction Company, discusses his view of the area’s economic climate and other issues in this interview with David Green.

What do you see as the strengths and challenges for the business climate in Brentwood?

David Flow, president Flow Construction

COMPANY DATA Flow Construction Company Headquarters: 3628 Trousdale Drive, Suite E Nashville, TN 37204 Contact:  (615) 832-0707; dflow@flowconstruction.com Website: www.flowconstruction.com

Strengths:  Brentwood remains a very relational community. Regardless of the business you’re in or the size of your business, building and maintaining strong relationships can be the difference between staying in business or struggling, especially in a challenging economic cycle. One may have a great product or service, but unless there is a relationship that serves as the foundation, chances are any success will be short-lived. Our company still has many relationships that were seeded back in 1991 when we first went into business here in Brentwood.

Challenges:  Not exclusive to Brentwood but across the country, small businesses are struggling to adjust to the new realities in the current business climate.  Based on past recessions, a recovery should look like a “V” – after bottoming out, we should be charging higher – but it simply has not happened so far. There is a certain prevailing “nervous and cautious optimism” hanging over many small businesses still. Volume of work for many remains low while margins remain very thin. It remains a very competitive market.

Still Middle Tennessee and in particular Brentwood is a wonderful place to live and work.

What is one thing the city could do help business?

Simply not to take businesses that choose Brentwood as their home for granted. Businesses still have a significant impact on the tax structure. It’s very easy to get into the mindset that if one business moves, another one will automatically fill its place. City leaders and planners should continue to challenge themselves to be visionary, proactive and supportive of the business community.

Where do you see business in Brentwood 10 years from now?

I would hope to see many destination retailers along with a healthy mix of both large and small businesses.  Quality mixed-use developments that incorporate retail, business and living will be seen throughout Brentwood.

What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?

Don’t build your business on borrowed money and don’t let your business become your sole identity.

What would you do now if you had to start over in your business career? (Not including what you are now doing.)

Frankly, I sacrificed a lot of time away from my family in the early years of starting my company. Fortunately, 20 years later I have great partners to share the responsibilities now but after walking my oldest daughter down the aisle recently, I was reminded lost time is never regained.  Finding a healthy balance isn’t easy but I certainly would be much more aware of how important that is.

What is the greatest business challenge you have faced? How did you handle it?

Maintaining the belief in a business plan centered on building strong relationships and providing exceptional service can still work even in the toughest of economic times. Simply being cheap or providing poor quality is not what we have built our company into over the past 20 years.  I remind our team everyday if we continue to work hard, honor our commitments, treat clients with respect and show appreciation we will get through this period and have a stronger company because of it.

 What one business tip would you give to a Brentwood business entrepreneur?

A lot of business is still done locally. So get involved in the community, in the Chamber, Rotary, get to know your city leaders or volunteer.  All help build relationships and that is what will sustain your business over the long haul.