Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Schwennesen.
Hi Stephen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My parents moved to Austin when I was a young boy, 1 or 2 maybe. I come from a big family with six brothers and two sisters. My childhood was pleasant and ordinary until my dad passed away unexpectedly when I was 12 years old. As the second oldest child, I inevitably had to take on a large amount of responsibility at an early age. Soon everything in my life seemed to spin out of control.
At 17 I was pretty much on my own and alone in the world. I found myself associating with the wrong people and environments witch certainly influenced my young adult life. In and out of jail, fighting, drinking, seemingly a-drift without a true sense of direction.
I knew I needed to go back to school, get an education or apply myself and learn a trade if I wanted more out of this life.
Two decades ago I was given an opportunity from a family friend who owned a demolition company here in Austin, that set my future into motion. I must admit, I had a love/hate relationship with the industry for the first decade. The glamour of showing up and destroying buildings, bridges, stadiums and whatever else one can think of was great but separating, cleaning and hauling off all the debris was dirty, grueling and quite time-consuming.
Just like anything in life, you don’t get anywhere by quitting. I am happy to say I stuck with the profession through the ups and downs and gained over two decades of awesome experiences.
I have been fortunate to take my knowledge and skills across the Beautiful Lone-star state. From Galveston bay, tearing down old haunted hospitals to Oklahoma removing and hauling off entire neighborhoods that had been destroyed by tornadoes, to imploding many large buildings, stadiums, bridges, towers, etc.
My acquired knowledge and skills have given me the resolve and determination to launch and run my own successful company. American Demolition & Blasting.
I’ll often be driving around Austin & other city’s in Tx with friends or colleagues and point to the new beautiful shiny skyscraper buildings popping up & refer to the old original structures that sat in their past forgotten footprints & remember past projects complete. It has been a pleasure to be a contributing part of the city’s history and growth.
I certainly enjoy the glamour or my profession! when people ask “so you get to Blow things up”?!” I always answer with a big grin, “YES!”
To summarize my experience… Anything is possible with dedication, determination, and a will to succeed. Always keep trying no matter your life’s circumstances or adversities you might be facing.
– Stephen Schwennesen
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The demolition industry is highly competitive and can be quite difficult to succeed in. From dealing with disgruntled industry competition, to constantly looking for and trying to keep good employees, it’s a constant grind. Just like anything in life, nothing of value comes easy. From Trying to roll profit margins back into company investment while maintaining steady growth can certainly have its challenges.
Safety in my industry is critical and a constant battle to keep employees safe from the harshest of working environments, from simply breathing in contaminated dust and fumes to not pulling building down onto people or property, not to mention keeping people adequately trained, hydrated happy and motivated is a 24 /seven job.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about American Demolition?
I’m relatively young, 36. I view my company as the next generation for demolition and recycling Services in a booming ever-changing city and state. We pride ourselves in decades of experience from the most complicated projects, partial Stadiums, separating multi story hospitals, large bridges over water & live RR tracts, imploding bridges over i35, large water towers over residential structures.. we are the guys you want no mater the project size. Any need for demolition service or consulting. We can help navigate the complicated world of hazardous material abatement, lead removal, along with any structure these materials may be found in.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Not really, no. Fortunately, my business was not affected significantly due to the more remote isolated working environment for my people.
Contact Info:
- Website: Americandemocorp.com
- Instagram: American demolition
Suggest a Story: VoyageAustin is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
