Odd Fellows: Distinctively Different
What’s in a name? The name Odd Fellows marks the beginning of a venture between Bret Oleksyn and David Fox, just two guys looking to make extra money doing odd jobs at night and on the weekends. This business of maintenance and repairs kept them busy doing those things that give some people cause to hire out. A building job came along that changed their future; it required a permit, and that prompted them to apply for a builder’s license. In 1988 a friendship between two guys doing odd jobs turned into a business partnership. Bret quipped, “Dave and I were two fellows, doing things different … odd. The name Odd Fellows does not blend in. I don’t want to be like a lot of companies; I want to be different!”
The underlying principle of Odd Fellows Contracting is people, both inside and outside the company, and that is unusual. There is a person-to-person accountability in human relationships that Bret Oleksyn takes extremely seriously. He feels it all boils down to expectations, and the main one is that of caring—people expect others to care about them. Bret told the story of an almost 80-year-old gentleman that needed one stair built because of some sinking concrete. Odd Fellows most likely lost money by the time the stair was built, but for safety reasons this elderly man needed a stair and he got one. Some time later that man’s daughter hired Odd Fellows to add an $116,000 addition to her home. Odd Fellows Contracting cares. They care to call back, care to show up, care to be on time and care to follow through.
If behind nearly every man stands a woman, for Bret it is his wife, Kris, who runs the business administration and is fondly referred to as his secret weapon. If Bret is Mars, Kris is the Venus in every sales call that Odd Fellows makes. The backbone of Odd Fellows Contracting consists of solid advice, loyal employees and long-term subcontractors. Bret acknowledges the role both Greg Arntson and John Chamberlain have played as mentors. These days David Fox still works for the company, along with three of his sons. New faces and positions arrive on the scene, as with the recent addition of field manager, Mike Hakes. Business has grown approximately 50 percent in the last three years, and in 2005 they held almost 60 contracts in the Greater Lansing area.
Complex design-and-build jobs are the specialty of Odd Fellows Contracting. Bret proclaims that his artistic side is a God-given gift, and when taking an assignment on he often has more gumption than common sense. When asked if he can get a task done, his answer is “you bet!” One of the unique projects Odd Fellows worked on was the restoration of the Player’s Club 2 into the Detroit Princess. The riverboat was converted from a casino to a dinner club while being relocated by water from Louisiana to outside Cobo Hall in Detroit. The boat holds 2,500 passengers and is the subject of the book Fist Full of Kings. Although commercial jobs are a mere 5 percent of their overall business, Odd Fellows has been contracted to rebuild the Williamston Bucket, following a recent fire.
Home makeovers are the bread and butter for Odd Fellows. When a homeowner works with him, Bret feels it is his responsibility to educate their decision-making. “I can always tell in a planning meeting when the customer has an ‘ah-ha’ moment.”
One of the biggest trends for houses is baby boomers wanting to age-in-place. They are attached to their homes and have equity in them. They do not wish to live with their children or in a nursing home when they get older. Wider doorways, toggle switches, main floor master bedrooms, elevated dishwashers, and less maintenance are examples of some considerations when a remodel is on the drawing board. The future is about universal design. “I know I can build it, but I want to make the customer happy,” Bret stated. The client should be happy with the plan not only today and tomorrow, but 20 years from now.
Tucked away on a side street off Grand River Avenue in rural Williamston is an 1860s farmhouse. It is a historic landmark. It is currently being refurbished at the hands of Odd Fellows Contracting. The farm with its landscaping and adjoining 10 acres is postcard perfect. The barn has been resided with a new look, and there is bonus room in the loft. Inside the house, a Michigan basement has been finished with recreation and exercise rooms. This space with arched doorframes is nicer than many new builds. Great room and office additions have been made to the main floor. The office has a wood beam ceiling with antique tin inlays, and faux elephant skin treatments are planned for the walls. The attention to detail reminds one of houses built around the Great Depression when workers took great pride in their craft and wanted to secure employment. This farmhouse is a portrait of Oleksyn’s work and he wants his work to be a portrait of his life. It is a beautifully distinctive portrait—call it odd only if you want.