We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Edwards and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The inspiration behind starting Nest Egg Home Services LLC was rooted in finding the right opportunity for my husband, Dale, who had spent five years out of the traditional job market as a stay-at-home dad to our two boys. He was looking for a rewarding career that aligned with his skills and passions. But the story of how Nest Egg came to be took a few more pieces falling into place before we found the right fit.

Dale, having worked in the trades – most recently in heating and air – was eager to combine his deep knowledge of homes with his passion for helping and educating people. Around the same time, our friend Pete, who had experience in home building and environmental testing, was looking to make a career change. Pete’s previous job had involved a lot of travel, and he was eager to find a fulfilling career that would allow him to spend more time at home with his family. It didn’t take long for the two of them to realize that a career in home inspections could be the perfect opportunity to leverage their experience while making a real difference in people’s lives.

However, both wanted to create an experience that was different from the typical home-buying experiences they had encountered. After exploring potential companies and franchises in the industry, they quickly realized that in order to craft the experience they envisioned, they would need to build their own business from the ground up.

That’s where I came in. At the time, I was looking to transition from a corporate business career to launch my own consulting practice. We realized that, together, the three of us had the ideal mix of complementary skills: Dale’s technical expertise, Pete’s industry experience, and my business acumen. Combining these strengths, we could build a company that was not just about inspections, but about offering people confidence in one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.

And that’s how Nest Egg Home Services LLC was born – a business founded on the idea of helping people make informed, educated decisions about their homes, while creating a service experience that’s built on trust, education, and a personal touch.

What should our readers know about your business?
At Nest Egg Home Services, our mission is simple: to help people protect and manage what is often their largest investment—their home. We are a full-service home inspection company, offering a wide range of services to assist throughout the home buying, selling, and ownership journey. What sets us apart is our commitment to leveraging technology, offering a personalized approach, and focusing on customer education and empowerment.

We’re uniquely positioned for the current and future real estate market. We’ve made sure to be tech-enabled, using tools like drones and infrared technology as part of every inspection, which helps us provide a deeper, more accurate assessment of the homes we inspect. This approach allows us to give our clients a clearer understanding of their home’s condition, and we believe that’s key in today’s fast-paced market where homebuyers often face pressure to make quick decisions.

What I’m most proud of is the relationships we’ve built along the way. We strive to deliver not just value, but an experience that exceeds expectations. It’s those connections that have been instrumental in our growth. We’ve worked hard to be more than just a service provider; we aim to be a trusted partner for everyone we work with.

Our journey to where we are today wasn’t easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. One of the biggest challenges we faced was the disruption caused by COVID-19, which impacted both our personal lives and the business. In the Triangle area, we were faced with not only the impacts of COVID-19, but also a housing supply shortage and subsequent bidding wars, making it more common for buyers to skip inspections or even purchase homes without stepping foot inside. We knew we had to adapt, so we listened closely to the challenges faced by real estate agents, buyers, and sellers. We found innovative ways to help, such as offering a showing consultation service where we would attend the initial home tour and provide immediate feedback on the home’s condition, helping buyers make more informed decisions and bid with confidence.

Along the way, we’ve learned many valuable lessons. One key takeaway is the importance of building a team of people who share your passion and values. Another lesson is the power of generosity—helping others and working collaboratively. There’s more than enough business to go around, and it’s the relationships and reputation you build that matter most. We also learned not to underestimate the power of marketing. Being great at what you do is only part of the equation—people need to know that you’re great. We worked hard to give people a reason to learn about us and then let our work speak for itself.

At the end of the day, we’re a team of passionate, dedicated professionals committed to making a difference in people’s lives. We are honored to support our clients through their homeownership journey- protecting their home and ensuring their peace of mind.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The Triangle area has so much to offer! However, we are creatures of habit and have a list of tried and true places ready for great visits.

Great things to do:
– Mini-golf at Par Tee Shack (South Raleigh / Garner)
– Visit Museum of Life & Science, ideally on a nice day so you can enjoy all the outdoor attractions
– Stroll around American Tobacco Campus in Durham
– Visit Durham Bulls Athletic Park
– See the lemurs at the Duke Lemur Center, and stop by Duke Chapel
– Visit the Marbles Kids Museum
– Rock Climbing at Triangle Rock Club – multiple locations but our favorites are the Durham location and the new Salvage Yard location in Raleigh
– Drive Shack
– Pullen Park
– Happy Feet Planet (Clayton & Apex)
– The Tower Escapes escape rooms in Raleigh
– Mountain Bike Riding in so many places, but including William B Umstead Park, up in Wake Forest at the Reservoir, New Light trails
– Go Ape
– Falls Lake State Recreation Area
– Strike & Barrel bowling and entertainment center in Wake Forest
Great places to eat:
– Taverna Agora in Raleigh
– Whiskey Kitchen
– Transfer Co Food Hall
– Morgan Street Food Hall
– Gonza Tacos Y Tequila
– Town Hall Burger & Beer
– Norse Brewing Company (Wake Forest)
– Franko’s Italian Steakhouse (it’s a drive that’s worth it – Franklinton)
– Owl’s Roost Brewery (Franklinton)
– Toros Tacos & Tequila (Franklinton)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There have been so many individuals, organizations, and books that have played a role in getting us to where we are today. But when I think about it more deeply, there are two in particular that I want to give a special shoutout to.

First and foremost, it was our faith and trust in God that inspired us to reach for something bigger and more meaningful. It was this faith that guided us in leveraging our skills to make a difference in the lives of others. Without that grounding, we wouldn’t have had the courage to step out and pursue this path.

Secondly, our families truly deserve recognition for their unwavering support and sacrifices throughout our journey. Starting a business is no small feat, and having the encouragement of loved ones has kept us in the game through thick and thin. Pete and his family made a huge sacrifice when they relocated from Charlotte, NC to Raleigh, NC to join us in this venture. Our two boys were also all in—our oldest helped with stuffing mailings to spread the word, while our youngest was the “face” at our booth at home and garden shows, handing out business cards and engaging with the community.

As our business has grown, so has the support from the extended network of people and families who have contributed to our continued success. The journey truly is a collective one, and we’re so grateful for everyone who has been part of it.

Website: https://www.nestegghomes.com

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