By Donna Heiderstadt

How significant is a title? In the case of Victor Lebegue, Visionary & CEO of VL Builders, which has locations in both Columbia Heights, MN and Lakewood, CO, the significance is in what the title reveals about the man who has it. Victor, 29, started his first design-build remodeling company at age 23 in Minnesota and five years later expanded his business to Colorado. He is described by a colleague there as “trustworthy, respectful, humble and emphatic in all his interactions and visionary ideas — truly an exemplary leader and good-hearted person.”

For Victor, his personal drive to improve people’s lives through the spaces where they live stems from a tough childhood that required him to work at an early age to earn money. “I started in construction, learning various tasks such as framing, roofing, siding and windows,” he said. “When I started my company, I chose remodeling because I enjoy problem solving. Remodeling kitchens and bathrooms often starts because a client has a problem with the functionality or look of their existing space, and being able to make someone’s home more enjoyable makes all the time and effort spent figuring out the little details worth it.”

Equally important to this young entrepreneur is the morale of his employees. Asked to cite a memorable moment, he recalls when one of his carpenters came into his office to thank him for providing a good place to come to work and do what he loves. “I’ve always worked hard to create a great dynamic for our production teams, and it was the first time I felt that one of our carpenters genuinely appreciated what we are trying to do and put out as a company,” he explained. “I’m proud of creating a workplace where everyone is striving for the same outcome.”

Leading and planning consumes a lot of Victor’s time, but when he does get the chance to play, he focuses on activities he enjoys, such as reading, shooting pool, camping, hitting the slopes on his snowboard (especially in Winter Park, CO) and hanging out with his eight-year-old Catahoula Leopard dog, Moose. Looking ahead, Victor’s future must-do list is, of course, jam-packed. “There is so much that it’s hard to say one thing,” he noted. “If I could say anything, it’s to make a positive impact, whatever that may look like.” One goal that’s within Victor’s field of vision is to jumpstart a nationwide non-profit geared towards ending homelessness through creating a shared housing program and partnering with small businesses to help with labor and staffing through on-the-job training.