Today we’d like to introduce you to DeAngelo Ball.
Hi DeAngelo; thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
Hello, my background is largely in the insurance industry. 6 years ago, I transitioned into the Real Estate industry, working for an out-of-state Real Estate investor. I started as a leasing agent, allowing me to learn the basics of my local real estate market. Because this investor had a heavy portfolio in affordable housing, I also learned about a lot of the housing programs in my area. My position with the investor grew from leasing only to becoming project manager, assisting in property management, home renovation, contractor & vendor management, and new property acquisition. My learning curve was steep as I was responsible for rehabbing over 50 projects and providing housing for over 60 residents while coming from zero industry experience one year prior. During this learning process, I noticed a constant theme of minority contractors not being adequately prepared and qualified to receive these volume projects. I started my first contracting business in the year 2019 in hopes of helping struggling merchants properly start and scale their businesses. Another recurring issue that broke my heart was seeing many tenants in the affordable housing program dealing with environmental problems in their homes ( i.e., mold, lead, and sometimes asbestos). The investor faced a problem: the available contractors needed to be equipped to cure these environmental issues properly. This was a heavy burden on me because I had established relationships with all of these tenants and had personally invested in their well-being. In 2020 I decided to partner with a Master Carpenter & construction manager (my present-day partner James Milton) and master electrician with the idea that we’ll upgrade the quality of renovation services and provide even more resources to local sub-contractors. That year, I received 18 certifications to perform environmental services, primarily specializing in mold remediation, lead abatement & asbestos removal. I took these skills mainly to help those residents in affordable housing have their environmental issues properly and permanently treated.
Today I am still partners with James Milton. We’ve grown our staff to 3 employees and managed 3 sub-contractor crews. We remodeled our new office in Maryland Heights last year and have a fleet of 2 vehicles, and in 2022 experienced our largest year revenue-wise. We’re looking to grow in commercial projects that we take on and to personally provide housing for others, as that is our company’s passion. Professionally I’ve become a real estate agent in 2022. Broker Casey Milton with Miltonaire Properties believed I would be a valuable asset to the St. Louis real estate market and sponsored me. Since obtaining my license, I want to take all of my prior real estate experiences and contribute my service to local buyers and investors in our region. I’m a father of 4 children. I’m a Christian/man of faith and big on community. I bought a home in North city St. Louis to impact and change my local community. I have partnered with the Dream Center and Genesis Men program, which provides long-term rehabilitation services and housing for recovering men. I’m also on the board of Hearts in Faith, a non-profit organization that provides resources and support for single moms and dads. I’m the director of their Strong Hearts program, an empowerment group for single fathers. Lastly, I’ve been a youth mentor and advocate with a faith-based organization called Young Life. We’ve organized weekly events and provided mentorship & resources to high school students in underserved areas of St. Louis City.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a challenging road. One of the larger struggles was completely transitioning into a new industry and learning so much quickly. The construction industry is also very ego-centric, as artisans often take pride in their work and industry experience. So it wasn’t easy rising to a position of leadership so quickly. What has helped me has been humility, faith, and good communication. It acknowledges that I’ve had much to learn and clearly states the project vision to keep all parties aligned.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Our Company, Top Tier Contracting LLC, specializes in residential Interior remodeling services. We’re also a general contractor and perform construction management services ranging from the flatwork of a tower to the roof and all systems in between. Our differentiator is our customer service and communication with our clients. In our surveys, we’ve found the biggest gripe local clients have with their renovation company is that they are not properly informed throughout the entire remodeling process. The service we provide is centered around that. I’m proud of becoming a real estate agent last year. I’m known for being service oriented and the relationships I develop as a result of adding value. What sets me apart is my deep passion for seeing those in underserved communities rise above their circumstance and break all cycles of poverty.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Leadership/Integrity
Contact Info:
- Website: toptiercontractingstl.com
- Instagram: toptiercontractingstl
- Facebook: Toptiercontractingstl
