Derek Stearns

My expertise is in three different areas – Design, Communications and Managing all within the industry of stone products. Education is a huge part of my career and my goal is to open a trade school to teach students how to work with stone. My first piece of advice is know what the things are that you like to do – for example I knew I was fulfilled when I got to work in different areas of the industry. I am a creative person and I can get bored easily, so over the years I learned how to create a hybrid career – know what kind of a person you are – Do you think like a manager, who sees situations from a larger overview or are you a detail person who likes to focus on a task in front of you? Do you like physical work or office work? You may not know exactly what you want to do or what career you want but when you take the time to think about it you will know what you like and don’t like to do. That information is the beginning of you finding your path.

Another piece of advice that is the most crucial is simple and basic – work harder than you think you can, show up early, take direction and work well with people. Every successful person I know has these qualities mastered. This is all about work ethic and without it you will never succeed. Study the people you see as a success. Know their journey and learn from it.

And one last piece is know how to deal with criticism and conflict. Difficult situations can sharpen you and prove who you are to the people around you. Find how to speak the truth of a situation and not get wrapped up in the emotion and drama of the situation.