Today we’d like to introduce you to Diego Pazmino.
Hi Diego, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
From Immigrant to Electrical Contractor: A Story Built One Breaker at a Time
By Diego Pazmino
I immigrated to the United States from South America when I was 21 years old, chasing the same thing many immigrants do: opportunity. My first job was in a factory in New York, but after only a few months, it shut down. Like many people trying to survive, I took whatever work I could find—restaurant jobs, delivery runs, anything that kept me afloat.
Everything changed because of one conversation with my landlord.
He introduced me to someone who worked at an electrical supply house. The very next morning, he picked me up at 5:00 a.m., and by 6:30 a.m. I was sitting in front of the owner for an interview. Within the hour, I had a job. That moment marked the real beginning of my career.
On my first day, I remember thinking I would never learn all the products. The warehouse felt like a pharmacy on steroids—endless shelves filled with boxes of every size imaginable. I was hired as a puller, responsible for gathering materials contractors ordered and loading them into their trucks. Some days it was small devices and panels; other days it was conduit and wire weighing well over 100 or 200 pounds. It was demanding work, but I learned fast.
After about six months, I was offered the chance to help open a new store and work the front counter as a vendor. I saw it as a promotion and accepted immediately. Working directly with contractors taught me more than I ever expected.
One afternoon, a customer came in stressed. He was hosting a family party that night and had an issue with the switches in his living room—two switches controlling several lights that simply didn’t work. He asked if I knew an electrician. I handed him a business card, the last one I had. When he called, the electrician told him he couldn’t make it that day.
I felt bad for the customer and asked him to explain the problem. After talking it through, I tried to explain how replacing the switches might solve it. After a few minutes, he surprised me by saying, “Why don’t you come help me yourself?”
I told him I wasn’t an electrician and didn’t even have tools. He said he had tools and offered to pick me up after work. Against my better judgment—and with a lot of fear—I said yes.
That evening, I stood in his living room, asked him to shut off the breakers, and carefully replaced the switches using the limited knowledge I had. I expected one of two outcomes: either nothing would change, or nothing would work at all. But when he turned the breakers back on, the lights worked perfectly.
That moment changed my life.
It was the first time I ever put my hands on electrical work. I was terrified—but it worked. Some people call it luck. I believe God guided me through it.
When I finished, the homeowner asked what he owed me. I told him nothing—I was grateful for the experience. As we shook hands goodbye, he slipped some cash into my hand and told me to “have a drink on him.” On the subway ride home, I looked down and realized it was two $20 bills. I called him, thinking it was a mistake. He laughed and said if he had more cash, he would’ve given more—the other electrician would’ve charged $75 anyway.
I was making $14 an hour at the time. I had just earned $40 in about 20 minutes.
That night, everything became clear.
I called an electrical contractor I knew from the supply house and asked if he would hire me. He said yes.
Soon after, I made the decision to leave New York and move to Utah for better opportunity, affordable housing, and formal education. I enrolled in the electrical apprenticeship program at Utah Valley University immediately after arriving.
One moment from school has stayed with me ever since. During my first year, classmates pushed our instructor to reveal who had the highest score in the class. When he finally answered, he said my name—Diego Pazmino. Many were shocked. Some questioned how someone who barely spoke English could lead the class.
What they didn’t see were the long nights. I translated homework from English to Spanish, answered it in Spanish, then translated it back to English before writing it down. It took me twice as long, but I refused to quit.
I completed my apprenticeship, passed my Journeyman exam on the first try, and later passed my Master Electrician exam as well. Then came the biggest decision: remain a foreman, or take the risk of becoming a contractor.
I chose contracting because I wanted to build something bigger than myself—a legacy for my kids.
I started my company in 2021, and since then, God has provided steady work without the need for advertising. Everything has grown through word of mouth, trust, and doing the job right. Every day brings new challenges, new lessons, and new growth—things no classroom can fully teach.
Looking back, it all started with one early morning ride, one chance interview, and one homeowner who trusted me enough to say, “Why don’t you come help me yourself?”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. The road has been anything but smooth.
Like many small business owners, especially in the trades, the biggest challenges came after taking the leap into contracting. Moving from being a skilled electrician to running a business meant learning an entirely new set of responsibilities—estimating, scheduling, managing cash flow, dealing with permits, inspections, insurance, and the pressure of making sure there was always enough work lined up to support my family.
There were moments of doubt early on, especially when work slowed down or when a job didn’t go as planned. Being responsible not only for my own livelihood but also for clients’ expectations added a new level of stress. As an immigrant, I also faced the challenge of navigating contracts, regulations, and communication in a second language—something that required extra time, patience, and determination.
Another struggle was wearing every hat at once. In the beginning, I was the electrician, the estimator, the scheduler, the accountant, and the customer service department. Long days often turned into long nights, and there were times when quitting and going back to a steady paycheck would have been the easier option.
But every challenge became a lesson. Each mistake forced me to improve my systems, sharpen my skills, and grow not just as a contractor, but as a leader. Faith, discipline, and the support of my family kept me grounded during the hardest moments. I learned to trust the LORD in the process, stay consistent, and focus on quality and integrity rather than quick wins.
Looking back, the struggles shaped the foundation of the company. They taught me resilience, humility, and the value of doing things the right way—even when it’s harder. The road wasn’t smooth, but it was necessary, and it continues to push me to become better every day.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Pazmino Electric LLC?
My business was built on the same principles that shaped my career from the very beginning: hard work, honesty, and doing things the right way—even when no one is watching.
We are an electrical contracting company that focuses on residential and light commercial electrical work for now but we can also work on Industrial facilities, including troubleshooting, upgrades, remodels, service work, and new installations. We specialize in solving problems the right way, not just the fast way. Many of our calls come from homeowners and builders who want clear answers, safe solutions, and work they can trust will last.
What we’re most known for is reliability and problem-solving. Electrical issues can be stressful, confusing, and sometimes dangerous. I take pride in explaining things in a way customers understand, offering honest options, and standing behind the work. I don’t believe in shortcuts or upselling things people don’t need. If something can be repaired safely, I’ll say so. If it needs to be replaced, I’ll explain why.
What truly sets us apart is that this company grew entirely by word of mouth. Since starting the business in 2021, we haven’t relied on advertising. Every job leads to the next because people trust our work and recommend us to family, friends, and neighbors. That trust means more to me than any marketing campaign ever could.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is our reputation. My name is attached to every job, and I treat each project as if it were my own home. As a master electrician, I bring both technical knowledge and real-world experience to every decision, making sure work meets code, functions properly, and is built to last.
I want readers to know that this business isn’t just about electricity—it’s about service, responsibility, and legacy. My son Diego Jr. is also an apprentice now and he loves to work on electrical components and helps me on different jobs.
I started this company to build something meaningful for my family and my community. Every panel installed, every circuit repaired, and every problem solved is another opportunity to earn trust and prove that quality and integrity still matter.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
No one builds something like this alone, and I’m very aware that my journey is the result of many people opening doors, offering guidance, and believing in me—sometimes before I fully believed in myself.
First, I give credit to God, whose guidance has been present at key moments throughout my life and career. From the first opportunity at the electrical supply house to the decision to start my own business, faith has been a constant source of strength, direction, and humility.
I owe a great deal to the owner of the electrical supply house in New York who took a chance on me early on. He didn’t know me well, yet he hired me within an hour of meeting me. That single decision changed the direction of my life. The coworkers, vendors, and contractors I met there also played a major role by answering questions, sharing knowledge, and encouraging me to keep learning.
Several electrical contractors and journeymen I worked with over the years deserve recognition as well. They taught me not just how to do the work, but how to do it safely, efficiently, and with pride. Those lessons carried into my own business and still guide how I train and work today.
My instructors at Utah Valley University were instrumental in shaping my technical foundation. They pushed me, challenged me, and held me to high standards, even when language was a barrier. Their belief in my ability gave me confidence to aim higher and pursue my Master’s license.
I’m also incredibly grateful for my clients, many of whom became advocates for my business. Their trust, referrals, and willingness to recommend my work made it possible for the company to grow without advertising. Every referral felt like a vote of confidence, and I don’t take that lightly.
Above all, my deepest gratitude goes to my FAMILY. Their patience, support, and sacrifices made the long hours, risks, and uncertainty possible. They are the reason I push forward and the reason this business exists in the first place.
Every person mentioned played a role—big or small—in building not just a company, but a life and legacy I’m proud of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pazminoelectric.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pazminoelectric?igsh=eDB1ZDJwZWEya2cy&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/UgjxP2ZdfiN86dFY/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: https://share.google/FOmsPDbMBJVWQdcH7
