Business Innovators Radio - Shane Hayes of PDQ Electric: Illuminating Las Vegas with Electrical Expertise

Episode Date: October 31, 2023

In this episode of Vegas Business Spotlight, host Tim Knifton sits down with Shane Hayes, the founder of PDQ Electric, to uncover the remarkable journey behind his thriving electrical contracting business in Las Vegas. Shane shares his experiences, insights, and the wisdom he has gained throughout his career as he transformed PDQ Electric into a trusted name in the industry.As a licensed electrical contractor, Shane and his team at PDQ Electric offer a wide range of services, specializing in residential, commercial, and industrial projects. From fixing electrical problems to handling new construction and high-end remodels, Shane’s expertise and dedication have made PDQ Electric a go-to choice for clients in Las Vegas and surrounding areas.Shane’s entrepreneurial journey began during the 2009 economic downturn when he made the pivotal decision to start his own business rather than succumbing to the challenging job market. With a background in industrial applications, he had to adapt to the unique demands and culture of the Las Vegas business scene, particularly in relation to the entertainment industry and the city’s diverse clientele.Networking and connecting with the Las Vegas business community have played crucial roles in PDQ Electric’s success. Shane emphasizes the importance of understanding your target market and building meaningful relationships with customers. He also highlights the need for a multifaceted marketing approach, utilizing platforms like Google, Yelp, social media, and business networking organizations to expand his reach and establish a strong presence.Beyond his achievements in the electrical industry, Shane is passionate about providing exceptional service and building lifelong relationships with his clients. He believes in treating every customer like family and ensuring their satisfaction with every project. Shane’s dedication to excellence and his commitment to having fun in the process make PDQ Electric a top competitor in the field.Join Tim Knifton and Shane Hayes in this inspiring episode of Vegas Business Spotlight as they delve into the challenges, triumphs, and future aspirations of PDQ Electric. Discover how Shane’s resilient spirit and customer-centric approach continue to shape his success and make a positive impact on the Las Vegas community.About Shane Hayes:Shane Hayes is a seasoned electrical contractor based in Las Vegas, Nevada. With over 35 years of experience, he has established himself as a trusted expert in the industry. As the owner of PDQ Electric, he specializes in providing comprehensive electrical services to residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Shane’s dedication to his craft and commitment to customer satisfaction has earned him a reputation for reliability and excellence. With a focus on service work, new constructions, and high-end remodels, he consistently delivers top-notch solutions to his clients’ electrical needs. Shane’s passion for his work is evident in his exceptional workmanship and his ability to build lasting relationships with his customers.https://pdqelectricnv.com/About The Show Sponsor:“Vegas Business Spotlight” podcast is proudly sponsored by RSVP Las Vegas, your premier direct mail postcard service in the heart of Las Vegas. With a commitment to delivering outstanding results and effective marketing solutions, RSVP Las Vegas specializes in helping businesses connect with their target audience through direct mail.Visit their website at RSVPLasVegas.com to explore the range of direct mail services they offer. From designing eye-catching postcards to precisely targeting your desired audience, RSVP Las Vegas has your direct mail marketing needs covered. Their team of experts is dedicated to helping your business make a lasting impression and drive results.Whether you’re launching a new marketing campaign, promoting a special offer, or aiming to boost brand awareness, RSVP Las Vegas is your trusted partner in direct mail marketing success. Contact them at [phone], and their knowledgeable team will be ready to assist you.Experience the power of effective direct mail marketing with RSVP Las Vegas. Trust their expertise and enjoy the benefits of reaching your audience directly. Visit their website or give them a call today to start your next successful marketing campaign with RSVP Las Vegas, your premier direct mail postcard service in Las Vegas.Vegas Business Spotlighthttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/vegas-business-spotlight/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/shane-hayes-of-pdq-electric-illuminating-las-vegas-with-electrical-expertise

Welcome to Vegas Business Spotlight, the podcast that brings you the brightest minds and success stories from the bustling business scene in and around Las Vegas. Join us as we journey behind the neon lights and uncover the strategies, triumphs, and insights that shape the entrepreneurial landscape of the city of lights. From visionary startups to industry titans, get ready to be inspired by the stories of those who've turned dreams into reality on this iconic stage. And now, your host, Tim Nifton. Hello and welcome to another episode of Vegas Business Spotlight, sponsored by our SVP Las Vegas. I'm Tim Nifton, your host, and I'm thrilled to have you here with us today as we continue

our journey through the vibrant world of Las Vegas entrepreneurship. Before we dive into today's conversation, I want to extend a warm welcome to our featured guests. Joining us today is Shane Hayes with PDQ Electric. We're honored to have him on the show today to share his experience. experiences, insights, and wisdom. He has gained over his remarkable journey to success. So without further ado, let's get right into it. Shane, welcome to the Vegas Business Spotlight. We're delighted to have you here today. How are you doing? I'm doing great. Thank you. And thank you for having me on.

Fantastic. So let's jump right in and we'll start by hearing a little bit about your journey and incredible work you're doing here in Las Vegas. So tell me your 30-second elevator pitch. 32nd elevator. I'm an electrical contractor C2. I'm licensed to do everything basically electrical in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the surrounding areas. I handle everything from residential, commercial, industrial. We specialize in service work, come and fixing your problems directly, and we also are expanding into new constructions and high-end remodels for businesses and industrial. parks. Wow, that's great. That must keep you busy. Yeah, I'm only 21. It's making me old. It's the camera, I'm sure. So, can you tell me about your early days starting PDQ electric? What inspired you to start your own business? Well, I was a union employee, and when the economy kind of tanked in 2009, I was either go to work for myself or become a troll underneath the bridge. And since I like eating, I decided to open PDQ.

I did a dual function at the time. I was handyman as well as electrical. My 35 years of experience is mostly electrical. So in 2016, I dialed it down to just what I do and I know how to do and I love doing is electrical work. And it was just me and my wife. She's also an electrician as well. And she is my partner and co-operator and co-owner. And without her, this would be hard to do.

Wow. That's great. How did those early experiences shape the way you're running your business today? My earlier experiences was I was a technician, a technician trying to run a business. And I knew how to install. and I knew what I needed to do, but being a technician for another company didn't know my price points,

didn't know what my value was. There was a lot of aspects about running a business that technician never learns working for somebody else. So I've been at it for 13 years, so I'm still learning today what I'm supposed to be doing as a business owner. That's great, always learning. Yeah.

So I'm sure Las Vegas has some unique and vibrant opportunities here, you know, with all the casinos, all the residential development. How is being based in Las Vegas influenced your business strategies and decisions? Well, being based in Las Vegas really wasn't a choice. It was a necessity because this is where I lived. Versus some of the areas I've been in, Vegas has a lot more diverse culture as far as business, as far as casinos and not the nightlife and stuff. So coming from a background of industrial applications and more residential,

I kind of had to kind of learn the ins and outs of how to move around the entertainment business per se. I mean, I don't get into that much, but it does affect a lot of what I do in the hours people keep from one instance. So it gets great some different dynamics that I've never had to face before. What advantages do you see in operating in Las Vegas? I think some of the advantages is Las Vegas is ever-growing and ever-changing. It seems like it's a constant upward shoot. We got a lot of influx from California coming in. We've got a lot of people from different parts in the country, different parts of the world.

Being based in Las Vegas puts me ideally located because I can help them. what they need electrically, no matter what part of the country or the world they're from. Yeah, definitely. What advice would you have for somebody just starting out with their entrepreneurial journey? Well, if you want to start a business, run the other direction. But if you decided you was serious, really understand your background, your demographics that you want to aim for. Yeah. not knowing your customer and your niche.

If you broadband too much, you spread yourself out way too thin and then you miss a lot of opportunities. Yeah, definitely. So building and sustaining a successful business often requires adaptability. Can you tell us about a time where you had to pivot or make a major change in your business model? When I first started, it was just me and my wife. We were just a one-man show very happy, but we realized that having a one-man show is not good for retirement. So we made a major pivotal change in 2016. We decided to grow, just do electrical only.

And then in 2019, we decided to open a full, full shop with employees, vans, infrastructure, a lot of bills. With that, comes a lot higher customer base and more notoriety. And so it's, yeah, yeah, that. Yeah, definitely. So achieving a work-life balance can be challenging for a lot of business owners. How do you manage your professional and personal life effectively, especially in a city as dynamic as Las Vegas, where, you know, you may get a call at 1 a.m. I would say I failed miserably, to be honest.

PDQ is my business. It's my life. It's my baby. And as a business owner, I put in, you know, 12 to 14 hours a day, you know, but I've had to lately to realize that to run a business successfully, you've got to take off some of those hats and delegate. Or you just don't give yourself a early heart attack or a stroke. And, you know, you got to remember that we're, We're here to work so we can go play. We're not here just to work. So just keeping your focus on what's a priority is your family and your time with your family is. It's hard.

It's challenging, but it can be done. Yeah. Yeah. How do you stay motivated to avoid that burnout in such a demanding environment? I find it actually really easy. I'm a workaholic already by nature. So for me, the dial back is the hardest part, not to go to work. I like working.

I like what I do. I really enjoy electrical work. I don't do as much of the work now as I used to because I'm an owner, but I do enjoy the people that I get to go visit and see and, you know, build relationship with my customers. That's very gratifying. Almost as gratifying is going in, installing the lights and turning on the switch because you can see your work, you know, and it's good.

I like it. I don't find I have a motivational issue. It's just sometimes dragging me away from the office as the art part. Yeah. I'm with you. So since Las Vegas is so diverse in its industries, can you share any insights into how you've tapped into or leverage this diversity for your business success?

That's an interesting question. I have found that the diversity here is really no different from any other city I've been to. You have residential, you have commercial, you have industrial, and they're all pretty cut and dry. It's sometimes in those particular windows is what kind of work. Like, for example, from where I'm from home, we did have a lot more mills and plants. We're in Las Vegas, we have a lot more. We got slight manufacturing to warehousing. So it's electrical is really electrical.

It's really super easy. It's just finding the right niche. and making sure that you understand what you need to give to the customer. Definitely. So networking is often crucial for your business growth. Can you share some tips on building meaningful connections with Las Vegas business community? If you'd ask me 10 years ago how important networking is, I'd have told them it's not important. I'm from the old school.

My work show light the way. but networking is absolutely probably the most crucial point of your business. If you don't understand who your customers are and how to reach them, the work, they won't come to you. You will have to try to go to them and convince them of your worth. It's networking is like synapsis in the brain. You can have one brain cell, but it doesn't do you any good, but if you have all these different connections, you get a lot more work.

Absolutely. Absolutely. You know, I hear a lot of business owners, you know, they start their business and just wait for their phone to ring, not realizing they got to be the one doing the outreach and letting people know they've started a business and what they're doing. Naturally, people won't just find them online or run into them at the grocery store and find out they're running a new company that, you know, needs clients and customers. The big word in today's marketing is organic. Everything's organic. But when you're looking for a customer, sitting back and wait for it to organically come to you is you're going to get very old and dusty and full of cobwebs before that customer called you. Yes. Yeah.

That's right. That's right. Are there any specific events or organizations you'd recommend for somebody new in the electrician industry? I've always been a big fan of the marketing, but lately I've been getting into an organization called BNI Business Networking Individuals. That's really expand my networking horizons with a lot more people that are like-minded business owners. And by sharing referrals with them, they share with me. Some of the other marketing streams and avenues is you've got to really have your Google presence solid. If you don't understand it, it's well worth the money to invest into an individual that understands how to make your Google work because you have to face it, a whole world runs on Google.

And if Google doesn't rate you, nobody else will. Definitely. Definitely. Yeah, I think you're right. You need that holistic marketing approach where part of it's in person, part of it's online, part of it's reaching out to customers, letting them know you, your business exists. and is accepting new business at this time. So of course, like all businesses, failures and setbacks can be part of the journey. Can you share a challenging moment in your career and how you overcame it?

That's a tough question, really. COVID was a major setback, to be honest. Yeah. It basically shut my doors for almost three months completely. I laid everybody off and not knowing. how I was going to recover from that catastrophic event. It wasn't so much as catastrophic as it was. No way understood what to do.

And then once I understood that I became through research that I was actually an essential business and how to jump onto that bandwagon as an essential business and how I can make it work for me. And once the initial shock of the cost, COVID shutdown was over and started brainstorming with my business manager and my media expert, there was ways for me to use it to my advantage and to grow despite the economic impact that it gave everybody. Definitely, definitely. How did that experience impact your resilience

now as a business owner? What have you learned from that? I literally learned and, you know, And it's funny because it's an old age added. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Yeah. Excellent advice. And when I shut my doors ahead and all my eggs in one basket, now I kind of have diversify out. I don't rely on one media source.

I have multiple media sources. And there's so many out there you can do. You can do your RSVE cards. You can do your social media. You can do your Yelp and Google. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. And that's what hurt me when it shut down. I literally had all my stuff with, yep.

Now I'm on Google. I'm on social media. I'm on Facebook. I'm on, you know, B&I. I'm on all these different platforms. And there's hundreds and hundreds of platforms you can go on to. You know,

you just got to find the ones that work for you. And I built them one at a time. Instead of just a shotgun and do them all, I think one or two did those. And okay, then added one more. than I added one more. And that's helped me to be more sustainable and to have a more even workflow because now I'm relying on multiple platforms to give me the work I need.

That's great. Yeah. Yeah, I'm with you 100%. You know, a holistic marketing approach, you know, having more than one avenue because all of a sudden, if Yelp changes its algorithm or Yelp has somebody that spends more than you, you have to have something else that you can quickly and easily bring up additional business. so that you don't have the ups and downs of normal business, you kind of have that steady line of ways of bringing in new clients. I agree with you. Data and technology is constantly changing,

and they're always changing the rules. Unless you can stay one step ahead of them, you better have a couple approaches for success. Absolutely, absolutely. So as a successful business owner, I'm sure you have a vision for the future. What are your goals and aspirations? for your business and your role in the Las Vegas community.

You know, I strive really hard to be a top competitor in my industry. You know, it's just a competitive spirit. But I also want to offer the best that I can to my customers at the best value. I'm out to build customers for life. I don't need the one big win from every person. I would rather have a whole bunch of little ones for my friends and customers. and, you know, I want you to call me for the next 20 years, not just the one time. And keeping that attitude kind of keeps me humble and trying to keep getting greedy.

You know? Yes. I tell my guys, just treat everybody like they're your mom. Would you do that to your mom? We don't do it to our customers. Yeah. Yeah, definitely. That's great advice.

Can you share any upcoming projects or initiatives you're excited about? Well, a lot of the things that it's the newest technology on the market is LED lighting. That's probably the most exciting and fun stuff. With the cost of Nevada energy raising the rates literally every three months right now, it's going to get to the point we can't afford all electric bills. And if you're not taking advantage of the technology of LED and the grants and the programs out there for it, you're really losing out. You lose out tremendously.

The hardest part of the sale of LED is the upfront cost is pretty expensive. But if you do your ROI over time, LED pays for itself hands down plus some. And it's almost better than just putting your money in the savings account at the bank. It's better money. You get a better return. That's great. Finally, reflecting on your business journey so far, What is One Piece or a mantra that you carry with you in your business endeavors?

A mantra. Yeah. Smile and have fun. Yeah. You know, when you're working, if you're miserable, you need to find a new career. If you're not having fun anymore, it's time to go find something else because you have to do this until retirement. That's right. What's the point of being miserable until you retire?

Yeah, yeah, definitely. So I've heard a rumor that you've been nominated for something with the NFL. Can you share a little bit about that? Yes, we are a woman-owned business. My wife is the majority holder and an owner, she pretty much tells me what to do, even at home. Yes, she should. Yeah, I know.

I like where I sleep and eat. we were chosen to be part of the NFL business connect and basically we're on the vendors list for the NFL when they come to town to set up their events where we're in part of their catalog or their vendors list that people can look through and say hey I need the electrician to come work on my lights or add a plug or whatever and so we're kind of on the list that's great so it's it's giving me a little notoriety because I'm part of the NFL but I haven't got anything yet, but that's still to come. I'm still early.

Super Bowl's not here yet. Yeah. There's still time for you to do that. My age, they'll take it all the way this year. That's right. That's right. Wonderful. So, yeah.

Can I ask, what's the last book you read? Last book I read was by this guy named Tim Nifton. That's right on my desk. It's really weird, you know? Oh, wow. I actually made him sign it. Yeah. I didn't know he could write, but he signed my book, Just Wonderplace.

Tim's book is, I, I'm through like 90% of it, but I keep flipping back to areas. It's like, okay, I didn't understand. Let me go back. I'm a slow reader. It takes me like about eight reads before I understand what the book said. You know, unless it's a cartoon book, you know, then that's pretty easy. Yeah. Yeah, I'll work on that for my next one.

Yeah. Yeah, put in pictures for us dummies. Lots of pictures. Lots of pictures. That's perfect. All right. So one last question. What's your favorite drink right now?

What is my favorite drink? My people here at the office know if they get between me and my coffee, they may die. So don't get me in my coffee. I'm not much of a drinker as far as adult beverages, but every once in a while, it's going to be a teedos and granberry. Every three months I have one, you know. But, yeah, mainly it's coffee and it causes a lot of problems with my doctor and everybody else tell me how much I drink. I'm happy.

Just keep it coming. Just be happy. Enjoy what you do. Well, that's perfect. Well, I want to thank you, Shane Hayes with PDQ Electric. We're now signing off the Vegas Business Spotlight. Thanks for listening again. And we'll have you on the show again.

couple months and signing off. Thank you for joining us on this episode of Vegas Business Spotlight. For more inspiring stories and insights from the Las Vegas business community, be sure to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform. And remember, you can catch new episodes each week at Vegas Business Spotlight.com, where we keep the spotlight shining bright on the entrepreneurs who make Las Vegas thrive. And don't forget to like and subscribe. See you next week.