We had the good fortune of connecting with Jonathan Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonathan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process in starting my own business came from me wanting more out of life. Not having much or anyone to pull you up while your down will drive anyone to elevating or giving up. In a world where it’s so easy to give up they say (it’s the fight in the dog not the dog that fights). I live by this knowing plenty of times I was ready to throw in the towel. A firm believer in god and having faith carrying out the objective to successfully run my business I know I’d need will and knowledge. Working in the field of construction with aluminum I learned from my uncles installation, repairs, rebuilding & many more. Watching my uncles work day in and day out every week including weekends put my mind in a different place to knowing that I can do anything I put my mind to if I just make the attempt.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I picked up this trade 15 years ago, a lot of Sun and hard work in the field on installing. From walking on thin 2 inch beams 15ft-20ft in the air across pools to digging 2ft to 50ft of dirt to pour concrete to cutting and building angles or degree cut pool enclosure framings I’d say we stand far apart from others. I learned this trade from my uncle, knowing that you make money from what you know I locked in my head learning everything about this trade to be able to possibly run my own operation. I drove myself into working doing whatever the companies needed me to do, doing what other guys thought was working for free while I’m thinking get the knowledge it got me this far I’d say. Many days and not I stressed where is my next dollar or customer coming from I just paid rent and company isn’t off the ground yet, many days and night I’ve stressed about customers who see a young black man but questioned if they can trust putting their money in my hands, with 3 daughters and a house to feed many days I stressed customers who don’t understand my price and bargaining with them as a pose to them spending a-lot more elsewhere. I’ve learned business is business apart from anything. You can respectfully agree to something but stand firm on what the agreement is. You have to crawl before you walk, Everything won’t always work in your favor as long as you have a understanding and you can learn/grow from whatever the situation is your on the right path.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Miami is a place of life for the living lol, from beaches to gator waters. With the night life of south beach, las olas, Dania Pointe plaza down to the Wynwood life. Downtown Bayside to Hollywood beach or on Boardwalk

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes, my wife Manouchka Harris been together for 5 years and she has uplifted me from a past i relived everyday and he me with running the company (Pool Screening & Porches LLC).

Website: Poolscreeningandporchesllc.com

Instagram: @ppscreensllc

Facebook: PrinceHarris

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