Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Leviton.
Richard, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started making homes safe for children, part time. That was 37 years ago. I have made a baby company grow up. We started working out of a Chevy Tahoe with signs on it. Once we got that all lettered up the phone began to ring. For 6 years we grew at a steady pace, we advertised in all the yellow page books, the truck all lettered up, we trade marked the baby bottle and that’s how customers began to know us. Early in our 6th year I realized that over 90 Percent of my jobs were coming from word of mouth. So we started doing more things in the neighborhoods to be more included with our customers. Ice cream socials, sponsor a jumpy at the park, family and home safety seminars at HOA meetings. Things like that. Later into that year I found out we were going to have a baby:) My wife told me, you are never home with all the work you are doing. Make a decision before the end of the year as to what you are going to do. Next day I went into the office and told the partners I am Leaving. Back up one step, they did not allow me to park in the office parking garage, they stated it was to unprofessional to park my lettered-up car here. I had to park on a street lot for $18.00 a day I left the office and never looked back. Called my wife on the way home and told her I quit my real career job. She was very upset with me, told me to go back and tell them I made a mistake, or don’t come home! Instead I drove to Helfman Ford in Sugarland and bought a white cargo van, dropped it off at Fast signs. Had it all wrapped and with in a week hired a helper. We have grown up ever since then. We average making 1300 homes and 60 day cares and medical offices safe a year. We have expanded into many other areas of the US.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The only real struggle is how to advertise, what works what does not.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We keep families, children, babies, seniors and pets safe in their environment. From baby proofing the home for a new arrival to making the home, bathroom and all areas safe for Grandma and grandpa. We include fire safety and regular safety evaluations of the home. I am most proud of how I grew this company from a part time concept to having over 20 service trucks.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
There is no definition of success. Success is what you make out of it. I choose to grow my company and bring on certified technicians to help grow. Other owners may be happy and feel successful working by themselves and being a man in a van who does not have to answer to any bosses. Success is what you make of it and how far you want to push your self.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Preciousbabyprotectors.com and poolguardtexas.com
