The Power of Camaraderie in Business
American Dreamers Renovations and DeShong Design + Remodeling recently came together for a memorable evening of camaraderie, filled with drinks, dinner, and laughter. This blog reflects on the importance of fostering connections within the trades, emphasizing its significance not only in the contractor realm but also in life itself.
Meet Kari: A Connector and Believer in Camaraderie
Those familiar with Kari understand her knack for connecting with new people, effortlessly breaking the ice, and genuinely caring about others' well-being. Her firm belief in the transformative power of friendship, inspired by the movie 'Chocolat,' unites people on this journey, whether they're interior designers, architects, engineers, or fellow construction business owners. To Kari and David, these individuals are not competitors; they are colleagues.
A Year of Connections and Growth
About a year ago, Kari decided to offer more support to David, and her passion for meaningful connections led her to engage actively in online conversations via instagram. Morgan Kumpfmiller, owner of American Dreamers Renovations, stood out with her responses, never settling for generic "thank you”. I joined her Women Builders group, a program aimed at mentoring women in the construction business. Morgan's commitment to women in the trades resonated with Kari. After numerous Zoom calls, Kari found in Morgan a mentor willing to share valuable insights. The key point here is that Morgan, like David and Kari, never perceived them as competitors. David, like Kari, found value in seeking insights from experienced business owners like Morgan. Kari emphasized the rarity of finding acquaintances who also own a business, especially in the construction sector. Her suggestion of another call or a dinner resonated, and Morgan went with the latter.
Building Connections and Shifting Perspectives
The Friday night meetup was more than a casual gathering; it was an fun experience where David and Brandon, Morgan’s site supervisor/master plumber, who not as naturally sociable as Kari and Morgan, instantly connected. Brandon initially questioned the meeting with 'competition,' but Morgan's swift response reflected a perspective shift: "There are no competitors; there is an abundance of work to go around." By the end of the night, Brandon and David discussed how the industry could benefit from a shift in perspective, viewing each other as collaborators rather than competitors .
Conclusion: Breaking the Ice and Embracing Our Best Selves
Everyone is navigating this crazy, short, and tense thing called life. Owning a business doesn't make it any less challenging. Prioritizing camaraderie over competition in many forms of could indeed make the world a better place, echoing the power of friendship and support. Don’t get me wrong, like everything, there are some doozies out there, which you learn to avoid rather quickly.
So, let's courageously break the ice, reach out to others, and, above all, endeavor to be the best versions of ourselves. After all, in the world of construction and beyond, camaraderie has the potential to transform our experiences and the lives of those around us.
From Left to Right: David, Brandon, Morgan, and Kari
