Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Trevino.
Hi Christopher, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story is all about family, legacy, grit and the entrepreneurial spirit. My parents came to Houston in the 70s. My dad worked for AT&T (Southwestern Bell) and began investing in rental properties in the 80s. Because of my parents’ rental portfolio, it’s fair to say that I grew up in the real estate and remodeling industry. We were always present and always working. This work ethic continued as I completed high school at St. Thomas High School and even when I began studying finance at the University of Houston Bauer Business School. Around that time, my sister also started investing in real estate and I became involved in helping her rehab and repair those rental properties. This opened the door for me to have the opportunity to work with other real estate investors and rehabbing and repairing their rental properties. From there, the business grew organically. I was able to put myself through university by working full-time and on weekends, and when I graduated in 2011, I planned to go into the corporate world. However, the market had other ideas.
I was fortunate enough to have spent most of my life developing a trade that was still very much in demand and using my background in finance, I went full-time into Refined Renovations. What was a small family operation has now grown into a full-scale remodeling company, with an established network of loyal and trustworthy subcontractors for commercial and residential projects.
As a native Houstonian, I love nothing more than to serve the people of this city. I get a profound fulfillment from being able to apply my skills to help clients see their vision come true, whether it be as a trusted source for large commercial property owners or for a couple creating their dream home.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As my dad, Claudio Trevino, says, “If you keep doing the right thing, the right time will come. Doesn’t mean the path will be easy, but it will be worth it.” Graduating from UH with a finance degree, I saw myself in a corporate environment. There was a lot of difficulty in coming to terms with that fact. Additionally, as a young entrepreneur, investors were not exactly rolling out the red carpet for funding. I had to really bet on myself. The more I did that, the more people took a chance on me, until I got to where I am now with a robust network and trail of satisfied customers.
Also, after I kept moving down the path that was before me, I realized something. I realized that I was and still am walking in the legacy founded by my parents’ vision and efforts when they took the risk to move from a small town to Houston for better opportunities. Every day, I wear that mantle in service to our clients. Supply chain issues and labor shortages on top of a global pandemic are just a few of the things we have encountered, but because we work with purpose and skill, we always find a way. I will not say it makes things smoother, but rather that’s a part of being successful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Our mission is simple: we design, build, and remodel for commercial and residential clients in the Greater Houston Area. Our approach as a local, boutique contracting firm that does not sacrifice personal touch for profit sets us apart. Each project, whether renovating the entire interior of a water-damaged church or designing a mancave in the suburbs, is done with our clients’ best interests and goals in mind. We are a customer service-forward firm, meaning that building a solid relationship with our clients is just as important as the foundation and principles on which our work stands. That is the Refined Renovations Experience.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Being an entrepreneur is all about risk-taking, and before anyone else bets on you, you have to bet on yourself. I have that mentality because I know that regardless of the situation, if I bet on myself, I will always come out ahead. Even with an established network and reputation, things outside of our control, like the financial and housing crisis, still come along and can test our perseverance. I have also found that taking the time to define what success looks like to me, rather than comparing success to someone else’s definition, goes a long way when risk-taking does not seem rewarding. Ultimately, being content with who and where I am and having faith that the rewards will outweigh the risks is what it takes to keep moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.refinedrenovationstx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/refinedrenovationstx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RefinedRenovationsTX
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/refined-renovations-houston
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/RefinedRenovationsTX
Image Credits
Emilio Gonzales of Griffin Collective LLC
