Today we’d like to introduce you to James Linnenkamp.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Back in 1986 I got laid off from a job as a production Tig welder. I did that for a couple years and was miserable doing it.
I did some other jobs after that, from working for Sherwin Williams Paint, to Maintenance at the local National Guard facility. Then I did concrete pumping. Didn’t care for any of them. My last boss who I was pumping concrete for, said I had more potential than a job like this. At the same time, had a conversation with my dad as he saw I was kind of floundering. Asked what I could see myself doing going forward. I thought maybe the trades. Plumbing and electrical where first that came to mind. Well not long after that, my dad bumped into an Electrical Contractor. He got his information and I gave him a call. He said he would give me a shot of one week to see what I could do. Well that week became 6 months and we got taken over by another electrical contractor, as my boss had personal issues that might have caused him to lose the business.
So I went to work for the second guy for about 4-5 months and…………..another layoff. Found work in Arroyo Grande for a Electrical contractor. Still kept honing and learning my skills on the job. No trade school. Well I worked for him for about 18 months and was not happy as he had a heavy drinking and drug problem and I was concerned how that my reflect on me. So off looking again.
I found a job back in Paso for a Union Contractor. Some really nice pay. Well by now it is 1990 and……….the economy slowed down in construction. I got laid off after 6 months………AGAIN!! So I did some small jobs electrical jobs for friends and family to keep up what I had learned so far and waiting for another chance to get back in the ring. Well took about a year and found a Electrical Contractor in Atascadero. He would become my last employer.
I excelled there in continued on the job learning. Doing large 600 amp service panels, small commercial tenant improvements and of course my main body of work residential service and new construction. Boss taught me some but I usually worked on my own and had to read to figure it out on the fly. Would have been easier in the internet era now and YouTube, verse the early 90’s.
Well I picked up a LOT of knowledge and surprised many then (and now) that I learned from the school of hard knocks. Still is funny to see customers faces when they ask me where I went to school and I tell them School of Hard Knocks.
In 1994 I decided to take a shot at getting my license. I studied like hell for a year to make sure I was prepped. Went to take the test in June of 95 and the first part (law) was BRUTAL!!! I passed but was nervous of what the electrical part might be. Well it was a breeze. I still remember walking out of the test like I was floating on air. I had found a job I had loved doing since the first guy gave me a week and now I had the possibility to be my own boss.
I worked for my boss for another 20 months as I wanted to get some projects under my belt. My boss knew of my plan and was very supportive. Well in May of 1997 because of having twins and some back story there, I finally made the leap.
Nerve racking. Trying to get customers and keep money coming. Well 29 years later (39 years overall) here I am. I have had a FANTASTIC career that I never thought I would be able to be my own boss when I started in the work world and after doing welding thought work would always suck.
I am 62 now and still going. A little slower but plan on going till 70 plus or until I get tired of it. Easier now as I have a couple great young men working for me that allow me to spend less time on the tools and more behind the computer saving the body. I do miss having the belt on everyday but I am still happy with the gig, as always laying out or going over issues with the guys that keeps the mind stimulated.
I never planned this. It was all accidental and I am lucking to have the job I do.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As I mentioned, on the job learning of self proposed challenges. In 2009 I had a General Contractor I had picked up from my last boss I worked for doing electrical (after I quit my boss closed shop to pursue working investing) and after 18 years (between my last boss and myself) this contractor got caught in a bad money scheme because of his greed and I got stiffed for 50k. I kept paying my bills and believe it or not, kept my credit score above 700. Even though I had a loss, I paid all my bills over time. It wasn’t my suppliers fault. My wife and I call 2009 the dark years. LOL.
All of that about blew up my business. I made the horrible mistake of him being about 95% of my business. Spent all of 2009 working on rebuilding clientele. Went to work on the side doing Census work for the upcoming 2010 census to keep money coming in while I worked hard on this and now getting on the internet with advertising as the Net advertising was starting to take off. 2009 was a BAD year and then……………in early 2010 I picked up a contract with PG&E for there smart meter project. Well that was the start. From there I kept rebuilding. Today I have MANY client’s and repeat customers.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
COMMUNICATION!!! Both my customers and my employees know and appreciate that I am very communicative and understand the importance of it.
We work a lot of service work. We have some small micro winery clients. Have a few regular General Contractors we do work for.
I am proud of all of that and having happy customers that come back. Being in a small area, they feel like family. Quite a few of them, I know a bit about them and there work and family. Always nice when you haven’t seen one for awhile and they have another project, to catch up with them, laugh and then……..get to work on putting that smile on their face.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Listen to ANYONE who is older than you. They most likely have more life experiences that you do.
ZIP YOUR LIP and learn. I followed my dad around a lot as a kid learning many things. As a teen any job I had, I listened with earnest when the boss or anyone older talked and shared their life experiences both professionally and personally. The later is what to me is real important too. You want repeat customers? CONNECT with them on a personal level.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pureenergyca.com
- Instagram: @pe_240
- Facebook: Pure Energy Electrical Contracting
