Richard Sajiun

Richard Sajiun is a celebrated business professional who has honored his father’s legacy through his long standing success with Sajiun Electric.

Richard Sajiun was born and raised in Long Island, New York. At 16 years old, he began his electrical apprenticeship in his father’s business. The experience he gained in the years that followed would eventually prepare him to take over the family business. He attended Suny State University, attained a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, then subsequently, his master Electrician’s License.

In 1995 Richard Sajiun took over the management of Sajiun Electric. The dawn of the new business came quickly when his father was awarded a government contract in a federal office building. Richard managed every aspect of the project, and the success led to the company’s continued growth. Since then, Richard has had a fruitful career, and he takes pride in the work his company has done for the city of NY.

When he is not working, he enjoys riding his motorcycle, playing the guitar, and exercising.

What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?

I spend most of my day working on my computer and phone. Some days I am out in the field. On the days when I am home, I am sure to take breaks away from the computer to get some fresh air. Its important to keep a balance in our daily routines. I may go to the gym or pick up my guitar for a while. Then I’ll likely return to my computer toward the evening either for some more work or for leisure.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Bringing ideas to life is a collaborative process for us. I typically start by holding a meeting with senior advisors. For example, we work with public contracts and are currently exploring the idea of doing business out of state. However, there are many aspects to consider, such as how location affects competition and the costs of labor and material. It’s essential that we have the necessary tools and resources before making a final decision. Every idea is thoroughly considered beforehand.

What’s one trend that excites you?

The self-driving car market has risen exponentially in the last several years. It is projected that by 2030 a substantial percentage of vehicles on the road will be autonomous.

What is one habit that helps you be productive?

I am meticulous when it comes to checks and balances. From the time I was being trained to take over the business, crossing your “T’s and dotting your “I’s” was one of the habits that was ingrained into the way I do my business.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Always be aware of the importance of balance in your daily life. Maintaining (or not maintaining) balance (physical, spiritual and mental), will undoubtedly shape your future self.

Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?

Great ideas don’t always equate to successful business ventures. You can have a stellar idea for a business, but at the end of the day, it comes down to many factors, including the people you hire and how you strategize effective solutions, that will determine whether or not the business will be successful.

What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?

One of the things that I am vigilant about is examining my liability exposure, as well as all risk factors associated with our work. Those are two areas that are critical in any business. I would recommend that every entrepreneur remain vigilant in these areas.

When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?

The company name is our family name. It is our proud legacy that continues.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?

I am very selective of the type of contracts we accept. Over the last twenty-five years our customers have become accustomed to high-quality work, meaning we only take on projects that we know we will be able to perform on time and to the highest standard. Profit is not the primary motivating factor for us and I will never sacrifice quality for a paycheck. Integrity is what has kept us in business this long and has allowed us to continue our success.

What is one failure in your career,  how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?

When first starting out, the company took on a theater project with little experience in that industry. However, despite the various roadblocks we faced it was a learning opportunity. I overcame challenges by learning to be more scrutinizing with regard to the work we have engaged in over the years.

What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Since the Pandemic, the need for large office space has declined drastically. However, people will still need office space on a smaller scale or a part time basis. Start an online platform which focuses solely on the renting of small office space by landlords and lessees, where they can privately rent on a short term basis. Such a platform which can offer more flexibility than a realtor or larger scale landlord would be able to offer.

What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

I would have to say the web service that I use quite often is Google reviews. I often look up the businesses that I am interested in purchasing from, or using their services. I find it extremely helpful.

Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?

The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield. It is a 1993 novel that provides an interesting insight into Nature and Spirituality.

What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?

Oprah Winfrey said ”Be thankful for what you have, you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never ever have enough”

Key learnings:

• Great ideas don’t always equate to successful business ventures
• Bringing ideas to life is a collaborative process
• Every road block is a learning opportunity