Today we’d like to introduce you to Jorge Ricaurte.
Hi Jorge, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Every business happens for a reason, and ours is no exception. To explain how the business idea was born, I need to share information about my career and personal life. In our case, and I said us because my wife is my business partner, the idea came as a financial crisis hit the coal mining company where we worked a few months before Covid19. Although we were not laid off then, it was clear that it could happen anytime, and we needed something solid to offer a promising future for our little daughters. Also, it was clear that my wife and I had excellent skills that the mining company was not taking advantage of. Also, during that crisis, we got aware of the climate change issue and discussed many times with my wife that we wanted to be part of the solution, helping the world and future generations. In parallel to the crisis, our son pursued his dream at the University of Texas at Austin, studying aerospace engineering.
So, when you blend all the previous facts, you find all the reasons to introduce a change in your life and begin the next adventure: a new business. So, after making the decision, it was necessary to find what type of business. I am not kidding, but we reviewed more than 100 different business concepts or opportunities, and when the insulation concept appeared, the decision was not that difficult. All of our houses need insulation, and the people on the main street probably need more information about the benefits of proper insulation. Good insulation means benefits not only for homeowners but for society. Can you imagine a 50% reduction in energy consumption? It will mean cheaper energy bills, reduced energy costs, and less greenhouse gas emissions, which will mean a better environment for all.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
If we look back, the road has been everything but smooth. What is important is that we have surpassed all the obstacles, always doing the right thing. Some obstacles are bigger than others, but if you believe in what you are doing and have the determination and discipline, it is just a matter of time to overcome anyone. Then, when you look back, the obstacles seem very small. We believe that entrepreneurs or successful people never give up. We knew since the beginning that problems would appear, but we also knew that we would do anything to solve them and succeed. We have learned that for any problem, there is always a solution for any problem, and the fun part is finding the right solution. I find happiness and personal joy whenever I discover the solution to any problem. It, in turn, makes me stronger and more motivated to keep fighting. You may encounter an obstacle, but with discipline and eagerness, you can overcome it. You have to believe your actions are right and never give up!
We’ve been impressed with Koala Insulation of Georgetown, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share about what you do and what sets you apart?
Our business aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while benefiting people by offering proper insulation solutions. We are one of the franchisees of the national brand Koala Insulation. Our philosophy differentiates us from the competition; we jointly listen and educate our customers to find the most adequate solution based on their needs. Our solutions seek to improve people’s comfort by addressing their priorities with expertise and simplicity. We can say that a properly insulated and sealed building can reduce energy consumption by as much as 50% and make the facilities much more comfortable all year. We offer residential and non-residential insulation solutions. Our portfolio includes different services such as spray foam, batt, and loosefill, among other types of insulation. Our services can pay for themselves through reduced costs, tax benefits, increased property value, and improved environmental conditions.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Childhood was many years ago. I was a happy child, so I have many good memories; therefore, it is not easy to choose my favorite memory. However, thinking about the past, traveling with my family was probably my favorite memory; I can now think about when I was traveling on a plane for the first time. It was a night flight, and I clearly remember climbing the stairs to go to the second deck of a 747 plane. We went down a thousand times with my siblings until a flight attendant ended our game. Another memory I can think about is going to my father’s farm. Although I would say it was not pleasant at that time, I can say now that it is a good memory. My dad used to take me to the farm to plant and harvest corn, carrots, or potatoes and to participate in different activities required by the farm. This is a happy memory because this experience contributed to creating the human being that I am.
Pricing:
- The price depends on the solution. The solution depends on multiple factors.
- Insulation is an investment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://koalainsulation.com/f/georgetown
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koalainsulation_georgetown/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KoalaInsulationofGeorgetown
