When I think back to where I started, I did not have a clear roadmap. I grew up in the Lewiston Auburn area in Maine, and like a lot of people, I did not come from much. I was just trying to figure things out. I liked staying active, playing basketball, skateboarding when I was younger, and just being outside. But I did not have a straight path handed to me.
I found my way into electrical work through a career center in Lewiston. At that point, I was just looking for direction. I did not know it would turn into a long-term career, and I definitely did not know I would one day own my own electrical company. I just knew I needed to work and learn something real.
That is the truth about the trades. Most people do not start out with everything figured out. You just start.
Learning by Doing
My first real step into the trade was working as a helper in solar installations down in Massachusetts. It was a roofing company getting into solar around 2014. That job taught me a lot fast. You are outside, you are working with your hands, and you are learning from people who expect you to keep up.
I worked my way up from helper to foreman over time. Nothing about it was instant. You earn every bit of trust through consistency. Showing up on time, paying attention, and not cutting corners matters more than anything you say.
The biggest lesson I learned early is that you do not need to be the smartest person in the room. You just need to be willing to work and willing to learn. If you can do that, people notice.
Growth Comes From Responsibility
At some point, I had to step away from traveling because I became a father. That changed everything for me. It forced me to look at my career differently. I could not just chase work anywhere anymore. I needed stability.
I worked for Tradesmen International for a bit, and then got deeper into electrical work with E.S.M. I kept building experience and working toward my license. Eventually, I became a Master Electrician in the state of Maine.
That license is not just a title. It represents years of studying, working, failing, fixing mistakes, and learning how systems actually work. It also represents responsibility. When you are a master electrician, people are trusting you with safety, homes, businesses, and livelihoods.
That is not something you take lightly.
The Union Years and Real-World Experience
After getting licensed, I worked with the IBEW and traveled across the United States. I worked with different locals and saw how different crews operate in different places. I even worked out in California at one point.
That experience opened my eyes. Every job site is different, but the fundamentals stay the same. Electricity does not care where you are. The rules are the rules. Safety is safety. Quality is quality.
The union also taught me discipline and structure. There is pride in doing things the right way, even when no one is watching. That mindset sticks with you.
Starting a Business From Scratch
Eventually, my wife and I decided the traveling lifestyle was not what we wanted for our family anymore. That is when I made the decision to start my own business in March of 2023.
That is how Rocky Coast Electric started.
Starting a business in the trades is not glamorous. It is a lot of long days, early mornings, late nights, and figuring things out as you go. You are the electrician, the estimator, the problem solver, and sometimes even the cleanup crew.
But I wanted to build something that reflected my values. Show up, work hard, be honest, and solve problems for people.
We have been growing steadily since then, and I am proud of what we are building. It is not just about electrical work. It is about reputation and trust.
What Really Matters in This Career
If I had to break it down, success in the trades comes down to a few simple things.
First, show up every day. Even when you do not feel like it. Especially when you do not feel like it.
Second, work harder than the next person in a quiet way. You do not need to be loud about it. Just be consistent.
Third, be willing to learn forever. I still read, still study, still try to get better every day. Success to me is continuing education. If you stop learning, you stop growing.
Fourth, treat people with respect. I learned that early. You can be firm and still be respectful. You do not need to be difficult to get things done.
Where It All Leads
Looking back, I see how every step mattered. The early struggles, the mistakes, the long drives, the union work, the licensing process, and starting a business all built on each other.
I also lean heavily on my faith and my family. My wife and kids are a big part of why I keep pushing forward. My past also reminds me where I came from and why I do not take anything for granted.
The trades gave me a second chance in a lot of ways. They gave me structure, purpose, and a way to build something real with my hands.
If someone is starting out today, I would say this. Do not overthink it. Get in, learn, stay consistent, and keep moving forward even when it is hard.
That is really what it takes to go from apprentice to master electrician. Not shortcuts. Not luck. Just time, effort, and commitment.