Jerry Terry sounds like a name that one would associate with a clumsy or skinny person. A few would even assume that a man with that name would have no interest in socializing and would be found playing video games in his private bunker. But when you see the Decathlon Tiny Homes’ CEO for the first time, you realize it’s quite the opposite; Jerry Terry is a well-built man. Not only does he have strong biceps but he also has a guffawing smile. He, in fact, looks like one of those guys who would have made it into WWE and possibly squashed some mid-card wrestlers.
Interestingly, Terry has no interest in pro wrestling. He is rather a big NFL guy, a hardcore fan of the New York Giants, who gets pretty loud on Sundays during football season. So, where does he get the big biceps from? Well, it’s his grooming as the All-American Decathlete in high school and college. “My life was dedicated to this 10 event test of speed, strength, endurance, and focus and so I decided to take the name Decathlon with me into my next arena,” he states.
If any of the aforementioned assumptions are correct about Terry, it’s him being a gaming enthusiast. “I’ve always been an avid gamer. It’s actually what got me to Texas originally as I won a national video game contest here,” he states. During his stay in Texas, he started the Decathlon Construction company. From small steps to long strides, it took him 16 years to get to the top of his industry in the outdoor living space, and when Terry was at the peak of his career, he even bought a Tesla.
“I was very fond of saying how it was the best thing I ever purchased. I’ve never bought anything better than this. It was a heck of a feeling. And I wanted to give that feeling to our customers as well, for which I was in need of a product.” With his experience of owning a Tesla, Terry recognized that a well-crafted tiny house could evoke the same sense of gratification in its owners.
“A tiny home just fit exactly into our plan. I had all the professionals. We love the product in general, and I really felt that that was our chance to deliver someone the best thing they ever bought,” he states.
Terry’s keen understanding of customers’ needs coupled with an authentic approach to salesmanship and marketing played a crucial role in establishing Decathlon’s presence in the tiny house market. Speaking of the former, customer satisfaction is paramount at Decathlon Tiny Homes. Terry and his team like keeping things transparent with their client, so whether it is the initial consultation, the material used in the construction, or the TAT for the final delivery, the Decathlon Tiny Homes are always on their toes and working closely with clients to bring their vision to life.
A vision that not only constitutes making a functional space but also involves building a dream dwelling that many like calling home. Since its inception in 2018, the company has stuck to three signature models: Athena, Zeus, and Poseidon.
Each model reflects a punctilious process of iteration and adaptation. From incorporating downstairs bedrooms, luxurious living rooms, and gourmet kitchens, to creating private master suites, functional lofts, and exquisite bathrooms; Decathlon’s models are a testament to its commitment to meeting diverse housing needs.
“Initially, we focused on the Zeus model, featuring loft sleeping spaces. However, customer feedback drove us to innovate further, leading to the emergence of the Athena model with a downstairs bedroom, a design that aligned deeply with our audience. The Poseidon model, with its private master bedroom downstairs, represented another milestone in our pursuit for versatility and comfort,” Terry states.
Building a customer base and a tiny house enthusiast community is one of the hardest feat to achieve when running a tiny house company, and despite its vast customer base in outdoor living, Decathlon Tiny Homes recognized the need to tap into new markets. “Rather than employing traditional sales tactics, we chose to host open houses and attend tiny house shows, and gradually garnered attention and recognition, establishing a diverse customer base ranging from older individuals to young families.”
What really made the Texas-based manufacturer a hit was its streamlined approach to operation. “If there is anything separating us from traditional tiny home builders (and I am not demeaning anyone) is our unwavering commitment to professionalism and craftsmanship. Our team comprises seasoned professional, whether it is master plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, and carpenters. We ensure quality over quantity and make sure that every aspect of construction meets the highest standards,” Terry points out.
He further informs, “My plumber has been a master for 25 years. My electrician’s been a master for 20 years. My master carpenters have 17 and 15 years of experience,” Terry notes. “No one will touch your home from Decathlon that is not a high-level expert at exactly that one thing.”
The company’s inventory model, featuring finished and semi-finished homes, reflects a strategic balance between customization and streamlined production. “Each home meticulously crafted by master craftsmen and personalized to meet the unique needs of its occupants. We tell our customers, ‘You can be as involved or as uninvolved in the design as you want,’ We want them to feel like they’re part of the process, whether they want to leave it all to us or provide specific design preferences,” Terry affirms.
Another pillar of Decathlon’s triumph has been the partnership between Terry and his wife, April. With her expertise in navigating regulatory frameworks and managing client relations, April complements Terry’s construction prowess forming a formidable duo that lays the foundation for Decathlon’s success.
In addition to discussing the company’s approach to design and production, Terry provided valuable insights into the future models. “Rather than introducing models arbitrarily, we would prioritize a home based on specific needs or ideas that arise. This isn’t a done deal yet, but we’re talking with someone who’s doing a handicap community. So they’re still working on getting their land set. But if for instance, I need a wheelchair-accessible house, I have no idea how I’m going to do that yet, but that would be a reason to do it,” he notifies.
With a track record spanning over two decades in the construction industry, Jerry Terry brings both experience and expertise to Decathlon Tiny Homes as it continues to grow and evolve in a competitive market.
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