Zsolt:
Today, we have a dear friend and client of mine, Danny Peterson. Please, Danny, introduce yourself and tell us about yourself and your business.
Danny Peterson:
My name is Danny Peterson. We have a home improvement company called Integrity Home Pro; we’re a full-service remodeler doing window siding, roofing, doors, gutters and gutter protection. We do kitchen and bath remodeling, so we do interior remodeling, as well. We have been in business for 12 years. And everything we have is built on the golden rule: “So in everything, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Zsolt: “We’ve been working together for little over a year, and I can totally testify that what you’re saying is true. I love your business model, and I truly believe in what you’re doing. You’re doing a great job. How did you become a believer and when did it happen?”
DANNY:
January 7, 1973. That’s a long time ago; I’m 58 years old. I was a junior in high school. My brother, who was very much into drugs at one time, came to know the Lord and was filled with the Holy Spirit; he came back a changed man, and it changed a lot of us. And it’s a wonderful thing to know that date because that’s my spiritual birthday. And because I was still young, it was hard being a Christian, a Jesus freak during those times. However, I grew through that, and then I backslid. It was sad thing, but the Lord is so sweet that He constantly called. And I knew what I was doing was wrong, but He was still gentle, still calling. I rededicated my life to the Lord back in 2008, that was the spring of 2008. He honored me with who is now my wife of 25 years, Barbara. I met her in the fall of 2008.
And we were equally yoked, and that’s really the only way that a marriage can really thrive and survive, is by being equally yoked. We grew through that, and we were in many job changes because the companies we were with kept going out of business. Until we started in the home improvement business and started Integrity.
Zsolt: “That’s a great story. Danny, do you feel it challenging to be a Christian business man in this world, in this day and age? “
DANNY:
No, I don’t. I am not ashamed of the Gospel. I believe we are called to be salt and light, and sometimes we will be the only light that people will see. So, I will stand on Christian business principles as the only way to operate. It’s your integrity. It’s your character. It’s who you are. Let your “yes” be “yes” and your “no” be “no.” If you make a mistake, humble yourself, press your plea, and go fix it. It works in anything that you do. It’s pretty amazing that the lessons you learn in life are always applicable to business, and how you can never separate your business from your personal, from your spiritual life. If you do, you are a fraud. So, I believe there is no problem in professing Jesus. If I meet a person of a different faith, if it’s Jewish, I say we serve the same God. It doesn’t matter who we’re with. The back of our business card states that we follow the Golden Rule, and they see what that is. They may say, “Our religion is the same thing.” And many people do comment. But if they ever say they’ve ever been disadvantaged by Christians before or screwed by a Christian before, I say I have too, and I really hated it. The world is made up of all kinds of people. I can tell you this, though, that I have to stand before a holy and just God just like you do, and I’m a whole lot more afraid of Him than I am of you. (Laughter) So, it really is just standing on a conviction, and I don’t wear a big cross on my back. I love the Lord, and I’m not ashamed of the Gospel. He has blessed Christian business principles, always. Never compromise.
Zsolt: “Beautiful. What was the most difficult decision that you had to make because of your convictions? What I mean by that is sometimes, you know, our flesh wants to do one thing, and then our convictions say something else. Can you share something with us that was a business decision that you had to make, and your convictions and your flesh battled, and your convictions won? “
DANNY:
Well, I would say to do what is right, even if it is painful. The Bible is clear, a good name is worth far more than riches. So, you might be right, but the customer thinks you’re wrong. Go and fix it. I guess there are three things: is it moral; is it legal; is it ethical?
We put in a window well/egress window for a customer and we could not find the drain tile to run the water away as planned. It is usually down buried in the ground about six feet—so we talked with the customer and said by digging deeper and adding gravel we thought it would work – but it didn’t. So, now we’re having to go back with a plumber and it’s going to cost about $3,000 for us to install a whole sump system and create a new dry well for them. So, it’s not all part of our project, but we will pay for this and not charge the customer. At the end of the day, it is still a project that the customer put their trust in us to do, and it didn’t operate like it should’ve; therefore, our decision was to do what was right. It doesn’t matter about the money.
Zsolt: “How is your business and ministry… how can you use your company to edify the saints and to reach the lost? “
DANNY:
Since we’re built on the Golden Rule, we have golden rulers. And the golden ruler is just a (Interruption by Zsolt: I have one right in front of me), and if you look on the back, it has the scripture. The scripture is just the golden rule, which no one seems to know the address of it, but you know it’s true anyway. And then also, if you also notice, there are five salvation scriptures. There are just the addresses on the back. I wanted to make sure that they could have them. If they look them up, they would know what they are. And if you’d like the know those scriptures: John 3:16; it’s Ephesians 2:8-9; it’s Acts 16:31; Proverbs 14:12; and Revelation 3:20. Sometimes people ask, “What are those?” and I will recite those scriptures for them. You have to have them memorized; you have to have the word of God in your heart. That will be the guide in your life.
Zsolt: “Yes. You are leading this company; you are the owner. How do you see yourself… what is your role as a leader to your employees and vendors? “
DANNY:
You have to be consistent; you cannot compromise. If there is correction that needs to be made, you should speak gently: Proverbs 15 says “a quiet answer turns away wrath”. So, as a leader, if there is a problem, you work your way through the problem, solve it, and then come back and figure out what happened in order for it to not happen again. When you are consistent in every approach, people will know how you think. My guys in the field know we don’t compromise. We don’t charge the customer for every jot and tittle; we’ll just do many things for free because we are accountable to do the job right. I really do believe that we don’t have to make a dime on every little thing. Let me back up. We believe you should plant good seed. All my guys know that. And over a consistent period of time, they see that there is fruit that comes from “no compromise”. Also, there is no fear of me because yelling doesn’t help. It’s far better to hold your tongue and talk through the situation and to encourage them, thank them, honor them, help them. I will have taken the barriers down in front of them in order for them to get the job done.
Zsolt: “That’s great. And finally, anything that you want to share about your business? Anything fresh that’s coming up that you would like to promote? Any sales, anything that’s going on with Integrity Home Pro that you would like to share with the audience? “
DANNY:
I would say as an encouragement – plant good seed. Stay true to God’s word, have it in your heart and act accordingly. I would also say that your previous customers are your greatest assets. Your clientele that you have, honor them, bless them, remember their birthdays, remember their anniversaries, and make a big deal if they refer you. And I would say, it sounds corny, but love them.
Zsolt:
Thank you Danny. It was a pleasure talking to you as always.
The post Interview With Christian Business Professionals #5 Danny Peterson appeared first on Faith & Marketing.
