We were lucky to catch up with Chris Tyrrell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Chris, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
My journey to finding my purpose wasn’t a single ‘aha’ moment but rather a series of life experiences and lessons learned over time. It started with a wide range of jobs—everything from washing dishes to managing a business—which taught me resilience, communication, and problem-solving. Each role showed me that purpose isn’t necessarily tied to a specific job but rather to the impact we have on others.
One key influence was the example my father set. When I was 19, he passed away, but his legacy as a leader who empowered others had a profound effect on me. His example made me realize that purpose is about how we lift others up, helping them succeed rather than focusing only on our own progress.
Through my experiences, I’ve come to believe that true purpose is about serving the community and making a positive difference in people’s lives. That’s what drives me in my work today and in every project I take on. It’s also why I’m so dedicated towards initiatives that benefit the community, and why our company vision focuses on ‘making Colorado a better place to live.’
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Alongside running a garage door business, I’m also working on a book that explores purpose and how it can reshape both our personal and professional lives. Writing this book has been an incredible journey, not only because it’s given me a chance to share my own story but also because it challenges the common notion of ‘following your passion.’ Instead, I’m encouraging readers to look deeper, to focus on ‘purpose’—something that transcends the fleeting enthusiasm of passion and instead brings lasting fulfillment.
What’s exciting about this project is the opportunity to dig into concepts that I feel strongly about: the difference between what we do and who we are, how purpose can create a more meaningful career, and the impact we have when we focus on serving others. I want this book to inspire readers to view purpose as something bigger than a job title or task, something that genuinely changes lives.
On the business side, we’re thrilled to introduce new service packages that provide our customers with better options for keeping their garage doors running smoother and lasting longer. These packages are designed to meet different needs and budgets, making it easier for homeowners to maintain their doors with confidence. It’s all part of our mission to bring dependable, community-centered service to Colorado, one garage door at a time.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three qualities stand out as pivotal in my journey: kindness, integrity, and a commitment to serving others. Each of these qualities shaped how I approached my work, relationships, and, ultimately, my purpose.
Kindness has been a guiding principle in all of my interactions. Whether working with colleagues, clients, or community members, leading with kindness creates a positive environment and builds lasting relationships. For those starting out, I’d say don’t underestimate the power of small acts of kindness. It not only strengthens connections but also contributes to a more supportive, collaborative work culture.
Integrity has been the foundation of everything I do. In business, I’ve always believed that honesty and doing the right thing should come first, even when it’s difficult or doesn’t seem immediately rewarding. My advice here is to hold yourself to a high standard, be honest in your actions, and stay true to your values. Integrity builds trust with others and a solid reputation, which are invaluable assets on any journey.
Lastly, a commitment to serving others has been central to everything I do. Whether in business or in personal interactions, I find that real fulfillment comes from positively impacting others. For anyone early in their journey, I’d say start thinking about how you can add value to those around you. Look beyond yourself and consider how your work or actions can help someone else. This outward focus doesn’t just make the work more meaningful; it also builds connections and opens doors you might not expect.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
I believe there’s a balance to strike between focusing on our strengths and improving our weaknesses, depending on the context. For personal development, I think it’s crucial to put effort into strengthening character, which often involves working on areas where we’re not as strong. Overcoming weaknesses in character can lead to real growth because it builds resilience, self-awareness, and a well-rounded perspective. Developing patience, empathy, or integrity, for example, often requires us to face our less developed traits and work through them, which is essential for personal fulfillment.
In business, however, I find that success often comes from leaning into your strengths. When you know where you excel, you can maximize your impact by focusing on those areas and finding others who complement your weaknesses. Building a team where everyone brings their unique strengths is powerful because it creates a balanced foundation where each person’s skills are fully utilized. In my own business, I’ve seen firsthand how bringing in people with expertise in areas I’m not as strong in—whether it’s administrative work, finance, or marketing—has helped us grow in ways that wouldn’t have been possible if I tried to do it all myself.
One experience from my own journey is realizing that I didn’t need to be a master of every aspect of my business. Instead, I focused on what I was best at and brought in talented people whose strengths balanced out my weaknesses. This approach allowed us to serve our clients more effectively and build a stronger, more cohesive business. For anyone early in their career, my advice would be to work on personal areas that might hold you back but, when it comes to business, don’t hesitate to build a team that complements you. That way, you can lean into what you do best while building something greater than you could achieve alone
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chrisgaragedoors.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisgaragedoors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coloradogarage
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cityrrell/
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