When I look back at my life, it has been littered with decisions that have shaped my journey and shaped me as a person. As I think about the question “Why Not?” it has been part of the tipping point in most of those decisions.
In 2013, I stood at a crossroads. I had an idea, a vision, and a whole lot of uncertainty. Starting Locke Solutions from scratch was a leap into the unknown and although I was confident, I didn’t have all the answers and the risks were real. But in that moment, I asked myself a simple question: Why not?
Those two words became the permission I needed to take the first step. With a 2 year-old and 1 year-old in tow, and a wife with way too much confidence in her husband, I took that first step and our future path began to take shape.
A few years in, we faced another turning point. The business was growing, but we were at capacity. To keep moving forward, we’d have to take on a lot of debt and make a massive investment in a new facility and new equipment. It was a bold move for a company still in its early years. This was the kind of decision that could either propel us forward or set us back in a big way. The easy choice would have been to hold back, to wait for a “safer” time. But again, I asked myself: Why not?
That decision changed everything. It was risky and we almost failed for going too big, but ultimately, It gave us the capacity, efficiency, and credibility to compete at the next level.
In 2017, another opportunity came our way. We had a chance to partner with PermaTrak, a new company led by someone whose values deeply resonated with ours: Jason Philbin. PermaTrak’s precast boardwalk system was innovative and challenging to produce efficiently, and truthfully, we’ve had our share of growing pains meeting the high level of quality it demands. But our commitment to working with like-minded people who share our integrity, work ethic, and long-term vision kept us in it. Through all the challenges, Jason and I have built a relationship based on trust and mutual respect and we continue to work together to this day.
Then, in our tenth year, the Why not? question came knocking again. Could we extend our reach into the Dallas/Ft. Worth market with a brand-new facility? It meant taking on another big challenge, expanding into new territory, and stretching ourselves in ways that weren’t entirely comfortable. The safe choice would have been to double down on what was already working in Houston. But safety rarely leads to breakthroughs. So we leaned in and asked, Why not?
When I reflect on my own journey, I see how every major step, from starting Locke, to investing in growth, to expanding into new markets, to working alongside people like Jason, really began with those two words: Why not? And every time, it’s been worth it.
The truth is, we’re not guaranteed the “right time” or a “safer time.” All we have is today. When life presents you with an opportunity that spikes your adrenaline and challenges your courage, I hope you’ll take a deep breath, silence the fear, and ask yourself: Why not?
Sometimes, that question is the first step toward changing your life’s trajectory and maybe even leaving a legacy that inspires others to live theirs to the fullest.
Asher Kazmann
