We had the good fortune of connecting with Patrick McNerney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Patrick, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is absolutely critical in business, as it is in life. There is no worthwhile opportunity that does not come with risk involved. Risk is the price paid for freedom of choice, which also includes freedom to succeed or fail. Whether we realize it or not, every time we make any decision there are risks taken into consideration, and a conclusion reached. For example: going to the grocery store involves the risk of your car breaking down, getting into a wreck, or getting a ticket. But, the need for groceries outweighs the risks and you work to mitigate what you can. I do not condone reckless risk taking, but responsible risk taking is something any entrepreneur needs to get comfortable with. Some risks will pay off, and others will become a good learning experience. You should always take the time to learn from your wins and losses. Overall, you hope the net sum of both lands you in the green!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
3D Design & Engineering is the legacy of over twenty years’ experience in the three-dimensional conception and elaborated engineering applied for the design and analysis of various structures. Primarily our focus is in the telecommunications space and specifically on 5G at the moment. From the beginning our focus has been on quality and innovation, and I’m proud to say that has not changed even with the growth our company has seen over the past several years. We are always looking to implement new technologies to better serve our customers. This also makes for a very exciting work environment! Our company currently has a drone program for cell tower inspections, a 3D laser scanning and mapping program for automated heavy machinery, as well as offering our customers 3D deliverables. We are also working on an expansive virtual reality program which should be deployed soon and will complement the VR deliverables we are already using. We believe when you place quality, innovation, and customer service first it creates a formula for success. That is always easier said than done, but you must always strive to consistently beat your last personal best! We were very proud to have placed as one of Houston’s Best & Brightest companies to work for in 2020 and one of the Nation’s Best & Brightest Companies’ to work for in 2019.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
Houston is one of the most diverse places in the country and it also has the most restaurants per capita in the country. This makes it a great place for entertaining, but all the options make it hard to choose only a few! If a friend or colleague were visiting I’d be sure to take them to Public Services Wine and Whiskey as well as The Houstonian for cocktails, and a unique look at historical buildings in Houston. If the Texans or Astros were playing that would be a must see as well. If you are a fan of music, then House of Blues, Warehouse Live, and The Dirt Bar are requisites as well. If you are looking for dinner with a view the balcony at El Big Bad is a sure choice and for a higher altitude you could try The Marriott Hotel’s Spindletop restaurant. A personal favorite for a more intimate setting is Tiny Boxwoods restaurant near River Oaks.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Most of my professional colleagues would be surprised to know I spent over a decade pursuing music and film prior to making engineering and design my full-time passion! Houston has an incredible bunch of individuals who I would be remiss not to mention. At the time I simply saw our relationships as networking and achieving common goals with likeminded people through promotion and marketing. In reality, I was a sponge soaking up what it meant to be an entrepreneur and learning the ropes through osmosis and exposure (including the sacrifice, hard work ethic, and discipline it requires to make it in an industry as tough as entertainment). Jason Price (Rise Up Agency) and Gina Rotolo (Gina Rotolo Public Relations) helped me a lot and are among the best in their industry in my opinion. Another great inspiration and partnership materialized from the owner of an independent record label at the time named Danny Broussard. Danny now works for a large entertainment company which I’ve had the pleasure to work alongside a few times the past several years. As far as engineering goes, my professional business partner Nabil Mimouni was an excellent mentor. I could not have asked to be paired with a better engineer or business partner. His dedication and drive are a wonder to behold. Of course, my lovely and (very) patient wife Lauren must be thanked for always being a voice of support and encouragement. She was right beside me when I decided to take the risk and jump into being self-employed full time. For inspiration, there are many books I would recommend that have stood out along the way: “The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs: Insanely different principles for breakthrough success”, “No B.S. Direct Marketing”, “The Daily Entrepreneur”, “Servant Leadership”, and “The richest man who ever lived. King Solomon’s secrets to success, wealth, and happiness.”

Website: www.3ddne.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamcnerney/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3ddne/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbqYZr4plw9NvOS5uxrxv6Q