I wrote this originally as a part of a larger autobiography requested for my Woman-Owned Business certification application for Reiss Earthworks, but when the team shared this action figure doll to share on social media, I figured this was the perfect time to share a part of my story.
This is not written to be a “look at me” or an attaboy, but as a way to connect to those who can relate to the story. Some of those people might be:
- ♦Those who found themselves working before their peers at a young age, especially in construction.
- ♦Those who were driven from a very young age to make something for themselves and their families.
- ♦Those who have worked in a family business and know the dynamics and expectations.
- ♦Women business owners in a male world.
- ♦Something else relatable is the awkward feeling of writing about yourself.
Want to fast forward to what I do now? Visit our About Reiss Earthworks page.
How I Got Started in Construction at Age 10
Growing up, my dad told me that when I turned double digits (aka 10 years old), I would go to work with him. He and my mom owned a landscaping and irrigation business. As a kid playing on the playground of Red Door Childcare Center in downtown Lee’s Summit, Missouri, that probably seemed exciting!
The summer of 1995 came, and I was 10. I got in the 1994 Ford regular cab with a manual transmission and no AC — when my dad would say “turn the air on,” he meant open the wing window and point it his way.
My life path was somewhat determined. I’ve never stopped working, hustling, learning, or even left the construction industry, and it’s now almost 3 decades later. I’ve asked myself if I was born for this or born into it many times; I’ll never know.
It has always been a struggle to say I started working at ten years old. Most people could not relate to this, so there is a predicament about whether to include this experience on the résumé (the woman-owned business application mentioned before) or leave it off! But those early years shaped who I am today, even though there were times I downright hated it. During that time, most of the kids my age were at the pool or riding bikes to their friends’ houses while I was working for the family company.
Would I go back and change it now? Maybe some, but not for the most part. The real question is, did I repeat the offer to my own kids for them to start working at 10 years old?
Those Early Years: Hustle, Work, and Life Lessons
How to talk to people:
I had the privilege of talking to people of all ages and professions—some happy, some mad, some confused about who you were. We would do hundreds of irrigation service calls annually, mostly in the areas of Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Pleasant Hill, Independence, Raytown, and Kansas City.
This was in a time before people had “smart” garages and such. Most folks were home when we came. I was the greeter to let people know who we were and why we were there. I was also tasked with talking to these people so Dad could work without distractions. I also dropped the bill off at the door and made sure they were happy with their services. I was even the person to run through a customer’s irrigation controller to set it up just the way they liked it before we left.
Some of these folks had 5 decades on me—maybe more. It was an experience for both parties, to say the least.
How to work, not be afraid to work, and work hard:
When I was working in the field, I was working alongside my 15-year-older brother, Randy (but he’s gone by Brother to this day within the family)—one of the hardest-working fools you’ll meet. He has no limit.
To work alongside him was impossible and motivating all at the same time. We worked in the sun, rain, cold—not the snow, though. The minute Bryan Busby remotely mentioned talk of a Kansas City flurry on the news, my family had a roaster of chili fixed, Jeopardy on, and there was paperwork and filing to be done in the home office.
But back to the true work season—work was always long days (always working until dark) and many days in a row (Sunday was usually a day off from customer work but then allowed time to work on our own projects).
The days included shoveling, using a wheelbarrow, digging, planting, installing hardscape, irrigation, and plantings—basically all the things most teenage girls do, right? 🙂
My favorite was laying sod though. There is just something about it. Sodding truly transforms a space into a warm, inviting, and ready-to-be-used space. It makes a project feel alive.
As my life in construction has now transformed to more time in the rough-in phase of the dirt world, I miss grass. Hands-on labor is probably what I’ve distanced myself from the most in my current day-to-day schedule. The business owner’s life drives you away from what originally got you in the business. There is always so much to do as a business owner.
How to hustle, negotiate, and sell:
To this day, the Reiss Earthworks sales presentation is a rendition of the 2-page estimate my mom typed and the family provided to so many prospective clients back with the family business. It taught me to provide a premium product and present it with great detail. Differentiate yourself.
Run this, drive there, load that trailer:
Those early years also provided their fair share of opportunity, with tools, equipment, trucks, trailers, and machinery.
There wasn’t ever an option to use an excuse that you didn’t know how to drive a manual, back up a trailer, or run the equipment on the job. Also, knowing that sometimes it’s okay to patch your machinery together and keep going is a skill all should know.
Today, my fleet of trucks, equipment, and machines are more geared for the dirt world, but the principle feels the same.
Family Roots, Hard Work, and the Next Generation
Now, the real question is: When my children turned 10, did I duplicate the offer that was given to me?
Yes. Yes, I unashamedly did—and the result is kids I am extremely proud of. They are very capable, even at a young age, and have their own chance to find success. No matter what they choose to do, they will have that foundation of hard work to stand on.
Today, I own Reiss Earthworks based in Kansas City, MO, and I get the privilege to “play in the dirt” and juggle small business ownership with some of my closest people daily.
Did you grow up in the family business? I would love to know.
Ready to start your own project? Contact us here — we’d love to hear your story too
The information provided in this blog is for general entertainment and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be construed as professional advice or a guarantee of service or result. While I aim to provide accurate and helpful information, any statements, details, or pricing shared are approximate and may change based on specific project details. Reiss Earthworks does not accept liability for any inaccuracies or errors. Always consult directly with us for precise estimates or advice for your specific project.
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