About Parker
Kilde Born and raised in Bismarck, Parker Kilde grew up in a family that valued hard work and dedication. His father served in the military before transitioning to a career with the Bismarck Police Department, while his mother worked as a paralegal. He has two siblings: his brother Logan, a salesman for Kilde Construction, and his sister Madison, a nurse.
Parker credits his parents with teaching him the importance of working hard early in life to build a strong foundation for future success. Throughout high school, he consistently held jobs, and during his senior year, he launched his own concrete curbing company while also graduating early. By the age of 20, Parker had already been involved in starting and running three different businesses. Today, he actively owns and operates three businesses.
Q: When did you realize you wanted to start your own business?
A: I held small jobs throughout high school and quickly realized I had the skills and knowledge to run a business myself. I have always liked the idea of being my own boss. I have always been very independent and driven and knew it was something I could accomplish—so I did.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for your business?
A: This question is one of the best stories of Kilde Construction. I was laid off due to the pandemic. One of my best friends was working in the construction field and somehow convinced me that Bismarck needed gutter installers badly enough, that I purchased a gutter machine. I taught myself to run the machine, researched and found the best materials, and learned how to install gutters and downspouts for residential homes. From there, I quickly realized I had a knack for this kind of thing and later branched into installed siding and roofs. And it just stuck. I started with just a gutter machine and turned Kilde Construction into a full-fledged exterior construction company.
Q: What steps did you take to turn your idea into reality?
A: All of my free time, when I wasn’t working, was spent learning my trade and how to scale the business successfully. I took online courses and pieces of training and surrounded myself with like-minded individuals that I could call on with questions and could count on to give me advice and point me in the right direction.
Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced when starting out, and how did you overcome it?
A: I was a one-man show in the beginning. I was running estimates, doing the work, and doing all the bookkeeping for myself. It didn’t take long to realize that this wasn’t the most efficient way to run things and I struggled to find a balance and a good team to help me. I entrusted the help of my two buddies to help install gutters and was able to balance my time better between on-site and office work. About a year later, my now wife, took over the bookkeeping and my brother took over the sales and estimating sector—leaving me with the ability to scale the business on a more consistent basis. It takes time and patience to find the right people to help build a business—but it always pays off in the end.
Q: Did you have a clear business plan from the beginning or did your plan evolve over time?
A: My plan has evolved over time. When I first got into it, there was a huge opportunity for installing gutters and I had thought having multiple gutter crews was going to be the next step in expanding the business. I quickly realized that there were far more opportunities in construction than just gutters. So, I changed gears and decided I wanted to be a more well-rounded company—offering high-quality, full exterior remodels. To do so, I knew I needed to add siding and roofing to my portfolio. In my off time, I immersed myself in learning everything I could about different types of roofs and siding, how to install them, and the best material to use. I also became very familiar with the building and function of a home. Everything from how it’s framed, proper ventilation, and better and more efficient ways to correct any issues that a homeowner has or could have in the future. To be a good contractor, I knew it was my duty to know more than just my trade—I needed to be well-versed in everything that was intertwined with the trade as well.
Q: What was the most surprising thing you learned when starting your business?
A: While owning the business means being my own boss, I am no longer making decisions for myself. Every decision, risk, or move I make affects my family, my employees, and their families. As Kilde Construction grew, I was surprised to find out how much I had to restructure my decision-making mindset.
Q: What strategies or decisions contributed the most to your business’s growth?
A: Reinvesting back into the business. The money that was made was continually put back into business to keep costs and overhead low. This made the slower days much more manageable. I always keep a clear vision of the direction of the business is going so I can provide the training, equipment, and tools needed to get us there in the most efficient way.
Q: What has been the biggest failure or setback you faced as an entrepreneur and how did you learn from it?
A: Poor money management. Properly managing money for a business is something that needs a lot more forethought than one might think. Our industry is everchanging and it can sometimes be difficult to predict where the money will need to go or where it’s going to come from. After some trial and error, I realized that budgets, expense reports, accountants, and financial planning are some of the most important parts of a business that are not always easily understood or able to be predicted. I learned a lot by trial and error and I would be lying if I said it didn’t cost me. But putting together a clear plan and budget and entrusting the right people to help make sure it’s being followed, is just as important as providing the product or service to a customer.
Q: How do you build and maintain a strong company culture?
A: A goal of mine from the very beginning was to have the best company culture possible. I have always felt it was important that I am able to provide training to equip my employees with the knowledge and skills they need to do their jobs correctly as well as a company health insurance plan. I always aim to make sure my employees are taken care of. We do all that we can to make sure each person feels they are a valuable part of this company. And it’s because of this that we are such a close-knit team. I wanted to create a culture where everyone looked forward to coming to work—even on the days when things were hard at home or the work might not be so fun.
Q: What’s the best piece of business advice you ever received?
A: Don’t talk, listen.
Q: Are there any resources you would recommend to other entrepreneurs out there?
A: “The Motive” by Patrick Lencioni is a book that dives into what makes a good leader and how to help everyone under you be as successful as possible.
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