Organized chaos. That’s how Daniel and Trisha Puente lightheartedly describe their life. Understandable considering they’re balancing four children, own two small businesses while Daniel serves full-time as a Dallas Fire Department Captain. It’s a busy time, but one the Puentes try to manage successfully.
The Puentes have lived in Celina since 2010. Married for twenty-one years, the couple are parents to Katelynn (19), attending University of Arkansas, Kennedy (17), Khloe (13) and Knox (3). All the Puente girls were or are current cheerleaders for Celina schools adding to the Puente’s busy calendar. And the addition of Knox, now a preschooler, results in an even more active home life.
The couple met in Dallas, dated while Trisha was in college, and married shortly thereafter. Trisha worked in accounting while Daniel served as a firefighter for Dallas Fire Department (DFD), a job he has held for 24 years where he ultimately became Captain.
During this time the couple also pursued their passions on the side - construction and interior design. Trisha, previously profiled in Celina Lifestyle, owns Humble Home Designs, an interior design and remodel service. Daniel has always loved construction having worked his entire life with his family’s construction jobs. He remembers tiling his first home (his sister still lives there) when he was twelve learning skills from a Home Depot VHS video! Of course, his training and experience has improved since then. In fact, he credits his firefighter experience helping him really understand building structure, roofing, and configuration. His experience also includes assisting another firefighter with roofing projects and building homes.
After decades of working for others, Trisha suggested Daniel start his own company called Puente Construction Services, a general contracting and roofing business. Trisha proudly says, “I knew he could do it and run his own business.” Daniel agrees, “My dad ran his own business, so I knew how to do it. I have known and been around construction all my life, and I certainly have no problem being on a roof,” he joked. “The best way to learn is from family and by doing.”
The word has gotten out and the Puentes have been extremely busy the last three years with residential and commercial projects. The company now combines Daniel’s construction business with Trisha’s interior design and remodel know-how into a one-stop shop for customers. When Daniel is at the fire station, the couple swap roles making Trisha not just the interior designer, but the project manager, lead contractor, and supervisor. This is nothing new as Trisha’s first construction project years ago was an entire kitchen remodel for a repeat customer. She relied then on Daniel’s knowledge and experience to help and continues to do so today.
The Puentes know you must keep learning in construction, plus hire workers with expertise. “The guy that tells you he knows it all is lying,” Daniels notes. “While I have knowledge and experience, hiring a good loyal crew is key. We have a solid crew that I trust as do my clients,” he continued.
Scheduling and budgeting are also crucial for a successful project. Daniel believes it is the strength of the business. Scheduling, obviously, to make sure crew is available to get work done. And, the couple notes, the crew wants to get paid. You must have liquid funds to pay the contractors and crew, or they will go elsewhere. “Our contractors are very good to us because they know we pay and get projects done. We are reliable,” says Daniel.
Trisha believes that is part of what makes the couple work so well together. “I have an accounting background from early in my career,” she notes. “We fall into our roles working well together. We discuss every project together. I talk about my vision and Daniel will say yes or no because the ceiling has low bearing beams or something like that. We complement each other,” she continues. “We naturally match our strengths and weaknesses,” Trisha laments.
Puente Construction Services and Humble Home Designs recently partnered with a finance company to help clients. This being unique as many small businesses cannot offer this service. Daniel states, “It’s a stepping stone in our growth to help people reach their remodeling/construction needs who might not be able to do it otherwise.”
The Puentes hope to continue to serve Celina, as well as the DFW area, becoming a household name (pun intended). “We have the reputation and now we want our two brand names to be just as known,” says Trisha. They also desire to continue to grow the commercial side of the business.
So how does the couple balance it all? The couple admits that they often “sneak in a date” after client meetings. It’s beneficial to have older kids help with the younger kids, plus as mentioned, “really good scheduling.”
Daniel admits it is hard to come home when Knox is asleep, and Trisha often gives up sleep to exercise in the mornings, something she believes is good for both mental and physical health. They both agree it’s equally difficult at times.
The Puentes admit a lot of people can’t work together. Trisha exclaims, “We are no Chip and Joanna; we’re real and not edited. It is HARD to work together.” She continues, “It’s a challenge, but we squeeze in our time together and our family keeps us grounded.”
Balancing a large family, marriage, two businesses and being a firefighter is complicated. But the Puentes are grateful and realize their “organized chaos” is a blessing they will forever cherish.
Humble Home Designs
214.934.9012
Puente Construction Services
214-546-1042
