ONE BECOMES MANY.

THE HIGH-CALIBER MAN

Step into an engaging journey of discovery with one-on-one interviews featuring high-caliber individuals from diverse fields. These intimate conversations delve into the minds of visionaries, innovators, and leaders, offering an exclusive glimpse into their stories, strategies, and inspirations. Whether you're seeking motivation, knowledge, or a deeper understanding of what drives success, these interviews provide authentic, thought-provoking perspectives that resonate long after the dialogue ends.

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La Primera Entrevista

Mr. Steven Hood. CEO and Founder of Steve Hood Company. Fine Building & Remodeling.

Steve Hood works with a team of the finest craftsmen and tradesmen in the greater Houston area to provide for his clients a well-timed, professional renovation with attention to every detail. His goal is to make the remodeling process for his clients enjoyable, exciting, and stress free while together bringing their dreams and visions to fruition. stevehoodcompany.com

The "High-Caliber Man" is in no way the perfect man. It's an idea and the pursuit of becoming a better man. Hence the simple but extremely powerful motto, "Be better than who you were yesterday." The High-Caliber Man reminds others to be better through his presence, words, and actions. Others analyze and adjust when he enters a room. His words have a way of cutting to the bone. The tone of those words inspires or intimidates most. His actions and accomplishments are the blueprints to success.

There's the generic list of men to consider as "High-Caliber;" celebrities, athletes, blue-blooded aristocrats, and wealthy power brokers. HCMG is not about them; it's about the unsung man, the "High-Caliber Man" within arms reach, the man who makes it happen every day and quietly retires only to rise to a new day to do it all over again. This series of interviews is to honor these men; being able to peer into their lives, hearts, and minds is worth more than gold.

You can judge a man by the books he reads, the cut of his suit, the words he uses, and most important the company he keeps. I'm lucky enough to have been in the company of some exceptional people, my father being number one on that list. My father truly embodied the High-Caliber Man. Unfortunately for us all, he passed away in 2005. I remember it as if it was yesterday, those thoughts and feelings of grief and uncertainty. All the world's stress and pain unexpectedly poured in and on top of me. Between his death and burial, I remember a quiet moment sitting on the edge of my bed; my phone rang, which seemed to trumpet throughout my silent house. I answered; to my surprise, it was the last man I would ever expect. He spoke to me for nearly an hour. After that call, I was focused and charged, ready to handle what awaited me. And every day since, I've admired, studied, and copied that man. "Mr. Steve Hood."

I sent a text asking Mr. Hood to call me at his convenience, and within ten minutes, my phone rang. I had his valuable attention. Knowing he's a busy man, I got straight to the point. The invite to dinner to interview him was accepted. The date, time, and location are confirmed. With the dinner reservations confirmed, the phone calls to associates declaring, "I got it!" began. I arrived professionally early. Just my luck, "the one night," I had to be razor-sharp focused; the place was wall to wall with every type of attractive woman you could imagine. "Note to self;" Wednesdays not, Fridays. As I ordered a beer to take the edge off. The gentleman seated to my left asked if I was a meat eater. If so, I should try the wagyu strips with a glass of Chateau Haut-Brion. I thanked him for his suggestion, nodded in agreement, and silently regretted ordering a beer.

Mr. Hood entered right on time! The mathematically perfect hostess escorted him to my table. His focused stride and smile seemed to brighten the room. Any jitters I may have had were ghostly vapors politely floating away. We shook hands, embraced, sat, and went through the pleasantries. After ordering the first course and not letting a second escape us, we dove into the deep end.

What is the one disqualifier you can not ignore personally and professionally? "Insincerity."
How long should a meeting last? "As long as it needs to take. Hopefully as short as possible. Any insincerities the meeting is over."
What is the one adjustment everyone could make to be more successful? "We could/should listen more."
What is your most used APP? "Email. Communication apps."
Email, Phone, Text, or In person? "I prefer the phone. I'm on the phone non-stop; I get at least one hundred calls. If; I have to text anyone three to four times. Then we need to talk."
What is one thing you want to improve in your work and personal life? "Calm. Be more patient at work and kinder at home."
What was your first job? What did you learn from it that impacted your career? "I first earned working on my Grandfathers land. But I was a lazy kid. I wasted time. Most of all, I missed out on working with my Grandfather running from work. My brother had that. And he always had money, and I was broke." {If he could only see you now.}
What was the best advice someone gave you? "I don't remember a specific one. Most people gave me advice I didn't listen to it! If it was any, I guarantee; it came from my wife Cindy; there have been times in business or anything else or usually when I have had a problem; her council is right on."
What is typically in your pockets? Pants or jackets? "Keys, wallet, phone, a flashlight, and a knife."
It's your last martini. Is it shaken in an earthquake or stirred in a tornado? "A tornado. (It sounds less painful, more final, let's get it over; not drag it out.")
Pencil, pen, or digital? "Digital. I love my Ipad. I'm a big sketcher."
Apart from more time and access to a time machine. What would make a major difference in your life? "Happiness for my children. I could leave this world content. Job done!"
What advice do you wish you would have followed? "Save more. Be more frugal when I was younger. But, when you're young, you don't have anything to be frugal with."
With technology rapidly advancing, what's something you refuse to give up? (Old school/analog.) "Landline. Only the kids use the landline."
Something you regret not buying? "Stock in Velcro." (Cindy told me to.)
If you could instantly learn something, what would it be? "Martial arts." (It should be music, but it's not.)
What in your wardrobe do you wear the most? "Those fishing shirts. Lightweight, breathable fishing shirts. Every day same color almost." {He wore a shirt similar during this interview.}
What special causes are important to you? "Anything to do with children. Pro-life. Stopping human trafficking."
What is something worth spending every penny to have or use? "This may sound shallow." "A good meal." I love food. I have family who would buy it because it's cheap. I want to buy it because it's good. Sometimes good stuff "just costs more money," also the experience." {Maybe that's why he agreed to the interview? It was a foody call.}
What time do you wake up? "3:45 a.m. - 4:00 a.m." (CEO time.)
Who is usually the first person to call you or you call? "Scooter." aka "Mr. William Kinsel."
Have you ever been in a fistfight? "No." (Hence wanting instant learning of martial arts.)
What is your favorite seat on a plane? "The window seat, which I never get because of my daughter Brooklyn." "I would like to look out the window every once in a while. Maybe when they all die, I'll get to look out the window!"
Have you seen or done something you'd wish would have been recorded because you knew no one would believe it was true? "Nothing. I'm pretty boring."
Is there something you do, watch, or listen to that others say "Again?" "I'm always saying everything twice." If/when I watch the news or a movie, I use my Ipad to research or look up who's involved." (Always on my Ipad.)
Would you rather dream forever or stay awake? "Stay awake." "I never dream, hardly dream."
Do you have personal and business mantras/mottos? "My mantra, which; I say to my wife all the time when I make a mess at home. "Where there are no oxen, the stall is clean. But with the oxen comes much increase. My professional mantra is. He who watches the sky never sows. He who watches the sky never reaps."
What type/brand of watch do you wear? "Omega Sea Master." (Planet Ocean Chronograph Automatic.)
What is one quality the men you know and "admire" possess? "Faithfulness." "They are faithful to their families. If you're not a faithful man, then what are you?"
What is your vice or escape? "My escape is fishing." "My vice is alone time." "As a kid, I played by myself a lot. I'm still somewhat like that kid. It's selfish because I'm married; I can disappear into my world."
Bonus* Who would you like to ask thirty questions? "My dad!"

As the waiter cleared the final course, we reached question thirty. I was high from the energy of the interview, the kaleidoscope of flavors, aromas, and ambiance. It was the perfect volume of cutlery clinking, laughter, and chatter. We chatted for another hour; as I finished my "fourth" beer and Mr. Hood's, Old Fashion. I took advantage and asked questions solely for my advancement. We were politely interrupted by the valet returning Mr. Hood's keys, informing us his shift was over 20 minutes ago. He apologized that he could no longer wait, which made us aware they were closing. We took that as our cue to retire.

We continued our conversation out front. As we chatted, we noticed someone heading toward us. He stopped and stood a foot or two behind us. A minute went by then he asked if we were waiting for the valet. I replied. "The valet has been gone for at least ten minutes." He scrabbled inside, asking the staff if his keys were left; with them. He returned empty-handed. Mr. Hood sprung into action, checking the valet station. Empty. Check your car, maybe it's unlocked and the keys placed inside. All doors are locked. He tried contacting the number on the ticket. No luck.

After a rushed introduction, the three of us explored options. Suddenly eureka! I will uber home, pick up my spare, then uber back. Nonsense, how far do you live asked, Mr. Hood. Not far, he replied; Mr. Hood's inner boy scout had control of the situation. As we said our goodbyes, I watched them round the corner into the calm night, foreseeing the agreed plan of action completed with "Steve Hood" efficiency. For me, my night ended as a classic black-and-white Peter Gunn film. I strolled to my vehicle, the sound of my footsteps against the pavement. I paused and looked back to take in the view of the boulevard and the restaurant. I inhaled and took in the air and; the events of the night. Thinking to myself. "That's a High-Caliber Man. Mr. Steve Hood."

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