Fire & Flow
Fire & Flow
Why is it important to embrace new technology in trade industries?
Breaking the old into the new can be challenging. There's often resistance because people fear change. While there are great resources to help understand and manage change, new technology in trades can still face pushback. Some experienced tradespeople might say, "That's not a real sprinkler system," even though it's proven to work.
That's why it's important to bring new people on board through our apprenticeship program. When they see me excited about new technologies and willing to try them, it helps open their minds. Of course, not everything we try works out, and some things fail. But many things succeed, and it's about being willing to take risks. Everyone in business knows that risk is part of the process. The key is managing that risk and understanding its size.
I want the new generation in the trades to be open to change and technology. Hopefully, I can help lead that change in the industry.
How can entrepreneurs recognize opportunities?
My dad’s journey really inspired me. When I moved to Colorado and worked for a heating and plumbing company, they eventually decided to focus solely on plumbing and heating, leaving their fire division behind. That’s when I saw my opportunity.
I believe opportunities are always around us; it’s just a matter of being in the right mindset to recognize them. Sometimes, we miss out because we’re distracted by other things. But in this case, everything aligned, and I realized this was my chance to start my own business.
I approached the business owners I worked for and asked if they were okay with me starting my own company. They were supportive and even sold me some of their equipment and materials. It all transitioned smoothly from their business into mine. Suddenly, I had clients, work, and great contacts. The business took off from there.
That’s how I went from being a worker to a business owner—by recognizing the opportunity and seizing it.
What good decision has propelled your business forward?
I’ve thought a lot about the good and bad decisions I’ve made. Looking back, I don’t feel like I’ve ever made a truly bad decision that ended in disaster or something irreversible. There have been decisions that were questionable or ones I wish I hadn’t made, but I wouldn’t call them "bad." They’re part of the learning curve of being a business owner.
One of the best decisions I made was investing in myself and the company. In 2008, a contractor friend encouraged me to build my own building and own the space. Before that, I had been renting, which gave some legitimacy to the business. But when I built and owned the building, it made the company feel real and solid. It gave us a space we could be proud of and an asset for the business.
Many companies don’t have tangible assets—they may have a customer list that could be worth something, but that’s not guaranteed. Owning something tangible, like a building, gives you something to hold on to and feel proud of. That was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
