GEN NXT: Parker Leske

Words: Cass Stern

This month, MASONRY Magazine sat down with Parker Leske, a young business owner who has a passion and knack for learning everything he can about the masonry industry. From being unsure of what to do with his life to starting his own company before he could legally drink. Parker Leske explains why he believes he has a bright future in this industry.

Parker Leske’s entry into the masonry industry wasn’t planned but rather spontaneous. From a young age, construction had been a part of his life. However, it was post-high school, when he found himself somewhat lost, that a family member introduced him to masonry. This person, a seasoned mason since the 1980s, offered him an opportunity to try his hand at the trade. Within a mere four months, he was embarking on side projects, marking the beginning of his deep-seated passion for the trade.

MM: How did you get involved in the masonry industry? Originally.

Parker Leske: So I've been in construction since I was like 7 years old. After high school, I was kind of a lost soul, and someone that was in my family that I wasn't close to has been to Mason since the eighties and he came up to me and was like, “Hey, you wanna try this out?” And I was like, “sure”. He mentored me, and I got really good, really fast. Within like 3 or 4 months I was doing my own side work. And yeah, that's kind of how I got into it.

Parker’s entrepreneurial spirit showed early. By the age of 19, he had formed his own company, officially recognized as an LLC. The decision stemmed not only from his extensive pre-construction knowledge but also from his ability to handle tasks typically managed by a team. According to Parker, the primary motivation behind starting his own business was multifaceted: the desire to be his own boss, the ability to take risks, and a vision of providing for his future family.

MM: One of the main reasons I really wanted to talk to you is because I know that you started your own business at a young age. How old were you when you started your company?

Parker Leske: So, legally like getting an LLC, I was 19. I know it's a really fast turnaround but I had a lot of pre construction knowledge, and was doing side work that would take a 4 man crew by myself.

MM: Where did you get your motivation and the drive to start your own business at 19.

Parker Leske: There's a few different things: One. I like being my own boss and having control of my own hours, you know. That's 1 aspect of it. The other is, I'm young and I can take all the risks in the world. I'm not married. I don't have kids. Worst thing is, I go bankrupt and start over. Another point which is providing for my future family. I also just love the trade man, like you're not going to find too many owners out there doing the dirty stuff. I love it all. I don't care if I'm mixing mortar. I don't care if I'm 50 feet in the air on scaffolding like I love it all.

Starting a business at such a young age came with its fair share of obstacles. One significant challenge was managing cash flow, a skill that Parker believes is critical yet often underestimated. Another hurdle was earning trust in an industry dominated by older, experienced professionals. Convincing clients to choose a 21-year-old over seasoned veterans required Parker to consistently demonstrate his competence and reliability.

MM: What were some memorable challenges that you faced when starting your own company?

Parker Leske: Learning how to manage cash flow, I think, is one of the hardest things. And I think the reason a lot of people fail is because they don't understand the fundamentals. And that's one thing, I have a lot of good mentors. My dad's a general contractor and he told me early on, “know where your money is going”. You really have to know the numbers of what you're doing inside and out. And I think the other biggest challenge is, you know, I'm young. It's hard for other people to trust me in a trade where a lot of it is older, dominant people in their forties and fifties. So why would they pick someone that's 21 years old (now) to do their project instead of someone that's 50 has been doing it since they were 20.

Parker’s journey is marked by a continuous quest for knowledge. While his father’s work ethic and ambition served as an initial inspiration, Parker largely taught himself the skills necessary to succeed in business. From accounting and tax strategies to reading blueprints and estimating projects, Parker’s learning was self-directed. His secret? Listening more than talking. By absorbing information from industry veterans, he gained a wealth of practical knowledge that fueled his success.

MM: Where did you learn the skills to start your own business? What were you self taught?

Parker Leske: So, I saw the drive and the ambition from my father. And I asked myself, “Why should I be lazy? Why should I get upset about things when I see my dad setting the example?” And you know, I guess it's just a part of me to work 16-17 hour days at times, and just act like it's nothing. And people are like, “how do you do it?” And I'm like, it's just all in a day's work. It's just work. And in terms of skills in business and knowledge. I kind of taught myself everything along the way. I taught myself accounting. I taught myself tax strategizing. I taught myself how to read blueprints and construction plans. I taught myself how to estimate. I like to listen more than I talk. So when I hear someone in the masonry industry talking about something in the trade, I listen.

When asked about the essential traits for success in the masonry business, Parker highlights three: communication, grit, and passion. Communication is necessary, as it touches every aspect of managing a business and working with clients. Grit is equally important; the ability to stay resilient in the face of setbacks can mean the difference between failure and success. Lastly, passion is indispensable. Loving what you do will lead to never working a day in your life.

MM: If you had to list 3 traits that you think a mason needs to have in order to start their own business, what would they be?

Parker Leske: Number one is communication. I think communication's key, and that speaks for all subcontractors and all tradesmen. Number two is grit. You can't let the small things affect you. You have to be tough because this is the trade. This is one of those trades where it's really easy to mess up, and you can get behind real fast. AndThe the third one, I would say, is passion. You really gotta love this to do it.

Parker’s advice for young masons aspiring to start their own business is straightforward yet profound. He emphasizes the importance of finding a mentor, listening more than talking, and asking plenty of questions. With many seasoned professionals nearing retirement, ambitious newcomers have a unique chance to step up and fill the gap.

MM: What would you say to a young mason that is in the early stages of starting their own business.

Parker Leske: I would say, find a mentor, listen more than you talk, and ask as many questions as possible. You don't know what you don't know, and there's a lot to learn. But there's also a lot of opportunity in this, because it is an older demographic. The old guys, you know, they're retiring soon. There's a lot of opportunity out there. So learn what you can and be prepared for the future.

GEN NXT: Parker Leske

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