MY STORY

Many years ago, I was employed for a company that didn’t offer longterm security. My daughter was 4 years old, and my son was on his way. I needed to have more control over my finances to provide for my family’s future.

In addition to needing security for my growing family, I wanted to honor my father’s American Dream. When I was a young boy, my father partnered up with a man to open a machine shop business. He borrowed money from the bank to purchase machines and equipment to get the business started. In the beginning, running the business was busy and fun. I enthusiastically watched my dad make things and would help set up machines for production runs of parts.

All went well for a few months, but then, one day, my father’s business partner stopped sending new business to the shop. My father was worried because he had to keep making payments on the bank loan with no money coming into the business. When my dad drove to his partner’s home to find out what was happening, he discovered that his partner had set up his own shop and was keeping all the business/work for himself.

My father was devastated. He was forced to sell all the machines he had purchased. The business shut down and closed up its doors. That was his American Dream, to be self-employed and self-made, to do honest and good work, and to make a better life for his family. He lost it all.

Starting at an early age, I became determined to own a business and work hard to achieve the American Dream. I would be a good businessman and an honest entrepreneur not just for myself, but for my father too.

It was this determination and having a new family that pushed me to take a chance on a dream, work hard every day, and produce top-notch work for every customer.

Rick Miller
American Rebuilders