Before delving into the mechanics of RiverWild's transformation into a brand for a family of companies, it's crucial to understand the motivation behind its inception. Reid Smith, along with his wife Jaclyn, founded RiverWild with a guiding principle to impact and develop people. As he started working with her in 2014, they believed that if one had to work, why not choose a place where enjoyment and pride could be found. This people-focused approach gives employees the freedom from micromanagement and the ability to achieve a work-life balance. For instance, managers have unlimited personal time off, and construction employees at the Clayton headquarters have a 24-hour gym. Good employees get the job done without constant supervision. For clients, transparency, long-term relationships, and access to decision-makers in case of problems are key.

Discover the Success背后的秘密 of RiverWild

Founding Principles and Early Days

RiverWild began in residential real estate a decade ago and has since evolved to include commercial construction, development, a faith-based foundation, and the sale of Wagyu beef. The latter is headquartered on a 1,200-acre Sampson County ranch purchased in 2021 for $7.19 million. Reid Smith emphasizes that they wanted to create a company that did things differently. One of the differences is the establishment of their One Compassion foundation, which provides various services such as regional disaster relief, Christmas toys for Johnston County children, and local farm product donations to food banks. Last year, it logged over 1,000 volunteer hours, served more than 2,300 meals, and helped 291 families. "We knew from the start that the business would need the community's support, so we wanted to give back hand in hand," he says.

In 2014, Reid Smith was a homebuilder, and Jaclyn Smith had her real estate license. Within three years, the company expanded from a residential neighborhood developer to a construction company working on larger industrial projects like schools, apartment complexes, and grocery stores. RiverWild provides grading, water, sewer, stormwater, and asphalt services in preparing construction sites and tries to operate within an hour's drive of Clayton in Johnston County, covering areas like Raleigh, Durham, Apex, Garner, and Selma.

Company Culture and Values

RiverWild Construction President Nick McKeel joined the company in January 2021 as a project manager when it was known as Providence Construction. By January 2022, he was in his current role, and the company rebranded to RiverWild. He believes that the company's ability to be proud of its faith and address it publicly is unique. McKeel's wife, Jenna, is a director at One Compassion. Reid Smith, a Johnston County native, met Jaclyn while they were on the golf teams at Campbell University and graduated in 2008. He has a business degree, and she studied elementary education.

In construction, different companies have different roles in moving a project forward. For RiverWild, weekly meetings and communication about project challenges and work status are essential. They aim to provide value engineering, save money, and be a partner rather than just a business transaction. Anthony Gallo, a senior project manager for Raleigh-based Salisbury & Moore Construction, worked with RiverWild in 2020 on an elementary school construction project and later on a water treatment plant. He praises RiverWild's workers for being on the job site at the right time and delivering as promised.

Business Growth and Future Outlook

In the first quarter of this year, RiverWild budgeted $6.7 million in revenue but reached nearly $9.4 million, which is 159% more than the same period last year. RiverWild also includes RiverWild Development, RiverWild Construction, RiverWild Homes, RiverWild Real Estate, Wilders, Wilders Wagyu, and One Compassion. The "Wild" part of the name stands for "Will to win; Intentional adaptability; Live compassionately; and Disciplined execution." At their ranch, they provide birthing plans and toys to keep calves entertained, emphasizing that happy, healthy cows lead to a better experience for everyone. They sell their Wagyu beef and Berkshire pork products online and at various locations.

Although business has slowed overall compared to two or three years ago, RiverWild enters 2025 with a good backlog. Reid Smith emphasizes the importance of company culture, comparing it to a marriage that needs to be earned every day. Success for him is not just about numbers but about the people they meet and the lives they touch. "The people we've met, the people we get to do life with every day, that's where we've succeeded," he says.