Meet Our Makers: Brian

What is your profession?

I’m a licensed contractor and I specialize in residential renovations and commercial renovations. We do kitchens, basements, decks, patios; and with commercial spaces, we’ve done office spaces, hair salons, nail salons – things like that. It’s just me and a few guys and I sub-contract as needed.

How did you get into the profession/what inspired you?

I always had an interest in trades, building, renovations, and I was always intrigued by being able to take a space and recreate something different within the same footprint. Just being able to change something, to bring a new look or feel to it is what always intrigued me.

Did you learn any of your trade skills through a vocational college or was it all self-taught?

I received my associate’s degree in business at Baltimore City Community College. I did home wiring for the electrical aspect of things, but everything else was pretty much self-taught.

What advice do you have for students or individuals who may be considering pursuing skilled trades?

The sky is the limit! You pretty much create your own destiny. You can key in on multiple trades or just one, and specialize in it. If you have a passion for it, it makes it easy to get up every day, go to work and do what you need to do. Ultimately, I love that you can create a finished product that satisfies your clientele and shows your creativity. Trades are definitely in high demand and you’ll stay employed.

“If you have a passion for it, it makes it easy to get up every day, go to work and do what you need to do.”
Brian
Contractor

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were looking into career opportunities?

Again, the endless opportunities. You actually get to build a business and be self-employed. Your reputation will keep you consistent. When you do good work, you keep good business. People will refer you regardless of your promotion, regardless of what projects you completed. It’s big to develop that reputation to continue your path for a successful business.

What’s your biggest career accomplishment to date?

Being able to give back. Being able to share my knowledge of trades, my creativity, with the youth and young adults. They really minimize the trades in schools. A lot of younger kids don’t get to express their creativity or their interests when it comes down to trades, building, renovation, and different levels of the field. That would be one of the biggest things I accomplished because I try to continuously pour into our younger generation and show them that opportunities are endless once you get into this field.

What are your future aspirations?

To continue to give back to the community. To continue to pass down what I learn to the next generation, to allow them to be in a situation to create their own destiny. Being in the trades and being a contractor means that you’re constantly learning – it’s an open book class daily! A lot of information I get is from older contractors, younger contractors and investors who are constantly pouring knowledge into me. Why hold it in, when I can share that same information? For someone who may be on the fence about the trades, this information may give them that push needed to go forward and pursue those goals and pursue those dreams.

“Being in the trades and being a contractor means that you’re constantly learning – it’s an open book class daily!”
Brian
Contractor

Why are you #MakerProud?

Through all of the trials and tribulations post-pandemic and pre-pandemic, you just have to stay focused. You have to stay focused and work daily on perfecting your craft. You’ll never reach perfection, but knowing you’re putting that effort into it is the biggest part. I believe that’s what makes me #MakerProud. I put forth my best effort in every project that I do, every job that I get, and I pretty much never walk away unless my client is 100% satisfied.

Find Brian on Instagram at @credles_contractingllc.

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