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 Malcolm Briggs on an ICR Construction Services job site. |
MALCOLM BRIGGS
EYE ON THE PRIZE
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By Christine Imbs
If you ever watched Malcolm Briggs’ sports broadcasts, you couldn’t imagine him doing anything else. But after 14 years at KSDK (Channel 5), the 41-year-old Briggs has traded the gridiron for the angle iron.
“I started my own general contracting company, ICR Construction Services, four years ago, kind of under the radar,” he says. “I wanted something I could fall back on, and I had an understanding of construction. It seemed the way to go.”
But sports reporting and construction are miles apart, and broadcasting seemed to be in his blood. He got his first taste of it when his high school basketball coach lured him onto the radio. His interest peaked, he went on to major in communications at Kansas State University, where he also called the play-by-play for football, baseball and basketball games.
“It kind of went from there,” Briggs says. “I came to KSDK in 1990 from Wichita. All total, I worked in broadcasting for about 20 years.”
Although during that time he achieved success as a broadcaster, Briggs always had his sights set on something more. His ultimate goal was to own his own business. In college he even dabbled in a photography and DJ enterprise. But it was summers working on construction jobs, trying to earn a little extra money, that seemed to shape his destiny.
“I’ve always been a guy with an entrepreneurial spirit,” he says. “And I’ve always had acumen to do deals, so this is nothing unusual for me. Sports reporting was really a means to an end.”
And in the end, Briggs wanted to be master of his own destiny. Long hours, weekends spent working, and too much time away from his family only strengthened his resolve.
“There were a lot of skeptics who thought it was a joke. They assumed I just had my name on it and nothing else,” Briggs explains. “But I own it 100 percent. I go out on the job sites. All the money made is mine, and all the money lost is mine.”
Briggs says in the four years since starting ICR Construction, business has either doubled or tripled every year. He’s been involved in projects for American Airlines and Boeing, as well as the Cross County Metrolink Extension. He’s also beginning to raise eyebrows as a developer.
“I’ve had people in Kansas City, Dallas and Chicago show an interest in working with us,” he says. “I want to get more into development because, at the end of the day, the assets are yours,” he explains. “It’s like an annuity. I’ll be paid for 20 years on projects or properties I own. With construction you have to continually go out and bid on jobs.”
Still, it’s not money that motivates Briggs, it’s the freedom.
“I don’t have to be the richest guy in the world,” he says. “My motivation is to take care of my family and do what I want to do. I don’t want to let somebody else dictate to me.”
Briggs’ voice can still be heard over the airwaves on the Tyoka Jackson Show on KLOU radio, and as a sideline reporter and pregame host on ESPN radio. But with his business picking up speed, the question is for how much longer?
“It’s more of a hobby for me now and I will eventually phase it out altogether. Actually, I plan on being on the beach somewhere doing nothing and living off my zillions,” he says laughing. “I gotta keep my eye on the prize, you know.”
TALKING POINTS
FAMILY: Wife, Matuschka; a daughter age 6 and a son age 8.
BEST THING ABOUT OWNING A BUSINESS: My time is now my own.
BEST ADVICE FOR OTHERS: Surround yourself with good people.
FAVORITE PLACE IN ST. LOUIS: Riverport at the UMB Bank Pavilion.
FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Currently, Grand Haven, Michigan
FAVORITE BOOKS: I’ve read all of John Grisham’s.
FAVORITE MUSICIAN: Miles Davis
FAVORITE ALBUM: Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue.
FAVORITE HOBBIES: I love to hunt and fish.
WHO MOST INFLUENCED HIM: My parents. They are two of the strongest people I’ve ever met. |
ICR Construction
(Industrial, Commercial, Residential)
4132 Rider Trail North
Earth City, Missouri 63045
www.icrconstructionservices.com |
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