High School Sweethearts To Business Partners: Burgess Construction
For Terry and Stacey Burgess, the couple behind Topeka’s Burgess Construction, their business venture started with a pergola.
More than a decade ago, Stacey wanted a pergola built for their backyard. However, the quote they received from a builder was higher than they could justify — so as a self-described handyman with a creative edge, Terry took on the challenge himself.
“He built the pergola, and it was so beautiful,” Stacey said. “It was one winter, we were so broke — apparently, we hadn’t saved enough money back — but we get a knock on our door. Someone driving by our house says, ‘Who built that pergola back there? I want them to build me one.’”
At the time, they saw it as an “answered prayer.”
“God just brought this person,” Stacey said. “[Terry] built him a pergola. It fed us through the winter. Next thing we know, we get another knock. It’s my old gym teacher from sixth grade. She says, ‘Who built that pergola? I would like one.’”
The momentum rolled on. Even though Terry’s core skill is concrete — something he’s been doing for more than 20 years, starting with Goldstar Concrete in 2002 — branching into carpentry led to his lucky break.
“I’ve always had a passion for building things and thinking projects through,” Terry said. “Even to the point of dreaming things and working out potential issues with the projects before I’ve even started them.”
In fact, he’s done all the renovations on their home, from the wainscoting to the windows to the trim.
FROM SIDE GIGS TO BUSINESS SUCCESS
Terry is no stranger to working odd jobs. Turning side gigs into a full-time venture was more than a decade in the making.
“We’ve always had some kind of side thing,” Stacey said. “When you go way back to when we had kids, I was a stay-at-home mom and he was the sole breadwinner. We were just kind of poor. He did finished concrete. Of course, concrete lays off in the winter, so then you’re pretty broke in the winter. Being on unemployment with a couple kids is kind of difficult.”
In addition to concrete finishing, Terry would take on projects like custom fencing and decking. In the late 2010s, he continued picking up those types of jobs while working as a railroad machinist for BNSF Railway.
Things started to ramp up for the Burgesses about four years ago, when they formalized the side jobs by officially becoming Burgess Construction LLC. The couple had talked for a while about creating a full-time construction business. Terry leaving BNSF in 2021 opened that door.
Still, he had doubts about whether they could make it work.
“I didn’t know if I could be a success,” Terry said. “I know I can do small stuff like build a fence for somebody, but running a business when you’re just starting out [and getting] to where we are now, seemed completely unachievable.”
But once they finally decided to take the leap, business took off.
“It’s just grown exponentially,” Stacey said. “We’ve started to advertise and if you look at his reviews, he’s got 60 five-star reviews. His customers do love him. Honestly, if there’s ever a problem with any workmanship or anything, he’s going to make it right. He always has.”
The Burgess Construction slogan, “Building More Than Trust,” speaks to that mindset.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PATIOS
While Terry manages the crew and visits job sites, Stacey handles behind-the-scenes tasks like bookkeeping, advertising and payroll.
“She takes care of a lot,” Terry said.
There have even been times over the years — before the company became an LLC — when she joined him in the field to help finish the occasional concrete patio.
The husband-and-wife duo met in middle school and became high-school sweethearts. Even with that history, they admit there are challenges to being in business together, but they say the outcome has been both humbling and rewarding.
Burgess Construction employees specialize in concrete work, including driveways, sidewalks, patios and retaining walls.
“That’s pretty much what we focus on,” Terry said. “They’ve been doing concrete for a long time. We have really good employees and I don’t even really have to be a part of it now. I still am, just because it’s hard to let go, but basically, I’m running around fixing machines and stuff like that.”
He points out that Kansas isn’t an easy place to be a concrete contractor because of the state’s weather spectrum, from extreme cold in the winter to 100-degree days in the summer. As for custom carpentry, Terry himself will occasionally take on those projects, with help from his son and soon-to-be son-in-law.
UNEXPECTED GROWTH
Looking back, the Burgesses never imagined how far they would come — going from “pretty broke,” to owning a successful business. While Terry may not have seen himself as a business owner years ago, he always envisioned himself creating happiness for others.
“It’s the growth I’ve never been able to imagine, still in shock really,” Terry said.
Their entrepreneurship journey has had its challenges, especially when it comes to handling the stress of business ownership while maintaining a strong marriage.
“It can drive a wedge in your marriage if you don’t know how to shut it off,” Terry said.
That’s why the couple is intentional about spending time together away from the business, ensuring they consistently pour into their relationship.
In the end, they say Burgess Construction has been worth the uphill climb.
“The road less traveled is hard,” Terry said, “but the view can be breathtaking if you take the time to look.”
