06/05/2023
Almost three years ago I moved back home from Florida to help my mom run her interior design / cabinet painting business. Anyone that knows me knows how important my family is to me. I had long visualized a life where I could build and provide a life for those closest to me. That drive, combined with the idea of doing it all with my brother Blake was more than enough for me to take the necessary steps towards this dream. Luckily, Blake shared the same dream as me and happily agreed to join me on all of the ambitious goals I had set for us to accomplish.
Since moving back, Blake and I had taken on quite a few side jobs in our spare time. These photos are from a grocery store stock room shelving project we completed in 2021. A memory I’ll always cherish - an opportunity to work alongside my best friend.
Fast forward to January of this year, we became official by forming McGowan Company LLC. One of my favoritie moments of my life was meeting Blake that morning, handing him the folder with all of the paperwork, and watching the smile come across his face. I can still hear him saying, “My kid brotha, we’re finally official!” We hugged and I could tell he was proud and excited.
Many of you know that we lost Blake just a couple of short months later on March 11th. One of the first things my family told me was how he would want me to push on and continue working to achieve this dream of ours. At first, I refused to even think about continuing on towards something that was meant to be done with him right next to me. As the days went on and leading up to his Celebration of Life, I had a few moments and signs that he gave me to remind me that he’ll always be right there by my side through it all. The day I stood up to give Blake’s eulogy, I made a promise to everyone there, to myself, and most importantly to him that I will continue and never give up on making that dream of ours a reality.
This is the start of working towards a promise fulfilled.
