When Jake and Mary Catherine Armstrong started Revive Properties in 2015, they were working from a small desk in their home with young children underfoot.

• Today, their luxury remodeling company has grown to 11 employees, an office in Destin, and a reputation for transforming outdated properties into showpieces along the Emerald Coast.

“We try to make it a family,” Jake said about his approach to both business and relationships with his team. “Even with our guys in the field, we really try to make it like a family.”

The Destin natives met at Fort Walton Beach High School, dated for seven years, and eventually married before starting their family — which now includes four children ages 7 to 11. 

Jake’s connection to construction began early in life. “Even in high school, I took some drawing classes and was sweeping construction sites for some money on the side,” Jake recalled. “I’ve always been around construction.”

After moving to Destin at age nine and attending local schools, Jake worked in real estate for a couple of years followed by property management. His path eventually led him to working with a family member in construction and another company handling sales and estimating, where he gained valuable experience that would later form the foundation for Revive Properties. 

• “I learned a ton about construction,” Jake said of his early career experiences. “I learned so much in the field, and then with the other company, I learned a lot about sales and estimating. So you put those two together and you have a lot of the basic fundamentals down.”

The couple’s business journey began as a side hustle with house flipping while Jake was working for another construction company.

“We bought a little house in Fort Walton Beach and renovated it. We made a lot of mistakes,” Mary Catherine recalled about their first flip. “Permits, budget, everything. We didn’t have good cash flow and we really just didn’t know anything. We were just trying to figure it out.”

Despite early challenges, the couple persevered. Mary Catherine’s accounting degree and business background complemented Jake’s construction knowledge, though she admits she was initially risk-averse about entrepreneurship.

• A turning point came when they hired a business coach who specialized in remodeling companies. This connection provided systems, accountability and confidence to expand their team and operations. 

“He helped us feel like we could handle hiring people,” Mary Catherine said. “We now have 11 employees.”

The Armstrongs have carved out a niche in luxury remodeling, particularly in updating outdated condos and homes in Destin and along 30A. Their growth happened organically, growing from small projects to full home renovations, often through word-of-mouth referrals. 

• Their project portfolio has grown to include multiple units in several condo complexes, including 11 units at Dunes of Seagrove, five at Grand Villas, and ongoing projects at Harbor Landing. 

“A lot of our clients don’t live here,” Mary Catherine explained. “Jake is such a trustworthy person and people can see that. I think the clients that don’t live here know they can trust him to take care of their home when they’re not here.”

Their business approach focuses on transparency, honest communication, and realistic timelines. 

“I’m not going to be the cheapest person and I’m not going to be the fastest person,” Jake tells clients upfront. “Other people will promise you all of those things just to sell the job, then they’ll just put change orders on the back end to make the same thing.”

At Revive Properties, the Armstrongs pride themselves on being Destin and 30A’s premier luxury residential renovation team. “We focus on bringing your vision to life, making the entire process seamless from start to finish,” Jake explained. “It’s our goal to transform your property into a sanctuary that truly reflects your unique vision and elevates the art of living along Florida’s Emerald Coast.”

• Their services extend beyond simple renovations. Their team of experts can analyze entire floor plans and make suggestions on how to elevate spaces, whether for personal lifestyle enhancements or to develop properties as investment assets. They also offer focused renovations for specific rooms like kitchens and bathrooms.

A standout feature of their service is their 3D rendering system, which allows clients to preview their renovated spaces before the work begins. “Our clients love being able to see a preview of their home with our state-of-the-art 3D rendering system,” Mary Catherine said. “This brings the project to life and also aids in selecting finishes, light fixtures and more.”

These visualizations ensure everyone involved shares the same vision. “The renderings help ensure the client, our team and the trade partners are all on the same page on how the end product will look and feel,” Jake added. “We attribute much of our customer satisfaction to this step in the process.”

In recent years, the Armstrongs have observed shifting design trends in the area. “We’re getting away from the grays and the whites a little bit,” Jake noted. “Colors are coming back a little bit more. Your white oak and natural looking woods are popular.”

Beyond business success, the couple contributes to the community through many sponsorships, including youth sports teams. As well as supporting Mission of Hope, and Mary Catherine’s board position with Selah’s Heart, a nonprofit supporting mothers who have experienced loss.

Last year, Jake received professional recognition when he was named to Pro Remodeler magazine’s “40 Under 40” list, a national honor recognizing top remodelers under age 40. 

• As they mark their 10-year anniversary, it’s business as usual for the Armstrongs. Their future plans include possible expansion into new construction while continuing to refine their renovation process.

Their advice to young people interested in construction is simple: just get started. “You’re not going to know anything,” Jake said. “The school of hard knocks is the best construction path.”

The company’s mission centers on integrity, quality, and service. 

“We pride ourselves on being a local, family-owned business that provides the highest level of quality, in both the product we deliver, as well as the service we provide,” Jake said. “Watching a client’s eyes light up when they see the finished product is truly why we do what we do.”

For more information on Revive Properties or to schedule a consultation, visit their website here or call 850-699-6275.