​

How an unexpected career change led to a lifelong passion for masonry.
 

My career in masonry began completely by accident. I was 20 years old, working a dead-end job at a warehouse when one day my roommate came home and mentioned that his boss was looking for another laborer. Since I wasn't particularly happy with my warehouse job, I decided to quit and give construction a try.
 

From the very first day, I knew I'd made the right decision. I genuinely enjoyed working in construction. I loved being outdoors on beautiful sunny days, getting the occasional unexpected day off when it rained or snowed, working with my hands, and even getting dirty. But what I enjoyed most was being able to step back at the end of each day and actually see what I'd accomplished. I enjoyed the work so much that I decided early on that someday I wanted to start my own business.
 

After spending five years working as a laborer for that first company and gaining valuable experience in residential masonry, I decided to join the union to expand my knowledge of the trade. I didn't want to limit myself to residential work. Commercial masonry was an entirely different side of the industry, and I wanted to learn as much about it as I could. Looking back, I'm glad I made that decision. My years in the union gave me valuable experience and a much broader understanding of masonry construction.
 

After several years of learning the commercial side of the trade, I finally decided the time was right to go out on my own.
At the time, a friend of mine was working as a framing contractor. He mentioned that one of the general contractors he worked for was looking for a mason to lay the brick on four houses she was building. I contacted her, discussed the projects, and submitted my bid. She accepted, and just like that, Tompkins Quality Homes had its first official job!
 

The houses were relatively small, and even though I was working entirely by myself, it didn't take me very long to complete all four.

I still remember the day I finished that last house. I was loading up my equipment, feeling proud of what I'd accomplished, but also a little worried. Now that my first job was finished, how long would it take to find another one? I had just started my business, and the last thing I wanted was to sit around waiting for work.
 

Then something happened that I'll never forget. As I was packing up, a man approached me from a house that was being built next door. He asked if I was looking for more work. I told him, "I absolutely am!"

He mentioned that he had a few houses coming up that needed masonry work. I can't begin to describe the relief I felt. Here I was, worrying about where my next job would come from, and suddenly someone was standing in front of me offering more work.
 

What I didn't realize at the time was that this man was one of the biggest homebuilders in town, building dozens of houses every year. I completed my first job for him, and apparently he was impressed with my work, because he decided to let his existing masonry contractor go and give me 100% of his masonry projects.
 

From that point forward, I never had to worry about finding work again. It was truly a blessing for a young man who had just taken a chance on starting his own business.
 

With a steady stream of work coming in, I gradually began hiring employees, purchasing more equipment, and taking on larger and more challenging masonry projects. What had started with just me, a few tools, and four small houses was growing into a successful masonry business. And through it all, I genuinely loved what I was doing.
 

Looking back, it's amazing to think that a simple conversation with my roommate about an available laborer position would eventually lead to a lifelong career and a business of my own.

Sometimes the best things in life happen when you least expect them.