Author: Kivo Daily Staff

“It was in 2007, I took a leap of faith and started a business with a friend.”

Timothy Pessin was born and raised in Pleasantville, California. After graduating high school, he began work as a general laborer for a construction company called Cali York Construction. This job was the start of a full-time position when he turned eighteen, comprising residential remodels and additions all over East Bay.

Timothy eventually took a job working for a telecommunications company; however, wanting to gain more experience in broader electrical work, he went on to work for various electrical contractors.

Eventually, he began running his own jobs and crews. Timothy worked for one other General Contracting company called Shakey Construction building homes. Mr. Pessin said, “I wanted to be well-rounded in the trade and know a bit about everything, which is something I’m proud of.” 

“It was in 2007, I took a leap of faith and started a business with a friend.” He did everything from new construction, wiring houses, residential service calls, and remodels. He then expanded to doing electrical work for cell phone towers and completed several jobs for many customers. This opportunity ended up taking him to Maui and completing wire installations there with his business partner. It was then that Timothy circled back to the Bay Area and started to run projects on a much larger scale. This was so successful that he transitioned into doing work for Clear Wire, Bectal, and AT&T, as well as T-Mobile and Verizon.

By 2015, he had one hundred and fifty people completing various projects. At that point, Mr. Pessin started running the business as the President/CEO of his company E-Tech. He became a major player in telecommunications in the Bay Area which includes general and electrical construction. He also jumped into working with Clean Energy in 2015, building hydrogen fueling stations. “Those were some of my most complex jobs.” One project Timothy spoke passionately about was the work he did with Tesla, constructing charging stations throughout several states.

Mr. Pessin became the primary construction contractor in the Bay Area. In 2020, his company, E-Tech expanded to Vancouver, WA, and is thriving as one of the primary construction contractors in The Pacific Northwest. E-Tech then expanded a division to Austin, Texas, with Tesla as well. Timothy was able to double the size of E-Tech starting at 13 million to 17 million over the last five years. Tim Pessin was excited to say, “E-Tech is tracked to do 45 to 50 million, and I did that without raising any capital, just going to a local lending bank.”

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?

I had a desire to build things and enjoyed working with my hands as a young kid, probably beginning at about eight years of age. My dad was a podiatrist, and though very book smart, he had no mechanical ability at all. I was the one at an early age who began fixing things around the house. It was my grandpa that was a union electrician and I think I got his genes and the desire to build things with my hands.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

Being approached by the California Government to work on projects on Clean Energy. This is a statewide funded electrical vehicle charging program focusing on clean energy. This is a pilot program and will be a model for the rest of the country. It is amazing to me that our company has enough notoriety that it has grown to this size. It is humbling and something that I am proud of.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life?

We get out of this life what we put into it. I am a firm believer that hard work and dedication pay off and success doesn’t happen overnight. You have to keep on driving and working harder than anyone else and good things usually happen. I am and have always been driven and ambitious. Life and business have their difficulties as well as everyday challenges, but you just have to push through.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on your leadership style? Can you share a story or an example of that?

I have become more spiritual in the last few years and read a book called The Soul of Leadership-Unlocking Your Potential for Greatness. In the book, there were so many stories of leading by example, having a routine, and being consistent. The more that I can get out and visit the job sites, I can create a culture of camaraderie with the team. The team needs to see the owner of the company. They don’t always see what we do on the back end of the business. We are very busy, but you still must interact with employees on all levels.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

E-Tech is very diverse. When I was growing up in the trade, I wanted to learn different aspects of the business, building cell phone towers, clean energy, directional drilling, and building charging stations. Companies had to hire contractors to do all of those things. E-Tech can do everything needed to be successful in-house. We now only utilize subcontractors just to be able to complete more jobs with efficiency. This sets us apart from other companies in the same field.

The road to success is hard and requires tremendous dedication. This question is obviously a big one, but what advice would you give to a young person who aspires to follow in your footsteps and emulate your success?

I don’t think everyone fits in the same box. People are born with different aptitudes and skill sets and the ability to do certain things. Find something you are passionate about and work as hard as you can and follow your passion. Trades are just as important as getting a higher education and in some cases, more important. There is a place for everyone, figure out what you like doing, find something that checks all the boxes and if you have that passion, it doesn’t feel like work. Some of the most successful people in the world don’t have a college degree, it all depends on what you are good at.

Often leaders are asked to share the best advice they received. But let’s reverse the question. Can you share a story about advice you’ve received that you now wish you never followed?

Always go with your gut instinct. There have been times where people have told me to do something and I didn’t follow my intuition. I listened to them and it didn’t work out. You should check your feelings as well, but if something feels off, it probably is.

As a business leader, can you please share a few steps we must take to truly create an inclusive, representative, and equitable society? Kindly share a story or example for each.

You must lead by example, have a routine, and be consistent. These are the best things you can do when it comes to being successful, starting a business, and having energy each day. In a class I took years ago, they looked at the wealthiest and most successful people and the one thing they all had in common was that at some point in their day, they would set an intention for the day through meditation.

Find something you are passionate about and have a routine in your life. Go to sleep/wake up at a consistent time, meditate, and work out. Stick to your routine. It will help you be sharp and bring your “A” game every day. E-Tech stays present in the community and we think about the needs of the community. You must find the best talent when hiring for your business. You need to look for employees who have all the different skill sets and wrap that into your business so it runs well and you then become a well-rounded company. “Three smart people in a room is better than one smart person in the room.”

What is the most striking difference between your actual job and how you thought the job would be?

I always enjoyed building things and construction; however, as I have grown the company this has changed. My job has become less about building things and more about employee and customer relations, the financial aspect of it, and keeping the company and all its branches running smoothly. That is something that comes with the territory. I am now the boss and I have to do all of the things that come along with being a larger company.

How have you used your success to make the world a better place?

The success of becoming a well-known construction company and being able to complete various types of projects for all different customers to connect the world, build better cellular platforms while working on the leading edge with clean energy and clean vehicles. We do our part to build projects and to help people be better connected and improve the environment.

Callaghan O’Connor is a real estate entrepreneur born and raised in Victoria, British Columbia. Originally expecting a future in sports management, he played hockey and rugby on the national level while attending university. After graduation, he first worked in Vancouver with the Canucks. When the opportunity to move into real estate presented itself, he pivoted to this field. As the draw of Victoria became international, Callaghan returned to his hometown to help it grow into one of the highest-ranked great places to live.

Can you share with us the back story about what brought you to your specific career path?

I grew up in Victoria, British Columbia. In high school, I got into sports, and I eventually went on to play for our national rugby team while in university. Real estate design and landscaping had always been another interest of mine, so when I had the opportunity to work with commercial real estate in Vancouver, I took advantage of it. After five years there, I moved back to Victoria and focused more on residential real estate. At the time, Victoria was starting to be recognized as a great place to live, not just by people in Canada, but people from all over the world. We live in one of the most beautiful positions on the globe. As far as overall communities are ranked for living, Victoria is on the top of the list. It has always been an amazing place to raise kids, be active, retire and now with the new landscape with remote working, Victoria locals and young professionals can build great businesses and contribute to other global companies.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life?

“All the benefits in life come from compound interest – relationships, money, habits.” Building strong habits helps you become more present, happy, and peaceful. In my experience, those habits should include punctuality, dependability, and the ability to view things from alternative angles. It’s important to build your brand as one that will bring success to those you work with. Clients need to know when they are working with you, you have their best interest in mind.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on your leadership style? Can you share a story or an example of that?

Twitter has actually become my favorite place of learning. There are many exceptional, well-researched leaders that use the platform to share ideas, broadcast their beliefs, and engage with audiences. It offers a great opportunity to interact with so many people, on a global level. It has become a large source of learning and inspiration for me.

What advice would you give to a young person who aspires to follow in your footsteps and emulate your success?

Show up every day, take accountability, step out of your comfort zone, and set goals. ” Comfort is a silent killer for ambition.” I also believe it is very important to build a schedule and routine that sets you up for success. Become a master at prioritizing. There is so much distraction and noise in our world today, it is critical to be able to assess what is most needed now vs. what can wait for later?

In your experience, which aspect of running a company tends to be most underestimated? Can you explain or give an example?

The first thing that comes to mind is gaining loyal customers. Many assume that customers will come quickly and naturally. Developing a loyal customer base takes initiative, creativity, confidence, and time. This includes cold calling,  door knocking, cold emailing/messaging, lots of networking, and finally creating an exceptional experience for each person you interact with. Secondly, hiring and retaining a great team is critical. Your people are the most important part of your business and it takes time and effort to ensure you find the right people and keep them engaged and performing at their job. This includes creating job descriptions, posting them, interviewing, setting new people up with systems, training, ongoing support and feedback, recognition and rewards, etc.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

I would start a movement that supports a shift in the curriculum in our education system. Critical aspects are missing from our children’s education experience that would positively impact their quality of life. I would include informative content around mental health and wellness, resilience, social media awareness, and usage recommendations. I would also focus on mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and foundational life skills such as financial planning and project management.  Setting up our next generations to be happy and healthy and arming them with critical life skills and tools is paramount.

In your opinion, what are a few ways that executives can help to create a fantastic work culture? Can you share a story or an example?

Establishing a productive work culture is all about fostering positive connections and making your employees feel valued. Take the time to understand what motivates them and acknowledge their efforts.  You want to build trust with them through honesty, integrity, and transparency. Reward great performances with verbal and written recognition. Provide training and development opportunities to motivate and engage the team and ensure they feel set up for success and that they are growing. Create open lines of communication and avenues for people to provide feedback and recommendations. Coach people in pursuit of elevating them professionally and personally. Generate an environment of fun and excitement. Create opportunities for people to have a work/life balance.

Traveling around the world is many people’s dream, but more than that is the ease of moving from place to place without stress or unpleasant surprises. RIght in the middle of ensuring that is JTS Vacations, a travel company that makes sure travelers enjoy the very best of travel planning and experience a wholesome experience at their destinations.

JTS Vacation came to life from its founder’s love for traveling. The company has positioned itself as a reputable travel concierge that delivers a customized experience to every traveler. The founder and CEO, Shamica Davis, also calls herself the company’s “Chief Experience Officer” to reinforce how important it is for the company to deliver a unique and exceptional experience to travelers every time they itch to visit other parts of the world. JTS Vacations takes pride in planning every aspect, detail, and itinerary for its clients to make sure no stone is left unturned as far as their traveling is concerned.

One standout characteristic of the company is maintaining the same standard of customized experience across the board for its customers. The team is already given each customer’s information, and every customer has a travel advisor assigned to them. So all communication goes through each advisor and is kept consistent throughout the travel process. “If you call at different times, be assured of getting a customized experience. You will not have to go through the process of explaining yourself all over each time you come. We make sure it remains customized for you alone until we are done with your travel plans. Your only job is to pay, pack, and show up,” Shamica promised.

Only a few travel companies take customer experience seriously when planning for their clients’ travels. JTS Vacations offers upscale and elevated customized experience at the core of its services, and it takes away all the heavy lifting from its customers’ hands. The company aims to connect with everyone looking to enjoy and experience the world and relax while at it. “We don’t want to brag, but we’re sort of a big deal when it comes to providing our clients with next-level client support. As a result, our clients feel listened to, taken care, and at ease when they plan their travel with us,” Shamica said.

JTS Vacations also ensures its clients are fully informed and educated about their intended travel plans. Information like visa information, flight details, accommodations, places to see, culture tips, and destination guides are all provided for clients before their travel plans are perfected. The JTS Vacations staff are well-versed in various destinations and often go on research trips and accommodation inspections to make sure everything the company promises is genuine, authentic, and possible to deliver.  

In a few years, Shamica Davis hopes to leverage JTS Vacations’ success to launch other ventures, top of which is her Chief Experience Officer Coaching program, in which she intends to teach new travel agents how to navigate the travel business. “I learned a lot about the travel business through trial and error, and I want to help the next up-and-coming group of agents to avoid the many pitfalls of entrepreneurship,” she said.

Learn more about JTS Vacations on the company’s website.

Success does not come to those who wait but to those who work hard.

The road to accomplishment is not easy. There are so many hurdles you have to pass through before you can actually achieve what you want. Sometimes, it gets hard to cope up, but most of the time, it helps in moving forward. Since the beginning, we have been told hard work is mandatory for success, but however, we are never told about the unpleasant pathway. After entering the corporate sector, some people tend to give up because of the constant struggle and criticism. On the other side, most of them stand still and face everything independently, and this is what success is about, being passionate.

In the list of determined and dedicated entrepreneurs falls the name of Jeffrey Krentzman, a man of his vision. Indeed, the corporate sector has a lot to offer, both negative and positive. Standing against the odds and embracing positivity is what entrepreneurship is about. Krentzman did the same, and there he was, a successful businessman.

After acquiring his BSc degree in Communication Studies from Boston University, Krentzman pursued his major as his career. But soon after entering the corporate sector, he knew that he was not made for commercial captivity. He instantly started looking for opportunities, and in 2009, he finally found one. Sometimes, the customers do not even know the problem exists until they are forced to notice it. Communication of the need for a particular service is the core goal of a business, and Krentzman did the same. In 2009, he saw an opportunity and opened up his company, The BBQ Cleaner.

Krentzman knows that everybody wants to have a barbecue night, but nobody wants to clear and clean up the mess after that. He saw this as his targeted area and set his mission. Initially, in 2006, Krentzman started providing barbecue cleaning services locally. And after three years, when he was confident about delivering the services to other people, he opened up a barbecue cleaning company and started providing his services in the US. He knew it was not easy to pursue this field as a career because it was nothing but a cleaning job in people’s eyes. However, Krentzman did not think a lot, and he made his decision. Being spontaneous and instinctive made Krentzman open up at 255 locations all over the US and Canada today.

After looking at his success in the most unexpected field, Krentzman realized that all one must have is a vision to be an effective entrepreneur. He knew a lot of people were not stepping forward because of the fear of failure, and he started giving a helping hand to those next-generation leaders. Along with his business, Krentzman began mentoring other innovative enthusiasts too. He started his podcast “Mind your pucking business,’ and in that, he talked about the ups and downs of his journey. Krentzman knew everybody needs a little motivation to get where they want to be, and he tried his best to be the encouraging factor. Now, Krentzman helps people determine their goals and customize their marketing plan to make them achieve what they desire.

Managing a business, helping others, and looking after the family all at once is not as easy as Krentzman made it look. From the beginning, he has faced a lot of challenges. He was criticized for his field and was never given the respect he deserved. But according to Jeff, people who did not believe in his vision acted as fuel to the fire and made his hunger for success even greater. People who take constructive criticism positively eventually grow at a faster pace. Leadership is not easy; instead, it is constant exposure to risks and negativity, but leaders know how to handle everything well, and Krentzman is one of those leaders.

Verdict

The slow and gradual growth of his business gave Krentzman several new ideas and exposure. He became a mentor, a sports analyzer, a motivational speaker, and above all, a responsible father. Even after so many things on his plate, Krentzman has agreed that his number one priority is his family and happiness. It is not easy to manage professional and personal life together, but people like Krentzman restore the faith of humans in flawless management. 

 

 

Sidhartha Kumar Mathur is an entrepreneur and owner of Limbic Learning, which aims to provide educational resources for individuals with learning disabilities. As someone passionate about the education landscape, Sid Mathur is committed to helping students navigate the challenges of elementary and secondary school.

Alongside his educational pursuits, Sid is also a practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine and provides astrological counseling in coordination with mental health treatment to various individuals. He is currently working on a book about evolutionary astrology and archetypes.

What was the inspiration behind creating Limbic Learning?

I’ve always had a passion for changing the education system. I saw so much opportunity to change, but nothing new has even been put into practice. The classroom setting was created during wartime, and it was functional for a society of mostly factory workers and secretaries. Our world has changed and with that our understanding of how the brain functions. This antiquated way of learning isn’t necessarily the best modality for teaching. I received my Bachelor’s degree in health policy and management. I also went to medical school for a few years, but I couldn’t see myself taking that path. I wanted to help people, that has always been my driving force, but I also knew that there had to be a better way to really reach others.

What is the most interesting story that has happened since you started Limbic Learning? 

I had an expectation of how things would go and nothing I thought turned out to be exactly as I had expected. There were some setbacks, but each of them taught me to look at things from a different perspective. I reached out to others and was able to learn from them. The unfamiliarity has helped me to aim higher than I thought I would originally go. Initially, I had a very particular group of people I thought I would be working with. As I moved forward, I learned I could reach so many more people by expanding. I learned to focus my time on unique challenges my clients faced. This taught me to brainstorm and bring new ideas into reality.

Is there a book that has made an impact on your leadership style? How has it helped?

But What if We Were Wrong by Chuck Klosterman. The book claims that the predictions we have made over time have always been incorrect because of the underlying assumption that certain things will stay the same. For example, back in the nineties, no one knew we would all have cell phones. We take for granted the wrong things when it comes to predicting the future. We base these assumptions on what we have today, instead of stepping outside of the box and thinking of what we could have. I try to envision solutions based on multiple perspectives. I recognize that the old ways of thinking aren’t always going to work. Trusting in only what we know means we won’t learn to go beyond that. 

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share an example?

It is very people-focused. Other companies outsource technologies. This organization is more personable and more open to personalizing learning systems for our clients.

What advice would you have for a young person who would like to start in this industry?

I would say be prepared to hear a lot of no’s. Embrace your uniqueness and have lots of passion for what you do. I would also remind them growth happens outside of your comfort zone. The exposure to diverse experiences kickstarts the creative process. For me, it allows me to connect seemingly unrelated things. This allows entrepreneurs to see things differently than other people and provide unique solutions.

As a business leader, can you share what steps you’ve taken to create an inclusive workforce?

I have found that the more people you network with outside the field, the more people you’ll connect with inside the field. Always seeking diverse points of view and trying to understand things better from people you may not agree with will help you to become a more open and empathetic leader.

What is the difference between your actual job and what you thought it would be?

In the beginning, I thought it would be more routine than it has turned out. I anticipated obstacles, but I didn’t anticipate where those obstacles would come from.  I was planning on using software I had already had experience with, but technology advances so quickly that I’ve had to learn newer and better software. The world has shifted, and with that there is a lot more software geared toward people who encourage individualization. We have changed a lot of the ways we do things.

What three character traits do you think are most instrumental to your success?

My intellectual curiosity has been my strongest trait, I think. I am able to think on my feet. Another trait would be the desire to challenge the status quo. I am observant, yet ready and willing to try something new if I think it will produce a better outcome. The creative solution comes from seeking out new experiences. I have an insatiable curiosity and I love to think of new things or new ways of doing things. This has allowed me to come up with different breakthroughs that may not have happened. An example of this is creating software to allow for feedback from our clients. I came up with the idea while I was attending a seminar that was unrelated directly to Limbic Learning, but I somehow connected the dots that it would be beneficial in my business as well.

What are five things you wish someone had told you before you got started and why?

First, I wish someone would have told me how to get comfortable with awkwardness when trying something new. When I first started, I would try something, and if it didn’t work out right away, I would give up on it. As I moved forward, I learned had I been more willing to sit and learn from being outside that comfort zone. I could have found a solution sooner rather than later. Another thing I wish I had known is that there is so much that can be solved with fewer clients as opposed to having a larger number. You can focus more on who you have already and perfect your approach. Thirdly, I think building from the ground up is more efficient than outsourcing. I wish I had more knowledge about how much time you will spend on dealing with employees. Lastly, I wish someone had told me how to better navigate the funding for nonprofits.

What are the most common leadership mistakes you’ve seen and what do you think can be done to avoid the errors?

One of the mistakes I have seen is that the common “team-building” exercises don’t really build confidence in each other the way they are designed. Expecting the same things to motivate everyone isn’t really effective. If you take the time to really learn about your employees, you can learn what motivates them individually. There is no cookie cutter way to motivate your employees. Creating a safe and encouraging workplace will help motivate them.

In your experience, what aspect of running a company tends to be the most underestimated?

Getting everyone on the same page and in alignment with your vision can be a challenge. When pitching to a potential client, you need to show the value you will bring. Constant communication with your team will prevent issues from arising. Everyone needs to be on the same page so that we are able to show that properly.

In your opinion, what are ways business leaders can create a fantastic work culture?

I feel that a lot of employees get bored after some time. Exposure to different experiences can help keep things feeling novel. Being more passionate about doing something new that everyone will remember has really helped my employees stay engaged and on task. Things as small as having your staff meeting outside instead of in a boardroom can break up the monotony of the day and refresh everyone.

As a person of great influence, if you could start a moment that would bring the most amount of good to the most people, what would it be and why?

I would overhaul the entire educational system. The current system stifles creativity. Right now, we are at a bridge between the old world and the new world. Without that creativity, it hurts us as a society. We need to move beyond what doesn’t work.

If you could have a one on one conversation with anyone, who would you choose and why?

I would love to sit with someone from the Khan Academy or Ted Ed. I have always found Elon Musk fascinating, I think that would be an interesting conversation.