Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonny Braithwaite.
Hi Jonny, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started out working for my dad, doing mostly inside remodeling jobs, weekend and holidays when I was 13. Finished school at 16 and started working for a local stonemason. Worked with him for several years before going to trade school to get my qualifications as a bricklayer. Then I was self employed briefly before joining the Royal Engineers (construction division of UK Army essentially) in 2009. Served a little under 6 years, traveled extensively doing a variety of construction and sports related activities including two tours of Afghanistan. Met my now ex wife while deployed in the United States. Emmigtated to Oregon late 2014 worked my way up through several landscape companies doing paver patios retaining walls and other landscape construction projects. Started Jbuilt LLC in 2021.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Immigrating to the US was hard at first. The construction methods are similar but code is different so I had to learn the new code and the lingo used on site.
I went through a rough divorce.
Finding and keeping good employees continues to be an issue.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in paver patios and natural stone. The job I’m most proud of was a natural stone fire place we renovated. The customer has some small boulders from a retaining wall, that had some sentimental value, he wanted to incorporate into the new fireplace. I hand carved those stones into the shapes and created an arch in the fireplace opening. The customer was very happy.
What does success mean to you?
Referral and repeat business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jbuiltoutdoorliving.com
