Brent Pogue is an entrepreneur who took his dream of owning a business into his own hands. His goal had always been to be self-employed. Through careful planning, Brent took his interest in construction work and acquired the skills necessary to turn it into a business. Brent combined 4-H skills, practical experience, and a university education to build his own successful business, Pogue’s Quality Construction.

Brent learned construction through hands on experience. Through high school, he worked in a construction job and went on to get a degree in construction management from the University of Central Missouri. He supplements his income by purchasing and maintaining rental properties, which is a part of his plan for a retirement income later in life.

He started 4-H in junior high and got involved with encouragement from his mother. He credits 4-H with helping him to become more socially outgoing, develop leadership skills, and deal effectively with other people. He appreciates the 4-H projects that youth have the opportunity to investigate, but feels the structure of 4-H was the most helpful aspect for him. He personally benefitted from the county and state-level opportunities of 4-H because they helped him meet other people, learn social skills and make friends with whom he still keeps in contact.

Mentors can be important. Brent learned construction skills by working with experienced overseers that taught him the finer points of the building trade. However, he cautions that employee/employer relationships can sometimes be strained if the employers look at their mentee as a future competitor. Knowing the difference between a professional and friendly relationship can be important, and young entrepreneurs should strive to keep good relationships with others in their same field or industry.

Brent understands that customer service isn’t just about trying to please just the customer in front of him. Most of his business is generated through referrals. He stresses that technology can be an asset for communicating and making it easier for positive word of mouth to get around. However, the flip side is that it also makes it easier for negative word of mouth to get around, making good customer service especially important. No matter how good a job is done the first time, Brent acknowledges that problems will always arise. How the entrepreneur responds to those problems will influence his or her reputation with both current and future customers.

In terms of business skills, setting a proper price for one’s product or service is a difficult step for many young entrepreneurs. It was no different for Brent. He summarizes his pricing strategy as follows: “Think of your overhead expenses, insurance, etc...keep track of your expenses…figure out what other people are charging (for similar services).” Additionally, proper bookkeeping can also prevent unnecessary problems for the business owner down the road. Brent also encourages young entrepreneurs: “When you don’t know something, don’t be afraid to ask.” For example, working with an accountant can help the entrepreneur work through sticky financial situations, especially as the business grows.

Brent is a great example of how 4-H can help young entrepreneurs develop people skills and a social network to support their future success in business. In terms of entrepreneurship as a career choice, he says: “It’s complicated to make it happen, but don’t be afraid to do it.”

---

If you know a 4-H alumnus who has applied their “Clover experience” to becoming a successful entrepreneur, please contact Adam Lofti at acl7f4@mizzou.edu  or 573-884-7929.