Meet Steve Cederquist | Contractor/Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Steve Cederquist and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Steve, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?

I use to work 16 to 18 hours a day and did that for over 15 years. I guess starting at the age of 32 as I was just getting out of prison so I felt I needed to make up for lost time. Being a single dad now with three kids trying to make it on $12 bucks an hour, I would get the kids to school, work my 8am to 4pm job, then I’d get home, make dinner, help my kids with homework, get them in bed and then do my side job which was either making a piece of furniture or building cabinets or help a neighbor fix plumbing or an electrical issue – it was non-stop, 24/7 for me. Then, the next day, I’d start all over again.

I decided in 2006 to start my own business being a “Handyman”. I had an old 1978 Ford pick up and did odd jobs, where I became so much in demand my business started to grow; first to two trucks, then three, then four etc.

After several years of working so many hours and running my own business I decided I needed to have a balance, all work and no play was killing me, and my kids. I decided to start taking off a weekend every month. We would leave on a Thursday and come back on a Monday where we’d go either camping, skiing, water-skiing or just to the beach, anything but work. It saved me from total burnout

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

In 2006, I started my company with one truck and one employee, me. I turned my maintenance business into a construction company with 52 employees and 27 trucks then sold it in 2016 for a very generous profit.

That is not to say it wasn’t a struggle as I started late because of some choices in life that changed me. When I got involved in drugs at the age of 25 I went to prison, lost my kids, my home, all my possessions. IT SEEMED like it was OVER!!! But it SAVED ME I was able to change my life and decide I wanted to change the world when I got out. So, I DID!!!

I decided that I was going to be a success in every way; getting my kids back, my home, a job, I changed friends and became the dad my kids needed. When I turned my situation into a positive one, I became someone who I liked when I saw my reflection; a man of integrity, working hard for my goals, how my dad taught me.

Overcoming the challenges is one thing but keeping them going meant doing things differently – learning and growing. The one thing that worked for me was something I did daily, and that was thanking everyone who worked for me. I gave bonuses, helped when I could because it was not all about the profit as I cared about my people. I think many businesses forget that today. I believe we all need to be HELPERS in life and help others as we grow.

In my book, “Get Out Alive: Surviving and Thriving After Drugs, Guns, Gangs, Dysfunction and Crazy”, I use construction terms for my life story as it outlines what happen during that time and how I changed. By using an imaginary dumpster, I show others how to get rid of those things that are holding them back. The book is designed to help those going through difficult times to know that there is another way out.

I also was blessed by being a regular on the hit HGTV Show “Flip or Flop” for seven seasons and learned a lot about design. So with that, I added designing to my resume where I help those achieve their dream home by not only reconstructing the outside but by also creating a space inside with all the trimmings.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

My ideal trip for a week would be to go fishing off the coast of Mexico. My friend and I would rent a fishing boat with all the gear and take off to fish the clear waters of the Pacific Ocean, taking in all its glory of the sea life, ocean air, sunsets and catching our share of King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Tripletail, Dorado, Jack Crevalle, Sailfish, and Wahoo. Of course, we would bring a variety of the cuisine with us and of course adult libations to enjoy. The week would be spent on the ocean enjoying nature on the sea.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, I’d like to thank my dad. He instilled in me my work ethic and always had my back, no matter what. Next, my sister Sam, she never gave up, especially on me. And most importantly, my kids Alex, Max, and Sam. They made me a better dad and for that I am forever grateful.

Website: www.stevecederquistdesigns.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevecederquist/

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/steve-cederquist-3632a4171

Twitter: @stevecederquist

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealSteveCederquist