December 2025 Pro Highlight — Meet Clay.

DustiO

Meet Clay ( @ClayRiser ), a Top Pro electrician with over 90% 5-star reviews — and a Pro Advisor on Thumbtack's Pro Advisory Board. Clay is the owner of Mr. Electric of Golden Colorado. We asked him about his Thumbtack experience and to share some advice for other pros. Check out what he had to say and comment below with your story or any advice you'd like to share with other Thumbtack pros.

Can you tell us a bit about your business and what inspired you to start it?
I own and operate Mr. Electric of Golden, CO, a locally owned residential and light-commercial electrical services business serving the Golden, Evergreen, and foothills communities west of Denver. After a long career in engineering and defense—culminating as Chief Engineer for the GPS OCX 3F modernization program—I decided to retire from corporate life and build something rooted in my community. I’ve always loved solving problems, leading teams and serving others. Starting this business allowed me to combine my engineering discipline with a passion for customer service and team building.

What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a business owner, and how did you overcome them?
One of the toughest challenges was shifting from being an engineer in a structured corporate environment to wearing every hat as a small business owner—operations, marketing, HR, and even inventory management. Early on, I also had to build brand recognition in a competitive market while ensuring top-tier customer experiences. I overcame these challenges by investing in strong systems (like Thumbtack), focusing relentlessly on training and culture with my electricians, and leaning into community engagement so customers see us as neighbors they can trust.

How has Thumbtack contributed to your business's success?
Thumbtack has been a key part of our growth strategy. It gave us immediate visibility to local homeowners searching for electrical help and provided a steady stream of qualified leads in our early months. Just as important, Thumbtack’s review system allowed us to quickly build trust and credibility—helping us generate dozens of positive reviews in under a year. That early momentum from Thumbtack helped us establish a solid reputation that continues to drive new and repeat business.

What advice would you give to new business owners starting out on Thumbtack?
Focus on the basics: respond quickly to leads, present yourself professionally, and most importantly—deliver outstanding service every time. Don’t just chase jobs, build relationships. Encourage every satisfied customer to leave a review; those reviews are gold when you’re new. And remember, Thumbtack is a platform to get you in the door, but your craftsmanship, communication, and follow-through are what turn one job into lifelong customers and referrals.