Ever wonder why a $150/hour service call doesn’t mean the owner makes $150? We pull back the panel with Thomas Fleming, president of Strategic Electrical Solutions, to explore the real economics of the trades—7,000 hours of experience, a daunting license exam, payroll and workers’ comp, trucks and tools, and the thin margins that still have to fund safety, training, and great service. Thomas blends three decades in the field with nights teaching at the community college, turning education into a competitive edge and a pipeline for much‑needed talent.
We walk through how he balances commercial projects with custom and semi‑custom residential work, using design‑led thinking to elevate lighting plans, smart home integrations, access control, and CCTV. Thomas shares why he leans on networking over mass advertising, building growth through chambers, local groups, and trusted contractor partnerships that trade referrals and stand behind each other’s work. He’s candid about cash flow, clear about the difference between fair pricing and price‑book excess, and practical about communicating timelines when emergencies collide with reality.
Hiring and culture get the same strategic treatment: show up, think clearly, repair before replace, and treat flexibility as a two‑way street. We dig into troubleshooting as a process—measure, isolate, fix the cause—and how that discipline reduces callbacks and builds long‑term trust. Thomas also explains the thinking behind the name Strategic Electrical Solutions and why a mission‑driven brand beats a vanity label, especially when succession and future growth are on the table. If you care about craftsmanship, honest pricing, and partnerships that last, this conversation is your blueprint.
Enjoyed the conversation? Follow and subscribe for more candid builder stories, share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/
All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at [email protected] or at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!

Bill