We had the good fortune of connecting with Justin Dirickson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Justin, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I consider risks a natural part of life. From the people you hire to the jobs that you do, it’s all a risk. You try and calculate that risk to best minimize the posability for a negative outcome. Have faith and do your best. Without risk, I’d have a retirement by now, maybe two. But I wouldn’t be here, not where I am today. I wouldn’t be enjoying my work, with the same excitement I had in my first job. I wouldn’t be able to pass down, or teach the trades to the guys and girls coming up behind me. Without risk, can you really have passion for anything?
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
So I own a small little contracting firm that specializes in finish work, with an emphasis on epoxy products. Everything from floors to high end finishes for counter tops, shower surrounds/pans. We do far more than that, our skill sets run pretty deep. But when I found epoxy I saw a product with nearly limitless possibilities that surpass conventional solutions to problems that construction has accepted for years.
I started out mowing lawns at about 15 for a friends dad. Soon he had me taping off windows for these rundown houses on the wrong side of town. From there I just knew I wanted to be in the trades. Man, I tried them all. A lot! Everything from painting to electrical, to building huge buildings…. Welding, trim carpentry, roofing… you name it, I’ve done a lot of it. Worked with some really dark people in some sketchy situations. I’ve also had some amazing teachers. Guys that cared to see you grow professionally and as a person.
Probably the hardest lesson I’ve had to learn over the years, and there have been a lot of lessons, “Go with your gut”. If that job doesn’t feel right, don’t take it. Customer isn’t respecting you, speak about it. Your friend isn’t valuing your time, correct it. Someone needs to run you down, remove yourself from the situation. Life is all about people, respect the ones in your life and remove those that can’t give that. I’ll still answer the phone when they need help. If it’s catching a contractor up on a job site, or helping a former employee with a broke down car. You never know what’s going on with people, life is hard and we can all use help sometimes, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a part of their misery.
At a very young age I was introduced to the arts. I’ve studied under some amazing artists and I’ve been recognized for my own artworks. But in the end, I’m just payed to help you see your vision come to fruition. Fortunately God has blessed me with a product I can trust completely, a mind that can dream up some crazy solutions, and a workforce that shares a passion for the trades.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I look back on my years of learning the trades… Now I’m thankful for every bad experience, taken opportunity, the guys I worked next to, the mistakes, the support from friends and family, even the negative is a blessing now. I could say thank you to my mom, or a few great bosses. Honestly though, I’m most thankful for the guys who work for me, the ones who push the long hours, and continue to try and learn. But I can’t leave out an awesome manufacturing and supply team, based right here in Colorado, that provides the best product in the world, Diamond Coat. I don’t know, without my people and a great product… I don’t think I’d be here.
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