The Hebert Brothers
Published 6:01 pm Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Three entrepreneurs, three successful business paths
The Hebert brothers, standing in front of the Sam Hebert Financial Group building at 790 East Bayou Pines, are all local business owners. From left, Sam is founder and CEO of the Sam Hebert Financial Group, Mark owns and operates Hebert Signs, and Mike is the owner of SADE Construction, a residential and commercial building and remodeling company.
Mark, Sam and Mike Hebert grew up learning to make the most of what was at hand, whether it was spending the afternoon catching crabs in the muddy waters around Lake Charles or grabbing a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich on their way out the back door to ride bikes.
Their upbringing was old-fashioned – yes ma’am and no sir, Mass on Sundays and taking responsibility for mischievous pranks. But that down-home philosophy instilled by their parents, Claudia and Howard Hebert, formed the basis for the three brothers to own and operate thriving businesses in the Lake Charles area.
Mark is the oldest of the boys and has owned and operated Hebert Signs, as a custom sign artist. Sam is the founder and CEO of the Sam Hebert Financial Group and Mike is the owner of SADE Construction, a residential and commercial building and remodeling company.
Pictured is distinctive custom Mark Hebert sign. Mark has been in the sign business since 1976.
The three are not only brothers but also good friends, and that bond was formed when they were growing up.
Howard and Claudia were high school sweethearts who married and reared their seven children in a rambling house on Louisiana Avenue and 5th Street. Howard stressed that the keys to success were hard work and making the most of what was at hand, whether it was having a rope swing in the back yard or learning how to hunt safely to feed the family.
All the Hebert’s – four sisters and three brothers — pitched in to keep the household running.
The Hebert boys worked at cutting yards, raking leaves, and any jobs they could take in. Along with Dad, they tore down old buildings, pulled and straightened the nails, while saving the wood for future projects. Their Dad taught them to make their own fishing lures and how to fish and hunt. They had paper routes as boys, although one of the brothers admits he probably wouldn’t have won the “paperboy of the year” award. That was a lesson in itself. Also, all three brothers worked at Kroger’s, during high school.
If there was one theme our father instilled in us, it would be, “Try and do what you love, but do your best in whatever you are doing.”
The Hebert brothers said their upbringing was old-fashioned- yes ma’am and no sir, Mass on Sundays and taking responsibility for mischievous pranks. But that down-home philosophy instilled by their parents, Claudia and Howard Hebert, formed the basis for the three brothers to own and operate thriving businesses in the Lake Charles area.
Growing Businesses
The Hebert brothers entered the business world knowing they wanted to control their own destinies and leave a lasting legacy for their families and their city.
Mark began his entrepreneurial career in 1976 when he was working at the downtown Walgreens as an assistant manager. The company wanted to send him to management school, and he considered taking that next step.
But on the way home one evening, he passed by the Kress Five and Dime Store and noticed someone painting a bicentennial mural on an exterior wall. He loved seeing what the artist was creating, so he asked him if he needed any help.
“He offered me a job at half of what I was making, and I took it,” Mark said.
Mark’s signs are not only artistic, but they creatively and effectively communicate the personalities of the business.
Sam took his own route to success. Right out of high school, he started working at a petrochemical plant, but knew he wanted more creativity in his life. First of all, Sam needed to convince his wife he had a definite plan.
“I asked my wife if she would just give me 10 years and if I was not successful, I would do anything she wanted,” Sam said.
Michael Hebert, owner and operator of SADE Construction transformed a small, modern one-story house into this traditional two-story by suspending the second story over the lower level. Michael also built the Sam Hebert Financial Group building at 790 Easy Bayou Pines.
At the age of 24, Sam took a bold step and started a lighted sign company. Building on that success, he saw a niche and branched out, building custom homes and remolding.
The contractor side became so successful, Sam closed the sign company and concentrated on construction in the Lake Charles area.
He found he loved building, but wanted something more, so Sam decided to go back to school, which lead to his financial practice. The construction business was thriving, and the 36-year-old was reluctant to shut it down.
He knew he needed to turn the business over to someone who could grow it. He didn’t have to look far – youngest brother Mike was ready to make a career change.
Mike had just completed five years in the U.S. Navy with 14 years spent as a defense contractor. He not only had knowledge in the construction business, he also wanted to return to Lake Charles for a variety of reasons, first and foremost, to help care for their father who was in declining health.
In 2002, Mike became head of SADE Construction, and the business has continued to grow and expand under Mike’s leadership. Their slogan is “If you can dream it, we can build it,” and Mike, who is quiet by nature, actively listens to his customers and figures out how to accomplish what they need.
Their father lived to see his sons follow their dreams. Mark’s sign business, is flourishing as he is able to express his artistic ability. Sam travels the United States speaking to various groups, focusing on how to be more effective. Mike has a full calendar of clients in need of remodeling or those wishing to build residential or commercial projects.
Their families love spending time together, whether it’s enjoying the monthly Hebert birthday celebration under the watchful eye of matriarch Claudia or sitting quietly together on the end of a dock, fishing while the sun sets.
Although each brother has worked enough years in the business world and could take life a little easier, that step is out of the question. Retirement isn’t a word in these brothers’ vocabulary.
Mark is looking forward to adding fine art projects as a supplement to the commercial sign business, Sam is always seeking how to honor the gifts God gave him and Mike is enjoying customizing client’s ideas to making their dreams become a reality. No matter where their travels have taken them and will take them, home will always be Lake Charles.
Sam has often stated, “I am proud to be a local business owner, and we’re equally proud of each other”.
