Meet Eric Ballance | Founder – Ballance Container Homes

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

Hi Eric, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Ballance Containers was created as a pivot business during covid. My family has been in the event space for over 40 years (since 1981) building mobile structures for events such as trade shows, mall kiosks and outdoor events like festivals – the container was one of the build mediums we used for outdoor events.

When covid hit the event industry was paused overnight and I needed to create something new. I had been following the container home movement globally for years and it seemed like a natural approach to take my background with containers and my love of home renovations to figure out how container homes actually work. I hired a few friends that were traditional home builders and we spent 6 months building prototypes to figure out how to build container homes to North American building standards.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I come from a long line of entrepreneurs. I was raised with the thinking that you do not need to confirm to the typical industry rules, that you can be creative and build a business from the ground up – the way you want and how it fits your personal and professional goals.

I grew up in a family business, which isn’t always easy, but it showed me the real behind the scenes on what it takes to run your own business. You need to be driven and resilient, to handle the ever changing challenges that a business presents. You need to learn and be competent in all facets of business, to be able to get a business off the ground until you can afford to hire people who are more proficient in the areas of business that you may not be.

Running your own business can be extremely challenging but also the most rewarding, when you sit back and look at what you have created.

I want the world to know that Ballance Container Homes started as a pivot business under the worst scenario possible due to covid. As a result, we have started a new business that not only fits todays ever growing need of affordable housing but is actually being fuelled by the effects of covid.

My father used to say that you earn a real masters in business if you have made it to the 5 year mark of entrepreneurship, while I think you earn your Phd if you can make it through something like covid and prosper on the other end,

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend from Australia was recently back for a visit and I showed him my happy place, out on the water on my boat. The boat is my escape from the hectic work days and life’s challenges, a great spot to enjoy the sunshine and relax.

My boat is at a local marina, which is only a 10 minute walk from my house. Days can be spent on the boat working from my laptop (which I am currently doing), entertaining friends & family at the dock (bbq’ing) or taking the boat out for a tour and a float. If we have a few days available we can do overnight trips to local waterfront towns, heading out to local restaurants and then sleeping on the boat.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shoutout to my amazing team who has spent the past 3 years figuring out how container homes are made.

Website: www.ballancecontainers.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/69327973/admin/feed/posts/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH6nR23TaN1TtkvIJ8gvOFg

Image Credits
Ballance Containers