SAN ANGELO, Texas — Any Direction Underground Utilities is one of the only Black-owned fiber optics businesses in Texas, and business has been going well since its opening.
The company specializes in installing underground conduit by boring, trenching, plowing or excavation.
The family-owned business consists of owners Ralph and Sheila Guyton and their sons work in the business with them. They started off working with just the family, rented machines and one truck. Now, they have more than 10 employees, six trucks and six machines of their own.
This family-business opened after Ralph Guyton, president and owner of Any Direction, worked at another fiber optics company for a long time. Soon after, Ralph’s son, Brian Bailey, was inspired by his father and looked into learning about fiber optics on his own.
“Growing up, we watched my dad work in fiber-optics for another company all of my teenage life and he tried to instill it in me. Not long after, I went to college and brought up the idea to open the business with my dad. Eventually, everything came together like it was supposed to and here we are,” Bailey explained.
The crews travel throughout East and West Texas navigating around any existing water, sewer, electrical, telephone cable, fiber and gas.
Sheila mentioned they enjoy doing business in San Angelo because fiber optics is much needed in small towns like San Angelo. Technology is growing on a daily basis and fiber is extremely necessary to keep up with the growth.
At times, it can be difficult for the family to separate personal from business. But having that constant support while working in this field is what makes it all worth it.
“We work together on a daily basis. Having that constant communication when we’re going through anything is what helps us work better,” Sheila said.
As they continue working across Texas and in sister states, the goal for Any Direction Underground Utilities is to continue to learn, grow and influence others.
Having a Black-owned fiber optics business in Texas hasn’t been the easiest road. But they hoped to open the door for more black owners and inspire them to take a step out on faith like they did.