Rodney Williams, owner of Raw Metal Works, didn’t set out to become a business owner. After college, he expected to land a white-collar job but instead enlisted in the military, serving in Iraq for a year and a half. Upon returning, he finished his degree and worked various jobs before discovering his passion for technical engineering and metal fabrication.
As an apprentice, Rodney honed his craft, but after five years, he had a realization: “If I’m going to be this dedicated to a cause, why not make it make me money instead of somebody else?” That mindset led him to launch Raw Metal Works, turning his hands-on skills into a business.
The challenges of business ownership
Running a business wasn’t just about the work—it required mastering sales, finances, and operations. “Figuring out the business side of it, setting up the network to be successful—whether it be through sales, sourcing materials, or managing software—was a lot to juggle,” Rodney admits.
In 2019, he took another leap, purchasing a custom powder coating business, Fire Coat. The financial and operational hurdles of this venture quickly became apparent. “That’s when I was introduced to a lot of the process and the problems I was facing,” he says. Over time, administrative tasks overshadowed his passion for fabrication. “Now I build what other people want all the time, and it’s taken a lot of the creativity out of it.”
Finding the right support
Despite the demands, Rodney remained committed to his craft and team. He often arrived 30 minutes before his crew to plan the day, then spent hours on administrative work—quoting projects, invoicing, and allocating expenses—leaving little time for fabrication.
That’s where Annette Harvey of Silver Leaf, a Padgett affiliate, enters the picture. As a fellow combat veteran, Annette and Rodney connected through veterans’ organizations. After seeing Rodney struggle with staffing his administrative needs, Annette persistently offered her professional services.
What convinced him to make the switch was Annette’s attention to detail. Despite having been with his previous accountant for nearly 15 years, Rodney was impressed when Annette “brought my attention to things that could have really benefited me, that my previous accountant wasn’t even aware of.”
“I’ve gone through three employees who didn’t quite get the job done, so I decided to hand it over to the professionals,” he shares. Annette is now managing bookkeeping, payables, payroll, and tax prep for Raw Metal Works. This switch has saved Rodney the cost of a full-time employee and has provided him with greater confidence and visibility into his financials.
Looking toward the future
With Annette’s support, Rodney is planning for the next phase—growing his business to a point where it no longer requires his constant presence. His ultimate goal? Transitioning into aviation, his true passion. “I either have to sell my business or get it to a place where I’m not needed day-to-day,” he says. Already working on his private pilot’s license, he sees flying as both an escape and an opportunity for the future.
Advice for other business owners
Rodney’s journey has been one of learning, adapting, and overcoming obstacles. His advice? “Make sure you have the right people in the right places. Set up your business model with a salesperson or team and a general shop manager. Have a solid plan to afford the right talent.”
And when it comes to avoiding burnout, he turns to aviation. “When I feel like I’m being pulled in 150 different directions, I jump into something that requires 100% of my attention, like flying.”
As he moves forward, Rodney is optimistic. With Annette’s guidance, he’s preparing for the next chapter- one that allows him to balance business success with personal fulfillment. “I wouldn’t know any other way to go but uphill,” he says, ready to take on whatever comes next.
If you’re looking for a year-round partner to help manage your business finances, reach out your local Padgett advisor here!