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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Thursday, 28 June 2007 |
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 As fireworks light up the sky on the Fourth of July, Mike Brickley, 50, of Longmont will be working like a son of a gun. The third generation Colorado native has been in the fireworks business for the past four years.
“The business opportunity is nice, but there’s also a lot of challenges and risks,” he said. “The other aspect is I get to help folks celebrate the history and heritage of our country.”
Brickley’s company will have five stands around northern Colorado this year. Because his business is seasonal, he works longer and at a faster pace for a short period of time.
“It’s like a sprint,” he said. “Seasonal businesses are like that.”
Brickley said fireworks are a fun business, even though there are a lot of different licensing and jurisdiction issues to be aware of.
Growing up, fireworks were always a part of the Fourth of July for Brickley and his family.
“At that time all different fireworks products were available — bottle rockets, cherry bombs, M80s — all that fun stuff,” he said.
Now, the only kind allowed in the state are the ones that do not leave the ground or explode. Each year, though, Brickley services the demand for legal fireworks.
“If I were to fill a tent with product and nobody came to buy it, I wouldn’t do it very long,” he said. “But, people want the opportunity to celebrate with fireworks together.”
For Melissa Olsen, a 25-year-old from Berthoud, fireworks stands are a great job opportunity.
“I only have to work for two weeks to make good money,” she said. “I could work all summer, but with two kids, it’s better to work those two weeks.”
Olsen is one of Brickley’s stand operators and has worked for him for the past three years. She runs the stand in Loveland on west Eisenhower between McDonald’s and Showtime.
During his off time, Brickley runs two other businesses. He has a construction and remodeling business and a lawn aeration business. He got into the fireworks business through a friend. Every year it brings a smile to his face to see kids get excited about picking out fireworks with their families.
“The thing I’d like to reinforce is the heritage we have as a country — the great freedom, gifts and blessings we get to enjoy and the opportunity we have as a country to remember that and celebrate that together,” Brickley said.
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VITAL STATS
Name: Michael Brickley
Company: MB & Associates LLC DBA BC Fireworks
Title: Partner
How long have you been doing this: 4 years fireworks, and 7 years with MB & Associates
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IN HIS WORDS:
What makes you get out of bed in the morning?
Honestly? The love for my children.
Did you ever think in a million years you’d work here?
No, I didn’t. I haven’t necessarily defined it to particular efforts. It’s more concepts. I am more of a risk taker. If I were in a cubicle doing the same thing five days a week, I would go nuts.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you do?
Oh, as I get older and have other opportunities, the idea of mission work has a great deal of appeal. I just spent a couple weeks in Guatemala with indigenous folks. It was a wonderful opportunity.
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done while at work?
Thinking I had all the answers, that I knew it all.
Smartest?
Constantly being in a teaching mode and helping folks to learn and be better because of it.
What’s the one thing you wish you could do on the job that you can’t right now?
That’s not a valid question. I can. I do every day. I get to pursue things that are important to me. I’m not stuck in a rut. I’m not burdened financially to the point that I have to do things I don’t want to.
What do you do during your breaks?
I enjoy scuba-diving, hunting and spending time with friends. My children and I are always doing something different, whether it’s going to Glenwood Springs, going cross-country skiing or staying in a yurt. Those are just the things we’ve done in the last 6-12 months.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
I relax. I like to read. I live in an apartment and have a pool and hot tub I enjoy. I love the mountains. Colorado is great. I like being out in the mountains.
Pets? Family?
No pets. I don’t have time for them. I have five children.
Favorite TV shows.
I like the crime scene investigation shows, “24” and “The Unit”.
Movies.
“Gladiator” and “The Patriot”
Books.
John Eldredge’s “The Journey of Desire” and Zig Ziglar’s “See You at the Top”.
Favorite spot?
It’s called Woody Creek outside of Aspen. It’s on top of a mountain, and it’s absolutely gorgeous.
What is it about this job that makes it challenging?
Because it is a short period of time, you’ve got a ton of details and each one is critical. If any get left out or looked over, it can delay inspection. Each one has to be handled appropriately and correctly.
How do young/new employees get ahead?
Virtually everything I do is based on risk and reward. The more risk they’re willing to take, the more potential reward they’re able to realize. My lawn aeration business did 500 yards in Longmont in five weeks. I paid two young men $8 a yard. It was a great opportunity for them, but no guarantee like with an hourly wage. They were willing to share in the risk and realized a nice reward.
What impresses you?
People. I enjoy people. I perceive a lot of things I do as an opportunity to give and serve.
What doesn’t?
I don’t like dishonesty and I hurt a lot for kids today. I think some of the moral foundations have become minimized to the point that it’s easy for them to flounder.
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever done to make money?
None of it is unusual. This is probably the most unusual. This and the aeration business. People pay me to put holes in their lawn. I have also sold carpet and phone systems.
Any interesting anecdotes?
If we look here, we have Melissa and her two fine daughters. That young lady Joanna is her friend and may end up being her sister-in-law. Her dad is here. Her mom may stop by. Here we have a family doing something together and being a part of something.
What’s one thing about your job you would do, even if you weren’t paid to do it?
Whether with this job or another, I find a way to involve myself with the community to be of help and service.
Name one thing in your life that really prepared you for your job.
It’s not one thing. It’s a combination of things. Being the oldest of three children, my folks teaching me many things about being involved with people, how to be caring and giving and the friends I’m involved with in my church group all help facilitate the direction I go of enjoying people.
What’s the biggest payoff in your job?
Realizing those goals and obviously seeing families enjoy themselves. It’s about helping people remember where we’ve come from as a country and why we’re celebrating the holiday.
Are you the boss? Do you think you should be?
No, I’m the one who comes along beside.
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HEY!
Do you know of someone with a cool or unusual job? Make them a work space star! Contact reporter Erin Frustaci at
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