Kristi Valentine

Kristi Valentine would be the first to agree that life never really goes the way you expect it to. Looking back, however, she wouldn’t change much about the life she enjoyed with her husband, John. Although the two began their working life separately, with her in the advertising world — plus a stint as president and CEO of the Coppell Chamber of Commerce and 14 wonderful years at home with the kids — and him working in the telecom industry, they eventually founded Valentine Premier Construction and enjoyed working side by side as their family business grew.

Sadly, John lost his battle with cancer earlier this year and Kristi found herself running their construction company alone. “I knew we had employees and customers counting on us, and that kept me going,” she said. “We had John for 15 years after his initial diagnosis, and they were wonderful years. One thing we knew early on was to surround ourselves with people who are amazing at what they do. We created a team where everyone is a superstar, and that talented team made the transition infinitely easier for me.”

The Valentines originally began their business as a roofing company. But as their reputation grew, customers started asking them to do other projects for them. “Once they knew they could trust us, they didn’t want to call someone else,” Kristi said. “So, they ask us to do their gutters, their siding, or concrete work.” John’s father had been a custom home builder and John had gained experience working for him during the summer, when he was in school.

“Our phone started ringing with people we’d never met who knew someone who’d raved about the work we did,” Kristi said. “We grew organically as we started taking on more and more projects.” The business flourished solely through the recommendation of happy customers. “We both just loved seeing people’s dreams come to fruition,” Kristi said.

Now, they handle commercial, residential, and multifamily construction and renovation projects as well as roofing. “I’m really proud that, throughout the COVID pandemic and all through John’s illness, we never had to lay anyone off. Our team and our subcontractors are like family to us, and the Coppell community has been our life.”

John and Kristi moved to Coppell when their son was just one, drawn there by the excellent school system. From day one, they were involved in the community. Kristi spent many happy years volunteering with the Young Men’s Service League with their son and National Charity League with their daughter, even serving on the founding board of the Coppell chapter. She ran the Coppell Community Development Foundation for a time and has been involved in the family’s church for 25 years.

“Our employees set us apart,” Kristi said. “Our motto has always been ‘Building relationships and creating customers for life.’ That keeps us focused on what’s important.” Find out more at ValentinePremierConstruction.com.