Work Is Play for This Contractor

Everyone has different reasons for getting up and going to work in the morning — some want an outlet to share their skills and talents, some are motivated by the desire to help others, while some just want to make a living in order to support their family. But there are a few people out there who have found a way to combine all three of these motivational factors into one job, giving them the opportunity to support themselves while also helping the community.

Contractor Michael Job is one of those lucky people. Job is the owner of KidSafe Playgrounds, an independent playground installation company in Knoxville, Tenn. Since founding the company in June of 2000, Job says he has experienced the most rewarding years of his life.

“I have installed playgrounds in just about every type of neighborhood you can imagine,” says Job. “From the most upscale housing developments to some of the bleakest neighborhoods you can think of. But no matter where I go, the kids are always grateful to have a new playground. I don’t think I could have picked a more rewarding career.”

Turning a Passion into a Profession

Turning his passion for helping others into a career did not happen overnight for Job. He worked in the playground manufacturing industry for two years before he was able to branch out on his own. Job started KidSafe Playground with a friend of his, and within a year it grew into a three-man operation. In 2001, Job decided it was time to upgrade from the hand tools they were using and invest in some more efficient equipment. After researching all of his options, Job decided to go with the Toro Dingo TX 425 compact utility loader.

“I was really impressed with the TX 425’s compact size and light footprint,” says Job. “I needed something that was powerful, but wouldn’t destroy the surrounding property at the schools and daycares I usually work at, and this loader was able to give me that.”   

The Toro Dingo also gave Job the opportunity to reduce his overhead cost, risk and liability by allowing him to trim his three-man crew down to just a one-man crew. When his entire team failed to show up to the jobsite one day, Job discovered he could do the work of his entire team with just himself and his loader, giving him the motivation he needed to turn KidSafe into a solo venture. Now, as the owner, project manager and sole employee, Job is able to get his hands on every project and can ensure each one is completed to his high set of standards and expectations, which is exactly the way he likes it.

Playground Equipment

In his 10 years of business, Job has completed over 300 jobs in 32 states, with some jobs requiring him to travel well over 2,000 miles. Knowing that he would be traveling far and often was another reason Job decided to invest in the compact loader. “I don’t need a big truck or multiple trailers to haul my equipment. Since all I need is my TX 425, I just load it on the trailer and go.”

One project took Job to Louisiana, where he installed 21 playgrounds in 21 schools. With just his Toro Dingo and a small crew he recruited, Job completed the project in just over two months. Another job in Tennessee had him hauling and distributing over 158,000 lbs of shredded rubber (a safety surfacing material) to 11 playgrounds for one school district. For this project, he rented a forkster to work with his loader and got the job done in just a month.

“I have basically run the heck out of that machine for nine years now,” says Job. “Anyone would be impressed with the number of hours on it. I’ve just kept up with the regular maintenance and it’s never let me down.”

Along with the TX 425, Job has also invested in a variety of attachments, including an auger, concrete mixer, leveler, fork and buckets. According to Job, he doesn’t leave any attachment behind when he goes onto a jobsite; he uses every attachment on every job. With the TX 425 doing about 90 percent of the work on every project, the only other equipment Job needs are some hand tools for prep work and cleanup, allowing him to keep his equipment needs to a minimum.

Reaping the Rewards

Installing a playground is not only a physically demanding process for Job, but it is also an emotionally demanding process for the children watching him work. Since most of his projects take place at schools or daycares, there are usually young children around, watching every move he makes. To make the process of seeing him tear down and rebuilding their playgrounds easier, Job takes the time to entertain the kids with little skits, songs and his golden retriever, Lucy.

“These projects are such an amazing process. At first, the kids are upset with you because they see you tearing down their playground, but they begin to trust you once you take time to engage with them. Then, as they watch you put together a brand new playground, their eyes light up like it’s Christmas morning. Seeing the kids climbing and playing and laughing on a playground that you installed, that’s the real reward.”

And while Job has felt the effects of the economic downturn in the last few years, he is confident that his niche business is here to stay. About 50 percent of the jobs he is hired for are funded by Head Start, a federally funded program for underprivileged children that focuses on child development services. The remainder of his work comes from contacts and relationships he has made within the playground industry who contract him on an as-needed basis.

“I understand that money is tight for everyone, but I can’t help but be confident that there will always be people out there willing to invest in a safe place for kids to play.”

Job knows that he is very lucky to have such a rewarding career; one that allows him to pay his mortgage and put his kids through school while also making a difference in the lives of others. And if there is a secret to be shared about how he got to where he is today, Job would be interested in hearing it. “I don’t believe there really is a secret recipe for success. I just found a job that fits my personality and I work hard and really care about my business. As long as I care about what I’m doing I know I will be successful.”

Amy Schneider is a technical writer for Performance Marketing, based in West Des Moines, Iowa.