Today we’d like to introduce you to JJ Alexander.
Hi JJ, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
came to a crossroads in 2016. put on probation for 5 years. i was 22. january of 2017 i was given a push mower and a corded blower. my day job paid $400 a week and i wasnt getting by at all. decided i was going to start hustling outside of my full time job. nights and weekends. i was consistent and had fair prices. quickly word of mouth had my phone ringing and i was gaining repeat clients. it was a slow grind and money was ok at the time. i was getting food from a local churches food pantry every wednesday night (brighter days food pantry). as i waited in line i was on my phone trying to get a business card made and was stuck on a what to name it and i had an epiphany i was going to name it after this food pantry. so i printed up (brighter daze lawn services) 2018 and 2019 i had better equipment and had made a name for myself. still working full time and struggling to provide. end of 2019 i was laid off and side work was slow almost no work in the winter
january 2020 i called the local electrical union hall in austin. ibew local 520. in a desprate attempt of starting a career at 25.
i applied to their trade school and started working full time as an apprentice and going to night school 1 night a week for 5 hours after work. then the lawn service blew up that spring evrey weekend for most of that year i mowed all day 5-15 yards a weekend
2021 and 2022 buisiness was just as good and i was completing each school year with good grades and getting pay bumps along the way. i was naturally a great electrical helper and was making a name for myself in the trade. i had finally started providing a living for myself and got the hang of bidding work, booking work and retaining clients
2023 and 2024 i was mowing 20-30 yards a week for half of the year. weekends didnt allow enough time so i started cutting a couple yards each day after work just to keep up. i couldnt advertise at all because i had gotten too big and was working full time.
at the end of 2023 i took the texas journeyman electrical exam and passed it. recieved my license in february 2024. i had 1.5 years 0f school left and was making a large sum of money so i decided to report my earnings with the irs and start a path towards business ownership. i had kept great notes from the begining on tracking my cost,milage and time so it was easy
2025 i finished school and graduated from the apprenticeship. it had been 5 years straight with no vacation and working full time, running my business and going to school. so middle of may i took 4 weeks off from the electrical work and spent quality time with my family and just did the lawn service 3 days a week with 30-40 yards per week and made the most money that month than any other month in 8 years.
2026 in february was my 2 year journeyman license anniversary and it made me eligible to take the texas master electritcian exam. so its scheduled for may 2026.
in april 2026 i decided to quit my current electrical job and open an LLC to do the lawn service full time. after i pass the masters exam in may im going to open an electrical contracting company and get a sponsorship from the union i worked for and start that business
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
criminal record from drug possession and invalid license and little things like that. i was given 5 years probation and wasnt having any luck getting meaningful employment. quality equipment was expensive and i didnt have any credit and couldnt borrow money. so i funded it all
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
im a journeyman electritian. soon to be master electritian. i have 6 years in the trade. i graduated from a 5 year electrical apprenticeship
i am the owner/operator of Brighter Daze Lawn services since 2017. just completed formation of an LLC
im professional in my interactions with clients, i have integrity, resonable prices and i communicate well
my gratitude and quality of work sets me apart
What does success mean to you?
longevity, positive impact, expansion, undeniabilty, profitable
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brighterdazeservices.com
- Other: jj@brighterdazeservices.com
