Building on a Foundation: Learning from Pat Padgett

 



On a typical Friday afternoon, I sit down at my desk, I return phone calls and emails that are pending since the morning. When the clock strikes 3:00 a notification flashes on my screen, “Time planning for next week.” I then transition whatever I’m doing at that moment and begin working to outline next week’s priorities and projects. At this point in my life I’ve been in the restoration industry for over 20 years. I’m not “green” like I once was and I’m confident in what I do. But, I didn’t get here overnight. I realize I stand on the shoulders of giants, or rather, at least for the purposes of this series of blog posts, I stand on the shoulder of one particular giant, Pat Padgett. PAT PADGETT THE CARPET CLEANER Pat Padgett is my Dad, he’s a local legend. He ran a neighborhood carpet and upholstery cleaning business most appropriately named, Pat Padgett the Carpet Cleaner. Those were of course simpler times and I look back at my father’s business with great love and fond memories. My Dad was proud of his work, his reputation, and his customers. My Dad built his business the old-fashioned way, he was true to his word, he woke early, stayed out late, and won people over with kindness and generosity. When Pat Padgett gave his word, that meant something. When he said he would do something, he did that thing. A YOUNG BUCK When I was at the starting line of my own life, recently married and hungry to do something and change the world I approached my Dad three times about taking over the business and carrying on the legacy of “Pat Padgett the Carpet Cleaner.” But to my own surprise and disappointment, each time my Dad said no. Pat Padgett was a man who looked ahead. He wasn’t concerned with short-term fixes and bandaids, he was able to see the larger picture and he knew, 22 year old Jeffery Padgett still needed to grow and learn. My Dad wanted me to have a college education. There was this underlying reality, Jeffrey is going to have the rest of his life to work, for now, he should spend his time learning. That was a massive lesson for a young Jeffery to learn. At the time, this lesson was of course missed by me, but I understood the wisdom and the logic later. I find life works this way. At times our most important lessons for life are only understood later — this was definitely true for me. Young bucks have energy, but they need direction, Pat Padgett gave me direction. 
Location: Oak Glen, CA 92399, USA

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