Hi friend,
Welcome back to Owner to Owner, a new private email series for owners, by owners, and about owners. Each month, we interview leaders who've built real businesses and share their honest, hard-won wisdom. The format is simple:
Five Questions followed by ourThree Cents that might impact how you lead or work.
Your hosts for this note are me (Victor Saad) and my friend and partner, Brian O'Connor. We write these from here in Chicago, and it's one of the highlights of our month. We hope these quick notes are as inspiring to you as they are to us. Let's get right to it.
This month, we sat down with Brandon Buhai, co-founder of Door and Window Guard Systems (DAWGS), a Chicagoland-based vacant property security business. DAWGS emerged from Brandon's journey through the tech world to building something more tangible and enduring.
FIVE QUESTIONS
1. When did you start your company and what drove that decision?
"DAWGS was born out our experience in the tech world, but my entrepreneurial journey started much earlier. My mother owned a number of boutiques, and my father was involved with various types of founders and owners. Seeing their businesses instilled that entrepreneurial thinking in me from a young age. During my first job in the U.S., I saw the writing on the wall from the .com boom and thought, 'I don't know how long these companies are going to survive'. My partner and I had successfully built an IT company based on security technology from Israel, but we saw how quickly tech businesses could become obsolete. That was the impetus to pivot to something very different.
That's when we discovered an underappreciated industry in physical security solutions after hearing about a main provider, Vacant Property Security (VPS). I couldn't believe that this market existed and there was only one company that did it. We knew we wanted to create something more permanent and that couldn't be easily replaced by the next software update, and this underappreciated, massive industry was fascinating to me. That's what led us to founding Door and Window Guard Systems."
2. What's your approach to building a sustainable business?
"Our focus has always been on creating something that stands the test of time. We realized quickly that we weren't just selling a product in the physical steel door and window guard units, but we were selling a service of ongoing property security.
Early on, we made the conscious decision to only rent, not sell, our product. A number of retailers offered to purchase the product directly – we wanted to maintain control and build direct relationships with our customers. We even turned down a lot of publications and kept a low profile because we were in such a niche industry. We didn't want others to catch wind of the business opportunity we'd found. It's about finding that sweet spot between innovation and stability — creating solutions that are both effective and enduring."
3. What was a pivotal moment in your early business journey?
"When we were first building DAWGS, I was very cognizant of marketing. Contrary to popular business practice, I really didn't want to make too much noise as we launched. We would only go to trade shows very specific to our industry. We chose to keep marketing very specific to our audience and not branch out too much.
There was another pivotal moment that came when we recognized that success isn't just about the product, it's about the people. Being an immigrant myself, having spent time with field workers in South Africa, I found I could really connect with our diverse and growing team in a unique way. That realization — that sometimes the most sustainable businesses are built on genuine connections and shared values rather than just products and services — was another turning point."
4. How did you approach building and nurturing your team?
"From the beginning, we made a conscious decision to build a team-focused culture. I didn't want it to feel corporate. The whole purpose was to build a team where everyone felt valued and connected. I try to spend time with as many team members as I can, even those in the field. We do group lunches most Fridays, or half-day trainings followed by something fun. It's crucial to maintain that personal touch even as we grow. As the saying goes, 'You don't want to get rich alone.' If everyone's goals are aligned, your business will grow naturally. Sharing and being proud of my roots helped me connect with our diverse workforce in a unique way, and that authentic connection has been key to our success. We've found that when you create an environment where people genuinely enjoy working together, everything else falls into place."
5. What advice would you give to other business owners?
"Don't get caught up in the hype of what's trendy. Look for business opportunities that solve fundamental problems and create lasting value. Try to find people you enjoy being with to make money with — business is a long journey, and it's much more rewarding when you're working alongside people you genuinely like.
Sometimes the most successful businesses aren't the most glamorous or technologically advanced — they're the ones that consistently deliver solutions to real problems. And remember, businesses can outgrow people, so it's crucial to build a team that can evolve and grow with your vision. Focus on building something that will still be relevant and valuable ten years from now."
Our Three Cents
We loved our conversation with Brandon. His South African accent combined with his mix of clarity and self-awareness gives a quiet rock-like presence. Here are three things we gleaned from the conversation that may be helpful for your business:
1: Long-term thinking beats trends.
Brandon didn’t chase the next shiny tech idea. While others were riding the waves of the .com boom, he was already scanning the horizon for what comes after the hype. Physical security isn’t glamorous, but it’s real, it’s needed, and it’s built to endure. In a world obsessed with what’s next, Brandon doubled down on what stays.
2: Control builds stability.
There’s something refreshing about a founder who knows when not to scale too fast. Brandon turned down big-box deals, kept his cards close, and focused on doing things the right way rather than the flashy way. That patience and discipline became his competitive edge. Sometimes success isn’t about more exposure, it’s about more control.
3: People are the advantage.
Brandon realized early on that it’s not the product that makes a company strong — it’s the people behind it. His immigrant background gave him a deep sense of empathy and connection with his team. He built a culture where everyone feels part of the mission. As he puts it, “You don’t want to get rich alone.” And that mindset paid off in loyalty, growth, and shared success.
Thank You + An Invitation
As Owner to Owner takes flight, we’d love to meet you and hear your story. The conversations are casual and brief (just 30 minutes) but they’re a meaningful way to inspire other business owners and connect with a broader community.
If you're interested, just reply to this email and we'll find a time that works for you.
Thank you and have a great November,
Victor & Brian
About Owner to Owner
This is a new private email for owners of B2B businesses in the US. Hosted by two longtime business owners, Brian O'Connor and Victor Saad of NextGen Growth Partners, we share personal interviews, honest lessons, and draw connections back to your work and life. Glad you're here.