Welcome to 2018! 2017 was an amazing year with a lot of great things happening all at once. As I sit here looking at the prospects for 2018, I can’t help but think back to this time last year, when I set forth with the goal of changing Amerivet Services in big ways.
I put a lot of effort into a new set of goals and directions, and worked very hard to wrap my head around what they might mean. The great thing about this business is that as I give it all of my energy and effort, it gives that back and more. I’m always surprised by how supportive people are, and how new opportunities always surprise me. I never forget that “opportunity” always means “challenge,” and challenges are to be met and conquered. Problems are to be solved and customers are to be left with a lot of reasons to invite me back.
At the beginning of last year, I set forward with the understanding that I can’t sustain good long term growth without a good sustainable team and support network. The support from my material suppliers was already great, and they spent the entire year proving just how valuable they are. But there were other background suppliers that were lacking, and thankfully I was steered toward much better ones. The pieces were starting to come together, and the challenges I was able to meet got bigger and more complex.
The only thing I was really lacking was good people, a team. Within a month after I cracked that nut, the phone rang, and I was asked to go look at a set of drawings. The next day I went, discussed the drawings, put together a loose agreement with people I really trust, and was told that I needed a crew and equipment on site the following week!
So on August 9th we started work on what will become Anthony Wayne Apartments at Wayne State University. It’s an 11 story building with over 400 apartments. I now have a team of three fanastic welders in addition to myself, and we’re really taking this bull by the horns and showing it who’s boss. I couldn’t ask for a better team!
As we move into 2018, there are new challenges on the horizon, and I have preliminary information that there are more opportunties for “The Team.” As I look a these opportunities and process what they mean, I have no doubt that things will go great, and we’ll show the world what Amerivet Services can do. As always, I’m very grateful for the amazing things and amazing people that come my way!
Many thanks to all of you who’ve believed in me over the years. To those who helped me through last year’s transition, I can’t thank you enough. Your words and actions of support have really given me confidence and perseverance to keep moving forward.
One person who has given the most support, day after day, through thick and thin, has been my incredible and courageous wife, Tammy. Unlike the rest of you, she gets to listen to the voices in my head, and sometimes she has to redirect them or tell them to wait their turn. She helps me through a lot of situations that nobody else could and keeps me on solid ground. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in life.
I wish everyone the best in 2018. Thank you very much for all of your support, best wishes, and “high fives!”
Because it’s been a while since my last blog entry, I’m going to post a few parting shots, just so you can get an idea of how things are going:
Here are Tyler and Tony, welding concrete decking:
Here is the big building at Wayne State. This picture was several weeks ago. We’re putting finishing touches on the 11th floor now:
Here’s Papa’s Girl helping me put running boards on our new company truck:
