Learning Leadership From the Ground Up
When I think about my journey as a business owner, I often reflect on where it all started. Before leading a company, making strategic decisions, and building a team, I was someone who learned the value of hard work through hands-on experience.
My path has always been connected to understanding how things work, solving problems, and working alongside others to accomplish a shared goal. Those lessons started early in my life and continued through my experiences in sports, education, and entrepreneurship.
Today, as the CEO of Most Valuable Plumber, I understand that effective leadership is not just about sitting behind a desk and making decisions. Great leaders need to understand the people they work with, the challenges their teams face, and the importance of doing the job the right way.
My experience working directly in the field has shaped the way I lead my company. It has given me a deeper appreciation for the work our team performs and the dedication it takes to provide excellent service to our customers.
Why Experience Matters in Leadership
One of the biggest lessons I have learned in business is that experience creates perspective. When leaders understand the work happening at every level of an organization, they are better equipped to make informed decisions.
Hands-on experience allows leaders to see situations from different viewpoints. It helps them understand what employees need, what customers expect, and what challenges may come up during daily operations.
In the trades, there is no substitute for experience. You learn by doing. You learn by facing unexpected problems, finding solutions, and continuing to improve. Those same lessons apply to running a business.
Every challenge I encountered while building my career helped prepare me for the responsibilities of leadership. The ability to stay calm under pressure, communicate clearly, and find solutions are skills that come from experience, not just from a textbook.
Leading With Understanding and Respect
One of the most important responsibilities of a leader is respecting the people who make the organization successful. A company is not built by one person. It is built by a team of individuals who bring different skills, perspectives, and strengths.
Having experience in the field has helped me understand the effort that goes into every job. I know the importance of preparation, attention to detail, and taking pride in your work. Those values influence the culture we continue to build at Most Valuable Plumber.
When employees know that their leaders understand the challenges they face, it creates a stronger connection. Leadership becomes less about giving orders and more about working together toward a common goal.
I believe people perform their best when they feel respected and supported. A strong leader listens, learns, and stays connected with their team.
The Transition From Technician to Entrepreneur
Starting and growing a business requires a completely different set of skills. While technical knowledge is important, entrepreneurship requires vision, planning, communication, and the ability to make difficult decisions.
My background helped me develop a strong foundation for building a company because I understood the industry from the inside. I knew the importance of quality work, customer relationships, and creating a team that shares the same commitment to excellence.
However, becoming a business leader also required me to continue learning and growing. That is one of the reasons I pursued education in Business Administration and Economics and continue working toward my bachelor’s degree in Business Law at Arizona State University.
I believe successful leaders should always be willing to learn. No matter how much experience someone has, there is always room to improve, adapt, and gain new knowledge.
Building a Business Through People
A company’s success is never only about the services it provides. It is about the people behind those services.
The best businesses are built by teams that trust each other and share a common purpose. As a leader, my goal is to create an environment where people have opportunities to grow and feel proud of their contributions.
My experiences in sports have also influenced the way I approach leadership. Coaching youth football and basketball has taught me that every person has different strengths. Some people need encouragement, some need guidance, and others need the opportunity to take on more responsibility.
Building a successful team in business requires the same mindset. Leaders need to recognize potential, develop talent, and help people reach their goals.
Staying Connected to What Matters
As businesses grow, it can become easy for leaders to become disconnected from the everyday work that built the company. I believe staying connected to your roots is one of the most important parts of leadership.
My journey from working in the field to leading a company has reminded me that every role matters. The lessons learned through hands-on experience continue to guide the decisions I make today.
Leadership is not about being above the work. It is about understanding the work, supporting the people who do it, and creating opportunities for others to succeed.
The best leaders are those who never forget where they started. They use their experiences to make better decisions, build stronger teams, and create a lasting impact.
My goal as a business owner is not only to grow a successful company. It is also to continue building a culture where people are valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.