To Build Or Not To Build

Photos by: JOHN BURNS

For Steve Mohan, founder and president of Mohan Construction, that was never a question. He always knew that building things would be a cornerstone activity in his life. Construction, as he puts it, is in his blood. What he didn’t always know— although he hoped for it—was whether a company of his own would be one of the things he’d one day build.

But fortune favors the bold, and through decades of hard work, commitment and unwavering vision, what was once a distant dream is now a thriving reality.

“My dad had a construction company. He designed and built microwave, radio and TV towers. I grew up with that,” Mohan said of his introduction to the world of construction. “I went to K-State and went through their construction science program then went to Kansas City and worked for a large general contractor where I got some very good experience before coming back to Topeka and starting Mohan Construction.”

To strike out on his own was hardly a spontaneous decision. Besides the fact that entrepreneurship had been a long-held wish, so many of Mohan’s experiences, childhood, academic and on-the-job, seemed to lead up to this point. Nevertheless, making the leap did not come without its share of uncertainty.

“It was always a dream of mine to have my own business, but when you already have a job that you enjoy, it can be a risky decision,” Mohan said.

Success in business is far from a guarantee. Mohan understood this. He also understood there is no reward without risk and that there is no other time than the present.

“I had confidence in myself, so I felt like the time was right for me to try it, and I’m glad I did,” Mohan shared.

The early days, as Mohan tells it, were ones of true bootstrapping and rolling with the punches. On his own without so much as an intern to call on for backup, the young businessman found every facet of the business—and its overall success or failure— resting squarely on his shoulders.

“When you’re first starting a business, you’re doing everything,” Mohan said. “I was doing sales and marketing, estimating, project management, and the overall running of the business, including taking out the trash.”

“There are a lot of long hours in trying to get it started, getting known in the area and getting some experience to show people what we could do. The first couple years are tough, and I think that’s the way it is with any small business.”

BRICK BY BRICK

Then, brick by brick, project by project, decade by decade, Mohan Construction grew into the community pillar that it is today. The company’s success and prosperity did not come without trial or challenge, but it also did not come without a lot of fun along the way.

Mohan recalls several marquee projects centered around some very well-known locales. One project in particular spanned the better part of a decade, and its completion gave the company a boost in terms of putting Mohan Construction on the map.

“In the late ‘90s, we got the contract to renovate the Payless Shoesource building on 6th Street,” Mohan said. “It was somewhere around 300,000 square-feet and it took us about 10 years to renovate that entire building. That project was significant for us in terms of helping us turn the corner because it was something really significant that allowed us to show other people what we could do.”

The honor of being Mohan’s favorite project, however, belongs to a more recent venture the business undertook at the zoo.

“The Camp Cowabunga project at the Topeka Zoo was a challenging but fun project. It was really something different that we hadn’t done before,” Mohan said. “It allowed us to really show our skill and creativity on something that was special. That’s one I really like to talk about. It was a good project and something that I think most Topekans are familiar with.”

HEADWINDS CREATE CHALLENGES

In the past two years Mohan Construction has faced some higher-level headwinds as a result, in part, of the Covid-19 pandemic. As the world grapples with a tumultuous economy and a fickle supply chain, Mohan Construction has found it is not exempt from those same challenges.

“We’re commercial contractors, so when the economy turns down and businesses aren’t expanding or renovating their facilities or their offices, then that becomes a bit of a challenge. On the other hand, when the economy picks up, things improve and do better,” Mohan explained. “Overall, it’s understanding the market and the economic ups and downs that happen over time that is the biggest challenge.”

“There are other challenges, too,” he continued. “Right now, like many businesses, we’re going through a labor shortage. Hiring and retaining good people is a challenge. It’s always a challenge, but even worse right now. And of course, right now, getting materials with all the delivery and transportation problems can cause problems with scheduling.”

Had you asked a young Steve Mohan whether navigating a global pandemic, supply chain shortages and a national talent crisis—let alone all at the same time—was part of the vision for his business, he most likely would have said “absolutely not.” If you were to ask Mohan today whether being a business owner is worth it in light of those curveballs, he would tell you “absolutely.”

“I’ve really enjoyed running the business,” he said. “What’s really fulfilling is being able to serve the needs of our clients. They’re coming to us and looking for solutions. Whether they are expanding or renovating their business, they’re looking to us to serve those needs. I find it very satisfying to be able to provide those services and meet their needs. I think that’s what it comes down to.”

REACH AND IMPACT

Today, Mohan Construction’s reach and impact expands throughout Topeka and Shawnee County and into the broader Northeast Kansas region. The deepening of its roots in the regional community came hand in hand with the deepening of its expertise in practically every area of commercial construction, as evidenced by the wide array of services the business now offers.

“Over the years, we’ve done a little bit of everything from office, retail, healthcare, and restaurants,” he said. “We recently finished some downtown lofts. I don’t think there’s anything we’re not capable of doing in the commercial building market.”

Mohan maintains a pragmatic and optimistic outlook for the future of the business. The fundamentals continue to guide him as he steers the company through the uncharted waters of a post-pandemic world.

“We always want to try and grow the business, but there’s not a plan for any significant expansion right now,” he shared. “We want to continue to do well and serve our customers and hopefully that leads to growth.” Mohan has some advice to pass on to the next generation of entrepreneurs.

“Number one, you’ve got to believe in yourself, have confidence in yourself, and be willing to put in the hard work to make it happen,” he said.