Dylan Lott

Mar 22

This month Robert Prior and Melanie Fry caught up with Dylan Lott, business owner of DJL Electrical. We wanted to get insight from Dylan on how and why he chose to start his own business in the electrical field and the challenges he’s overcome to make his business so successful.

During our discussion we found out that Dylan drinks a medium double shot cappuccino (but only one per day), he’s super keen to get a helicopter licence, he loves camping at Ningaloo and listening to Ziggy Alberts, he couldn’t live without his wife Molly and he’s a very organised, outgoing and structured individual.

Here’s what else he had to say …

1. How and why did you find your way into the electrical industry?

I went to school at the Denmark Agricultural College, where I was offered an opportunity to work for a local electrical contractor as an apprentice. While in this role I worked in a range of industries including wineries, rural and tourism. I then moved to Albany to work for a larger company where I gained a lot of experience in the healthcare and government sectors. Once I finished my apprenticeship I worked on a couple of major commercial projects in the region before deciding to start my own company in late 2015. Once I had started up I worked mainly in the healthcare, rural and government sectors, taking on a number of contracts throughout the region and increasing our staff size to keep up with the workload.

2. How did you find the transition from electrician to business owner?

This was one of the easiest transitions, as I have always wanted to own my own company and I’ve got an entrepreneurial mindset. It can be challenging when I need to get back on the tools during busy periods whilst also having to complete all the tasks of a business owner, but I guess that's just part of what we do!

3. What is your favourite aspect of the job?

Growing our business and working on ways to be better and become more efficient. I love building better systems and looking into other ways we can expand my business, whilst working on creating a great place for our team to work and aiming to be market leaders in our region.

4. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced?

Managing staff retention, as we’re competing with some major mining companies. We constantly work on better incentives for our staff and create great team culture through work-life balance such as RDOs every second Friday for our team.

5. What’s your edge – what makes DJL Electrical different to your competitors?

We offer a large range of services in the area and pride ourselves on customer service. Often this part of the job is forgotten about. We have an automated lead management system that keeps our customers updated and informed from submitting an enquiry to the completion of the project. We pride ourselves on the great feedback we often receive from our customers, and this is visible through the 170+ 5-star goggle reviews on our business page.

6. If given the opportunity, what would you do differently?

I would work harder on building systems and processes sooner rather than later, to prevent being reactive instead of proactive. I would also hire additional staff quicker than I have done previously, to prevent the rush when I desperately need a role to be filled and so my other team members don’t feel like they are overworking during this time.

7. Have there been any key influential people in your life and how have they shaped you?

I have always been surrounded by likeminded people and grew up with parents that have owned small businesses. I have been lucky enough to have some great mentors along the way, that have assisted me through difficult times and offered advice and guidance when needed.

8. How are you going juggling business and family life – following the birth of your first son Harvey last year?

We have a good work life balance with lots of family time and trips away together. Since my son Harvey was born, I now only work 4 days a week to try and spend some more time together as a family.

It’s important for me that I spend as much time as I can with my son while he is young, as it’s too often that people miss these early years with their children when owning and operating a business.