Why Family Changed My Definition of Success
When people talk about building a business, the conversation usually focuses on growth, revenue, customers, and long hours. Those things are certainly part of the equation, but for me, the real reason behind everything I do is my family.
There was a time in my life when success meant advancing my career and creating opportunities for myself. As I got older, that definition changed. Becoming a husband and father completely shifted my perspective. It made me think differently about my goals, my priorities, and the kind of life I wanted to build.
Today, when I think about success, I do not immediately think about business accomplishments. I think about being present for my wife and children. I think about creating stability, setting a good example, and building a future that benefits the people I love most.
The Early Years of My Career
My journey in the electrical trade started in 2014 when I began working on solar installations in Massachusetts. I started as a helper and spent years learning everything I could about the trade. As my skills grew, so did my opportunities.
I worked hard because I wanted to create a better future for myself. I was willing to travel, put in long hours, and do whatever it took to gain experience. The electrical industry rewarded hard work, and I was determined to keep moving forward.
As my career progressed, I continued developing my skills and eventually earned my Master Electrician license in the state of Maine. I later joined the union and had opportunities to work with different locals throughout the United States. Those experiences taught me a great deal about the trade and helped me grow both personally and professionally.
At that stage of my life, traveling seemed like the right decision. It allowed me to learn from experienced professionals, work on large projects, and expand my knowledge. However, life has a way of changing your priorities.
Becoming a Father Changes Everything
The birth of my first child changed the way I viewed success.
Suddenly, the decisions I made were no longer just about me. I had a family depending on me. My responsibilities became much bigger than advancing my career or earning the next promotion.
As my family grew, I started paying closer attention to how much time I was spending away from home. Traveling for work provided valuable opportunities, but it also meant missing important moments with the people who mattered most.
I began to realize that while providing financially for my family was important, being present was equally important. My children needed more than a paycheck. They needed a father who was involved in their lives.
That realization forced me to take a hard look at what I wanted my future to look like.
Taking the Leap Into Business Ownership
In March of 2023, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life and started Rocky Coastal Electric.
Starting a business comes with risk. There are no guarantees. There are long days, unexpected challenges, and plenty of moments where you question whether you are making the right decision.
Despite those challenges, I knew I wanted to build something of my own. I wanted to create a business that reflected my values and allowed me to stay closer to home with my family.
Starting Rocky Coastal Electric gave me the opportunity to take control of my future. It allowed me to continue doing work I love while creating a better balance between my professional and personal life.
The company has grown steadily since its launch, and I am incredibly grateful for the trust our customers have placed in us. Every project we complete is another opportunity to strengthen our reputation and continue building something meaningful.
Learning to Balance Work and Home Life
One of the biggest challenges of running a business is learning how to balance work and family responsibilities.
There are always more things that need to be done. There are phone calls to answer, estimates to complete, projects to manage, and goals to pursue. If you are not careful, work can easily consume all of your time and attention.
Over the years, I have learned that success requires balance. A thriving business is important, but it should not come at the expense of the relationships that matter most.
That does not mean every day is perfectly balanced. Some weeks require extra effort at work, and other times family needs to come first. The key is remembering why you started in the first place.
For me, the purpose of building a successful business has always been to create a better life for my family. If I lose sight of that, then I lose sight of what truly matters.
The Motivation Behind Everything I Do
My children have been one of the greatest sources of motivation in my life.
There have been difficult days when things felt overwhelming. During those moments, thinking about my family has always helped me keep moving forward. They remind me why I continue setting goals and pushing myself to improve.
I also want my children to see the value of hard work. I want them to understand that success is not something that happens overnight. It comes from showing up consistently, learning from mistakes, and refusing to quit when things get difficult.
I hope that by watching my journey, they will see that challenges can be overcome and goals can be achieved through persistence and determination.
Building Something That Lasts
As Rocky Coastal Electric continues to grow, I remain focused on building more than just a successful company. I want to build a lasting reputation based on integrity, quality workmanship, and strong relationships.
I want customers to know they can trust us. I want employees to feel valued and supported. Most importantly, I want my family to be proud of what we are building together.
At the end of the day, businesses can grow and change, but family remains constant. The people who support you through every challenge are the people who matter most.
That is why I believe true success is not measured only by financial achievements. It is measured by the quality of your relationships, the impact you have on others, and the legacy you leave behind.
Building a business has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Building it without losing sight of my family has made it meaningful.