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Ryan Perrone didn’t choose the expected path for his career. While still a tween, he started pitching in at his father’s Sarasota luxury homebuilding company, Perrone Construction. By age 24 he was a vice president. But instead of staying on at the company to take it over from his father one day, Perrone decided to start his own firm, Nautilus Homes.
“You only get that kind of challenge once in your life, and I’m a guy who likes challenges,” he says. “And seeing what it’s become gives me a huge sense of satisfaction.”
He started Nautilus Homes in 2010, so the timing wasn’t ideal. But he believed the recession made people take a different approach to their homes.
“People wanted that level of quality you see in larger homes, but they were being more mindful about their spaces and leaning more toward a minimalist approach to things,” Perrone says. “I wanted to create a company that catered to those people.”
His goal? To be a competitor to his father’s firm. After just a decade, he has reached that mark thanks to high-profile work, such as the Japanese-influenced Shibusa project he’s teaming up with Hive Architects on. “We’re now building one of the premier homes in Sarasota with one of the best architects Sarasota has ever seen,” he says. “The project is going to change the way people see architecture in Sarasota.”
As he’s grown his company, Perrone has focused on finding good people, putting efficient processes into place and supporting the community by getting involved with things like the ACE mentoring program. Passion and patience have also helped get Perrone to where is today.
“There’s no get rich quick scheme,” he says. “If the goal is to make money you’ve already lost sight of the reason that you’re doing things. If you create a business that is your passion, you’re going to always enjoy doing what you’re doing.”
ON THE RECORD: Ryan Perrone
Employer: Nautilus Custom Homes
Title: President/Founder
Birthplace: Sarasota
Years on the Gulf Coast: 35
Marital status/children: Married and a baby boy on the way, due in January
Alma mater/degree: Everglades University: bachelor's in construction management
Where is the best place to network? I don't really think of what I do as networking as I don't see my personal life and work life separately. I just try to be involved in our community and try to be a good influence.
What's the best business lesson you've ever learned? To surround yourself with great people and implement simple and effective systems, and let it grow from there.
What's your top tip for being productive? Find the most efficient process for any task, and write it down. This will help delegate and help your future self, as sometimes it is a long time between performing that task.
What's the weirdest job you've ever had? I have worked construction since I was 11.
What community group or organization are you most involved with? ACE Mentor Program
If you could have a side hustle, what would it be? Music producer. I am currently learning to play the piano in my spare time.
What's your favorite off-hours activity? Traveling with family
What's your favorite board game or video game? Clue
What's the top item on your bucket list? To sail around the world for a year with my young family
Where is your happy place? I have an amazing family and friends, and anywhere where we can be together and tell stories and laugh is my happy place.
What's your favorite podcast? Deepak Chopra’s "Infinite Potential"
Who/what is your favorite musical artist/band? Clozee
Who would play you in a movie about your life? Jim Carrey
What was your first album/tape cassette/CD? Sublime Sublime
What was your first concert? Gwar
What's one song that will get you out on the dance floor? "24K Magic" — Bruno Mars
What's your favorite karaoke song? "A Whole New World" from "Aladdin"
What instrument/role would you play in a band? Synthesizer
Please describe yourself in three words. Passionate and huge heart
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