From Bricks to Business

With all of the commercial development achievements Wilks Development has seen, it’s hard to believe that this mighty business may have never been if it weren’t for the leap of faith their grandfather took years before.?

To understand the marvel that is the Wilks family journey, it’s important to start at the beginning. Many years ago, in Cisco, TX, housed in a simple goat shed amongst 160 acres of undeveloped land, Voy Wilks and his wife were hard at work erecting a homestead and raising five children. After his boss refused his request for a raise, Voy knew he needed to find another way to support his family. As the story goes, a high school was being built nearby, and bricklayers were needed. Despite having never laid a brick in his life, Wilks didn’t hesitate to volunteer for the job and quickly taught himself the ins and outs of the trade. This pivotal moment, Voy’s decision to dive into bricklaying, sparked what would become the trade and passion of his family for many years to come.?

As his talent and projects grew, Voy incorporated two of his children, Farris and Dan Wilks, into his masonry work, unknowingly passing along the knowledge they would use many years down the line to establish a business together. Kyle Wilks recounts the moment his father, Farris, approached his mother with the idea to start a masonry business with his brother, Dan. Kyle’s mother was not keen, fearing they could lose everything if the endeavor failed. Farris's smart response - “We don’t have anything to lose!” - eventually won her agreement.

?As a mason, Farris had to follow the jobs wherever they took him, and it was never a question whether his family would come along. Every few months, when a job was finished and a new one took its place, all 13 persons of the household would pack up and migrate to their next temporary home. Finding housing proved to be one of the most challenging tasks.

“You know how hard it is to find somebody who wants to rent to a family of 11?” Kyle said with a chuckle.

Kyle admits there were many nuances to this nomadic pattern, but his parents were brilliant enough to always find a solution. His mother was responsible for homeschooling all the children, who split their time between assisting with masonry and studying their school work.

“She was a great teacher,” Kyle admitted. “I was a questionable student.”

Kyle worked hand-in-hand with their father, watching as his company became the second-largest masonry company in the country. Farris and Dan’s ambitions and interests grew, eventually leading them to venture into fracking. When they sold their company, FracTech, in 2011, Kyle found himself at a crossroads.

“I had worked my way up to Senior Vice President,” said Kyle, “but the rest of the family and I lost our jobs with the sale.”

With masonry experience, Kyle and his brother, Josh, set out to find a new path. In Parker County, they stumbled upon a piece of land in Willow Park and recognized an opportunity to build something valuable: a multifamily complex. Like their grandfather, Kyle and Josh dove in headfirst, fueled by a passion for building and trust that they would rise to meet the challenge.?

"We didn't know what we were doing," he says, "but we knew how to build stuff.”

With each project, they learned and grew, and eventually, they founded Wilks Development, a development firm with the mission to positively impact every community it touches. Now, Kyle, Josh, and their cousin Jess Green lead the company. As respected players in the commercial development field, they continue to demonstrate the same values as their grandfather through their courage, commitment to excellence, and unwavering ability to see things through.

“He raised us to work,” Kyle said, speaking about his grandfather. “He taught us that you can do anything, but it's not going to be easy. And we took that to heart.”

Today, Wilks Development stands as a testament to hard work, determination, and the belief that anything is possible with perseverance. Kyle believes his grandfather would be proud, knowing his family embodies the spirit of resilience and the courage to chase dreams. From laying bricks to building communities, Wilks Development continues to make its mark, one project at a time.