Even Before Graduation, EMCC Student Starts Business

MAYHEW – Fall graduation couldn’t come fast enough for one East Mississippi Community College Electrical Technology student. So he started his own business in April.
Joey Brackin of Starkville is set to graduate in December with an associate’s degree in Electrical Technology from EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus. But as he neared the finish line, he couldn’t wait to get to work, so he got a local contractor license from the city and some insurance and fired up his one-man company, Pro Electric.
“It’s a little bit nerve-wracking to go into business for yourself. But I knew I had learned enough so that, if I put my mind to it and work hard, I’ll be successful,” said Brackin.
Brackin didn’t go into business without experience. He took a job with an electrical repair business back in 2003 and accumulated a wealth of on-the-job training before coming to EMCC in 2012 to earn his degree. He’s worked on residential, commercial and industrial projects and services all three sectors as Pro Electric.
“I do anything from new builds to swapping out lights to commercial stuff like running conduit or just trouble-shooting,” said Brackin.
EMCC electrical instructor Bobby Johnson said Brackin is the second student from the program to go into business for himself recently, and he hopes to see many more do the same as the market for electrical work remains strong in the Golden Triangle.
“The area benefits from small companies like Joey’s that fill service gaps for the residential and commercial markets. His company has a lot of room to grow,” said Johnson.
Brackin says EMCC’s Electrical Technology program was instrumental in landing him a job working on a commercial vent hood by introducing him to new material like motor control.
“I called Mr. Johnson one day and told him motor control helped me because the vent hood had all those components we talked about in class,” said Brackin.
EMCC Electrical students will add another tool to their belts next fall when a low voltage training lab is installed thanks to assistance from the Low Voltage Association of Mississippi and Honeywell. Johnson said students will be certified by the LVAM after completing certain courses, which will make them legally eligible to install low voltage systems such as security systems and fire alarms.
Meanwhile, Brackin is on his job, working 20 to 30 hours a week and weekends at Pro Electric in addition to his classwork at EMCC.
“It’s hard being the only guy. I work when I can. I take phone calls. I schedule everything to keep everyone happy. I get enough sleep sometimes. It’s tough,” he said.
“But everyone I know who owns their own company makes a good living. And I wanted to be able to make a good living.”