Shawn Cessna’s Story: Building with Purpose at Will Steed Homes

At Will Steed Homes, we believe that our team is the foundation of our success. Shawn Cessna, our Construction Manager, exemplifies the values, expertise, and dedication that make our custom homes stand out in Granbury and the surrounding areas. His journey and approach to homebuilding reflect the core philosophy that drives everything we do at Will Steed Homes.

A Foundation of Hands-On Experience

Shawn brings a wealth of practical experience to his role as Construction Manager. “When I came here, I had a lot of experience in the field, doing things with my hands, the labor portion of it,” Shawn explains. This hands-on background has proven invaluable in his relationships with contractors and subcontractors on our job sites.

“My experience of actually having done things helps me relate really, really well with the guys that are on the ground,” he shares. “I think that’s part of what makes the relationship between myself and contractors work well, because I know what they’ve been through.”

This understanding extends to the challenging conditions that construction crews often face. “I know how a 104-degree summer day works and what kind of things it does to your brain,” Shawn notes, highlighting his empathy for the people who bring our homes to life.

Growth Through Flexibility and Excellence

For Shawn, professional growth has come through balancing his own standards with the unique approaches of the skilled tradespeople he works with. “That’s probably the biggest part of my growth – knowing that people do things sometimes a little bit different than I would do them myself, but as long as we’re achieving our goal and getting a great product, I’m good with that,” he reflects.

This flexible yet quality-focused mindset ensures that every Will Steed home receives the benefit of multiple perspectives and expertise, all directed toward creating an exceptional final product.

The Personal Approach to Custom Building

One of the most striking aspects of Shawn’s leadership style is his deeply personal approach to each project. “The way that we try to approach everything is, if this were mine, how would I treat it?” he explains. This philosophy guides every decision, especially when homeowners face challenging choices.

“When I have those first few meetings with them, I’m telling them, ‘Guys, this is my house. This is what I would do,’” Shawn shares. This authentic, personal investment in each project makes a significant difference for our clients. “If it comes down to a situation where there’s a big question or it’s an emotional decision, I’m just like, ‘Hey, this is what I did in my house. This is exactly how it looks.’”

Driven by Satisfaction, Not Praise

What drives Shawn isn’t recognition or accolades, but the satisfaction of our homeowners. “I’m passionate about it. I want it to be great,” he says. “I’m not really looking for praise per se. I’m more so just wanting to know you like it.”

For Shawn, the greatest reward comes when homeowners express their delight with their new home. “When somebody moves in their home, I’m happy to know, ‘Hey, this is awesome. This is exactly how I wanted it to be. This is where I want to be and spend many, many years.’ To me, that’s the greatest compliment I can possibly get.”

Faith as a Foundation

Beyond his construction expertise, Shawn’s faith plays a central role in his approach to his work. “I am thrilled to be in a position where I can live out my faith. I can do it every day,” he shares with genuine enthusiasm. “There’s not only no pushback, but it’s explicitly encouraged.”

This faith-based foundation drives his commitment to excellence. “My faith isn’t something that I’m slamming on people that are around me. It’s just what fuels me to be the best that I can be,” Shawn explains. “I’m not just doing it for myself or for Will Steed Homes. I’m doing it to please my heavenly Father… And I think that affects how we do work. When I say we want to do things right, that’s why, that’s the model that we live.”

A Reputation Built on Integrity

The Will Steed Homes reputation for quality and integrity is something Shawn takes immense pride in. “I think that our reputation is built off always wanting to do the right thing. We want to build a great product. We want to do it the absolute best of our ability,” he states.

This commitment to integrity sometimes means making difficult decisions. “The one thing I’ve learned with Will specifically is that even if it costs us sometimes, we’re going to do the right thing,” Shawn emphasizes. This principle has established Will Steed Homes’ stellar reputation in the community.

“When people talk about Will Steed Homes, it’s in the highest regard,” he notes. “They often think that we’re the most expensive. That’s not necessarily the case. I just feel like we’re the most honest when it comes to what things actually cost.”

This honesty extends to resolving any differences that may arise during the building process. “If there is a difference of opinions, we’re usually working to remedy that in the most economical and fair way,” Shawn explains. “Sometimes that’s not to our benefit, but if it’s the right thing to do, that’s exactly what we will do.”

Building Homes, Building Trust

Shawn Cessna’s approach to construction management embodies everything that makes Will Steed Homes special: hands-on experience, personal investment in each project, unwavering integrity, and a faith-based commitment to excellence. His leadership ensures that every home we build isn’t just a structure, but a lasting testament to quality craftsmanship and honest business practices.

As Shawn’s story illustrates, at Will Steed Homes, we’re not just building houses – we’re building relationships, reputations, and homes where memories will be made for generations to come.