Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Dykstra.
Hi Brandon, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Byron Center has been home my whole life. Married my high school sweetheart and raised four kids here—one son who’s married now, another who runs his own auto detailing business, a daughter off at college, and our youngest still in high school.
Residential construction came into the picture through my dad. After high school, surveying work filled a few years before the building world pulled me in. Working together at Dykstra Homes LLC gave us about 10 years side by side—good years, learned a ton. When he started winding down toward retirement I worked on my own for a few years and then the next step was partnering up to start Synergy Custom Homes LLC in 2012.
What set us apart early on was bringing design in-house. Most custom builders at our level either subcontracted designers or left homeowners to figure it out themselves. Full service was our approach—design, build, everything under one roof. Projects ran smoother, communication stayed tight.
Over the years, I’ve been part of building more than 100 homes across West Michigan. The work started with entry-level homes and evolved into million-dollar builds with serious detail work. Some development projects came along too—streets, shared drives, all in Byron Center and the surrounding area. Along the way, most of the trades became second nature. Framing, siding, trim carpentry—spend enough time in this business, you learn what works and what doesn’t.
We did a couple commercial projects that required substantial security camera systems. Finding someone reliable to install security cameras was difficult and the customer service was less than impressive. The options were either DIY stuff or expensive security companies with confusing contracts. Nothing in between. Project after project, same frustration.
Eventually, doing it myself just made sense. The skills were already there—routing cable, working cleanly in finished homes, placing things strategically. That’s how Simple Security started—professional installations, straightforward approach, no subscriptions.
My kids have been involved in the website, marketing, and installs. Building something as a family has been pretty cool, and the focus is starting to shift more in this direction. After 30 years in construction, it feels like the right move.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth? Not exactly. Building a business from scratch while wearing every hat—marketing, sales, installs, customer service—keeps things interesting. Right now it’s all hands on deck. The kids and I are doing almost everything ourselves as we work to grow this thing. We do have a couple installers who help us out when we need it, which is on most jobs, but we’re still running pretty lean.
But that’s actually been valuable. Learning what resonates with customers, what doesn’t. Figuring out the most efficient installation methods. Understanding where the real pain points are in this industry. Hard to get that insight if you’re not in the trenches doing the work yourself.
The biggest challenge has been breaking through the noise. Most people don’t even know this middle-ground option exists between DIY and enterprise security. They’ve resigned themselves to either fighting with a Ring doorbell or signing a long contract they don’t understand. Getting in front of them, showing there’s a better way—that takes time.
Balancing Synergy Custom Homes while ramping up Simple Security has been a juggling act too. But the plan is coming together. We’re building momentum, learning as we go, and setting things up to scale the right way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Simple Security does one thing: professional security camera installations with no monthly fees. Ever.
That’s the whole pitch. We install hardwired camera systems—usually Lorex equipment—with local storage on an NVR in your home. You own it outright. Control everything from your phone. No subscriptions, no cloud dependency, no surprises.
What sets us apart is pretty straightforward. First, the construction background. Thirty years building homes means knowing how to route cables properly, work cleanly in finished spaces, and place cameras where they’ll actually be useful. Most security companies don’t have that skill set. Second, we’re transparent about pricing. This industry loves to hide costs and upsell you into contracts. We don’t play that game. You get a quote, you know what you’re paying, done.
The thing I’m most proud of? We’re solving a real problem. There’s this huge gap in the market—people want better than DIY, but they don’t want enterprise pricing or complexity. We fit right in that sweet spot. Professional work, fair pricing, straightforward process.
Also, it’s a family operation. My kids are involved in installs, marketing, the whole thing. There’s something satisfying about building this together.
If there’s one thing readers should know: if you’ve been frustrated trying to figure out security cameras—overwhelmed by options, annoyed by subscriptions, put off by confusing quotes—we’re the alternative. No gimmicks, just solid systems installed right.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Just start. Don’t wait until everything’s perfect—it won’t be.
After 30 years in construction, you’d think starting a new business would be easier. It’s not. Different skills. Marketing, sales funnels, online presence—that’s a whole other world from building homes. But you figure it out as you go.
Biggest thing I wish I’d known? Leverage what you already have. Your network, your skills, your reputation. I spent years building relationships in this area, working with subcontractors, earning trust with clients. That foundation matters. Don’t ignore it chasing some brand-new market.
Also, people won’t automatically know you exist or what you offer. Even if you’re solving a real problem, you have to put yourself out there consistently. That was humbling at first—thinking “this is obvious, people need this”—but then realizing most people have no idea it’s even an option.
And involve your people. Family, partners, whoever’s in your corner. Building this with my kids has made the grind way more enjoyable. You don’t have to do everything alone.
Last thing: batch your work. Don’t try to be everywhere all the time. Focus, execute, move to the next thing. Burnout helps nobody.
You’ll make mistakes. That’s fine. Just keep moving!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mysimplesecurity.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysimplesecurity/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581443563593
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SimpleSecurity49315
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/simple-security-grandville
