Immigrant Voices Podcast Project

The Immigrant Voices Podcast Project brings you the voices of the courageous people who have made the U.S. their home. In their own words, you’ll hear about the lives and people they left behind in their native countries, their journeys here, their struggles and successes. You’ll hear from parents of “dreamers,” “dreamers” themselves, undocumented to naturalized citizens, and everything in between.

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Immigrant Voices Podcast Project

William from Guatemala

March 27, 2022 • Deborah

At an early age, William had dreams of growing buildings instead of the crops that his parents raised on their rural farm in Guatemala. In the 90s, as an 18-year-old, he came to the United States to widen his horizons and pursue his goals. Once here, he moved from restaurant worker to landscaper, handyman helper, and eventually became a licensed general contractor. William did all this while raising a family and becoming fluent in English beyond the few phrases gained from tourist books and audiotapes. A successful entrepreneur, William has more work than he can handle, and yet he has found that often elusive balance between professional and personal goals.

Guest Intro/00:38

Coming to the U.S./01:43

Deborah: My guest is William from Guatemala. So tell me, William, what led you to come to the United States?

William: First of all, because in my country I didn’t have much opportunities, so and I have heard that here there are more opportunities. So I was like 18 years old and of course, I was looking do something to explore something new in a different country and all that because I used to work enough. My dad has a small farm, so I used to be a farmer. So we grow like corn, wheat, and potatoes and all kinds of vegetables. But that wasn’t enough for me. So I said, “One day, I just want to.” Everybody talks good about the U.S. and I said, “I want to go see how good it is.” And then, you know, I make my decision. My family wasn’t too happy about it because I left them alone. It’s very hard. But here I am. Fortunately, I started working right away. And I’ve worked in a restaurant as a cook helper and then I’m like for five months I was a landscaper. And then I met a guy who used to do who was like a handyman. Then I started learning a lot of stuff from him. Then after that in 2016 I got my work authorization permit and then after that, I study hard to get my supervisor’s, my carpenter’s supervisor license. So then I got it. And then I opened up my business legally in 2017.

Deborah: Was it hard to get from Guatemala to the United States? Did you have any trouble? Did you come on a tourist visa or how did you get here?

William: It was hard for me because, yeah, I went to apply for a visa. So they didn’t give me a visa and so I have to jump the border.

Deborah: Did you encounter anything dangerous on the way?

William: Fortunately not.

Deborah: So you were 18 years old and what year was that?

William: 1993.

Deborah: 1993 and you were 18 years old? I’m assuming you were single at that point or did you, did you meet your wife?

William: I met her down there because I went back years later, I went back. So I met her there and then I brought her again. So I came back.

Adjusting/English/04:06

Deborah: What was the hardest thing about coming to the States? Adjusting? Did you have any trouble adjusting? How was your English? Did you speak any English because your English is very good at this point?

William: No, I didn’t. I mean, I knew a little, because, my mom, she and my parents were here in 1989 to 1990. So when they went back they brought some books and some tapes because that’s the way they did it here when they were here to learn basic English. So they brought those and I was very, you know, I was very happy too, when they came back with them. And so then I started to learn because of the schools over there they teach England English and it’s totally different. And then, you know, and the teachers, I mean they, they learn whatever they can learn so when a U.S. citizens, because there are a lot of people who’s teaching English down there so that when you feel lucky that someone teaches you English from here and then is good. So when I came here, I didn’t know much. I mean, just basic words, like “thank you” or “how are you?,” or just you know, almost nothing. And then I went to school for like four years. That helped me a lot and I really paid a lot of attention. Because when I came, I said, I have to learn English because otherwise, I’m not going to be able to speak with anyone. And I know it’s hard, but nothing that I could not do it.

Deborah: You said you went to school for four years. Was that the Gardner or was it?

William: Jackson Mann. Yeah, I guess in those days, I think Gardner, I don’t know if that was in 2011 to 2014 when I went to school at night time, but, yeah, so I apply over there. And then, yeah, they gave me a seat over there. So I used to go.

Becoming an Entrepreneur/06:15

Deborah: When did you decide to start your own business?

William: I decided that in 2006 because I used to work with this guy so and then I stopped, met a lot of people and then I met an architect in Cambridge and she helped us a lot because she hired us to do a renovation in her house. So we spent almost a full summer in her house. We did the kitchen with the two bathrooms with the some exterior work like retaining walls and patios and all that stuff. So and then, after that, she asked me she said, “If you want to work with me.” and I said, “Yup.” So and then every project that when someone called her for drawings or this and that. And then she offered us, I mean, she offered the whole package and a lot of people got it. So that was the way that I start. And then it wasn’t that easy because at the beginning, I remember we were waiting the whole winter we weren’t doing anything because it was a little bit hard, but we survived.

Deborah: So the name of your business is Merita Brothers. So was your brother in the States before you?

William: Yes.

Deborah: How’s his English?

William: Yes. It’s good because he went to school too.

Deborah: Have you been able to go back to Guatemala?

William: Not since 2005.

Deborah: Is that a problem for you? You want to go back to visit or you’re not able to?

Riding Out Covid/07:46

William: I’m not able to because I just have the work authorization permits. Every year when I talked to my lawyer, he said maybe next year or I’m still waiting to the first go to court. But I mean the one. Being so now it’s, it’s hard. So, and then COVID-19 is slow down a lot. So it’s hard.

Deborah: How did you manage during the pandemic, into the height of the pandemic? Did you have work to do, what happened?

William: I stopped for like a month because I got sick. I got the COVID when I first started. The COVID just started in March I guess. And then I got the COVID in April, so all of the month of April I was home. It was hard. But after that I started, I always had work and, yeah, it wasn’t too bad.

Becoming a Licensed General contractor/08:40

Deborah: What are you hoping to do professionally, in the future? Do you have a permit? Are you a general contractor licensed? What’s the status with that?

William: Yes, I am a contractor. I’m a licensed contractor still. Yeah. I’ve done like three big renovations lately that two houses we converted a two-family into a single family, which is unlikely in these days. Everybody wants to make the other homes. I mean instead of one apartment they want to do two but then this. It was the opposite. So I act like a general contractor.

Deborah: Was it hard to get licensed? What did you have to go through?

William: Just to study a lot because it requires a lot of studying and then take classes and that exam is I think they’re like 75 questions. They give you three hours to and then you have to come up with 68 right questions. And I got it the first time. Right.

Deborah: Congratulations. That’s great. You only took it one time. That’s terrific.

William: Yeah. Because I really started to study. When I want something, I just focus on the stuff and then I got it because you know, I took the classes and then the teacher says, “You should just study, study, study, and then take the tests. Don’t wait until you forget about it, and then you’re not going to pass it. I want you guys to pass the test.” So I did exactly what he told me and I took the classes in, I think it was from June to September, and then the exam. I applied for the exam because it takes a little longer, but I did it in October of 2016. And I was okay. And I was surprised because when I finished the test and then the guy said he was I wasn’t sure what to do. And then I asked him and I said, “What happened? Did I pass it or something?” And he said, “Oh, you didn’t see the score?” I said, “No.” Then he said, “No, you pass it.” Oh, okay. And then the architect she was very happy about that because she used to pull the permits when any job a big job. So she’s, she used to pull the permits with her license. And then when she helped me a lot because the state did require a two-year list. You have to work for a company for two years, a registered company. So, and then I didn’t have that but since you know, I worked with her for long time. So and then she wrote a letter saying that she knows me for many years and then they accepted that.

Determination Runs Deep/11:50

Deborah: That’s fantastic. Were you always so determined once you make your mind up about something like to learn English, to come here and to become, a general contractor, a licensed general contractor? How long have you always had this determined personality?

William: Since I was a child. Because you know, my dream was to be an architect, but it didn’t happen. That’s something that I’ve missed, but I love my work when I start learning. First thing, when I came here and I saw a big house, a big construction house they built they were building a big house. And I said, “Someday, I’m going to do that.” I don’t build houses, but I renovate them, which is I think is part of my job. And I love it because I you know I don’t like to do the same thing every day. I like to learn something different or do something different every day. So, that’s why I love my job.

Deborah: How much of your job involves getting to design things? Since you had this desire to be an architect, you must have an artistic design sense. And are you able to use it on the job?

William: Yes. To know how to read the plans, that’s the first thing. And then all the measurements and this and that, and then how are we going to start. How are we going to continue and then finish? And you know, all those little details. So I don’t think I missed a lot if I wasn’t an architect because if I was an architect that was in be able to the design and do this stuff actually it looks like I am more happy than do the stuff than just draw a picture. So I am more happy that I can do—

Family Matters/13:50

Deborah: Hands-on. You do hands-on work. Tell me a bit about your family.

William: Yeah, my family. I have two daughters here and then a boy is 17 years old. My daughter is 15 years-old and an eight. And she’s going to Boston Latin and I am very proud of her because she’s really hard worker.

Deborah: That’s a very challenging school.

William: Yes it is. And now she’s happy because she’s learning Italian. So this summer she’s going to Italy for 26 days.

Deborah: Oh, that’s fantastic. What part of Italy is she going to go to?

William: Rome. Yeah, so it’s, yeah. I love my family and everybody.

Advice/14:39

Deborah: What kind of advice, William, would you give to somebody just coming to the States for the first time, based on your experience, both the mistakes you might’ve made and the things that you’ve learned? What advice would you give to somebody?

William: Because it took a long time to go to school. You started learning English in the streets which is not the same as if you go to school. That was the first mistake that I made. And then I applied to legalize, to be a citizen because if I, if I had applied, when I first came, I wouldn’t have this problem now, but that was big. One of the big, big mistakes. Because I know a lady who I used to work with her just a little work when I was doing working with this other guy. So one time I went to work in her house and she says it says you should apply for your visa because that was in 1990 because it was very easy to get the green cards and then I didn’t pay attention to her. And then later, like a few months or three weeks later she asked me, she said, “You have you applied for your visa?” And I said, “No.” And she said, “Why?” “Because I have nobody to sign for me.” And she says, “Why you didn’t tell me? I should I can sign for you.” But it was too late. So those are one of the biggest mistakes that I made when I came here. So and then the good things you know, I just tell them just go to school right away and then just be a good person. It’s a country of a lot of opportunities that in our country we don’t have it.

Deborah: Did you bring anything with you from Guatemala all those years ago that you still have?

William: No.

Deborah: Did you bring much with you? Just the shirt on your back or what?

William: Yeah, just not much.

Deborah: You said from the time that you were a young boy, you had a determined personality. Do you have any stories that you could tell me about things that you might’ve done that maybe somebody else wouldn’t have done, maybe a risk you took even as a child?

William: No.

Deborah: When you said that you were going to come here, people discouraged you, your parents discouraged you.

William: They said, “You’re going to be alone there” and this and that. Life is going to be different than this and that, but I said, “Okay, I’m just going to try.”

Missing Guatemala/17:18

Deborah: What do you miss the most about Guatemala?

William: My family, my parents, and yeah. My grandma. She used to live with us, so and yeah, she passed away last year. So it was, it was too hard for me because she always tell me “When you get to come back and I’m going to die and I’m not going to see you again.” And sometimes she starts crying. So that those kinds of things those are the things that make me sad. And that’s what I’ve missed a lot.

Deborah: Sure. Did you do FaceTime with your family and Skype?

William: WhatsApp. It’s, it’s a lot easier. Yeah. When the Skype when does that start. Yeah, we used to do Skype, but I don’t use Skype anymore. It’s easier with the WhatsApp application.

Balanced Growth/18:07

Deborah: So where do you see yourself in five years with your business and what you’re doing?

William: That was one thing I was dreaming about to do—flipping houses. That was one of my big dreams, but I just find out that at this moment there’s not a good time because I know a lot of a realtors, clients, and they’re all telling me the same thing. I thought that was going to work to flip houses I was really going to work for me, but it looks like this market is, it’s crazy. I have to have a lot of money and actually I know a guy who used to do that then he retired because he says it’s not a good time to do it. I don’t want to take the risk and it’s something that now, I always want to be positive, and this moment, so I just want to continue working. And maybe just this year we hire another guy. So just probably grew up more with my business. A little bit bigger. I don’t want to be too big too, because I think it’s—

Deborah: More headaches, more headaches.

William: I like to sleep very well. I don’t like to because sometimes when I have two jobs at the same time and this and that, and I can’t sleep, I can’t rest. So I think life is short so really just be, I don’t know, whatever. It’s step-by-step.

Deborah: It sounds like you’re trying to find the balance between work and personal life, personal time. What are some of the things you do to keep that balance?

William: It has to be with my life and my family too because I wanna know that I have my kids, that we have our kids with us. I always tell my wife that we have to take care of them because spend time with them because once they go to college and they’re going to disappear like I did. So I want to enjoy them. And I want to, I just want to make enough money to live. And fortunately, we bought this house two years ago, which was one of the biggest dreams and we have it. So from now until five years, I just want to save some money and maybe someday retire. And if I get my citizenship one day, I just want to travel. I would like to travel and know a lot of places.

Deborah: Where are some of the places you’d like to go?

William: Europe is the first. I want to go to Spain. I want to go to Italy, Greece. Yeah. All those beautiful places over there.

When to Say “No”/20:46

Deborah: So in getting a good work-life balance, it means you have to say no to some things. How do you say no to a job that makes you feel stressful just thinking about it? Do you ever say no to a job?

William: Yes. Yeah, because if I see the things that I can’t handle it. So I said, no, I just I can’t do that. I mean not that I can’t do it, but I don’t have enough time because sometimes people says, “Okay, can you do this by certain time?” And if it’s a quite a big job, and then they say, “Oh no, you have to be done by a certain time because I have to move and this and that then I have to do this.” And I say, “Oh oh forget about it. This is not for me.” Because some people says sometimes “Oh I have another guy who can do it in six months. And you say, you can do it in eight months.” So I said, “No. Okay. I can’t, I can’t take it.” Because sometimes people try to cheat you.

Deborah: In what way do they cheat you?

William: That way. Because sometimes they say, oh, no, because I have somewhere else that they can do it cheaper. And then and quicker. And I say, oh, I can’t do that. I mean this is gonna, this is my price. This is what it’s going to take me because we’re not until we started the job and this and that. So I’d rather go that way.

Deborah: That makes a lot of sense.

William: Many times I just say I can’t do it. So just find somewhere else or something because if I see things too complicated or that I can’t handle right away. So, like I said, I like to sleep well.

The Ideal Client/22:24

Deborah: Who’s an ideal client? What would an ideal client be?

William: Ideal clients are the people that say okay this is going to be a little bit of extra time. This is going to be a little bit of extra money because we found this we found that and the people say yes okay, just fine. But some people start screaming and they say, oh no, you’re bad. That was included when you didn’t tell me this and that. And I thought this was going to happen. But I said, this is the so I always tell people at the beginning of any job I said, “Okay, this is to start, but when we are going to start opening up the walls, floors, we don’t know exactly what we’re going to find. If you want things done right, we found that it is going to be extra or just going to cost you more money because it’s going to be more labor for me. We’re going to have to spend more time, materials and this and that.” And some people say “Yes. Okay.” Is that people don’t care about it. Sometimes they want the job done. But that’s when we have to be careful about who we are dealing with.

Deborah: You have to get a sense that the person that you can trust that it’s a good customer, a good client versus somebody who is not going to understand this idea of pre-existing condition. What’s hidden. You have to have that loophole in the contract because you never know.

William: Yeah. And there’s always always something, something, and some people don’t want to understand that. I mean they understand. But they want to cheat you, but I try not to get into that.

Future Dreams/24:06

Deborah: Well, William, is there anything else that you’d like to tell me about your experience either coming here, being here, and in the future? Any other dreams about the future?

William: Maybe just have my own house because this is we bought it together with my brother. I would like to get my own, my own house. Not around here a little bit far away from the city. But that’s where going to be hard because all the work is around here, so, and I don’t like to travel every day too far. So I don’t know that’s one of my crazy dreams but.

Deborah: There’s nothing crazy about that dream. How did you get in touch with the Gardner? How did that happen?

William: My two daughters are were studying there. Actually, I still have my little daughter she’s in there. She’s in third grade. Yeah. My elder daughter was there for eight years, seven years. So that’s how we know.

Deborah: You’re a Gardner parent.

William: Yes.

Keeping Boundaries/25:26

Deborah: Well, it’s been great talking to you. I’ve seen some pictures of your work. It’s flawless. And I think anybody that gets to work with you is lucky. And I like the idea that you turn work down if the goals are unrealistic. If they want you they’ll wait for you.

William: So that’s why last year I had a good experience with a lady in Cambridge. She was waiting for me like for four months. And then she said, oh no because you can’t do it, this and that. And then she started pulling the permit for and then I said, I don’t like to do that because, you know, if I don’t have a license then the homeowner can do that. But then what’s the deal. I said to her, “No, I can’t. I can’t do it. Because this is not the way, the way I work.” Then there’s a lot of people like that. Most of my work is just for recommendation. So people, say good things about us and then . . .

Deborah: Word of mouth, word of mouth.

William: And that’s the best way to go.

Deborah: Thank you very much, William.

William: Thank you for interviewing me and thank you for this great conversation.

Wrapping Up/26:41

Determined to grow and build his home renovation business to make a living, William has learned how to be a successful entrepreneur who balances his professional and personal life to allow both areas to flourish. With his expert carpentry skills, his designer’s eye, and his role as a licensed general contractor, he breathes new life into old houses. Even though some clients must wait months for his services, they are always happy when his expertise enhances their homes. William and his family are a vital part of our Gardner community.