Welcome to jimcaruk.com – the home I’ve built on the Internet.
I’ve been extremely fortunate in my life and I know it. I have my health, have been blessed with two amazing daughters, and I’ve had the opportunity to fulfill my passion as a custom home builder.
When I started in the construction business 35 years ago, all I wanted to do was earn a living. Then, 8 years ago, a TV crew followed me around to create a TV series called Real Renos, showing viewers an inside look into the home-building business. One of the first true reality series, it became one of HGTV’s top rated shows and I was able to keep on running my business as usual.
What happened next was the strange phenomenon that comes with a successful TV show: being recognized and invited to be a sponsor, supporter or spokesman. And while I’m not always comfortable with the idea of being a ‘celebrity’, I understand two things about it: it comes with the territory of being on TV, and it is fleeting.
I realized that I had a golden opportunity to put into action my personal philosophy – what is this? – supporting the trades and the consumers who use them. I realize there’s a pervasive fear of contractors, and an appalling lack of skills and understanding of how homes are built. I decided to do what I can to change that.
So I made the personal decision to use my voice to support what is near and dear to me, and I am now happy to say that I am involved in several ventures that I hope will continue to reinforce my strong opinions on the positive side of construction, renovation and contractors.
For the people I come in contact every day, the homeowners, I started Build it Yourself Learning Centers - a hands-on classroom environment where professionals in the trades teach people how to do their own renovations or simply become better-educated consumers.
For construction professionals, I created Renovation Contractor Magazine, a trade publication that serves as a conduit to share information from the pros for the pros that in the long run will help better serve the consumer.
And finally, the venture closest to my heart is the foundation I created called Renos for Heroes, established to raise money to pay for home renovations for our disabled military men and women whose homes no longer serve their needs.
Jim caruk.com is my home base with links to all these projects, as well as our content features, including video, photo and product galleries, custom editorial, links, blogs, news updates, and more. Be sure to browse and interact and let me know what you think.
Cheers,
Jim Caruk
Caruk Media Group
jim@carukmediagroup.com
