The sky is the limit for those who want to achieve it. No wonder, people do great things when they decide and stand firm on their decisions. The tale of Andris White is an example of this. A homeless man to a multimillion-dollar business owner seems like a dream for many but white achieved it with his hard work dedication and firm belief. Let’s further unveil White’s amazing story.
What difficulties did he face?
Life has never been the same and pleasing for everyone. White’s early life was full of challenges and hardships that he had to cater to at all costs. White’s real parents were unable to provide him with a secure home, so he was placed for adoption. He was born to ironworkers in a Boston common basement. He was adopted by Latvian immigrants when he was three months old, and they gave him a strong work ethic. Because of this early work experience, White was running heavy machinery by the age of six, reaching for the controls with wooden blocks strapped to pedals.
Despite his talent for learning, White dropped out of high school at 16 to establish his first construction firm. However, it failed after two years due to youthful inexperience. White was unfazed and kept pursuing his love of building. He experienced other failures over the years, including the demise of two more businesses. One was a result of a contract that was destructive and the other as a result of a partner’s misappropriation. In addition to straining his income, these setbacks caused him to experience psychological pain, which included three divorces and a spell of homelessness.
How did he establish AM Equipment LLC?
Sometimes, failure is your biggest motivation that pushes you to the limit. The same happened with White as back-to-back failures made him more firm in his dream. He then established and put the foundation of AM Equipment LLC. Since the establishment of his company, he never looked back and his business keeps growing to date.
Currently, the company has 20 employees spread over two locations: Hogansburg, New York, and Ipswitch, Massachusetts. While the New York office specializes in building construction, the Massachusetts branch specializes in heavy roadway, concrete, paving, and site preparation. A testament to White’s stubbornness and accomplishments, AM Equipment is currently a finalist for Equipment World’s 2024 Contractor of the Year awards program.
Family Reunion
While advancing his job, White started a personal quest to locate his biological family. He searched for his biological family after the cancer-stricken deaths of his adoptive parents and was reunited with them on the Hogansburg, New York, Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation. He felt a sense of community and support from this reconnection, which improved both his personal and professional lives.
The hustling journey of his business
White’s voyage was anything but easy. He obtained a multi-million dollar project in the early 2000s. However, due to the continuous failure and bankruptcy after the demise of his last business, he could not serve the project. After relocating to the reservation, White made a fresh start, but in 2007 he suffered yet another blow when his lawyer stole $1.2 million from his company. He demonstrated his steadfast integrity and dedication to his beliefs by repaying the $2.5 million debt in spite of these difficulties and refusing to file for bankruptcy once more.
White started with little and gradually rebuilt his company. He succeeded in acquiring used Caterpillar construction equipment, which signalled the start of AM Equipment’s expansion. The first equipment he hired was a used Cat excavator in 2016. He then increased the size of his fleet over time, and the business now generates $6 to $8 million in sales annually. His collaboration with MacKay Construction gave him vital assistance that helped him expand his company and land big jobs.
Building a solid team and community links
White’s perspective on business and community has been moulded by his experiences. He values his workers highly and collaborates closely with local unions to offer safety and skill training. He cultivates a devoted and driven staff by providing benefits over and above union wages. His attempts to give back and encourage those who, like him, have experienced great hardships demonstrate his devotion to his community.
White’s success has mostly been attributed to his creativity and adaptability. His recent purchase of a remote-controlled CanAmerican SoilKing Extreme Stone Spreader is the prime example of his dedication to effectiveness and state-of-the-art technology.
Considering the Future
White is sixty years old and still going strong. Through the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) certification program, he hopes to become a general contractor and gain access to government contracting possibilities. Aside from his accomplishments, White’s enthusiasm for his profession is still powered by the same passion and commitment that first inspired him forty years ago.
The life of Andris White serves as a potent reminder that even the most difficult challenges may be conquered with perseverance, diligence, and morality. White’s journey, which began with homelessness and ended with the leadership of a multimillion-dollar construction company, is proof of the strength of firmness and optimism. His narrative not only serves as an inspiration but also provides insightful guidance for future company owners and executives.
As the editor of the blog, She curate insightful content that sparks curiosity and fosters learning. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, she strive to bring diverse perspectives and engaging narratives to readers, ensuring every piece informs, inspires, and enriches.
