By Theresa Ficazzola
February is Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month—a time to improve your life for the better.
That’s exactly what Frank Ficazzola did when he was laid off from his corporate job. After years of commuting into New York City from New Jersey, Frank decided that he wanted more of a work/life balance. Wondering what his “second act” would be, Frank knew that he wanted to work near home and kept coming back to the green revolution that was sweeping the nation.
The Birth of SI Solar
After installing solar panels on his home, Frank went to work for an established solar company, then another. He was inspired by educating customers about the benefits of solar. But after some time, he realized he could do a better job on his own and provide top notch customer service, too. So, he decided to completely step out of his comfort zone, starting his own solar company, SI Solar, in 2014.
Successful Strategies for Greatness
Starting—and continuing to run—his own company has been challenging, but Frank has persevered, and it all started with the tiniest seed of an idea. So how did Frank plant his own seeds? He:
- Moved out of his comfort zone by becoming an entrepreneur
- Made the decision to invest in himself and his business
- Looked for the mental toughness within himself
- Did a lot of research prior to launching his business
- Talked to others in the field
- Studied the business and wrote a business plan
- Got certified in solar
- Hired people he trusted
- Used trial and error to his advantage
- Was committed to working hard and putting in the effort required to become successful
- Sought help when needed
- Was committed to first class customer service
- Realized that slow and steady was a viable strategy (as many other solar companies have gone out of business)
- Stayed focused on quality, not quantity
- Never gave up
- Believed in himself and the mission of making the world a better place to live
- Was willing to take a chance on himself
Ongoing Strategies
- Take one day at a time
- Remain focused on action
- Inspire and help others in need
- Understand your limitations
- Stay organized by creating daily “to do” lists to stay on target
- Continue to learn and grow
Take One Step at a Time
While you might not start your own solar business, like Frank did, you can certainly utilize some of the same steps he took—and continues to take—to become successful yourself. Remember, Lao Tzu, the Chinese philosopher said, “the longest journey starts with a single step”.
We hope you can get started on your own successful journey toward greatness today, whatever that might be, during Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month. One way you can be a great person is to help champion the rights of our planet.
There’s nothing like planting a seed, or an idea, and watching it grow and develop.
Help the Planet with Solar Panels from SI Solar
If you’re interested in saving money and helping the planet simultaneously, like Frank, contact SI Solar today for your free, no obligation solar assessment of your home. By installing solar panels on your roof in New York or New Jersey, you can plant your own seeds of greatness because you’ll be helping the planet and future generations.
