In the early days of Desert Star, our story was one of humble beginnings—much like my own. As I stepped into the world of general contracting, I had the privilege of learning from a renowned architect who forever changed the way I approached client relationships. His wisdom was simple yet profound: prioritize the needs and …
Planning
If not, what’s holding you back? When I reflect on my journey, I’m grateful I’m no longer the person I used to be. Growth is a choice, and we’re on this journey together. In our last issue, we explored “The Road Less Praised”, I shared how a difficult client became a lifelong friend after I humbled …
Earlier in my career, I had a client who constantly pushed me, making our interactions quite challenging. He once told me, “You never learn from a compliment.” This statement, though initially unsettling, eventually became a guiding principle in my professional life. At one point, I seriously considered terminating the contract due to the relentless pressure. …
I remember a season when the Phoenix construction market crashed, we lost $26 million of work in just forty-five days. I felt the full weight of it land on my head. I gathered our team and frankly said, “If we were to choose a business to be in at this moment, it would not be …
My early memories of accompanying my father to construction sites are filled with lessons that transcended the boundaries of building structures to shape my understanding of precision and integrity in every aspect of life. Initially, my presence at these sites was more about spending time with my dad rather than a deep-seated love for construction, …
Like many, you have recently navigated the complexities of submitting your income tax return, providing a clear snapshot of your annual tax responsibilities, especially those tied to various investment timelines. Most of us would prefer the favorable rates that accompany long-term capital gains. It is also a reminder to plan for long-term growth, which requires …
What are your priorities? Do they matter to you? I’ll never forget a watershed question my mentor asked me once. He said, “Jerry, are you treating your wife better than your best client?”
Do you live your life generously? When was the last time you were a blessing to someone? I remember the day when a client and friend, Tom Van Weelden, President of Allied Waste, told me “it’s not the money you make. It’s what you do with it.”
Let me encourage you, friend; you can find peace and joy in knowing that seasons of waiting will prove fruitful and will not last forever.
Have you ever heard of the notion of failing forward? Charles Swindoll says, “Tough times don’t make you. They reveal you.” I believe that sometimes failure is the very thing that can propel you forward, but it’s your perspective and response that will determine if failure sets you back or pushes you forward.