Starting a business is not an easy decision, but sometimes life events make the risk worth taking.

Russ Schuelke, Hills, considered opening his own electrical company but figured he would do it sometime in the future. The future looked a lot closer last spring after his employer let him go.

He had been employed at Malloy Electric in Sioux Falls doing repairs, construction and troubleshooting on industrial electric motors and facilities. The job took him on the road for most of the year, including a nine-month span last year.

Now he had a chance to spend time with his family and start working on the service side of his trade.

“The electrical work comes easily,” Schuelke said. “What I really enjoy is the service end.”

In June he opened Schuelke Electric, Construction and Service, a full-service electrical company. He handles commercial, residential and agricultural projects, including underground electrical work.

He said he looks forward to building lasting business relationships, especially in the agricultural industry.

“I am hoping to get more involved in the ag industry,” he said. “But I am looking forward to working with new clients in all areas of construction and service.”

He recently purchased a large trencher for underground work.

Business hours will vary, and Schuelke admits that being the only employee means he has to be available every day of the week, 24 hours a day.

“It is the nature of business,” he said. “People need electricity, and when it goes out they want it fixed immediately.”

He has already put in several Sunday service calls and welcomes people to call him in the evening.

After many years working on electrical motors, he said he is now enjoying the variety of owning his own business.

Schuelke  lives in Hills with his wife, Robin, and their son, Max. To contact him call (507) 962-3569.