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2004 Forty Under 40 Winners
May 17, 2004
Rich Estes President Palladio Homes Inc.
Age: 29
Rich Estes could design and build a house by the age of 18. His
father, a builder and entrepreneur, brought him up working in
the family’s home-building business in Laurens, S.C. After graduating
from the University of South Carolina with a degree in pre-med
and turning down an invitation to medical school, Estes, then
23, decided to open his own New York Life office in his hometown.
His experience as a mortgage and investment broker played a big
part in his business model for Palladio Homes, which he started
in 2001 at age 27. Estes is a member of the Charleston Trident
Home Builders Association and is active in the Daniel Island community
as a preferred builder and resident.
How do you define success? When you wake up every morning
excited about what you do, you are successful.
What is the biggest challenge your industry faces? Providing
affordable housing with a shrinking supply of land, permit restriction
and governmental hamstringing.
What do you do to relieve stress? I work in my garden.
I always thought my dad was crazy for spending so much time in
the yard, but now I understand.
What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? Leaving an
excellent job with Palmetto Traditional Homes to start Palladio
Homes Inc. Palladio started just one month after 9/11, and everyone
told me I was crazy for leaving a secure job.
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