Reflections from the Field
Running a local business in 2025 sometimes feels like being on the front lines of a sociological experiment.
Lately, I’ve noticed something that I didn’t expect — something that goes beyond electrical panels and ceiling fans. I’ve been encountering a surge in strange, erratic, or downright controlling behavior from customers. And not just once or twice — it’s become a pattern. People are more anxious, more reactive, and less able to trust the professionals they’ve hired. It’s as if something deeper is playing out just beneath the surface of these everyday transactions.
After a particularly challenging call this week, it hit me: the tone of our national leadership and public discourse may be trickling down into private life. When cruelty and chaos are modeled by those in power, it seems to give others permission to behave in ways that once felt out of bounds. The guardrails of basic civility feel loosened.
I don’t say this with judgment. Fear and uncertainty affect us all. But I’ve learned that when people feel powerless, they often try to control the few things they can. Sometimes that shows up as micromanagement of a job site. Sometimes it looks like second-guessing every professional suggestion, even when it saves them time and money. And sometimes it shows up in smaller, weirder ways — like trying to eliminate a light switch from a bedroom because two switches “seem wrong.”
As someone who takes pride in transparency, excellent communication, and high-quality work, I do my best to meet people where they are. But I also have to protect my team, my time, and my ability to show up fully for the customers who treat us with respect.
This isn’t a rant. It’s more of a reality check. If you’re feeling like the world is off its axis — you’re not imagining things. And if you’re running a business and wondering why customer interactions feel more intense or unpredictable, you’re not alone.
The best we can do is stay grounded, stay principled, and remember that professionalism isn’t just about doing the job — it’s about maintaining integrity when the surrounding culture makes that harder.
Thanks for reading. And thanks, as always, to the customers who make this work worth doing.
