Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriel De Jesus.
Hi Gabriel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Gabriel De Jesus, and I moved to DFW back in 2014 from Waco, Texas. It all begin when I had my first child on the way at the age of 19 and need it a good paying job to support us comfortably without a 4-year college degree education. I had to get a trade job since I didn’t have money or grants to attend a university. Texas State Technical College was a trade school within Waco and I went for it. It was either being a welder or diesel mechanic. I choose the welding career without ever seeing a welding machine or ever having welded before. And I thought it was cool with all the sparks falling on you.
I graduated from TSTC in 2014 with my Associates of Applied Science in Welding Technology. During my time at TSTC I also achieved a welding certificate in advanced pipe welding. After graduation I moved to DFW where my child was going to be born (McKinney). Since graduation I have worked in many parts of the welding industry. But the one job that really pushed me and leaned me into opening a business was when I joined a mechanical contractor in 2017. I helped install mechanical systems at hospitals, schools and corporate buildings. The systems were HVAC, steam, natural gas and water piping. I became a Journeyman Piper Welder in short time. It was a construction job and (ohhh boy!) did I learn how to use different techniques and tools. I always had the idea of opening my own welding business one day because seeing those other welders with those big, long trucks with welding rigs and bottles seem really cool to me.
Galactic Welding truly started in 2017 when I bought my long bed Silverado truck 2500 HD and after that little by little, I would start buying all the tools and equipment that I would see around me from my mechanical contractor industry.
The first job; At that time my wife Arely worked for a roofing materials distribution company, and she heard from another coworker that they need a cylindrical pipe with lifting brackets to use for certification course of crane operators. I took my chance and got the job from my wife’s employer around 2019. My first job was truly the definition of blood, sweat and tears. I had to do a job that was for a good size business and here I was with no heavy-duty equipment or shop while I was living in a second story apartment. I was successful and delivered the project a week later with all sorts of struggles. After that I doubted if having a business was the right thing to do since I had no employees or welding shop. Time went by and I convinced myself to give it another try. I submitted a service listing on craigslist and I got contacted by a salesperson from Angie’s List. They convinced me to buy a $300 credit and received that amount in free leads and the rest is history. I started getting quite a lot of leads and all types of welding jobs. Luckily, my experience in construction helped me face all these jobs.
The business name. I always loved Star Wars growing up and considered myself some sort of nerd. Galactic Welding comes from the Galactic Empire from Star Wars and my slogan “Welding at the speed of light” from my love for physics and connection to Star Wars.
Now Galactic Welding LLC has over 85 five-star reviews across different platforms and a website. I have served DWF airport to big chain restaurants. I specialize in mobile welding and have plans to one day create my own mechanical contractor one day.
The whole time I was working for the mechanical contractor and doing Galactic Welding on the weekends I was a part time student at The University of Texas at Dallas. It took me 6.5 years to get my undergrad degree. That was another challenge as you can imagine. I’m currently working full time as a MEP Mechanical Engineering firm in Dallas designing the mechanical systems I once installed.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor”, That is so true. I never had experience or took any classes of owning a business. Nobody taught me how to handle financials, expenses, taxes and bidding. Even opening a business checking account and insuring the business can be difficult. Honestly, it’s a headache and luckily there is YouTube and now AI. I have underbid jobs from not knowing what to charge.
I been self-taught on all the business perspectives and new challenges I never came across in my construction career.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Galactic Welding was built on dreams and hopes to achieve a better live and lifestyle for my family. I have been active on the weekends for about 6 years now and I don’t have time to do all the jobs that come to me. I get tons of calls during the week. Right now, I’m working as a mechanical engineer and I’m planning on getting my Professional Engineering certificate (PE) so that later when I have my mechanical contractor I can design and stamp the HVAC systems I design.
The services I offer:
–Mobile Welding
–Wrought Iron Fence & Gate Repair
–Handrails
–Stainless Steel
–Pipe Welding
–Restaurant Equipment
–Metal Fabrication
–Torch Cutting
–Weld Repairs
— Structural Welding
–Aluminum Welding
–Grease Duct Welding
Thanks to Galactic Welding I been able to meet a lot of important and good people, I have done some fence work for the ex-mayor of Dallas (that was cool). I drive past big brand restaurants knowing I have serviced the stainless-steel equipment in their kitchens. When I did a job for a contractor in the DFW airport I felt like I hit the big leagues. I felt great and I got to see the real potential that my company has.
I have taken customers jobs that big companies deny because they seemed too “risky” and made those companies look bad. My customers have ideas of what they envision, and I make it happen for them.
I estimate that I have completed about 500+ jobs since I started. I think of myself as a welder for the people. I help the elderly and veterans when it comes to pricing. If you really need the service, I will try my best to help you even if I have to weld something for you at 9 pm. I’m a member of the community that helps people in need. I like to think that’s what sets me apart of other businesses.
I also call myself the one and only “WELDGINEER”
What makes you happy?
What makes me happy is when I facilitate people’s problems. Their gratitude makes me keep on doing it.
Also, when I see my company growing, my hard work getting acknowledged like on this interview.
It’s been a very bumpy road.
I’m happily married to my wife (Arely) and my family makes me happy. I have a 12-year-old son (Aiden), a two-year-old daughter (Xitlali) and a newborn boy (Gael). Getting home to them is an amazing feeling after a difficult job.
I enjoy traveling to Yu-Gi-Oh! tournaments throughout the nation.
I love watching football games on the weekends.
I love watching my favorite soccer team (Toluca) play.
I love to travel with my family to places I never been before.
Pricing:
- I charge for the whole project, not hourly.
- My reviews express that I’m very reasonable for the work that they want.
- I’m a one man company so my prices are not through the roof.
- Send me some pictures of what you need done and a location and I will sent you an estimate.
- Travel welder with free estimates.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.galacticwelding.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/galactic_welding/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GalacticWeldingLLC/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/galactic-welding-the-colony
Image Credits
Arely Montano Rodriguez
