Lessons from Jonathan: An Introduction

When I started this company in 2006, largely due to personal family matters, I never expected to reach this milestone. However, as I reflect on the successes of our company 20 years later, I am reminded that this accomplishment rests on a deep foundation of a rich family heritage, faith in God & pride in the culture of my youth.

It is often said that wise people learn from their mistakes. This is true. But as my flight instructor told me many years ago, the wiser person doesn’t have to learn from his mistakes, instead he learns from the mistakes of others. Regrettably, I have learned a lot of lessons the hard way, but I’ve also been blessed to have had great men & women who have poured themselves into my life.

Starting a business is rarely about having a perfectly formed plan. For me, it was about necessity, responsibility, and a desire to build something that could support my family while honoring the values I was raised with. Like many small business owners, I didn’t begin with a long-term vision of what the company might become decades down the road. I focused on doing good work, treating people fairly, and taking the next right step in front of me.

As the years passed, 4E grew, not overnight and certainly not without challenges. Growth brought complexity, responsibility, and moments that tested my convictions. Looking back now, I can see that the most meaningful progress didn’t come from a single project, piece of equipment, or business decision. It came from lessons learned through people, relationships, failures, and hard conversations.

Some of those lessons were learned the hard way. Mistakes have a way of becoming very effective teachers if we are willing to listen. I have also been fortunate to learn from others. Men and women who were willing to share their experiences, challenge my thinking, and hold me accountable. Their influence shaped not only how I run a business, but how I try to lead, serve, and show up every day.

Why These Lessons Matter

The lessons I will be sharing are not theories pulled from textbooks or trends from business seminars. They are rooted in real experiences, on the shop floor, in leadership meetings, across conference tables, and in conversations that did not always go as planned. They reflect moments when doing the right thing was not the easiest or most profitable option in the short term, but proved to be the right decision in the long run.

At its core, this series is about values. Integrity, leadership, humility, loyalty, craftsmanship, and the importance of investing in people. These are not abstract ideas to me. They are principles that have guided decisions at 4E, shaped our culture, and influenced how we work with customers, vendors, and each other.

I have learned that success is not measured only by growth or revenue. It is measured by the trust you earn, the relationships you build, and the legacy you leave behind. It shows up in whether people want to work with you, for you, and alongside you, not just when things are going well, but when challenges arise.

Looking Ahead

Over the coming months, I will be sharing individual lessons that have played a significant role in shaping both my leadership and the direction of 4E. Each lesson will focus on a specific principle and the experiences behind it, including what worked, what didn’t, and what I wish I had understood sooner.

My hope is that these reflections are useful, whether you are a business owner, a leader, a craftsman, or someone just starting out. If something here helps you avoid a mistake, rethink a decision, or approach your work and relationships with greater clarity, then sharing these lessons will have been worth it.

This is not about having all the answers. It is about being willing to learn, grow, and pass along what experience has taught me, one lesson at a time.