What kind of name is Aardvark 1 Enterprises?

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet.”  William Shakespeare…

Well, in the case of Aardvark 1 Enterprises, there’s a lot in the name.  You see, when I was young and adventurous, I wanted to conquer the world.  So, I joined the Army at 17, I became an infantryman in a light mechanized infantry unit, and I absolutely LOVED it. Just a few years later, I was tricked into joining the Navy by one of my buddies.  (that’s another story for another time)

So, the second half of my military career was spent in the United States Navy.  The squadron I was assigned to was VF – 114, the “Fighting Aardvarks” (I know, how ferocious right?)  Well, aside from having the silliest squadron name in Naval history, they were a pretty solid group of guys. And we were attached to the USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Which was the largest aircraft carrier ever built. The single largest warship ever to sail on the earth. To this day the “Big E” still holds several distinctions that set her apart from all others before and since.  I have a LOT of great memories of that old boat. And some wild stories too.  Some of the best people I have ever known, and many I am still friends with today.  Some 30 + years later.

When I decided to venture into the world of self employment, I had to pick a name for my company.  Back in the early 2000s, we still used phone books (and had land lines too).  So, the decision was pretty easy. Aardvark for the squadron and Enterprises for the boat. Now, the only real drawback is that the name Aardvark 1 Enterprises doesn’t really say anything at all about home improvement, construction, remodeling, renovation or anything we do. So, I had to “rebrand” with a DBA that would be a bit more obvious. And A1E Exteriors LLC was born.  It still holds the original name with the “A1E”, but the “Exteriors” tells people that we maybe work on houses…  It definitely helped. Business grew almost immediately.

So there you have it.  That’s why the goofy name. I hope that clears things up.

Dad and daughter on her sweet sixteen. Best day in forever.

Meet the Owner

Hi, I’m Kelley House, owner of A1E Exteriors LLC.  I have been in the construction industry since 1997.  I never intended to work in construction. I wanted to be a commercial fisherman, and a sailor and a soldier before that.  I wanted high risk and high reward.  Instead, I got the risk and, then, a permanent partial disability. In 1995 I suffered a spinal injury and was then faced with the reality that I would probably never be able to do that kind of work again.

I will spare you the grim details, but lets just say, I was in a pretty dark place for a couple of years.  

Then a good friend of mine, who was a general contractor, saw that I needed a new direction in my life and I needed purpose.  So he took me under his wing and taught me what I needed to know to get back to life again.

In the 26 years since then, I have worked as a grunt, a finish carpenter, a project manager, a field production manager, and just about every other aspect of the industry. 

It’s the Project Manager title that I appreciate the most.  That’s what I do best. I have a great ability to look at potential problems and come up with solutions. 

About the only thing I have never been great at is being a salesperson. So, I’m not a salesman. I’m a Project Manager who will sell you home improvement projects and work with you to make them a reality.

Unlike so many of the companies in this industry, I (the owner of the company) am personally involved with every project we do.  From start to finish, I will be your assistant to help you get the remodel of your dreams.

Passionate about our craft

Our company is fueled by an unwavering passion for our craft. We are dedicated to delivering exceptional results and exceeding our clients’ expectations in every project we undertake. From the moment we begin discussing your vision, our team’s enthusiasm and commitment shine through. We approach each project with a creative mindset, striving to bring your ideas to life while adding our own touch of expertise and innovation. Our passion is evident in the meticulous attention to detail we apply to every aspect of the construction process, from design and planning to execution and final touches. We take pride in our craftsmanship and are driven by the satisfaction of delivering high-quality, long-lasting structures that stand the test of time. Choosing A1E Exteriors means collaborating with a team that genuinely loves what they do, and that passion translates into exceptional craftsmanship and a finished project that exceeds your expectations.

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