When I started Building Loved Businesses, I wanted to showcase companies that are deeply loved by their employees, customers, and communities, the kind of businesses that make their towns better places to live and work.
In this episode, I sat down with Josh Farley, Vice President of Kilowatt Electric in Rapid City, South Dakota, a company that’s been lighting up the Black Hills for more than 40 years.
Josh’s journey isn’t a straight line. It takes us from South Dakota to Alaska and back again, from construction trades to finance and back to the trades. But through all the twists and turns, a few key themes emerge: leadership, relationships, reliability, and community.
From Spirit Lake to Seward, Alaska — and Back Again
Josh grew up in a small town in western South Dakota. Right out of high school, he packed a suitcase and $20 and set off for Alaska, chasing adventure and an opportunity to learn a trade.
It wasn’t easy; he worked odd jobs, learned new skills, and eventually earned his electrical training in trade school at Seward, Alaska. Along the way, he met mentors who not only taught him the trade but also modeled what it means to lead with integrity and care.
As Josh told me, one of his biggest lessons from Alaska came from watching cruise ships pull into Juneau:
“People wait their entire lives to see Alaska, but by the time they get there, they’re too old to enjoy it. It taught me to live while you can, to do the things you want to do before it’s too late.”
That’s a lesson worth remembering for any of us.
Returning Home and Learning the Value of Relationships
When Josh returned to South Dakota, he quickly found work in the electrical trade. For more than a decade, he worked his way up through the industry, logging long hours and building a reputation for showing up, working hard, and caring about the people around him.
Eventually, he made a bold career change, leaving the trades to go into financial services. That might seem like an odd turn, but it gave him a new perspective on people, business, and leadership.
He learned that success in any field comes down to one simple truth:
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
That philosophy would later shape how he leads at Kilowatt Electric.
From Financial Services to Kilowatt Electric
While working in finance, Josh began doing annual reviews for Kilowatt Electric, the company he now helps lead. One of the owners, Jared Wilhelmi, spent years recruiting Josh, always reminding him that there was a place for him on their team.
After four years of friendly persistence, Josh finally said yes.
That move turned out to be great for his career and for his family. It brought him home, not just geographically, but professionally, to work that aligned with his skills, values, and passion for community.
Building a Culture of Care and Accountability
At Kilowatt, Josh helps lead a team of about 30 electricians who take on everything from residential work to major commercial projects. But what really sets them apart isn’t just what they build, it’s how they build.
The company’s culture is rooted in care, integrity, and accountability.
Josh puts it plainly:
“We take care of our customers how they didn’t even know they wanted to be treated. We give them the platinum rule.”
That same approach extends to the team. Kilowatt invests in training, mentorship, and leadership development, ensuring that employees not only do great work but grow as people.
And when it comes to hiring and culture, Josh doesn’t shy away from tough calls:
“You’re not doing someone a favor by lowering the standard. Holding people accountable helps them succeed, in work and in life.”
Investing in the Next Generation of Tradespeople
One of the most inspiring parts of our conversation was hearing how Josh and the Kilowatt team are addressing the workforce challenge in the trades.
With a 2% unemployment rate in the Rapid City area, skilled labor is in high demand. Instead of just complaining about the shortage, Josh decided to do something about it.
He helped launch the Construction Trades Workforce Connection, a coalition of local businesses, schools, and trade associations working together to promote the trades as a first-choice career path. Their tagline says it all:
“Make the trades your plan A.”
Through career fairs, job shadow programs, and hands-on mentorship, Kilowatt is helping young people see that the trades offer not just a paycheck, but a purpose.
The Power of Community
When I asked Josh what’s next for Kilowatt, his answer was simple:
“Continue building relationships, building community, and building people.”
It’s no wonder Kilowatt has been thriving for more than four decades. They’re not just powering homes and businesses, they’re powering the community.
As Josh said, he’d be proud to have his son or daughter work there someday. And that, to me, is the ultimate measure of a loved business: when you’d be proud to send your own family there.
Final Thoughts
What I love most about Kilowatt Electric’s story is that it reminds us of something fundamental:
Great businesses aren’t built on profit alone; they’re built on people.
When leaders like Josh focus on relationships, care, and accountability, they create something lasting a business that’s not just successful but loved.
If you haven’t yet, check out the full episode with Josh Farley on Building Loved Businesses, available wherever you stream podcasts or on YouTube.
