One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was from my Uncle Mike, at a party thrown for my high school graduation.
I was about to head off to college, so the whole family was there to support me and offer me suggestions for the future.
I knew Uncle Mike was a contractor, with a no-nonsense approach to life. He said to me “don’t put all your eggs in one basket, unless you built that basket yourself.” I didn’t understand it at the time, but he was telling me to trust in myself, and the work I could do by myself. Soon after I decided not to attend the university, and to study roofing and carpentry with Uncle Mike. Over the last three years I have learned a lot, but the way the economy has crumbled I am deeply grateful to have chosen roofing as my career track. I know so many college grads that are buried in debt and still working for minimum wage, when I make three or four times as much money with the roofing contractor. Most people can’t handle the high heat and intense labor required in roofing, they would rather stay inside the office. Roofing is incredibly difficult work, and very taxing on the body, but it also has unbelievable job security. I never have to worry about losing my job, or not being able to make a living, because roofing contractors are always in demand. As long as people own homes and businesses, they will need professional roofers to help them out.