An Immigrant’s Simple Thank You to America
Dear America,
There are certain days when we feel our lives change profoundly, days we remember for a lifetime. The day you hold your first-born child in your arms (this month 29 years ago). The day you walk your daughter down the aisle, (only 3 months ago and what a glorious day it was). The day you set foot on American soil for the first time (this month 43 years ago).
The years may have flown by, but my gratitude hasn't. Those profound days happened because you opened your doors to a humble Irish immigrant with a dream, a work visa and $80 in his pocket.
Understand I'm not complaining when a contractor ran off with a $2,500 deposit for a new roof. That gave me the idea to start Yankee Home, a company where people wouldn't have to worry about that happening to them. Now 15 years later, with 84 team members and 9,472 satisfied customers, the most
amazing part of the journey is that we have become a multi-generational company. More than half the company employs family members and friends, including my daughter Molly who helps run the show now that I am semi-retired.
Thank you for having inspirational individuals like Officer Jim Barrett, Bob Charland and Ruth Willemain cross my path. To witness theses amazing selfless citizens, go above and beyond to serve their communities is awe-inspiring. Jim advocating for Hartford’s homeless population, “Bob the Bike Guy” sending bikes around the world for under privileged and special needs children. Ruth who had a dream to build a home where terminally ill people could live out the last few days of their lives with dignity. Our team helped make her dream a reality. I was lucky enough to present Ruth with an AARP citizen of the year award before she passed. I know she is looking down proud of all the volunteers that made her dream come true as the one-of-a-kind Harmony House will open this fall.
I know you are not perfect; no country is. This year I watched as another well-known local contractor went out of business taking plenty of hard-earned deposits with them. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I decided to do something about it. If anyone googles how many contractors make it to the 10-year mark, they will discover it's only 4%. It pains me to see people getting taken advantage of over and over. I created a FREE website called askger.com to empower Americans to ask the right questions before any work starts. I know what it’s like to lose a deposit and I want to do everything I can to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Now people have an exact blueprint on how to hire ANYONE for ANYTHING, so folks can get the job they deserve from the 4% of contractors that stick around. BOOM.
July 4th is a profound day. Happy Birthday and thanks again.