Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Benjamin.
Hi Steven, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in the Ogden Valley and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School.
After I graduated high school, I joined the US Air Force and became an Air Traffic controller.
After I joined the Air Force, I married my now wife (Tiara) before we moved to Idaho where I was stationed at Mountain Home AFB for my 6-year enlistment. I spent about 8 months learning how to become a certified Air traffic Controller. I went on to become a Watch-Supervisor & separated from the Air Force as an E-5 in the winter of 2017 and moved to King Salmon, Alaska where I continued my Air Traffic Control career for another 3 years.
In the summer of 2019, I started my first business Katmai Fishing Guides, a day trip fishing & tour guide service catering to tourists visiting Katmai National Park. The fall of 2020 was when we made the decision to pursue our business ventures full-time, so we began living in Utah and Alaska. Then when we returned to Alaska in 2021, we started Katmai B&B to provide lodging for people visiting Katmai National Park.
In the fall of 2021 when we returned to Utah from running our businesses in Alaska my brother and I founded Flatworx Concrete and Excavation. We primarily do flatwork type concrete work in Salt Lake, Davis, Summit & Weber counties. I am also involved with a general contracting company as they transition from a handyman service to a full-service contractor.
We also have a small family-operated paddle board & kayak rental company in the Ogden valley during the summer months.
I am in the process of writing a book and launching a personal brand with a focus on helping other small entrepreneurs or soon-to-be entrepreneurs overcome some of the things that may be holding them back from launching their business ideas.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is never a smooth road, is it? We have always embraced the challenge; we love the adventure of not knowing what is coming next.
The first major challenge I can remember was becoming an Air traffic controller at 19, it was a ton of information to absorb in what felt like an extremely short amount of time in addition to the performance standard that was expected compounded with an 80% wash-out rate. (Washouts are candidates who didn’t make it as ATC) becoming part of the statistic was always a concern. Through lots of practice, studying and thanks to some amazing guidance from my trainers I was 1 of 2 to have become Air traffic controllers in the preceding 2 years.
I think the next major struggle was launching my business and moving from being employed to being self-employed. I think most entrepreneurs consider the possibility of failure when they decide to no longer be employed, we were no different. When we decided that I would resign from ATC in 2020 & started the 2021 season we no longer had the safety net of my job. It was the business now that would support us.
Everything in bush Alaska can be a challenge, because of the remote location we need to know how to do all sorts of things that you could just call someone for if we were in Utah. We have done everything from electrical work, plumbing, bathroom remodels, and engine maintenance & of course provide excellent customer service!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am at heart truly an entrepreneur, starting & growing businesses are one of the most exciting things I can think to do with my time.
I’d say most people know me for my businesses in Alaska.
I am extremely proud of the businesses we have built in both states, but more importantly, we (my wife and I) are most proud that we have and will continue to build them together.
I believe that what sets me apart from others is my passion for teaching others. Passing on what I have learned so that others who want to become entrepreneurs can avoid my mistakes and speed up their journey to success. I want to use all of the skills I have learned along the way to help people spend more time growing and becoming whatever type of success they are seeking.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I would have to say the most important lesson I’ve learned along the way is to take chances, you don’t know what could be out there waiting for you!
Contact Info:
- Website: KatmaiFishingGuides.com
- Instagram: Katmaibnb.com
- Facebook: Flatworxconcreteutah.com
Image Credits
Steven J. Benjamin
