Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Nelson.
Hi Jordan, 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 my electrical apprenticeship in 2013. I was the first person in my family to enter the trade, and honestly, that meant figuring out a lot on my own from the beginning. After over a decade of learning the craft and working for others, I decided it was time to build something of my own. Brightside Electric opened its doors in April 2026, right here in Springfield, Oregon.
The hardest part nobody tells you about owning a business is that you don’t just do the work — you are the business. Every estimate, every invoice, every phone call, every job. Wearing every hat as a solo owner-operator while still showing up and doing quality electrical work every single day — that’s where the real grind lives.
But my why is simple and it keeps me going: my daughter is 6, my son is 4, and I’m building something I can pass down to them someday. I want them to grow up watching their dad do things the right way — quality work, fair treatment, and always putting the customer first.
I’m not just trying to build a successful company. I’m trying to build something that means something.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Launching a business from scratch is no smooth road. The biggest challenge has been doing everything myself — estimating jobs, managing customers, handling paperwork, marketing the business, and then actually showing up and doing quality electrical work every single day. There’s no playbook for it. You figure it out as you go.
Starting in a competitive market with no established name meant earning every single customer from zero. No referrals handed to me, no reputation built yet — just showing up, doing the job right, and hoping word spreads. And slowly, it has.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Brightside Electric is a licensed residential and commercial electrical contractor serving Springfield and Lane County.
We specialize in everything from home panel upgrades and EV charger installs to large-scale commercial work — including full panel changes and meter stack replacements for apartment complexes.
What sets us apart is simple: showing up prepared, doing the job right the first time, and treating every customer with honesty and respect. You’re not getting a faceless company. You’re getting me – I’m on every job, I answer my own phone, and I stand behind my work. In a trade where horror stories about contractors are common, I’ve built 20 five-star Google reviews in a short time by doing exactly what I said I would do, when I said I would do it.
I’m most proud of the trust customers place in me when they invite me into their homes or hand me a commercial project. That trust is everything, and I don’t take it lightly.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Honesty. It sounds simple, but it’s rarer than it should be in this industry.
I believe in being fair to my customers — giving them an honest assessment of what they need, not upselling work that isn’t necessary, and pricing jobs in a way I can stand behind. If something is outside my scope, I’ll tell you. If a job is smaller than you thought, I’ll tell you that too.
But fairness also means being fair to myself and my business. I price my work to reflect the quality, licensing, and professionalism I bring to every job. I don’t race to the bottom to win bids. Sustainable work means I’m still here next year to honor my warranties and answer your call.
That balance — honest with customers, fair to the business — is what I believe builds something that lasts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Brightsideelectricoregon.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightside_electric_oregon/
