When you work in construction, it’s all about problem-solving. Every day, you anticipate what might go wrong. To minimize exposure, you plan and coordinate the right staff, suppliers, and subcontractors to execute the work in the safest and most efficient manner. I am attracted to the rush, anticipation, and ambition to deliver a product designed for the owner. I spent close to 14 years in the utility sector, playing various roles and gaining exposure to all aspects of the business. Now, I am offering these services through The Contractor Inc. (TCI). TCI provides project management, estimating, site inspections, contract administration, and design assistance to project owners, contractors, and designers. We specialize in the utility sector, focusing on traffic signals, street lighting, telecommunication infrastructure, hydro, and transit.
Running a business is tough yet satisfying, and I have learned that maintaining a business is largely about the clients. One thing that has really stood out is the power of relationships. Fostering good relationships in any industry is important for any business to thrive. Being entirely dependent on procurement opportunities in the early days will not allow a business to survive, as bidding opportunities are enveloped in extensive red tape, limiting a new company’s abilities due to lack of experience and other factors. So how do we solve this issue? New companies require a streamlined verification process, that incorporates the collective experience of the workforce, to enhance their eligibility for procurement opportunities. Until the system evolves to create an equitable entry point, I have found that establishing relationships with key clients will keep the lights on and growth in sight.
I attended the GTHA Community Benefits Summit hosted by the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) on October 28, 2023. This event was geared towards addressing the need to create opportunities for diverse communities through employment on major projects in the City of Toronto, specifically the Ontario Line project. This should not only create employment opportunities but also provide diverse-owned businesses with chances to gain valuable experience. This will have to start from how contracts are structured between the owner and the general contractor or a consortium. Allowances and systems are required to facilitate this, or else there will always be barriers in place for companies to get exposure on large-scale commercial projects.
Various organizations, such as the Black Business Professionals Association (BBPA), Black Business Advisory Implementation Development Services (BAIDS), Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD), Afro Canadian Construction Association (ACCA), Ontario Black Contractors Association (OBCA), and the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC), play crucial roles in providing support and creating opportunities. Some of these associations are in their early days trying to make changes, but the task is onerous and will take time.
2023 was a tough year for me and my family, marked by the passing of my mom, two uncles, and a very close childhood friend. So much loss in quick succession taught me how critical it is to know your mental and emotional state in any given situation. Thankfully, with the support of my wife, immediate family, and close friends, I keep pushing through these life-changing experiences. An internal support system is vital to any business or career and more importantly to your personal life. Simply put, your cheerleaders, counselors, confidants, and mentors become your lifeline.
I am excited about 2024, with the prospect of numerous opportunities and significant investments in infrastructure. I am preparing for this and the years ahead with an open mind and what I understand to be the key to success. Entrepreneurship goes beyond just owning a business; it involves investing and collaborating with others to ensure collective gains. The adaptation to a Jamaican proverb that I grew up hearing, “One hand wash the other, both hands wash the face” says it best, emphasizing the interconnectedness of mutual cooperation and how working together can lead to shared benefits and achievement.
The Contractor Inc.
Instagram: @thecontractorinc.ca
Email: giovanni@thecontractorinc.ca
Website: www.thecontractorinc.ca
