Starting your own business sounds exciting, and it is. But what people do not always see are the long days, the uncertainty, and the responsibility that come with it.
When I decided to start my own electrical company in 2023, I knew I was taking a risk. I had spent years building my career, working in solar, earning my Master Electrician license, traveling with the union, and learning every part of the trade I could. I had a stable career, but I also had a vision.
I wanted to build something that reflected my own values. I wanted customers to know they were getting honest work, quality craftsmanship, and someone who genuinely cared about solving their problems.
That vision became Rocky Coast Electric.
Experience Comes Before Ownership
One thing I always tell people is that owning a business starts long before you open the doors.
Every job I worked prepared me for becoming a business owner. My first experience in the electrical field came through solar installations in Massachusetts. I started as a helper, learned from experienced electricians, and eventually worked my way up to foreman.
Later, I worked for other electrical contractors, earned my license, and traveled across the country with the IBEW. Every project taught me something different. I learned how to work efficiently, communicate with customers, manage projects, and solve problems under pressure.
Without those years of experience, I would not have been ready to start my own company.
There is no shortcut for experience.
Wearing Every Hat
One of the biggest surprises about owning a business is how many different jobs you actually have.
People think I spend my entire day doing electrical work. Sometimes I do, but there is so much more happening behind the scenes.
One minute I am meeting with a customer to discuss a project. The next I am ordering materials, answering phone calls, creating estimates, scheduling work, handling paperwork, or planning the next week. Then I might spend the rest of the afternoon on a ladder wiring a new installation.
As a business owner, there is nobody else to pass those responsibilities to. If something needs to get done, it is your job to make sure it happens.
It can be overwhelming at times, but it is also incredibly rewarding.
Reputation Is Everything
One thing I learned early in my career is that your reputation follows you everywhere.
In the electrical trade, people talk. Contractors talk. Homeowners talk. Suppliers talk. If you consistently do quality work and treat people fairly, your reputation grows. If you cut corners, people find out about that too.
That is why I have always believed in doing things the right way, even if it takes a little longer.
I would rather spend extra time making sure a job is done correctly than rush through it and create problems later.
Trust takes years to build and only minutes to lose.
Customers Want More Than Technical Skill
Being a good electrician is important, but it is only part of running a successful company.
Customers want someone they can trust. They want clear communication. They want someone who shows up when they say they will and explains things in a way that makes sense.
Over the years, I have learned that people appreciate honesty more than anything else. If there is a problem, tell them. If there is a delay, communicate it. If there are options, explain them.
Building relationships has become just as important as building electrical systems.
Challenges Are Part of the Journey
There are days when everything goes according to plan, and there are days when nothing does.
Materials get delayed. Weather changes schedules. Unexpected issues show up once a project begins. Equipment fails. Those things happen.
The difference is how you respond.
I have found that staying calm and focusing on solutions is always better than getting frustrated. Customers are not looking for perfection. They are looking for someone who will handle problems professionally and keep moving forward.
That mindset has helped me both on job sites and as a business owner.
Never Stop Learning
One thing that has stayed consistent throughout my career is my commitment to learning.
I enjoy reading books about business, leadership, and personal growth. I also stay current with changes in electrical codes, new technology, solar energy, and electric vehicle charging systems.
The electrical industry is constantly evolving. If you stop learning, you eventually fall behind.
That applies to business ownership too.
Every year brings new challenges and new opportunities. The more you learn, the better prepared you are to adapt.
Family Gives the Work Meaning
Starting a business was never just about me.
My wife and children have been a huge part of this journey. They are the reason I wanted to build something that would create stability and long term opportunities for our family.
Owning a business comes with sacrifices. There are long hours and plenty of stress, but having a purpose bigger than yourself makes those sacrifices worthwhile.
My faith also plays a major role in how I approach both business and life. I believe every opportunity I have is a blessing, and I try to lead my business with honesty, humility, and integrity.
Those values guide every decision I make.
Looking Back and Looking Forward
When I think about where I started, it is amazing to see how far the journey has taken me. I went from being a young helper trying to learn the trade to becoming a Master Electrician and eventually opening my own company.
None of it happened overnight.
Every early morning, every difficult project, every lesson, and every challenge helped prepare me for where I am today.
Building a business from the ground up is not easy, but I would not trade the experience for anything.
There is something special about creating a company that reflects who you are and the values you believe in. Every satisfied customer, every completed project, and every new opportunity reminds me why I took that leap.
The work is not finished. In many ways, it is just beginning. I am excited to continue growing Rocky Coast Electric, serving our community, and proving that with hard work, faith, and a commitment to doing things the right way, the possibilities really are endless.