Defying All The Odds: Continuing Success With Longterm Thinking with Kendra Dinkins - Taylor Electric

Building Scale

We interview successful Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) business leaders to learn how they use people, processes, and technology to scale their businesses.

Defying All The Odds: Continuing Success With Longterm Thinking with Kendra Dinkins - Taylor Electric

E114 • Jan 7, 2025 • 52 mins

Kendra Dinkins shares her journey and the history of Taylor Electric, highlighting the role of family and the challenges of market diversification. She discusses partnering with larger contractors and navigating MBE/WBE obstacles while emphasizing the importance of building trust in business partnerships. Kendra talks about proving worth as a minority-owned business, evaluating customer fit, and the significance of learning to say no. The episode delves into family business dynamics, decision-making, and managing economic downturns, including the impact of COVID-19. Kendra addresses employee loyalty, overcoming imposter syndrome, and leadership as an introvert, offering advice on self-care and work-life balance.

Key Points

Taylor Electric has successfully diversified its market presence by expanding into commercial, healthcare, institutional, and educational sectors, ensuring a steady workflow and revenue stream.
Maintaining a core group of employees during economic downturns has been crucial for Taylor Electric, demonstrating the importance of loyalty and honest communication within the company.
Kendra Dinkins emphasizes the need for self-care and work-life balance, recognizing that personal well-being is essential for sustaining the long-term health of the business.

Connect with - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendra-dinkins-87398946/ Website: https://taylorelectricco.com/ Connect with Justin & Will - Will's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willforet/ Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justneagle/ Learn More & Connect With Spot Migration - Website: https://www.spotmigration.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spot-migration Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotmigration Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Spotmigration Do you want to be a guest on the show? Go to https://buildingscale.net/guests Need to discuss your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy? Go to https://buildingscale.net/help

Speakers

Kendra Dinkins

Guest • 62%

Justin Neagle

Host • 22%

Will Foret

Host • 2%

Will Foret

Host • 14%

Chapters

0:00	Introduction to the episode and Kendra Dinkins
2:46	Kendra's background and Taylor Electric's history and challenges
7:00	The role of family in Taylor Electric and market diversification
13:07	Partnering with larger contractors and overcoming MBE/WBE challenges
18:33	Building and maintaining trust in business partnerships
22:07	Expertise and proving worth as a minority-owned business
25:55	Evaluating customer fit and learning to say no
29:50	Family business dynamics and decision-making
34:22	Economic downturns, COVID-19 impact, and workforce management
41:07	Employee loyalty and support during crises
43:33	Overcoming imposter syndrome and leadership as an introvert
47:24	Advice on self-care and work-life balance
49:59	How to contact Kendra Dinkins and Taylor Electric
51:04	Closing remarks and call to action

Transcript

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