Resilience, Resourcefulness, and a Fire Truck Full of Lessons

In the world of construction and entrepreneurship, challenges pop up when you least expect them. But it’s not the problems that define you—it’s how you respond. Case in point: the day we had to call in firefighters to help us pour concrete.

We were working on our second house, ready to pour a couple of concrete columns. Everything was set—forms in place, crew on-site—except for one crucial detail: no water. We didn’t have the water hookup yet, and pulling from the neighbor’s hose wasn’t cutting it.

Most people would’ve just rescheduled. But instead of giving up, I thought, “What if I just ask for help?” So, I drove to the local fire station. No big plan, just hoping they might have a spare hose. I told them my problem straight up: “I don’t have water because I didn’t plan for it. I screwed up.” No excuses. Just honesty.

One firefighter laughed, “Maybe we’ll come do it for you.” And that’s exactly what happened. The fire chief overheard, liked my honesty, and decided to send some rookies to our job site for hose training. Yep, firefighters showed up and helped us mix concrete.

Here’s what that day taught me:

• Resilience matters. Instead of hitting a roadblock and calling it quits, I kept looking for solutions.

• Honesty opens doors. I didn’t blame anyone else—I owned the mistake. That simple truth made a connection.

• Just ask. The worst someone can say is no. But sometimes, they’ll say yes—and that yes can change everything.

In business, whether you're a contractor or an entrepreneur in any field, success often comes from unexpected places. The key is staying resourceful, owning your mistakes, and never being afraid to ask for help. You’d be surprised how often the right people are willing to step in—sometimes with a fire truck.