It started with a Facebook post and a few odd jobs in the neighborhood.

When Cody Dawson’s offshore job in the oil industry slowed to a halt during COVID, he found himself at home with time (and tools) on his hands. Restless and eager to stay busy, he offered up some handyman services to neighbors. What followed was a steady stream of work that turned into full-blown remodels, then full-time entrepreneurship.

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But the story of Patriot Custom Homes isn’t just one of a successful career pivot. It’s a story of risk, reinvention, and a husband-wife duo learning how to build a business and a life together, brick by brick.

From Offshore Rigs to Custom Renovations

Cody had spent 13 years climbing to the top of his field, working with highly specialized downhole fiber optics systems. It was secure. It paid well. But it also meant weeks at a time away from Kristen and their three daughters- especially during COVID, when travel quarantines extended his time offshore to sometimes six weeks or more.

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While he was home, he started remodeling their own house. Once that project wrapped up, the momentum didn’t stop. Neighbors needed tile work, lighting, you name it. Within a few months, he had his first real remodel project lined up. Then came the fork in the road: his supervisor called, expecting him back offshore. But Cody had already committed to the job. One path led back to the career he’d built for over a decade. The other? Into the unknown.

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He chose the unknown.

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Kristen was still working a demanding corporate job in finance, balancing spreadsheets, client meetings, and their home life. But as Patriot Home Services morphed into Patriot Custom Homes and the workload snowballed, she found herself doing business admin before work, during lunch breaks, and after hours. Eventually, something had to give.

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In 2023, Kristen left her job and joined Cody in the business full time.

Taking the Leap, Twice

Leaving one secure job to go full-time in construction is a big leap. Leaving two? That’s next level. For the Dawsons, it wasn’t just about financial calculations. It was about values.

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Cody was missing too much time with his family. Kristen saw potential- not just in Cody’s craftsmanship, but in their ability to build something scalable, sustainable, and theirs.

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What made it even more convincing? Kristen’s skills were the perfect complement. With her background in financial services and experience working with high-net-worth clients, she brought structure and polish to the business side of Patriot Custom. Scheduling, client communication, budgeting, systems, processes.

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Suddenly, they weren’t just winging it. They were building something real.

Better Together (Even When It’s Hard)

Let’s be clear: running a business with your spouse isn’t for everyone. As Kristen puts it, “Some people told me straight up, ‘I had a business with my husband. We got divorced.’” But for the Dawsons, it’s a partnership that works, not because it’s easy, but because they’ve made it work through communication, boundaries, and trust.

Kristen handles the back office. Cody’s in the field and ops. They each stay in their lane but collaborate constantly.

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The hardest part? Learning when to turn it off.

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“In the beginning, we’d take work into the evenings, the weekends, even family time,” Cody admits. “We had to learn to shut it down and just be a couple, or be parents.” That came with time, and a lot of trial and error. What helped? Building better systems, hiring help, and letting go of micromanagement.

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“When we put processes in place and trusted our team,” Cody says, “we finally got some of our time back.”

From Remodels to Custom Homes

Today, Patriot Custom Homes is known for high-end renovations with designer partnerships. Every job is full-scope. No patch jobs. No cutting corners.

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But the vision is bigger.

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They’re actively marketing for their first ground-up custom home clients, and deciding whether to launch their own spec build to showcase what they can do. The remodel work shows off their craftsmanship, but a spec home could cement their brand in the custom build market.

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They're not rushing it. They're building their reputation, one connection at a time. Kristen's been expanding their network through local builder associations, luxury real estate contacts, and retreats like the BuildHer Retreat, while Cody focuses on quality in the field.

They're in it for the long game.

What It Takes to Build a Business With Your Spouse

If you’re thinking about teaming up with your spouse in business, the Dawsons offer this advice:

• Know your strengths. Cody’s a builder. Kristen’s a business strategist. Clear roles made their growth possible.
• Give each other space. Micromanagement kills morale, especially in marriage.
• Communicate constantly. When things feel off, they talk it out.
• Set boundaries. Date nights are sacred. Weekends are (mostly) work-free.
• Celebrate wins. Whether it's hearing their daughters say “Wow, you built that?” or stepping away for a long weekend, they’ve learned to pause and appreciate the progress.

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Their journey isn’t one of overnight success. It’s one of clarity, courage, and a shared vision.

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If you’re a builder navigating a business transition, or just someone wondering how to make life and work fit together better, this is the story you’ll want to hear.

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Because sometimes the best business partner is the one sitting across the dinner table.

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