I’ve drafted two full posts in the past hour and then deleted each one. They each felt like I was trying to pack a lot into one post, and well, no one needs that amount of word vomit in one sitting. So, let’s start with the first major event, shall we?
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| May 2025 |
At the beginning of 2025, my husband was presented with a new work opportunity. He would be learning a new skill and completely stepping out of the construction world. This opportunity would come with a “buy-in” partnership and inspection license. It would mean creating his own hours and less physical stress on his body. It was a win-win. So, he accepted.
Well, halfway through the year, he was informed that a partnership was no longer on the table. Instead, he would receive an increase in salary and be the supervisor for any new hires. But becoming a part-owner would not be possible. While this was disheartening news, he said he was okay as long as he was able to apprentice until he could get his own license. The pay bump was also very welcome, as we were struggling. So, he pushed on.
Then, as August rolled around, there was news that the owner might sell the company off completely. And if not, he would significantly decrease the areas in which he would place work bids. My husband’s area was one of those possibly being axed. Based on several discussions, some of which took place in front of me while others did not, he was told that he had nothing to worry about. If our area was not bid, he could work in the neighboring one. It would require a bit more travel, but his job was secure.
And then November came along. My husband was informed that his employer had decided not to bid for our area again. And while we were expecting this, the major disappointment came when he found himself unemployed. With no way of completing an apprenticeship to gain his license. It felt like he had just wasted a year. And everything that he had been told was just…bullshit. As you can imagine, that set us back even further financially.
After his last day, he took a few weeks to get some things done around our home. He did some odd jobs here and there. But every night, he’d ask if he should go back to what he knew - construction. I honestly had no idea what to say. Did he enjoy that line of work? Sometimes. Did it beat up his body every day? Definitely. But was he good at it? Absolutely. And that’s when he started to toss around the idea of being his own boss. And well, after some discussion, that’s the route he decided would be best. Go big or go home, right?
At the beginning of 2026, he decided to pursue it with everything he had. He would take guidance from his grandfather, who owns his own company, on creating this new business. Then, we put whatever we could into investing in tools. He started talking to some businesses about referrals for jobs that might be too small for them or that they didn't have time for. And finally, he started his first big build.
So far, things have been going pretty well, and he has steady work, which we are grateful for. He’s put in a lot of hard work, and he’s even been able to pay for a work hand, which has helped tremendously. But I would be lying if I said we didn’t have our doubts. Especially when he received a call from a local company, willing to pay him a really good amount, to run their construction crew. He politely declined, but it made us so nervous. That said, I have faith that he’ll be able to make this happen. I have faith that he’s working towards his dream so he can better himself and his family. Now, I just pray that God guides him in the work he needs to do, and that doors open for him when we need them.
