Welcoming a New Team Member

DeLong Homes and DeLong Junk Removal added another team member this week. My wife Sydney and I welcomed baby #2 to the fold — a healthy baby boy named Kevin.

To say I’m happy would be an understatement. I’m on cloud nine… or as my dad, also Kevin, would say, I’m “tickled pink.”

I lost my dad almost three years ago. It was unexpected. He was only 54 years old, and like a lot of dads, he was my hero. The thing about my dad though is that I think he was a lot of people’s hero.

He was tall, strong, charismatic, helpful, and thoughtful. It was common for him to hold the door for someone, help an older woman with her groceries, or stand up to a bully. He’d correct a young man when he was out of line — often me — and he constantly challenged himself to grow and improve.

He was a leader. A trendsetter. Someone people naturally looked to.

I looked up to him so much that from a young age I told him I would name my son after him someday.

This week that finally came true.

Now I have the opportunity of a lifetime: to become the kind of man and father that my son will look up to the way I looked up to my dad. That’s a responsibility and commitment that will guide everything I do.

As an entrepreneur, I’m excited for my kids to grow up seeing the work behind building something. Stella is already two, and I can’t wait for both of them to come to the office, ride in the truck, or just be around the day-to-day of what we do.

Every call, every customer interaction, every job will also be an opportunity for me as a dad to show them what it means to help people, serve others, solve problems, build a team, and lead a team. To build people up and be a steady presence in the community. Hopefully someone others can look to as an example.

There are a couple things I really believe.

As life grows and responsibilities increase, you grow too. You expand as a person. You develop capabilities you never knew you had. As the business grows and the family grows, I don’t feel overwhelmed — I feel inspired. I know I’m becoming more each day.

I also encourage everyone to try to be the best version of themselves every day. Always put your best foot forward.

My dad had a funny way of saying it: “Shave your neck.” What he meant was simple — take care of yourself. Clean yourself up. Present your best self to the world. It’s an act of gratitude for your life and a sign of respect to others.

And one more thing.

Don’t be afraid of responsibility. The root word of responsibility is respond. Life will call on you, and you’ll respond. You’ll grow. You’ll figure it out.

It won’t always feel like the perfect time. There will be pressure. But in the end, it will be worth it.

Trust me.