James Stevens took a leap of faith and founded Stevens Electrical Construction in October 2020, at the height of the pandemic. Before then, he was working for an electrical contractor, and there came a day when he was sitting behind his desk as a project manager and feeling unhappy. He thought, “I can do better than this. I can create a place that is enjoyable to work at, and that gives my team and me a purpose in what we are doing.”

Having faith in the economy, he coupled $100,000 in personal funds and personal loans to launch his own business. The company started with zero revenue but quickly built to $1 million in revenue in the first year. In 2022, he grew to $4 million, and now he’s currently facing a backlog this year with projects reaching $18 million! Though those revenue numbers can seem enviable, the process of getting there was, at times, a headache. “The first quarter of 2022 is not something we want to repeat,” explained Stevens. The team consistently had to push through long hours, exceeding 60- to 70-hour workweeks to meet demand.

But that was just a growing pain on the road to continued growth. Another constant concern was cash flow. As with any small business, cash flow is everything. “Starting with $100,000 is not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things,” explained Stevens. “In our business, we typically don’t get paid until 45 days out, and sometimes it’s 60 to 90 days before we see payment. Our cash flow just wasn’t there to support the construction.”

Enter BCL of Texas. Recognizing Stevens’ potential, BCL provided a crucial lifeline by establishing a business line of credit. This financial support allowed Stevens to bridge the gap between project completion and client payments. “Getting that line of credit was one of the best things we did. BCL has been fantastic to work with.” With this financial stability, Stevens secured office and warehouse space, solidifying the company’s future.

For other budding entrepreneurs looking to take the leap and open their own business, Stevens offers this advice. 1) Build a solid plan for funding the business, e.g., contact BCL of Texas; 2) when the hard times hit - and they will - just keep going; talk to people who support you when the times get tough; 3) keep working your plan; and 4) spend time each morning to plan out your day. “Make every day successful, and it’ll build on your success.”