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Robert Perez Rivera, Owner and President of Robert's Concrete Cutting &
Coring out of Colton, California.
Robert's Concrete Cutting and Coring is mostly a one-man show. Yet this fledgling 6 month-old business is buzzing right along at a fine clip.
Six months ago, Roberto Perez took the plunge and decided to strike out on his own. He had been working for Garret Concrete Cutting in Chino for about eight years, watching them grow from six to 30 employees in that time. He did "a little bit of everything there": ran jackhammers, cut and cored concrete, and worked with the flat saw. A hard worker himself, he admired this quality company, from which he learned so much. So three years ago he started saving money in anticipation of his big move.
Robert's Concrete Cutting & Coring using their New Holland LS180 skid
steer to breakup concrete on the jobsite in Winchester, California.
The first job he landed out on his own might be labeled, "first job, second thoughts." A homeowner in Pasadena had hired him to help with some improvements, perhaps to sell his house. Roberto had to rent a jackhammer and a compressor. For two solid days he toiled at the heavy demanding work, loading all the broken concrete by hand. Taking pity on her husband, his wife helped him out by driving the compressor truck for him. She witnessed some gardeners nearby, and noticed how quickly and effortlessly they performed their work. She remarked to a profusely sweating Roberto that he should be doing work like that. Roberto was also having second thoughts about having left his good job with Garret. After eight years there, he had built up enough seniority to not have to do the heavy labor. Yet he was in too deep to turn back at that point: he had spent all his savings, some $30,000 in the acquisition of equipment like a dump truck, flat saw, core drill, and the like. Fortunately for Roberto, the first one was the worst one. Now, he says, six months later, he couldn't be happier.
Robert's Conrete Cutting & Coring loading concrete with their New Holland
LS180
skid steer loader purchased from Scott Equipment out of Fontana, California.
What really gave him the jump start that perhaps saved his back was the helpful financing from Scott Equipment in Fontana. Normally it is tough for a new-comer to get this kind of support. They put him into a New Holland skid steer loader, and outfitted him with all the accessories including; a KF-6 Kent breaker, a 611 Bradco backhoe attachment, and a 2660 Zieman trailer. A grateful Roberto remarks, "they were really there for me and helped me out when I needed it most."
Roberto feels fortunate that everyday he has work. Sure, he says, some days are frustrating when clients cancel at the end of the day, with nothing for him to do the next day. But he has been fine honing his phone skills, and drums up replacement business. In the last four months, Roberto's company has grossed about $70,000. Thankful for this success, and happy with work that, in his words, "likes" him, he shares one percent of his takings with his parents.
Robert Perez Rivera, Owner of Robert's Concrete Cutting & Coring with
Chuck Paramo,
one of Scott Equipment's Skid Steer Specialists.
Roberto has been doing a lot of work for the public schools in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Occasionally he gets a hand from a fellow co-worker from his contacts in the business. "If business stays this good, in six months I'll be able to buy another New Holland skid steer loader, and begin hiring some people", he anticipates. This new guy on the block is just breaking up with happiness.
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