Ok, to be clear, this isn’t something recent that happened to me or Canada Brush Control. But it’s a story that I’ve carried with me over the years, and I think it’s one worth sharing.
I recently had a conversation where a friend was telling me about a personal experience they had, which caused me to reflect on something that happened to me well over 20 years ago.
At the time, I was working with a landscape company. It was where I truly found my passion for heavy equipment. We handled everything from landscaping to backfilling, hardscaping, and even paving—it was my first real taste of this world. I discovered early on that I had a knack for equipment. I could do things others couldn’t, and because of that, they often put me on the more intricate jobs.
One project stands out like it happened yesterday. We were paving a driveway, and everything was going smoothly—until we realized we had forgotten the hand tamper we needed to smooth out areas the compactor couldn’t reach. Since we had to come back the next day anyway, we figured it wasn’t a big deal.
When we returned, my supervisor instructed me to use a propane torch to reheat the pavement. The area was right next to the house, and as we worked, flames unknowingly bounced off the pavement and started heating the metal siding. At first, I didn’t notice anything unusual. But then I saw smoke rising.
My heart sank. We stopped immediately, but the damage was done. Smoke was billowing, and we had no choice but to call the fire department. Sirens blared as they arrived, and I remember standing there, absolutely mortified. They worked quickly, ripping off the siding to make sure the fire was fully extinguished.
I was in my early twenties and completely panicked. All I could think about was how furious the homeowner was going to be—and they were. I felt like the world’s biggest screw-up.
But here’s the thing: that day taught me lessons I’ve carried with me ever since.
Building on Mistakes
That incident was a wake-up call. It showed me the importance of slowing down and planning ahead. Safety became my top priority, and I began to see risk in a whole new way.
Fast forward to today, and that experience has shaped the foundation of Canada Brush Control. We take extra time to make sure every job is done safely, and we calculate risks ahead of time to eliminate situations like the one I faced back then. It’s part of our DNA now.
Whether it’s clearing land or operating heavy equipment, we approach every project with a mindset built on preparation, precision, and care. Mistakes like the one I made years ago are rare, but we’re always prepared to adapt and respond if something unexpected happens.
A Laugh at the Past, But Not the Situation
Looking back today, I can talk about that day with a bit of a chuckle—not at the situation itself, but at the realization that it’s moments like those that shape us. We have to go through these experiences to become who we are today. They make us more aware of potential dangers and more conscious of what’s around us while working.
That’s why, even though I’ll never forget the panic and the homeowner’s fury, I’m grateful for what that experience taught me. It was a pivotal moment that turned into a lesson, which I now apply every day in my work and how I run the company.
A Message for Anyone Starting Out
If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: even the best of us will make mistakes, no matter how talented or skilled we are. It’s not the mistakes that define us—it’s how we respond to them. I almost burned a house down, but that misstep became a critical lesson that helped me grow.
Everything worked out in the end—the damage was minimal, and the homeowner understood it was an honest mistake. We made sure everything was repared and taken care of, but it’s still a lesson I carry with me to this day.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by a setback, take a deep breath and learn from it. Those tough moments might just become the foundation for your success story.
