Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Strother.
Hi DJ, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
First off I had an excellent upbringing in a middle class family in Pineville Louisiana. My wife and I (Journee Strother) met in highschool and are still married today. (Y’all did a story on her as well)
I was in the military/Louisiana national guard/Army aviation. My dad and I were in the same unit when he went down in a helicopter crash in 2015 known as Mojo 69, where 7 marsoc marines and 4 LANG soldiers died. I cannot say enough about how wonderful, caring, and a great leader my dad was. I finished my term in the military. Although, I wanted to make a career out of it, after six years of service I decided to get out.
My uncle (Bob Strother) took me under his wing and showed me the ropes to becoming an entrepreneur. I opened my own store at the age of 24. Then my wife an I had our amazing daughter. 7 years later I decided to move on from that business and start building fences.
Building fences… well from office work to janitorial services as a business owner building fences doesn’t seem like the type of work that would interest most people. That’s where I’m different. I found out I really enjoy that kind of work. Although growing up working on our own things as a kid, I felt like I was home again.
I still work on the crews daily. Not as a monitor but as a labor hand. I truly enjoy my work, I take pride in it.
Fencing lead to other things.. I now do a good bit of dirt work, land clearing, storm drainage and yes…. Still fencing.
We build horse arenas, pipe entry ways, wrought iron, privacy, and any other kind of fences. Any size projects all the way from Shinner,, Mexia, Leauge city, to lafeyette, LA. Same goes for all other types of work.
I could go on and on but that’s a quick run down.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There’s always struggles. Tons of ups and downs as an entrepreneur. Mostly finding a home builder that will stop wasting our time and take us in as a vendor. I don’t want to bad mouth anyone but there’s a lot of promises that get broken out there. We love to help people out in a time of need. Sometimes you get taken advantage of in those situations.
We’ve been impressed with Texas Terrain Land Solutions , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We’ve been in business with this company for three years now. I would say the thing that sets us apart is our attention to detail and our camaraderie as a company. We all are great friends that want to do the best job possible. My wife came up with the name and logo. She built the “brand” I can’t take credit for that. Mainly we are the guys that you call when you don’t want to worry if the job will be done correctly. We aren’t super fast. Everything that’s on our job scope is done exactly as it says. We aren’t looking to get rich. We’re looking to put the customer first. I’m a huge same Walton fan. I’ve read his book 11 times. I try to apply my focus as he did. The customer is first. If I get a 10% discount on materials the customer does too.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I’d say my first mentor was my dad 100%. I could talk all day about him. He was my hero. Apparently there was other people that thought the same. There was around 5,000 people at his funeral from all over the world.
Secondly, my uncle. He favors my dad a lot.
Tied for second would be my mom and grandma. My mom’s just done everything a mother can do for a child. While my grandma had polio at a young age, has lost a Mother at the same age I lost my dad. A father to suicide, a husband that was in a wheelchair after a bad wreck for 9 years before he passed away. Then lost a son in a helicopter crash, had two open heart surgeries, now has cancer going through chemo… the woman never complains, never blames anyone, never has excuses. She’s just an amazing woman who could have an excuse for anything but she won’t. I respect her so much.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Texasterrain.land
Image Credits
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