Running your own mechanical contracting company while definitely having its benefits, has some significant stress-related factors. High Reliability spoke with Stephen Terrano in Season 3, Episode 9, “Opening new hospital spaces and managing The Because List.”
But Steve also talked about his professional beginning when he owned a mechanical contracting company located in New York City and serving the surrounding areas of Connecticut and New Jersey, Steve talks about owning Tri-State Mechanical before selling it in the early 1990s.
It was no life, I had no long-term life to live, it was working 24 hours a day and there were no days off. It was crazy, there was a lot of business in New York City. If you like mechanical things, healthcare is the place to go.
Owning a company has a lot of positive attributes, but with that responsibility comes pain and trepidation. If I make a wrong decision, who is going to pay the bills? There was no downtime, there was no time to re-charge. Every day we had to bill. When I ran the business I felt like the guy from Top Gun. It was at Mach 5 with my hair on fire all the time.
On making mistakes: Somebody asked me years ago why was I successful. The simple answer is I made about 3 or 4 more right decisions than I made wrong decisions. If you think you aren’t going to make wrong decisions, you are wrong. It is why God put an eraser on the pencil (we make mistakes). If you aren’t making mistakes, then you really aren’t working. If you aren’t trying to do anything, you won’t make mistakes. It is ok to make mistakes, it is how you respond to that mistake. Mistakes are opportunities for success.
To listen to more of our discussion, download and give it a listen here.
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs, including one in a new hospital
Did you see our recently distributed opportunity for a Director, Planning, Design, and Construction? The Director, PDC role joins 2 Vice President roles and 3 Director of Facility Management roles. See all job opportunities here.
Sign up for the Abe Lincoln Employment Series
We’re excited for June. Not only does summer kick into high gear, but this year it also marks the premiere of our Abraham Lincoln Employment Series, which looks at the healthcare facilities employment market of 2022 through the resume and career of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln.
Read more here, and find a link to register for our free June 2 Webinar.