http://www.semissourian.com/story/1250929.html

Area workers recognized for a job well done

Sunday, September 2, 2007 

Paul Mackey

Rick Sample 

Distinctive Home Solutions

Moving to a new city is stressful enough, but moving to a brand new house in a new city has its own terrors. Laurie Bittle says that Rick Sample , owner of Distinctive Home Solutions, made the experience easier for her and her husband.

"Surely it's his job to build houses and get the job done satisfactorily," she wrote, "but Rick goes above and behind that. His attention to quality and detail is excellent. He will go the extra mile to please his client, even if it means some sacrifice or inconvenience to him."

Bittle says when she and her husband moved in, all the work they had asked to be done prior to closing had been done. The house was clean and move-in ready. That much could be expected.

"Since it was a long-distance move, Rick kept the grass mowed, watered our landscape, arranged our mailbox installation, installed shelves, hung towel bars, and any other 'little' jobs that were requested," Bittle wrote. "We were greeted on closing day with a nice gift brought to our door personally. Because of work commitments, we could not move at the same time, and Rick was there on moving day offering to help with whatever was needed. Since the Bittles moved in, Sample has been professional and consistent in responding to any needs or requests we have had regarding the house. ... To us it has meant having someone to call on with a question or a problem, someone to rely on, a friend."

"That's so awesome," Sample said when he learned of the nomination. "It's nice to have a customer do that for you."

Sample has been building houses for more than four years, since he was "downsized" after 25 years with IBM. He built a house for his own family, and people started asking either to buy that house or have him build them one. He found out he liked building houses, so it became his second career.

His years at IBM taught him that good business depends on treating clients well, Sample said. Those little extra touches pay off in the long run.

"It doesn't take long to go over there and mow somebody's yard," he said. "It starts a nice relationship and you wind up getting a friend. That's what's important."

Sample, 49, said his company specializes in building high-end, luxury custom homes. He has been married for 28 years to Dawn, and they have two sons, Luke, 26 and Ben, 24.