Life Lessons, From Father to Son

June 15, 2010 - PRLog -- When a young Carl Mulac graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and began his career in home building, he would keep a journal of all of the terminology he didn’t understand.  He made sure he discovered all of the answers plus a lot more while honing his business skills working in every position in home building.  

A basketball player in grade school, high school and college, Mulac learned the art of competition and hard work.  In fact he had hoped for a career in the NBA but bad ankles rerouted his career. Nonetheless those sportsmanship skills would prove very valuable and would later be passed along to his children, one of whom is now following in his footsteps.  “I’ve told all three of my children to give it their all, every day, learn everything you can, and support the team to the best of your ability,” said Mulac, CEO of Joseph Carl Homes.  The teamwork reference is as important in the family and business environments as it is the sports realm.

Interfacing with the various trade contractors in his first job gave Mulac valuable insights to construction, later helping him be a very successful new home sales associate because he understood the process so well.  Eventually he would serve as a regional President for one of the country’s largest home builders and then he’d get his dream –starting his own home building company – Joseph Carl Homes.

Creating a home building company during the worst real estate downturn on record, especially in Arizona, might have been a lesson in futility, but for Carl Mulac it was perfect timing.  “Land prices are low, quality trades are readily available for reasonable pricing and I believe buyers are ready to jump back in,” he noted.  That kind of tenacity and spirit is contagious, and replicated in his children.

His son Joseph Carl IV, or “Quattro” as he is affectionately called,  graduated from the University of Arizona last year with a degree in Business Marketing and a minor in Regional Development.  The family “can do” attitude was embedded in Quattro at a young age. He grew up playing sports, often with his dad as team coach, and played football at Brophy Prep in Phoenix all four years and was a Varsity captain.   While at the U of A Quattro served as president of his fraternity, a job he took very seriously.

Quattro was the 21st employee hired at Joseph Carl Homes in Phoenix.  A flashback to his dad decades earlier, Quattro is keeping a journal of everything he’s learning and wants to learn and is looking forward to embracing every aspect of the home building business and applying the things his father taught him about life. “My dad has always told me that good things happen to honest, hard working people,” said Quattro.  Smart kid.

Working as a sales assistant, Quattro helps support the sales team with the lead management system, nurturing the relationship between the sales associate and prospective buyers.   “In a time when you hear so much about young college graduates having an ‘entitlement attitude’ about work, Quattro is a breath of fresh air. He has an amazing attitude and is willing to do just about anything, “ said Susan Williams, vice president of marketing.  “On opening weekend at CantaMia, Joseph Carl Homes’ new active adult community in Goodyear, Arizona, Quattro did everything from scraping tar from a sidewalk to working the front gate, coordinating the shuttles bringing in the more than one thousands visitors to the sales center. At the same time Carl, Sr. was doing everything from sweeping the front doorstep to giving motivational talks to the staff. It’s easy to see that the fruit did not fall far from the tree,” noted Williams.  

“I want all my kids to pursue what makes them happy and if following this road is what fulfills his dream then I’m glad to have him by my side,” said Mulac.  Mulac and his wife Mary Ellen have two more children Jenna, 20 and Troy, 13.  Mandatory family dinners cement the communication with their children who have benefitted from parents who are actively involved in their lives.  “We are strict parents but we have an unconditional love with our kids that lets them know it’s ok to come to us with anything,” noted the senior Mulac.  That has helped prepare them for life.

“When you graduate from college it can be difficult finding a job you truly have a passion for.  Receiving such an opportunity to come in on the ground floor, gain experience from such talented professionals, and learn all aspects of the home building business is a dream come true,” noted the savvy younger Mulac.

Joseph Carl Homes is building several communities in the greater Phoenix area:  CantaMia and Sereno at Palm Valley in Goodyear, and Arboleda Ranch and Blossom Hills in Phoenix.

To all the fathers who have guided their children down the path of life with love, encouragement and wisdom, Happy Fathers Day!

For more information: www.josephcarlhomes.com

# # #

Master Planned Communications, LLC represent Joseph Carl Homes, a new Arizona home building with communities in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. The company's flagship community is CantaMia, a new active adult community.