Glenna Wilson, president of Charis Homes and an Epcon Franchise Builder in Northeast Ohio, has navigated the transition from custom to production home building with a blend of determination, innovation and a deep commitment to quality.
Founding Charis Homes
Glenna entered the building industry in 1999, bringing a background in sales and marketing from the fashion industry. Her journey into home building was driven by a personal mission to find suitable housing for a friend with a disability. Discovering a lack of accessible homes in her area, Glenna was inspired to find a solution. She began by setting up a sales and marketing department for a friend’s home building franchise, quickly proving her capability by selling nine houses in the first six months.
In 2003, Glenna founded Charis Homes, a custom home building company. Her focus on energy efficiency and innovative building practices set her apart. Introduced to insulated concrete forms (ICFs) and Energy Star standards by her son, a civil engineer, Glenna integrated these into her building approach. After ten years in business, Charis Homes was honored with multiple awards for their efforts.
“We certified our first home in 2015 and received an award from the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Housing Innovation Award in 2016,” Glenna shared. “We received five of those awards, five years in a row.”
Discovering Epcon Communities
Glenna’s transition to Epcon Communities began during a visit to her daughter in Charlotte, North Carolina where she encountered Epcon’s thoughtfully designed homes. Impressed by their appeal to the 55-plus market and their practical layouts, she saw an opportunity to offer high-quality, energy-efficient homes at a more accessible price point.
“I walked in and saw plans that really made sense for this market,” Glenna recalled. “I listened to people coming through the models and what they had to say about it. That night, I found the development opportunity and filled out a form online. The rest is history.”
After connecting with Epcon, Glenna and her team were impressed by the support and resources provided. “Jad and Jennifer were super helpful,” she said. “They coordinated a visit and answered all our questions quickly, helping us make the decision to purchase an Epcon franchise.”
The Shift from Custom to Production Building
Transitioning from custom to production home building required a significant shift in mindset and operations. As a custom builder, Glenna was accustomed to accommodating any request from homeowners, often at a high cost and with added complexity. With Epcon, she embraced a more streamlined approach, offering predefined options and focusing on efficiency and quality.
“As a custom builder, you’re like a Google search for whatever the homeowner wants,” Glenna explained. “But that can become a liability. With Epcon, we’re still giving people options but in a simpler, more manageable way. It’s taken a while to get there, but we’ve had to learn how to say no to certain requests.”
Glenna’s recent project, The Courtyard at New Seasons, exemplifies the community-centric approach that Epcon encourages. Homeowners, many in their 70s, have found a supportive and vibrant community where they can age in place comfortably. Glenna’s efforts to foster a sense of community, including events like a chili cook-off, are creating meaningful connections among residents.
“I love how the homeowners are starting to look after one another,” Glenna said. “We’re developing a sense of community. I can’t wait for our meet-the-neighbor night. It’s just going to be fun.”
Challenges and Triumphs
Despite the many accomplishments, Glenna faces challenges common in today’s building industry, such as labor shortages and fluctuating material costs. However, her commitment to building high-performance homes and her ability to adapt have allowed her to navigate these obstacles effectively.
“Lack of trades and labor, and fluctuating prices are major challenges,” Glenna noted. “We used to check prices every three months, now it’s every two weeks. But builders are resilient. We’re responsible for creating homes where people celebrate life’s milestones, and that’s a special responsibility.”
As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Glenna has encountered stereotypes and resistance. Yet, she remains undeterred, finding strength in mentoring the next generation of women builders and advocating for diversity in the industry.
“My stilettos are in concrete,” Glenna remarked. “I also mentor young women in construction management. It’s a great industry and I see the value of both male and female partnerships.”
To learn more about Glenna’s story, visit her Builder page or watch Former Custom Builder Turns to Production.