Tyler Thompson's journey is one of resilience, adaptability, and entrepreneurial drive. Driven by the need to provide for his growing family, he balanced multiple jobs while working tirelessly to build something greater. What began as a small side business soon evolved into a full-fledged project management, consulting, and marketing service, allowing him to play a pivotal role in high-end construction projects in Tampa and St. Petersburg. The Early Years: Hard Work and Hustle Balancing responsibilities as a full-time automotive mechanic, a butcher working nights and weekends, and a student pursuing an ASE Master Certification in Automotive Mechanics and a MACCS HVAC Certification, the journey was anything but easy. Despite the challenges, the drive to create a better future fueled every decision. From Odd Jobs to a Thriving Business When work hours were cut, necessity led to opportunity. Taking on odd jobs at a country club, what started as small tasks soon turned into a full-fledged business. Through word of mouth, one job led to two, and within a year, 80 clients in a single neighborhood were relying on these services. Recognizing the potential for growth, a formal business was established. The business quickly expanded, allowing the transition away from night and weekend work as a butcher, while still holding onto the full-time automotive career for financial stability. Over time, as the demand for expertise, quality, and reliability grew, the work transformed from a maintenance and handyman service into a project management consulting firm working with designers and contractors on high-end projects. Scaling Into Project Management & High-End Construction With a deep-rooted background in technology, marketing, and hands-on renovation experience from childhood weekends spent working on homes with his father, the business evolved beyond simple maintenance work. It began taking on large-scale projects, working alongside top designers and contractors in Westshore Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg, including involvement in a $5 million new construction project on Snell Island. The success led to an important realization: it was time to fully commit to the world of construction and project management. This sparked the pursuit of a contractor’s license, a natural step forward in the journey. A Pivotal Connection: Meeting DJ Morse & Joining Preferred Builders Through a love of golf and the valuable connections made on the course, a new opportunity arose. A recommendation led to an introduction to DJ Morse, the founder and owner of Preferred Builders. What started as a business conversation soon evolved into a collaborative partnership focused on growth and expansion. Recognizing a shared vision for quality craftsmanship and operational efficiency, DJ brought on board a key role in helping to scale Preferred Builders. While DJ remains the owner and leader of the company, this partnership has provided an opportunity to apply creative and technical expertise to help drive growth while learning from DJ’s experience as a mentor and industry leader. From Handyman to Operations Leadership What began as small handyman projects has evolved into operations management for a growing enterprise. With expertise in project management, marketing, and business development, the journey has shifted from simply completing jobs to building and scaling a company that is making a lasting impact in Florida’s luxury construction market. The Future of Preferred Builders With DJ Morse leading Preferred Builders and providing mentorship, the company’s vision is bigger than ever. The future is about scaling operations, expanding into development, and solidifying a reputation as an elite construction and renovation firm in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and beyond. The journey from working three jobs to becoming a key player in a rapidly growing construction business is proof that with hard work, persistence, and the right partnerships, transformation is possible. Preferred Builders is just getting started, and the best is yet to come.