Meet Brandy McLain | Co-Founder of Modern House Numbers

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandy McLain and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandy, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
Establishing a work environment centered on mutual respect, positive relationships, and setting a foundation for long-term employee commitment has been a primary focus since the beginning. Finding the right individuals has always been a top priority, and once found, I take great time providing them with the tools needed to excel independently in their roles. Team members are then encouraged to adapt their tasks to suit their individual preferences.

At Modern House Numbers, I am committed to treating others with the same respect I would like to receive. I believe it’s important to offer flexible work schedules that accommodate employees’ family commitments and educational responsibilities! Remote work options, flexible vacation time, and holding positions for staff facing personal challenges are additional measures I take.

Furthermore, I challenge our team to grow professionally, aligning tasks with each member’s strengths and interests. Collaboration is key in my decision-making process, and I like to involve staff in business decisions large and small. Ensuring team members feel valued and have a stake in the company’s success and evolution is crucial for retaining dedicated, long-term employees.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My husband Rick and I founded Modern House Numbers in 2008 after completing a renovation of our own home in Tucson, Arizona. We wanted to install modern address numbers as the final touch on the exterior, and couldn’t find anything we liked. With our experience in architecture and construction, we decided to make our own. The numbers were everything we had envisioned: stylish, modern, and durable. After we installed them, friends, family, and total strangers kept knocking on our door to ask about our new numbers. We realized very quickly that other people wanted a modern aesthetic for their own homes too. We jumped at the opportunity to make it easy for folks to create their own head-turning, modern curb appeal.

It was important to us that our house numbers could stand the test of time. This is why we spent countless hours searching for fonts that were stylish and modern but not too trendy, identifying durable materials, and handcrafting every product using the best manufacturing processes. We’ve also prioritized creating an easy, enjoyable process for our customers, from ordering to the final installation. Our commitment to quality, meticulous attention to detail, and exceptional customer care are what truly sets us apart from the competition.

Rick and I have been great partners in the journey of founding and operating Modern House Numbers. We both bring different strengths, and talents and intentionally use them to our advantage. With my accomplished team, I am honored to run the everyday operations of the company, assist with marketing efforts, manage the company’s growth, and oversee our vendor partnerships. Rick is heavily involved in the big-picture direction and decision-making of the company, responsible for the fiscal health of the business, and leads our customer correspondence team. Over the years, we’ve found that not a week goes by without a challenge but we pull together to make tough decisions and enjoy celebrating all the milestones in between.

As entrepreneurs, each day brings new challenges and opportunities. This is part of the fun of owning your own business but it is not for the weak at heart. To be successful you have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable – constantly taking risks and working harder than you ever imagined to make your dream a reality. Like Thomas Edison once said about a small business owner ”Genius is 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration.” Always believe in yourself and don’t let naysayers get in the way of your progress. Go with your gut, it will always lead you in the right direction.

The biggest lesson I have learned along the way is you can’t do everything yourself. It is important to build a team around you with diverse talents and to give each team member the freedom to make decisions that lead the company in the overall vision and direction that we’ve laid out. This process starts by taking time to hire the right team members, provide in-depth training, and empower them to reach their highest potential. But it doesn’t stop there. You need to continue to challenge/grow their potential, offer additional training opportunities, and treat your team with the respect they deserve. You cannot grow a small business by yourself, it takes a village of talented team members.

Modern House Numbers is a family-run business that cares about future generations! We’ve never prioritized short-term profits – we strive to build something of value for our families and future generations. We are committed to quality, innovation, sustainability, and exceptional customer service with individual homeowners and trade professionals alike. Through establishing and maintaining trust we have gained a repeat customer base and become the go-to source for the highest quality addressing products. We could not be more proud of how far we’ve come in the last fifteen years and look forward to continuing to grow our commitment to making the world a more beautiful place for our employees, customers, and the planet, one number at a time.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1: Welcome to Tucson Morning: Start the day with a hearty breakfast at Prep & Pastry for delicious brunch options.
Afternoon: Explore the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum for an immersive experience with the region’s unique flora and fauna.
Evening: Head to downtown Tucson for dinner at El Charro Cafe, known for its vibrant and innovative Mexican cuisine.

Day 2: Outdoor Adventures
Morning: Hike in Sabino Canyon to enjoy the stunning desert landscapes.
Afternoon: Grab lunch at Le Buzz for a homemade coffee, sweet treat, and/or meal.
Evening: Relax and enjoy dinner at Mercado San Agustin, an open-air market with shops and local eateries.

Day 3: Arts and Culture Day
Morning: Visit the Tucson Museum of Art to explore the diverse art exhibits.
Afternoon: Lunch on the patio of the Cafe a la C’art known for its delicious use of local ingredients and flavors.
Evening: Attend a performance at the historic Fox Tucson Theatre in downtown Tucson.

Day 4: Explore Historic Sites
Morning: Visit Mission San Xavier del Bac, a stunning historic Spanish Catholic mission.
Afternoon: Lunch at El Guero Canelo for a taste of Tucson’s famous Sonoran hot dogs.
Evening: Stroll through the historic district of Barrio Viejo and grab dinner at The Monica.

Day 5: Foodie Adventure
Morning: Breakfast at 5 Points Market & Restaurant for a cozy and delicious start.
Afternoon: Take a stroll down the mall at the University of Arizona’s college campus. Then explore the vibrant food scene along University Square.
Evening: Dinner at The Parish, known for its Southern-inspired dishes.

Day 6: Nature and Relaxation
Morning: Take a morning walk at Tohono Chul Park, a tranquil desert oasis.
Afternoon: Lunch at Arizona Inn, a historic hotel with a charming atmosphere.
Evening: Enjoy a scenic drive up Mount Lemmon for breathtaking views and a cozy dinner at the Iron Door.

Day 7: Farewell
Morning: Brunch at The Cup Café in Hotel Congress, a historic spot with a delightful menu.
Afternoon: Explore the shops and galleries on Fourth Avenue for some last-minute souvenirs.
Evening: Conclude the trip with a farewell dinner at Tito & Pep, known for its upscale and flavorful culinary experience.

This itinerary blends the natural beauty, rich culture, and diverse cuisine that Tucson has to offer, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable week!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have always looked up to Ray Eames, the mid-century modern furniture designer. She had the remarkable ability to craft beautiful and functional products that stand the test of time, all while maintaining affordability. Collaborating with her husband, Charles Eames, she ventured into the design of simple yet modern everyday items like chairs, shelves, and children’s toys. What set them apart was their utilization of a small set of cost-effective materials such as plywood, leather, and metal connectors, often in their raw state.

The Eames duo employed creative and budget-friendly construction methods, using techniques like steam to introduce subtle bends and curves to rigid plywood. Their designs were not only aesthetically pleasing but were also economically viable for mass production. From design conception to manufacturing, Ray’s approach embodied simplicity at every stage. It’s this approach that I aspire to bring to our small business, drawing inspiration from her legacy of design that is both modern and accessible.

Website: https://www.modernhousenumbers.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernhousenumbers/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-house-numbers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernHouseNumbers/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIOwJewuqc0V8jiCvQqN0xA

Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/modernhousenumbers/

Image Credits
Clarity Northwest Photography