" I'm not sure I'm smarter, just older and much more experienced. And unlike many inspectors, I care."
Everett Rawlings

Everett was born in Pontiac, Michigan in 1937. He grew up in a very poor family, but he was entrepreneurial as early as his teens when he had two paper routes, caddied and set pins at a bowling alley.

He attended Pontiac Central High School but quit in the 10th grade. After he married, he went back to high school and graduated in 1963. He attended Wayne State University for about two years but had to quit for economic reasons. He and wife, Adleen had three daughters by this time.

He was a telegrapher for the Grand Trunk Western Railroad starting in 1956 and worked there for a total of 15 years. He later also worked at Pontiac Motors as a rate clerk while continuing to work for the railroad.

In 1970 he stepped into the real estate world by starting as a salesman while working part time on the railroad. He went on to start a construction company in 1972 and became a Michigan licensed Residential Builder. His construction business included residential and commercial new construction as well as remodeling.