Written by: Juan C. Olmedo, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Starting your own business can be a challenge. However, with a little research and planning, it can also be an opportunity of a lifetime. A paving contracting business offers you the opportunity to take care of people and make a positive impact on their lives. Paving Contracting is one of the most reliable businesses in the growing construction industry. With steady growth and increasing demand for contractors, this business niche has plenty of room to grow. In this article, we will discuss some of the key considerations before starting an independent Paving Contracting Business, as well as ideas on how you can establish one successfully.
A local paving contractor Calistate Paving Inc has quite a journey to share. CEO Jesus Gutierrez, at the age of 21, made the decision to take on the challenge for his father, mother, and siblings were depending on him. Jesus and his father Eduardo set on a course to disrupt the paving contractor stereotype. Eduardo had at the time of starting the business, had 20-plus years experience and was ready to take on the entrepreneurship role, while his son Jesus was only 21 years old.
California Paving Contractors License
California paving contractor’s license with the State of California, Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is one of the most essential considerations when starting your own paving business. The licensing process can be a little difficult and time-consuming, but it’s worth the investment for peace of mind. To get licensed, you need to have four years experience as a journeyman level or higher in your perspective field; you will need to take and pass two exams. Building your business and making that initial investment of time, energy, and money will give you stability in the beginning stages of your business as well as credibility with potential customers. You also need to consider whether you want to do this on your own or hire someone else to do your work while you oversee it all.
Calistate Paving Inc was started as a dream, and the contractors' license seemed too far of a dream to be a reality. Jesus and Eduardo heard of a non-profit program in Orange County, CA called Small Business Development Center (SBDC), where they help local aspiring entrepreneurs to reach these dreams. Through the help of SBDC Business Consultant Juan Olmedo, an expert with over 15 years experience in helping contractors in California, Jesus and his father/business partner Eduardo set on the road of becoming a professional licensed paving contractors. Mr. Olmedo guided Jesus in the entire process of setting up as a California Corporation, applying for the California contractor’s license, studying for the contractor’s exams, and steering them in the right path of becoming a successful paving contractor. Jesus passed his contractors license exams and was issued his paving contractors license on June 30, 2016.
Juan Olmedo, known as a high-performance coach and business startup advisor, aside from the SBDC, has a private business advisory practice Nexera Business Advisors. Mr. Olmedo provides expert advice on how to start a business, as well as offering advice during each step of the process. With insight knowledge coming from becoming a licensed contractor at the age of 22 and building a $2M construction company leading into the 2008 recession. Mr. Olmedo faced the challenges of an economic recession and learned to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of laws, regulations, and trends. Now, Mr. Olmedo uses his over 15 year-experience to provide expert advisory, coaching, and first-hand relatable guidance. Nexera Business Advisors is located in Anaheim Hills, CA servicing clients throughout Southern California. Check out their website at: https://nexeraadvisors.com
Starting a paving contractor business in California
Starting a paving contractor business in California can be challenging. A high-quality license is important, but not the only factor to consider. Consider the following questions: Will you have enough free time to devote to this business? Do you know how to build and handle your own equipment? Can you keep up with the demand and maintain quality standards? Can you retain customers and grow your revenue consistently? Do you have a competitive product or service that is difficult for competitors to match in price and quality?
While the idea of business may seem like no big deal, the reality is there is so many factors involved most people get overwhelmed and few make it through. Jesus and Eduardo faced the same challenges, getting licensed, accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, corporate taxes, insurance, workers comp, marketing, sales, and the list goes on. A great entrepreneur gets fueled by such challenges, and for Jesus and Eduardo they used the fuel to hit the ground running 100 MPH.
California has much to offer licensed contractors. As a paving contractor you may work directly as a prime contractor for government projects, or as a sub-contractor for major developments. Calistate Paving Inc started by knocking on doors for such prime contractors.
Becoming a government paving contractor
Before you decide to start paving, there are many considerations and tasks that need to be taken care of. You should always make sure that the government has a current list of paving contractors in your area. If a contractor is already working on the job, they should notify the government and they may take over. If not, your next step is going to be contacting the state permitting agency and obtaining a license to pave. The application process can vary depending on your state, but typically it will involve responding to an online questionnaire with information about your company history as well as any completed projects that you’ve completed within the past 3 years. After you have received this license, you are then allowed to work for other contractors for hire or do contracts for yourself.
After only a few months of getting their contractor’s license, Jesus and Eduardo had already been getting recognized as a quality and hard-working team. Calistate Paving Inc started as sub-contractor for some major General Engineering companies, that saw the great quality and potential Calistate Paving had to offer. For the next seven years, Calistate Paving Inc is now the go-to paving contractor for many prime contractors for local, state, and federal construction contractors.
Community responsibility as a successful paving contracting business
As a business grows, it establishes itself, and becomes a successful business, it is important to give back to the community. There are many ways to do this, such as charity work or non-profit assistance. By giving back, businesses can build a good reputation and make a positive impact on the community.
Giving back to the community is important for businesses. When doing business in any industry, it is important to be conscious of the impact your company has on the community.
There is some great paving contractors leading the way in Southern California. After 7 years of ups and downs, Calistate Paving Inc, located in Buena Park, CA has made a name for itself. Operated by a father and son duo business partners. Calistate Paving Inc has followed the right direction of a properly started, operated, and establishing a business, and now is paving the way to help local community organizations, as well as helping other people looking to start a business in the contracting industry. Here is what CEO Jesus Gutierrez says about their community promise:
We are proud to be able to help others, and we will continue to do so as long as we can. If you know of a charity or organization that could use our help, please let us know. We would be happy to donate to them and make a difference in their lives.
Calistate Paving Inc may be found at https://calistatepaving.com or can be reached at 714-757-8019.
Juan C. Olmedo, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Juan C. Olmedo, is a Latino Tech Entrepreneur, High Performance Coach, & CEO of Nevtis Companies. Entrepreneur-minded since the age of 15, started first official business at 22 years of age and grew it to a $2 Million dollar a year company with 20 employees. Started subsequent business tech business at 25 and sold it just 5 years later. Have since started or invested in 6 other companies ranging from tech, telecom, construction, insurance, and digital marketing with a combined employment of 80 full time staff. Currently CEO at Nevtis Corp, a UCaaS Software provider. Being through virtually every stage of starting, and scaling million dollar companies, Mr. Olmedo uses his acquired knowledge of almost 20 years.
