Inspired by Humble Beginnings
This month as we start the third quarter and enter into the beginning of the Holiday season we are reminded of where we came from. Two years ago this month the Sprinklermatic family lost the man who started it all in the corner of his Living room, having been a Union Sprinkler Fitter George Eugene “Gene” Collier, made a decision to open the doors almost Thirty years ago. It was certainly an adventure with modest beginnings and family values, the men and women who have come before us were often reminded how hard to work and what effort to put in, by Genes desire to be the first guy on the job and most nights the guy who turned off the lights. With Robin as his helper pulling fittings from under the skateboard ramp, good friends and team members it wasn’t long before the corner of the living room became a small corner office. Gene challenged everyone he met to give the most, and to be rewarded for exactly what they gave. An eternal student and teacher there were very few pages left un- read in the presence of Gene Collier, he may have been the only qualifier in town who really enjoyed CEUs, it gave him a chance to crack open the “red book”. He would require us to read the “book” ask questions, challenge the inspector and know that a partial pass is a failure.
This month as we start the third quarter and enter into the beginning of the Holiday season we are reminded of where we came from. Two years ago this month the Sprinklermatic family lost the man who started it all in the corner of his Living room, having been a Union Sprinkler Fitter George Eugene “Gene” Collier, made a decision to open the doors almost Thirty years ago. It was certainly an adventure with modest beginnings and family values, the men and women who have come before us were often reminded how hard to work and what effort to put in, by Genes desire to be the first guy on the job and most nights the guy who turned off the lights. With Robin as his helper pulling fittings from under the skateboard ramp, good friends and team members it wasn’t long before the corner of the living room became a small corner office. Gene challenged everyone he met to give the most, and to be rewarded for exactly what they gave. An eternal student and teacher there were very few pages left un- read in the presence of Gene Collier, he may have been the only qualifier in town who really enjoyed CEUs, it gave him a chance to crack open the “red book”. He would require us to read the “book” ask questions, challenge the inspector and know that a partial pass is a failure.
He firmly believed in the fact that the field is the heartbeat of the company and that our brand is more valuable than the bank account. He was adamant about keeping commitments, and building something to be proud of. He assured us that this is a big city “and we don’t have to work for everyone”. As the company transitioned he became our mentor, grooming us with these basic values to grow the business in any economy by honoring and inspiring the team that works so hard.
It wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies for sure, and you certainly knew when he wasn’t pleased, however when you got it right there was guaranteed to be conch salad for lunch or milk shakes around 3. He loved to laugh, even at terrible jokes about cats that ran out of gas, he was easily softened by his granddaughters and in the end he wanted one thing and one thing only and that was to have made a difference in other people’s lives.
It is with this quick note that we say THANK YOU Gene Collier, for making a difference in our lives, for being a father, friend, mentor, entrepreneur and most of all an inspiration to all of us to carry out the core values that make a difference in people’s lives.
TJO
