The Long Story of How I Became "The Electrician"

In 2007, fresh out of high school, I found myself adrift with no clear direction, no vision for my future, and no one to guide me. My father, a hard-working man who owned a small electrical company in our hometown, offered me a lifeline. He suggested that if I had no other plans, I could work for him and learn a trade—something practical and useful. With little discipline and no sense of purpose, I accepted his offer, not because I had a burning

desire to become an electrician, but simply because I needed something to do.

For two years, I worked under my father, but my lack of focus and maturity were obvious. Eventually, he fired me—a wake-up call I desperately needed. At the time, I was rebellious and angry, but after a week of sulking, I realized how much I needed my father and the work he provided. We reconciled, and for the next three years, I worked diligently by his side, learning the ropes and developing a respect for the trade.

However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to explore other avenues before committing fully to the only job I had ever known. A close friend of mine had moved to the West Coast and found success in the film and photography industry. We had always made short films together as kids, just for fun, and the idea of turning that passion into a career was too tempting to ignore. So, with nothing to tie me down, I took a leap of faith and moved out West to pursue acting.

From 2012 to 2015, I found myself in a world that was both thrilling and uncertain. I landed work with companies like Leatherman, Keen Shoes, Verizon Wireless, and the Oregon Lottery. I even had a small credited role in a web series and participated in two 48-hour film festivals—one of which earned us the Audience Choice Award and Best Use of Prop! It was an exhilarating time. In between acting gigs I worked for Hilton Hotels as a maintenance

worker, waited tables in a bowling alley, worked my way up to a bartender, even took seasonal work resurfacing tennis courts. Met many people, learned so much about myself and the world.

In 2015, I moved to Los Angeles, hoping to break into the industry on a larger scale. But LA was a different beast—everyone was an actor, a producer, or something in between. I moved without a job lined up, no place to live, a car full of my belongings, and a thrill for life. The only notable acting I did in Los Angeles was be a lead part in a musical and I made it on the big screen in the form of a nationalized Chevrolet commercial! My seconds of fame! While acting was fun, it wasn’t the stable future I wanted. It wasn’t long before I fell back into electrical work, this time with a high-end residential company in LA. There, I learned invaluable lessons about sales and electrical safety, knowledge that still serves me well today.

While in Los Angeles, an old friend from Michigan reached out to me on Facebook. That message would change my life forever. That friend, Valerie, eventually became my wife, and together we’ve built a beautiful family. Valerie inspired me to grow up, to be a provider, and to take control of my future. She didn’t need me to be her provider—she was already incredibly successful in her own right—but she motivated me to become the best version

of myself. When she decided to move to San Francisco, I followed without hesitation.

My first job in San Francisco was far from what I expected—I worked for Arthur Murray Dance Studios, learning ballroom dance and honing my ability to connect with people from all walks of life. During the afternoons, I danced; in the mornings, I studied for my electrical license. The first time I took the exam, I failed. I wasn’t prepared, and I knew it was my fault. Humbled, I returned to my studies with renewed determination. The second time, I passed,

and that opened up a new chapter in my life.

Once I had my license, job offers came flooding in. I worked for a small residential franchised company, a large commercial company, a university, and ended up working for Tesla, where I learned about solar and battery installations—skills I hope to use in the future. But when Valerie and I discovered we were going to be parents, everything changed. The thought of raising a child in San Francisco, far from our families, filled me with a fear I had never known. For the first time, it wasn’t just about me. I had a family to think about.

We decided to move back to Michigan, leaving behind our tiny 630-square-foot apartment, the ocean, and the friends we had made along the way. My father still owned his business, and despite the changes that had occurred in the six years I had been away, he offered me a partner position. This time, I was ready to learn from him in a new way. Together, we rebranded the company, established an online presence, and expanded the company to new heights. Every year, our sales grew, and I found myself thriving in ways I never imagined.

The journey from a directionless teenager to “The Electrician” has been anything but straightforward. It has been a path filled with twists and turns, challenges and triumphs, but each step has brought me closer to the person I am today. My father’s mentorship, my experiences in the film industry, and the love and support of my wife, Valerie, have all shaped me. I am proud of the man I’ve become, and I am excited for the future, knowing that I have the skills, the passion, and the drive to continue growing—both personally and professionally. I am “The Electrician.”