Powering a more diverse community

Allwire Solutions Inc. was awarded $15,000 through the Citizens Minority-Owned Small Business Grant program

What if a single decision you made in high school had the power to change your entire future?

When Christopher Fuller, owner and founder of Allwire Solutions Inc., was starting out at his vocational high school, he decided to try his hand at electrical work. He picked up the trade and headed down a career path that he remains on to this day. The path was long and often bumpy, but he always saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

Actually, he didn't just see the light, he installed it himself.

"It takes a lot of time and money to become an electrician, and I didn't have much of either," said Fuller. "But I loved the work and I was committed to becoming an electrician"

In order to become a working electrician, one must first start out as an apprentice. Apprenticeship is the oldest formal system of learning and it comes with benefits like documented training, higher wages (when you become a master electrician), college credit, and national industry certification.

However, becoming an apprentice is not a quick process. It takes thousands — yes, thousands — of hours of job experience, plus intensive schoolwork over four years before an apprentice can move up the ranks to a journeyperson, a skilled electrician who works under a master electrician. It takes at least two more years for a journeyperson to become a licensed master electrician.

The process is as grueling as it sounds, but it's that way by design. The time commitment ensures that all certified, working electricians are serious about their work and highly trained in the field.

"Homeowners and even business owners are willing to do their own carpentry or even their own plumbing, but most people know better than to try and do their own electrical work," said Fuller. "It's not only dangerous, but it's also very technical and intimidating if you don't know what you're doing."

Because professional-level skills are needed for electrical jobs, the pay can be particularly good. However, at the apprentice level, it's barely enough to pay for textbooks. This often forces serious students — those who have the dedication, but not the funds — to quit. Many of these serious students decide they need to prioritize supporting their families and earning a living over their future career ambitions. And more often than not, this is an indefinite disruption for them.

As a minority small business owner, Fuller understands this struggle firsthand.

"When I was an apprentice, I had a young family to take care of, so getting those requirements fulfilled while also putting food on the table was tough," said Fuller. "There is a reason you don't see many other minority electricians; they can't afford to wait the several years it takes to make a substantial paycheck in electrical work."

Giving 100 percent, 100 percent of the time

Today, Fuller runs Allwire Solutions Inc., based just outside Providence in Cranston, Rhode Island, an electrical company that handles both commercial and residential jobs. Fuller's parents, both originally from Jamaica, moved the family to Rhode Island from the Bronx when Chris was around 7 years old. At the suggestion of a friend, they left behind the hustle and bustle of New York City for the family-friendly communities of Rhode Island. They've lived and worked in the Ocean State ever since.

Fuller remains close to his family, and considers his father, a property owner in Rhode Island, to be his greatest role model.

"I get my work ethic from my father, but don't tell him I said that," Fuller quipped.

"There is a reason you don't see many other minority electricians; they can't afford to wait the several years it takes to make a substantial paycheck in electrical work."

Christopher Fuller, owner and founder of Allwire Solutions Inc.

Fuller's work ethic is one of many reasons why Allwire Solutions Inc. is a go-to electrical company in the Providence area. He is so busy just by word-of-mouth references that he doesn't have to do any marketing or advertising for the business

"My customers trust me and the work that I do, so they often refer me to their friends and so on," said Fuller.

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, business hasn't slowed down. However, in accordance with social distancing precautions, Fuller and his team have been trying to stick to outside electrical work, only entering a person's home if there's an emergency.

"We prioritize safety, but we are also there for our customers when they need us," Fuller said. "I do my best to offer affordable services, especially to low-income families. But I always give 100% and I never ever cut corners."

While Cranston's population is overwhelmingly white (almost 80%), with only 6% Black residents, there are diverse minority neighborhoods. Fuller does what he can to make sure these residents don't get overlooked or overcharged because of their income level or circumstances.

"I have single moms who call me up to look at a plumber's bill or a contractor's quote to make sure they aren't being taken advantage of," said Fuller. "These women, many of whom are minorities, have kids to feed and little to no resources, so I'm happy to help out however I can."

Fuller's generosity knows no bounds, as his workers will soon find out.

Down to the Wire

The clock was ticking and the deadline to submit his business for the Citizens Minority-Owned Small Business Grant program was less than an hour away. At the urging of his wife, Carla, Fuller sat down to quickly type up all the reasons why Citizens should choose his business for their grant program, but he suddenly felt stuck.

"I couldn't think of what to say," admitted Fuller. So, instead of writing from his head, he decided to write from the heart.

"Being an electrician is such a good career opportunity, a profession that can be practiced anywhere; I want to ensure that all members of our minority community have the opportunity to pursue it," wrote Fuller as part of his submission.

He made the deadline, and his words made quite an impression.

Allwire Solutions Inc. is a recipient of $15,000 through the Citizens Minority-Owned Small Business Grant program, which is part of our $1.5 million commitment to minority-owned businesses.

Fuller's goal is to use the funds to aid other minorities as they enter the electrical field by expanding his apprenticeship program and making a conscious effort to support diversity in the trade.

"I'm so grateful that I can now give others, especially minorities, the financial freedom to pursue their dream … I can't think of a better way to spend the money, can you?"

Small business advice that works

We asked Fuller to share some tips for new and growing small business entrepreneurs.

1. Make your bottom line top of mind. Workdays can get busy, and it's especially easy for a small business to lose sight of the numbers. Don't try to do everything yourself, especially when it comes to your money. It's crucial to invest in either reputable software or an accountant to handle your finances.
2. Leverage the power of word-of-mouth. Always try to make sure the people who use your business are satisfied with the work that you do. One positive review can turn into a dozen, because there is no better advertisement than a happy customer.
3. Know your stuff. Everyone wants to work with an expert, so it's important to always stay knowledgeable about the latest trends, technology and information surrounding your industry. If you don't, your competitors will.

Looking forward to 2021

In 2021, Fuller plans to focus on what matters most to his business, his customers and his employees.

1. Invest in your people. No one succeeds on their own, especially a small business owner. Show the people that work for you that you care about their career trajectory. Offer them any type of financial or educational support you can. Valued employees are loyal employees.
2. Keep your cool. When the pressure is on, it's easy to feel stressed out. Find ways to keep yourself calm, especially during uncertain times. With a cool head, you can focus on what matters most: your business.

Citizens: Our journey for social equity

At Citizens, we live every day by a credo that calls for us to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion and to operate with understanding, empathy, and care.

The Citizens Minority-Owned Small Business Grant program is a central part of our multimillion-dollar commitment to creating a culture of inclusion within our company and throughout our greater communities. We encourage you to read more about our plans at the link below.

Learn More