A One Stop Shop for Luxury Build and Design

EG: What additional benefits may be posed with Hedgeford & Berkley serving clients in the capacity of both a build and luxury design firm?
 

MH: Dreaming is one thing, executing is a whole other ball game. Understanding the effort it takes to bring a design to life, allows us to iterate between what we want to create, and what it will take to pull it off. We design structure into the designs as we develop the vision so we don’t get to the end and let someone else worry about the details. We are finding it rare to work with people who are obsessed with both the technical and creative aspects. We can’t help it, we are addicted to all parts of the process.
 

EG: Having designed and built wonderful kitchens, custom new builds and renovations, to technically capable recording studios for famous recording artists like Drake, has the required level of attention to detail, style and sophistication needed across the variety of projects, resulted in a greater demand for your skills among notable High Net Worth clients? 
   

MH: The required attention and focus on details for high net worth clients is the same focus and dedication that was required of us every step of the way, in everything we do. We live by the understanding that you must be vigilant at all times. You have to hold the line on the things that seemingly shouldn’t matter, but do. That hunger for greater success means making a plan and seeing it through. The larger the project, the more stamina it requires and in high net worth projects, the commitment to seeing every detail through to the end, making sure that those big audacious goals that we set at the beginning, come to life- is what our clients value.
 

EG: Possessing the skills and talent of both an engineer and designer, how do you often strike that balance between a beautiful, luxurious design and functional utility?
 

MH:  I Function first, wrapped in beauty haha. When I first started in the industry, I felt conflicted with the real need for beauty. I had worked in a military environment where as an engineer, your design must work, but it is not meant to be luxurious. I had not yet understood why beauty had the power to change your state of mind and how changing your state of mind, allows you to surpass your own expectations in what you can accomplish. Functionality is for your mechanical needs, luxury design is for your soul because at the end of it all, I believe that when you are inspired, you can do great things.
 

EG: You also featured prominently in The Search for Canada’s Next Top Designer. Was this level of recognition a turning point at which you realised you were becoming a nationwide success?  
 

MH: This opportunity came when I was three months into my entrepreneurial journey. I had a heavy sense of impostor syndrome from jumping into a new world where I had no formal training and when I was sent home, it hurt. In my mind, it validated that I wasn’t cut out to do this, but around the corner would be another opportunity. The journey to be successful is long. It’s flawed, it’s painful and it’s hard. There is nothing easy about pushing to be at the top of your game at all times. It is a relentless pursuit of bettering yourself in the hope that your work speaks for itself. I was born to grind, to push, I don’t want to rest and I don’t want to coast. That feature was just the beginning of what would be in store for me as the years went on, I just didn’t know it at the time.
 

EG: You have also won several awards and notable accolades for your work. What would you say are the most important characteristics required to be a successful entrepreneur in this industry? 

 

MH: You need to be addicted to your purpose because you don’t wake up with a goal and then stand back as its path unravels before you. You get beaten up, you make strides, you get knocked back down and it is an endless, demanding pursuit. The accolades you win along the way are the pats on the back that I believe help you get back up and keep aiming higher. Early in my career I set my sights on winning accolades that meant I was sitting amongst the world’s best. The rare opportunity to see the others who produce such high calibre work, inspires me to keep pursuing the same.
 

EG: How would you say your rigorous training as a mechanical engineer prepared you to succeed as one of Canada’s foremost entrepreneurs redefining luxury construction and design?  
 

MH: My training prior to starting a business, prepared me with the sense of great responsibility and a deep sense of urgency. My engineering work directly affected people’s lives. Not just the quality, but whether they survived a situation or not. I held this responsibility with a tremendous drive to succeed for them. This purpose has not changed. My work may not be life saving now, but I treat every project as if it was. I make sure our clients know that they have a fierce resource at their fingertips and that we are committed to their success. 

EG: Given your success as an engineer, what would you say to encourage the next generation of young STEM graduates who may have an eye for this business?

MH: Dedicate your career to science because you crave understanding how the world works. Use this understanding to make the world better. Understand that science and math can be wrapped up in beauty and the ability to change the way someone feels from something that you not only dreamt up, but also executed is unparalleled. But above all else, remember that how you do anything, is how you do everything.
 

EG: How may your military discipline and the impressive connections you have established throughout your career, save money and improve bottom-line profitability for future clients?  
 

MH: My military discipline allows me to find a way to succeed when it means making personal sacrifices. Too many people get upset by the goals they don’t achieve because of the work they didn’t put in. I own my mistakes and I confront them. I do not give up and I do not give in. There is no compromise when I advocate for my clients and I am relentless when it comes to bringing their vision to life. These beliefs ensure that our clients’ bottom line is always looked after, the end result is of the highest quality and their satisfaction is of the utmost importance. 

EG: As a trained mechanical engineer, problem-solver and head of an award-winning firm with a long line of positive testimonials to your credit, why should every High Net Worth real estate investor and developer contact you before embarking on their next project?

MH: Haha, well that’s simple. We create the product they need while taking care of all the details. We turn work around quickly and effectively. We are dedicated to the success of their project and the momentum we create around their projects provide a key part in their success.   EG