Introduction
Hi – my name is Sam Lloyd, and I’m grateful to share a bit of my story with you.
Starting Out: Dreams and Family
As an electrician, I’ve always marched to my own beat—wired a little differently and driven by purpose. In 1999, with big dreams and just enough knowledge to be dangerous, I founded Wired Up Systems. That same day, our youngest child was born, joining our two daughters and our son to complete our family. My wife supported me, even though she didn’t fully understand the business and met my optimism with understandable skepticism. I told her the company had “watts” of potential, but she quickly saw both my ambition and my lack of business experience. Over time, I came to appreciate her wisdom; she saw things I missed. Still, I threw myself into the work, spending too much time in the business, too little time at home, and watching our bank account run thin.
Humbling Lessons and Growth
Eventually, I had to swallow my pride and admit that running a business was a whole different circuit than wiring a building. I’d picked up practical skills through apprenticeships—both union and non-union—and from great mentors like Bill, Jack, Barry, and I’m pretty sure, Harry. But venturing out on my own made me feel all thumbs, and I didn’t know how to find my way forward.
A Burning Question and the Search for Answers
Not too long ago, about a decade back—I kept wondering: where could I turn to actually learn what it takes to build a thriving electrical contracting business? It’s been a winding journey, with a lot of resistance and sometimes not enough voltage, having a hard time amping it up, but now I feel ready. I’ve gathered the tools and resources and am eager to share this platform so I can help fellow contractors. It feels like the right moment, time to put the voltage on it and watch it work.
Challenges, Changes, and New Purpose
In 2008, life threw me a curveball. A big project fell through, and a few clients left me unpaid. I wound up working for other contractors, struggling financially but determined not to file for bankruptcy—my heart knew that wasn’t my path. I resolved to keep working, no matter how long it took. Each company taught me something, some more positive than others, but I still lacked the business side of things. Even so, my desire to be my own boss, to make my own schedule, and to earn what I believed was possible never faded. That next decade became an honest journey of the heart and soul, searching for my niche and asking what the rest of my story should look like before meeting my Creator and Lord.
Bridging the Gap: Understanding Both Sides
Over time, I began to see a pattern—not just with myself, but with my customers and contractor friends too. There were misunderstandings and assumptions on both sides. That realization sparked something in me. What if I could help others on both sides of the table understand each other better? That led to my website and bringing customers and contractors together, to make sense of bids and expectations, and to ease the tension when it comes to payments and project goals. My hope is to help both parties leave the table satisfied, knowing they were understood and valued.
Looking Ahead: Sharing Wisdom
I’m still building this platform for electrical contractors who want to grow their businesses, but I realized I first needed to understand the people who hire us. Honestly, this might be the most enlightening thing I’ve done in my life, aside from all the other adventures I’ve taken on. I’m excited to pour out all I’ve learned over almost forty years in this trade, and I hope it helps others as much as it’s helped me.
Let’s Connect
If my story resonates with you, I invite you to book a free 15-minute call. Let’s see if we can work together. I’m not walking this road alone—I’m always learning from others, too. After all, I’d rather keep learning and growing than hang up my tool belt for good. Who knows, maybe together we’ll light the way for others.