Today we’d like to introduce you to Dimitri Thevenin.
Hi Dimitri, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Southern California after immigrating from France as a child. Like a lot of people in the trades, my path wasn’t a straight line. Over the years I’ve worked in restaurants, construction, and eventually found my way into the electrical industry where I discovered I loved solving problems and building things that matter.
I completed my electrical apprenticeship and spent years working on a wide variety of projects including residential, commercial, industrial facilities, data centers, clean rooms, stadium lighting, and solar installations. Along the way I worked both union and non-union jobs, gaining experience with everything from small service calls to large-scale electrical systems.
One of the biggest challenges in my career was earning my Oregon Supervising Electrician license. It took persistence, multiple attempts, and a lot of studying while balancing work and family responsibilities. Passing that exam was a major milestone because it represented years of experience and determination.
Today I’m the owner and operator of Thevenin Electric LLC, serving homeowners and businesses throughout Oregon. After years of working across residential, commercial, industrial, and solar projects, I decided to build a company centered on quality workmanship, honest communication, and treating customers the way I’d want my own family treated.
Starting my own business has been both exciting and challenging. Like many small business owners, I’ve had to wear every hat—electrician, estimator, marketer, bookkeeper, and customer service representative. But being able to build something of my own and serve my community directly has made the effort worthwhile.
Outside of work, I’m a husband, father, and committed Christian. My faith, family, and desire to serve others shape how I approach both business and life. Building Thevenin Electric isn’t just about starting a company—it’s about creating something that reflects my values, provides for my family, and allows me to make a positive impact in my community.
I’m still in the early stages of the journey, but that’s what makes it exciting. Every customer, every project, and every challenge is another step toward building a business I’m proud of.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve experienced plenty of setbacks, self-doubt, and unexpected challenges along the way.
One of the biggest professional challenges was earning my Oregon Supervising Electrician license. It took me multiple attempts to pass the exam, and each time I had to decide whether to get discouraged or keep studying and improve. Passing that test taught me a valuable lesson about persistence and the importance of staying committed even when progress feels slow.
Starting my own electrical business has brought a different set of challenges. When you’re a small business owner, you’re responsible for everything. You’re not just performing the work—you’re also handling marketing, estimating, customer communication, scheduling, bookkeeping, and countless other responsibilities. Learning how to wear all those hats has been a continual process.
There have also been personal challenges along the way. Balancing family life, business ownership, and personal growth isn’t always easy. As a husband and father, I want to provide for my family while still being present for the moments that matter most.
Looking back, though, those challenges have shaped who I am. They’ve taught me resilience, humility, patience, and the importance of continually learning. Every obstacle has ultimately helped me become a better electrician, business owner, husband, and father.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Thevenin Electric is a locally owned electrical contractor based in Oregon, providing residential and light commercial electrical services. We handle everything from troubleshooting and repairs to lighting upgrades, EV chargers, panel work, new circuits, remodels, and general electrical improvements.
What sets us apart is our commitment to communication, craftsmanship, and customer service. Many homeowners have experienced the frustration of contractors who don’t return calls, show up late, leave a mess behind, or fail to explain what they’re doing. We strive to be the opposite. We believe customers deserve clear communication, honest recommendations, fair pricing, and work performed with pride and attention to detail.
One thing I’m especially proud of is treating every project as if I were working on my own home. Whether it’s a simple light fixture replacement or a larger electrical installation, I focus on doing the job correctly, safely, and cleanly. I often tell customers that if I’ve had to cut into drywall, my goal is to leave the area looking like I was never there.
As a small business owner, every customer interaction matters. My reputation is built one job at a time, and I take that responsibility seriously. The business reflects values that are important to me—integrity, hard work, faith, and treating people with respect.
My goal isn’t simply to complete electrical work. It’s to become the electrician that families and business owners feel comfortable calling whenever they need help, knowing they’ll receive honest advice and quality workmanship.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
If I had to choose one quality that has contributed most to my success, it would be persistence.
I’ve learned that success rarely comes from talent alone. More often, it comes from showing up consistently, continuing to learn, and refusing to quit when things get difficult. Throughout my career and personal life, there have been plenty of setbacks, disappointments, and moments when the easier choice would have been to give up or settle for less.
One example is earning my Oregon Supervising Electrician license. It took multiple attempts before I passed, but each setback taught me something and forced me to improve. Looking back, the process taught me as much about perseverance and character as it did about electrical theory and code.
As a business owner, persistence is equally important. Building a company requires patience and a willingness to keep moving forward even when results don’t happen as quickly as you’d like. Every estimate, every customer interaction, and every completed project is another opportunity to earn trust and build a reputation.
I also believe humility plays an important role. There is always more to learn, and some of the best lessons come from mistakes and challenges. Being willing to listen, learn, and improve has helped me grow both professionally and personally.
At the end of the day, persistence, integrity, and faith have been the qualities that have carried me through the toughest seasons and continue to guide how I approach my work, my family, and my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theveninelectric.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevenin.electric/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theveninelectricllc
