Today we’d like to introduce you to Ed Barnett.
Hi Ed, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was introduced to the commercial electrical trade in 2009 while living in California and finishing a bachelor’s degree in Christian ministries. Growing up in the inland northwest, I was exposed to farming and construction from early on, but it wasn’t until Monty, an electrical contractor in California asked me to work for him that I found out I didn’t know what I didn’t know about electrical. That trite phrase rang true for me. Until then, all I knew about electrical was Romex and wood studs and it never occurred to me to try the trade. As half gear head and the other half – let’s just say it’s hard to think about only one lifetime to follow through on things that interest me – I was pleased to discover the mechanical nature of conduit racks and switch gear installations as well as a myriad of cool tools required for the job. When you get thumped in the side of the head with a piece of 500mcm copper, you know it. That happened to me when I was wrestling feeders into a junction box that terminated into a buss duct for a welding shop and yes, it was my fault and luckily, no major thing. Of course, this was before the National Electrical Code required branch circuits with shared neutrals to be adjacent and fitted with a handle tie. Oh, 500mcm copper is not for branch circuits. But back to branch circuits in 2009, you could take any of the three phases (talking 208/120 volt here) and share a neutral (the white wire) back to the panel. But it makes sense to force an open circuit when servicing a branch circuit that shares a neutral with the other phase or phases. You should always lock out and tag out. Same principle applies on 480/277 volt. You don’t want to open a neutral on either voltage and become the path to ground. Thus, the old saying, “work with one hand in your pocket.”
With my mortality at hand, the near endless technical aspects, the problem solving, and the high demand for the craft, I have been well engaged for the last sixteen years. And don’t forget about the aesthetics of it all. Electrical work is very noticeable. I was recently in the Ft. Worth Convention center and low and behold some 50 or 60 feet above us in the ceiling was something you would only find in Texas. The ten chandelier boxes formed a star. I can appreciate that because I know what’s under the finished surface. Or have you ever reached through a doorway for a light switch and keep reaching higher and higher and wonder why the light switch was mounted half-way to the ceiling? Decisions like those, made early in the process, either go unnoticed because it’s right or cause grief because it was poorly placed.
In 2019, having lived in Colorado since my first year or two in the electrical trade in CA, I decided to test for my Master’s license. Regarding this tidbit, you have to know that in this industry there’s no merit for doing so. It’s not a pay raise (at least where I worked) or an atta boy. It actually triggered my employer to ask me, “What are your intentions?” Suddenly, a hard-working, productive Journeyman turns into the dreaded competition. While I remain grateful for the things I learned in that large electrical contracting shop, it fit me better to hang out my own shingle. After all, there are plenty of small projects that large shops can’t or don’t want to do. What I like and continue to do is work with an attitude of collaboration with other small shops. I believe it’s better when you see it that way. We are at a time in our culture where we MUST work together. Small contractor, big contractor, and all.
In 2018, tired of hearing bad news on the radio each morning I turned it off and instead found content that fueled my horizon of opportunities. I read a load of books (audio books count too!) and changed my attitude about my career. I had to look at what experiences I had to work with. God makes no mistakes in the course of our lives. There may be naysayers and sometimes their words, as small as they are, can be louder than supporters. Electrical contracting wasn’t my first go around with self-employment, so I had already learned that a few people out there are just doubters. Seth Godin’s “do your art” phrase rings in my head. Being self-employed is something that requires grit and tenacity, sometimes tums, and always prayer. I love what I do but there’s one more thing that I think goes deeper than the build itself. It is being able to give others the platform and the tools to do it too while delivering something great for the customer. I’m not a big outfit turning out apprentices by the dozen, but I have a few good men and it’s fun to go into an old sanctuary and upgrade lighting controls, change switch gear, rough in walls in an office building, install a generator interlock on a house, or help someone find that their GFCi in the garage controls the bathroom outlets (that was a thing back in the day).
Today I am a licensed Electrical Contractor in Colorado, Johnson County, KS, and Idaho. We do primarily commercial work but also residential. It’s something I love to do. I don’t force my craft on people or make pressure sales, I just love the craft and when someone asks me about their lights flickering, I think it’s great. I get to share what I have learned, and it helps people keep their lights on. I continually thank God for making the phone ring with someone who has a project at a good time when we need a project to work on. It truly is a providential blessing that I get to enjoy and for that I am grateful to God.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are many challenges and obstacles but I think that’s why it’s called work. When I don’t worry about “traditional” marketing and growth wisdom and just be me, it’s easy. It’s an art and I’m an artist and that’s what I get to do. It can get stressful when you have deadlines and a supply chain and things that you really can’t control that factor into delivery of the finished product. When I wake up at 2am to crunch numbers or finish a bid or a design then I know it’s a hurdle to get over but that’s what you have to do to get over it while praying some more. This may be a good time to point out how important it is to have a few good friends that are as crazy as you to be self employed. Sometimes you need advice and it matters who you talk to so those few friends can help you through. The bigger the hurdle the bigger the thrill of getting through it and sometimes you just have to try things and see what happens.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We specialize in commercial electrical building power and light. If you are looking to add manufacturing equipment or other electrical loads in your commercial building of any kind and don’t know if your service is large enough, we can help. If you want to upgrade lighting and controls, that’s what we do. If your lights don’t work on your house, we can help. If you are interested in an electrical apprenticeship, I’ll buy you coffee and we can talk about it. If you are building a ground up commercial building or a home we can help from the preconstruction planning to the build and final inspection. Interested in solar or off-grid or a hybrid system for your home? Lets talk. There are many wrong turns out there that saddle home owners with a lifetime of payments after a free install. We permit electrical jobs directly with the building department or attach to the general contractor’s permit if it is a full MEP project with Architectural plans. If you have MEP drawings for an upcoming job send me the plans and I can give you a bid. If I can’t get to it I’ll tell you up front.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
While I love being on ladders and building things, I’m at a place in my career where I am able to teach others and share what I know with the right people. In fact, I believe it is my responsibility to share the craft with the next generation and I enjoy doing that. If you are another small shop out there of any trade then lets talk. If you are a Journeyman looking to get your Master license and become an Electrical Contractor, lets have coffee and talk about it. I’d love to share what I can to help you go where you want to go. You have to take stock of your gifts and talents and what to do with those and how you fit in. There’s a place for everyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.barnettelectricco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnettelectric/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-barnett-536222118/
