I am Simon Jester

Private Enterprise Rocks

Posted by Ted Bronson | Filed under Patriot's Journey

My boss is a great guy. His father started the company with one partner and no license or accreditation, mortgaged both their houses, and had a full set of survey gear between them.

My boss worked on a survey crew in every job from holding a stick on up.

He got a degree, something his dad didn’t do until years and years after he was already a successful business man, got one of them there new surveyor’s certifications from the state, and took over and grew the business into a company with offices in three states, contracts with dozens of phosphate mining companies or engineering firms, and let’s just say that the Florida DOT is a good friend. While building up the company, he expanded into aerial surveying and all the capital outlay that requires. He now has a staff of over 40, receipts in the millions, and the respect of his community, peers, and employees.

He is only in his forties. Early forties.

My boss is a perfect example of how American small businesses are supposed to work. How a guy with an idea can work his ass off to give his family a better life. His dad gave my boss the keys to the front door only after he had proven that he could do the work, after demonstrating a willingness to do the work, and after showing him how he could grow the business.

His Patriot’s Journey took him from the ground up to the skies, doing every job in between. And when his kids are old enough to hold a survey rod, you can bet they will be donning hip waders and DEET and learning the trade.

This is a Patriot’s Journey post. Remember to check out the other Patriotic Journeyers: Drumwaster, The Bastage, Inessential Musings, and The Edge of Reason