Danford Electric owner describes apprenticeship, setbacks and lessons for aspiring small-business owners

Keith Danford, owner of Danford Electric, told listeners of the Success Stories in Steuben County podcast that he moved from building trades to the electrical trade after high school and started his own business in his mid-20s.

Nut graf: Danford described a nontraditional path — working large commercial and industrial jobs first, then custom residential work — and said key factors in his success included apprenticeship training, a strong work ethic, community trust and adaptability after a career‑slowing injury.

Danford said he began working with building trades while his father was constructing a new house and later entered the electrical field because "we had a really cold winter that winter, that working on a roof and doing all that kind of stuff wasn't for me." He told host Asher Wilson that he completed an apprenticeship while working for Clear Lake Electric, doing commercial and industrial wiring before moving into custom-home work.

"Normally, people will start wiring houses and do simple stuff before they go into the big stuff. So I did the other way around," Danford said.

Danford said he started his own company after several years of supervising and managing construction across a three-state area for his father's business, which he said began to fail. "I believe I was, like, 26 years old," he said when asked how old he was when he launched his business. He also said he has been doing electrical work since age 19 and that he was 47 at the time of the interview.

He described two major challenges in running a small contracting business: slow periods of work and a serious car accident that injured his back. He said the injury reduced his capacity for physical work for several years and forced him to rely on his crew: "It slowed me down, maybe 17. It slowed me down quite a bit for several years. I got some different procedures and now I'm able to function, but I can't do the heavy lifting." Earlier in the interview he estimated the recovery had slowed him for "probably about 4 years," a discrepancy that appears in the recording.

On traits that have helped him succeed, Danford emphasized communication, responsiveness and work ethic. "When you start your own business, especially in the service industry like I am, you have to answer your phone," he said. He added that early rising and long hours were part of building his reputation in the community and with employees.

Danford also offered practical advice for prospective business owners: have drive and confidence in the trade, learn the work thoroughly before launching, and maintain strong customer communication. He warned that businesses can fail if owners do not answer calls or lack persistence: "They didn't answer the phone. They weren't confident. They... failed."

The interview included brief production notes: the host thanked FIST for a grant that provided microphones for the podcast and noted the recording took place at Hendry Park. No formal decisions, votes, or legal authorities were discussed during the segment.

Ending: The podcast episode focused on Danford's personal career narrative and advice for tradespeople and small‑business owners; listeners interested in apprenticeship pathways or local contractor experiences may find the episode informative.