Michael Telich, 35
Owner, Telich Custom Homes
After spending years honing his skills as a carpenter, Michael Telich decided to launch his own custom homebuilding business, which has garnered him a reputation as a hyper-attentive, hardworking and detailed builder. Since he began the venture, his business has grown each year, and is now one of the city’s premier homebuilding businesses. He was also selected to sit on the Baton Rouge Metro Board of Adjustment, handling variances to the Unified Development Code. Telich is a parishioner of St. Jude Catholic Church and member of the church’s Men’s Club. He and his wife, Kori, sponsor a 7-year-old girl named Sinoyolo by providing her an education at Plumb Line Christian Academy boarding school in the eastern Cape of Tarkastad, South Africa.
NAME THREE MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
- Growing my carpentry business into one of Baton Rouge’s leading custom home building businesses.
- Telich Custom Homes being featured in multiple publications.
- Being elected to sit on Baton Rouge Metro Board of Adjustment handling variances to the Unified Development Code.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS AND INVOLVEMENT.
Parishioner of St. Jude Catholic Church; Member of St. Jude Catholic Church Men’s Club; My wife, Kori, and I sponsor a 7-year-old girl named Sinoyolo by providing her an education at Plumb Line Christian Academy boarding school in the eastern Cape of Tarkastad, South Africa; I sit on the Metropolitan Board of Adjustment; Member of CRBA; Member of National Home Builder Association; Member of SCI.
NAME ONE BOOK THAT HAS INSPIRED YOU PROFESSIONALLY.
God Calling. This book was given to my dad when he was in his thirties. As my business grew, my dad passed it along to me. It has been a great way to start my day ever since.
WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
As far as I can remember, I’ve always been interested in building and constructing things.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, HOW OLD WERE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?
In grade school, I had a newspaper route. The paper route was like running a small business in the fourth grade. It taught me how to manage time, plan for the most efficient routes, collect money, and most importantly provide customer service.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH IN BATON ROUGE, AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISH THERE?
Most days I eat lunch on the run in my truck while visiting jobsites. If I do have a lunch meeting, the cheesy crab sandwich from Goûter is my go to.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Convincing a girl way out of my league to marry me.
HOW DO YOU GET PUMPED UP BEFORE A BIG MEETING, PRESENTATION OR PITCH?
#1 Stunna Radio on Pandora. HA! Kidding. Not really, I’m completely serious.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST FULFILLING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
Getting random text messages from clients after they move in telling me “Mike we love our house!”
WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL “AHA MOMENT?”
When I realized its better to tell someone “no” or “I can’t” instead of stretching myself so thin I cant deliver the level of service they deserve. It’s all about honesty, realistic timelines and communicating expectations.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST PRODUCTIVITY HACK?
Old school. Make a list and cross it off.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED THE HARD WAY?
Being right isn’t worth the commotion it causes to prove it. Learning to be humble enough to walk away is sometimes more productive and effective.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR JOB WOULD SHOCK CUSTOMERS OR CLIENTS IF THEY KNEW ABOUT IT?
I love washing the street in front of a jobsite when we complete the project.
HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY DRESS FOR WORK—CASUAL? PROFESSIONAL? BUSINESS CASUAL? OTHER?
Jeans/shorts, Telich Custom Homes T-shirt and always a baseball hat.
WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB DO YOU LOVE? WHAT PART DO YOU HATE?
I love seeing pictures on social media of customers enjoying their homes with family around the holidays. I hate fighting the weather while trying to get a foundation in the ground.
WHAT IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN FROM A COLLEAGUE OR BOSS?
Hands down the best compliment is a customer’s referral.
MAC OR PC?
Both.
ARE YOU ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA? IF SO, ON WHICH PLATFORMS ARE YOU MOST ACTIVE?
Facebook for personal and work. Instagram for work.
HOW MANY TEXTS DO YOU SEND ON AN AVERAGE DAY? HOW MANY EMAILS?
75 texts and 15 to 30 emails.
HOW LOW WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR REMAINING PHONE OR COMPUTER BATTERY LIFE GET IN % BEFORE YOU HAVE AN ANXIETY ATTACK?
20%. If for some reason it gets to 5% watch out.
HOW MANY UNREAD MESSAGES ARE IN YOUR INBOX RIGHT NOW?
None.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE APP AT THE MOMENT?
HUB. it’s a task sharing app.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT OF THE PAST DECADE?
FaceTime, it somewhat allows me to have eyes on two jobsites at once if there is an issue that needs immediate attention.
WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP ON WORKDAY MORNINGS?
Between 5:45 a.m. and 6 a.m.
BREAKFAST AT HOME? BREAKFAST ON THE GO? BREAKFAST AT YOUR DESK? NO BREAKFAST AT ALL?
Breakfast bar or an apple. On the days of early morning concrete pours, nothing beats a jalapeno and cheese kolache from Mary Lee donuts.
THE SAYING GOES: “BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.” SPECIFICALLY, WHAT ARE YOU “BEING” TO MAKE BATON ROUGE BETTER?
Being an example to other young men and women that you can be successful by learning a skilled trade and by getting your hands dirty.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WERE “GROWN UP”?
When I bought my first life insurance policy.
WHAT WAS THE BEST VACATION YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN?
Kori and I’s honeymoon, or should I say “huntingmoon,” in Africa.
FAVORITE GIFT YOU WERE GIVEN AS A CHILD?
Being taught a strong work ethic.
WHICH TALENT OR SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE AND WHY?
Not sure if it’s a superpower but I sure wish I could dance!
WHAT ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS ABOUT?
Do not talk about how many fish we are going catch on the way to go fishing.
WHO FASCINATES YOU?
My dad. I’ve always admired him.
FAVORITE DRINK?
Ginger ale.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND OR SONG?
Led Zeppelin.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
Uncle Buck.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE?
My wife tells me Adam Sandler. I hope not because she sees similarities of Billy Madison or The Waterboy in me. HA!
WHAT SCARED YOU AS A CHILD, AND WHAT SCARES YOU NOW?
Rollercoasters and rollercoasters.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF?
Not sure I’d give myself any advice. I’m who I am today because of the paths I’ve chosen and the lessons I’ve learned from them.
PETS?
Two dogs: Cash and June.
TELL US ABOUT A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE.
When I became friends with Bill W.
WHAT’S THE NEXT BIG PERSONAL OR CAREER CHALLENGE YOU PLAN TO TAKE ON?
Finding a balance between work and family.
WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST HOPE ABOUT THE FUTURE?
God.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR FUTURE FORTY UNDER 40 HONOREES?
Be yourself.
DO YOU PLAN TO BE IN THE CAPITAL REGION FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? WHY OR WHY NOT?
No doubt. I love living in Baton Rouge! You guys are stuck with me.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST HOPE FOR BATON ROUGE?
As Baton Rouge continues to grow, we see more and more people come together like we saw during the flood.
DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET LIST? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS ON IT?
- Become a dad.
- Hunt the “Big 5.”
- Ohio State vs. LSU rematch.
