Picture this: an eight-year-old kid on construction sites, already reading blueprints like other kids read comic books. That's how Adrian C. Avila's story begins, learning from his uncle who took him everywhere and taught him the fundamentals that would shape his entire career.
Fast forward to today, and Adrian runs AVICA Construction and Development, averaging over 800 doors a year across residential, commercial, and industrial projects. But the most compelling part of his journey happened when he was 29 and faced what he calls a "death experience" that forced him to completely rethink how he ran his business.
"I was always a team player, but you're not being a team player today, like you have to be able to pull yourself away from the business so that it can grow."
In this episode of Builder's Straight Talk, host Michael Krisa explores the pivotal moments that transformed Adrian from someone working in his business to someone working on it. The conversation covers his transition from being mentored by his uncle to branching out on his own, and the systems thinking that allowed him to scale without being trapped by daily operations.
Adrian shares his approach to hiring based on three key qualities, his philosophy on delegation, and how he built processes that let his company run when he steps away. They discuss diversification strategies including fire-resistant construction materials, preparing for economic storms, and Adrian's predictions about the future of building technology.
"The issue at hand is everybody's just looking at that dollar sign. What's it going to cost me? To bring on this employee that's going to help save you need time and a headache, right? And instead of looking at it, well, how much is that key player I'm going to bring into the company?"
The episode touches on personal growth through morning routines, spirituality in business leadership, and Adrian's community work through the National Hispanic Construction Alliance. They explore mentorship, both receiving and giving it, and how the construction industry is evolving with new technologies.
"I can give you all the resources. I can give you all the books to read. I can give you all the tips and tricks. But if you can't go out there in the field and implement what you've learned, you're going to stay stagnant."
Adrian also discusses his coaching practice, his podcast "One Stud at a Time," and philanthropic work building homes for families in need. The conversation reveals how personal challenges can become catalysts for business transformation and why letting go might be the key to scaling any construction company.
Adrian C. Avila: Founder & President, AVICA Construction & Development, Inc.
Adrian brings over two decades of construction experience to AVICA Construction & Development. His journey began at eight when his uncle mentored him on blueprints and construction fundamentals. Before launching AVICA, he held leadership positions with prestigious firms, developing his collaborative approach to large-scale projects.
Beyond construction, Adrian serves as President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Hispanic Construction Alliance (NHCA) and sits on boards for La Verne and Azusa Chambers of Commerce. He founded Anubis Tranquillum, a coaching practice focused on transformational mindset work, and hosts "One Stud at a Time" podcast.
Website: https://linktr.ee/AVICAandANUBIS
Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@OneStudAtATimePodcast/videos
Avica Construction: https://www.avicaconstruction.com