Jarrett Brooks

Even though Jarrett Brooks chose to go to a one-year trade school instead of obtaining a business degree, it’s obvious that at twenty-six years old, he’s wise beyond his years. A 2015 graduate of Newton Community High School, Jarrett attended welding school. He worked out of state for less than a year, gaining valuable experience, before returning to Newton to help and eventually run the small business his father had established twenty-six years ago. Jarrett’s transition from a trade school to his father’s business showcases his adaptability and readiness to take on new challenges.

Jarrett is no stranger to hard work. His father, Randy Brooks (Newton Community High School class of 1978) led by example and established a full-time auto glass repair and replacement business that employed others. Jarrett started working at his father and mother’s (Sandy Brooks, Class of 1987) shop at the age of thirteen. He often spent his summers riding with one of his father’s longtime employees, assisting with the windshield process. By high school, Jarrett worked part-time at his dad’s shop during the school year, taking summers off to detassel corn for silage. “I wasn’t into sports. I was always trying to work,” says Jarrett.

While Jarrett loved welding, he eagerly seized the chance to return home and assist his father. “It’s just home, I guess. It’s comfortable. I’m comfortable here. I can’t really see myself just moving away and not coming back. Mostly because of the business, you know? It’s my career. I’m incredibly fortunate,” Jarrett shares, radiating a sense of contentment and fulfillment in his chosen path, a testament to the value of practical skills and non-traditional career paths.

Reflecting on his time at Newton Community High School, Jarrett appreciates the opportunities they provided to gain practical skills. He humbly admits that math wasn’t his strong suit, but he’s become adept with a calculator. He fondly recalls his shop and welding classes as his favorites. His involvement in the band, despite its challenges, brought him joy. He particularly remembers the class trip to Disneyland, where they performed, a memory that still brings a smile to his face.

While he acknowledges that things change, he’s excited by the concept of Newton enhancing their focus on skilled trades programs. He says the shop program offered building trades when his father was in school. His father and his classmates gained valuable knowledge and experience by framing a foundation and installing a roof. Eventually, their projects piecemealed together to form a house.

After graduating from a one-year welding program at OCC, Jarrett moved, with a classmate, to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, to work in a shipyard. While he loved welding on ships, he says he missed home and answered a call to help with what would soon become a two-generation family business. At first, he worked in the glass shop during the day and welded at night, averaging between seventy and eighty hours per week for several years.

In October of 2019, Jarrett took over the service side of the business and, in August of 2023, the business moved to a larger building at a new location within the city limits. A part-time employee helps with farm implement and semi truck jobs.

While Jarrett’s profession revolves around auto glass replacements, our conversation revealed that he’s more than just a skilled tradesperson. He’s a savvy businessman who has kept up with changing trends and technological advancements and is a natural conversationalist. As in life, his business requires a steady work ethic and hands-on experience. ‘There’s just no shortcuts,” suggests Jarrett.

When asked about his favorite aspect of his job, he doesn’t hesitate to mention the countless conversations he cherishes with the community’s residents. His genuine love for interacting with people is a testament to his warm personality and deep-rooted connection to the community. Regarding communication, Jarrett grew up learning from his shop teachers and his father. Simply stated—he learned to lead by example. He suggests it’s as simple as being the person you want others to be. “Definitely show people respect, and you should get respect back,” says Jarrett. “If you want to be treated a certain way, go treat others that way; treat each person [the way you want to be treated.]” While Jarrett has learned countless lessons—from managing money to monitoring and investing in technology to growing and maintaining proactive relationships through active communication throughout the community—through the hands-on experience he’s gained running a small business, the lessons he’d like to pass on are more foundational.

We asked Jarrett what sort of advice he might have for the Class of 2024, and he shared, “I would probably say that time goes way too fast. And to try and enjoy it. Enjoy every second you can, as it keeps going faster. Don’t waste the days away, as they keep getting faster. Everybody says that, you know, that it keeps going faster. And I always thought, no, there’s no way,” admits Jarrett. ”But they’re right,” he concludes.

“Even this week, it feels like yesterday was Monday (we chatted on Thursday). It’s so busy.”