Collin Rose, President
I thought that you might be interested to learn a little about how DayStarr all started. I have always been, and continue to be, inspired by the next, new technology. I definitely inherited my technology interest from my dad – a pastor and professional counselor – as he had a computer for as long as I can remember, starting back in the 80s. I was only 12 when I pieced together my first computer. I eventually started my own computer repair service for friends and neighbors and made a decent bit of money as a teenager charging them $20 an hour to repair their computers.
In 2001, I was 18 years old and writing software with Ron DeHaas, founder of Covenant Eyes, which is now a Fortune 1000 company. I started DayStarr as a sideline to our Internet business (MichOnline) to provide telephone services. Ultimately we separated the businesses, but I did end up marrying his daughter! We have been married for 13 years now and have two amazing boys.
Because I was so young when I helped start Covenant Eyes and MichOnline, many people have asked if my age was a barrier and I never really found it to be. I think I actually benefited from my youth as many of my peers in the industry humored me and found my business “cute” rather than being threatened by me. Many of them provided me with invaluable advice and expertise that I would not have been able to acquire anywhere else. Now I am the president of DayStarr, which sees annual revenues in excess of $2 million with a fiber optic network that passes thousands of homes and businesses. I feel very blessed to have been successful at something that I enjoy so much.
My faith in Jesus Christ and my family are the two most important things to me, and my faith has shaped my approach to life and business. I try very hard to follow what is commonly known as the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” Matthew 7:12. For me one practical application of this translates to the business philosophy, “Never ask your employees to do something that you wouldn’t do yourself.” I have tried to live this out. While I don’t get out in the field as much as I used to, I do try to get out to use a shovel or pull out cable every now and again.
As far as other personal interests, my family enjoys working around the house, traveling and participating in our kids’ educational and sporting events. I run several times a week and have served as a paid on-call firefighter with Owosso Charter Township for eight years. I am also licensed by the State of Michigan as a paramedic and pick up occasional shifts for two local services. It is important for me to be able to give back to my community on both personal and professional levels. DayStarr supports the Curwood Festival, Shiawassee Community Foundation, YMCA, area public schools and youth sports teams, and the American Red Cross, among many others. The DayStarr team also participates in area 5K run/walks and volunteers their time to a variety of causes.
Stay tuned for our next post as we answer all of your questions about Wi-Fi.
Published by Collin Rose
October 20th, 2015