Community Highlights: Meet Tom Patterson of Star Bright Electric, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Patterson.

Hi Tom, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I would say my passion began around 10 years old, when I began taking apart electronics such as radios, remotes, toys, and home audio amplifiers to see how they worked and to try to rewire them to operate differently. I had saved up my allowance to buy a utility knife that I still have to this day, which I literally used as my all-in-one tool.

After that, jumping ahead to around 15, I found that I had enjoyed doing custom installations of car audio, including stereos, wiring, speakers, amplifiers, subwoofers, basically custom sound systems, as well as interior lighting. After stopping with a friend one day at a local shop that offered these same services professionally, they looked at a vehicle I had previously completed and asked what shop the work was done at. I had explained that I had done all the installation myself and was offered a job on the spot. I had explained that this was just a hobby and did not accept the offer.

Moving forward to 1998, I was 16 and during a field trip to a vocational school, I had selected to preview a 2-hour course in electronics and decided I was not at all interested. However, right before leaving, I happened to see a rack of pamphlets, and the first one I saw said industrial electricity. I read it and instantly knew right away that it was exactly what I was looking for, and asked to be signed up for a 2-year course even without previewing the class. It was the only thing I had ever received straight A’s in. The instructor even told the class that if I had signed off on their wiring labs installation, it was as good as the teacher’s approval. Everyone looked at me, and I immediately said I had never met this man before this class and did not know why he only selected me however, I was proud of the confidence he had in me.

After highschool I applied for a job at a local company doing residential wiring. I also decided 4 years after graduating high school to sign up for a 4-year program for my state-approved electrical apprenticiship realizing the additional value of a formal education in the field that I planned to continue with.

Jumping ahead 20 years, a period of working for multiple companies and learning what works best and worst for different businesses, and why I was offered an opportunity for a management position, which I had never done before. I decided to take the opportunity while realizing that the highest certification, which would be a state liscense was also something I always wanted to have but never pursued. My fiancée Jessica urged me to take the necessary steps to achieve a goal I had always wanted but was too scared to try. I spent evenings and weekends in my basement for the next year studying business and code for the state test, practicing with 4-hour warm-up tests, all the while managing a service department day to day.
I took the state test and passed, finally achieving my goal! I originally thought I would use my license to increase the value of the company I was working for, and the department that originally started with two technicians and myself, 2 1\2 years later, I had now hired and grown it to 7 teams of electricians and an office staff of 5. We went from $50,000 a month to $500,00.00 a month, and then a partnership became a discussion. Unfortunanty things did not go as planned, and with 4 kids and the support of an amazing fiance I decided to take the leap of faith and attempt working for myself.

Now, with just a few years of starting the company and operating it full time we have achieved over 218 5 star reviews and an amazing customer base, including residential, commercial, light industrial, Electric E.V’s, and portable generator customers.
We have had a 95% increase in sales between 2024 to 2025, and extremly excited to see how 2026 turns out for us. Additionally, we have won the Better Business Bureau award 2 years in a row for best electric local busisness and the feedback from customers reminds me daily that this is what I am meant to do. I truly love what I do, so even though this is my job, it never really feels like work, and I am truly grateful that I can do this every day.

As far as my story, I think it’s just beginning and am excited to see where it goes from here.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Primary struggles have been certain dynamics with individual companies that can make things difficult, the 2008 recession causing a major decline in work for many companies, and concerns with business ethics and growth opportunities similar to many types of jobs, I would imagine. Training and education would be another as some companies value these things very much while others may not, which usually restricts you from career advancement opportunities.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a small family owned electrical service provider offering residential, commercial, light industrial, Electric Vehicle. and portable home generator setups. We offer a lifetime labor warranty on all of our work and practice excellent customer service as well as knowledgable, friendly installers with amazing reviews to support us.

Our goal is to exceed the customers’ expectations every day, and in every way possible no matter how large or small the installation or repair may be.

We are known for our fast response, excellent customer service, troubleshooting abilities, and not only do we accurately assess a project but also design, engineer, and install complete systems to a customer’s specifications while offering value engineering options to achieve the same goal at the best price possible.

I think what sets us apart would be the experience we provide with our installations. One thing I have found out is that the customer expects you to be able to do your job, but when you show up with a great attitude, respect and compliment their home or business, educate the customer who is always curious, and invite them to visualize what will be happening, it helps establish a strong and lasting relationship. We explain that we want a customer for life, not a one-and-done, and these are just a few of the ways that help to achieve that.

I would want the readers to know how thankful we are for not only all of our existing customers but also for the opportunities to meet and provide our services to future customers looking for a quality, reliable, and respectful company such as ourselves.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I can quote almost any movie someone may talk about. I know most words to oldies music and I typically have music playing on low all day because I find it helps my day. I have a strong love for water, either being in it or around it creates a peaceful mood for me. I also really enjoy multiple brands of bbq usually having an average of 5 options at any given time in the fridge.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.starbrightelectric.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starbrightelectric