Today we’d like to introduce you to Selena Rosete.
Hi Selena, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
So it all started when my dad met my mom. Just kidding, but you get it. I’ll start with the beginning of our family story. My dad, Tony, started his own business in California, where I was born. My parents moved us to New Mexico when I was 4 years old, I don’t remember living in California so basically, New Mexico is home and where I grew up. Our mom, Loretta, took care of everyone and the house so my dad could get the business up and running. He is a very hands-on dad and raised us all to be strong, independent, and handy. There are 4 of us kids all together, myself, my brothers Anthony and Richard and our sister Jennifer. We would go to job sites with him and once we were old enough, he showed us the ins and outs of the business, including manual labor, picking up materials, and learning the construction world. He always dreamed of having a family business and having his kids help him and take over one day. Once my older brother Anthony, finished high school, he decided to work with my dad and help him run the business.
After high school, I also became more involved and hands-on with the business. I was happy to be learning the trade and helping my family. Meanwhile, I was earning my business degree at CNM. Then, the recession of 2008 hit, and things got scary. I loved working with them, but times were hard, and I had to get another job. I went to school and worked full time, and in 2010 I graduated with my associate’s degree in business while working at a bank.
However, motherhood had different plans for me. I had my son, Roman in 2011 and nothing prepares you for how quickly becoming a mom changes your priorities. I was working full-time at the bank after returning from maternity leave, the year flew by so fast, and I missed him so much. I was lucky enough to have my mom and sister-in-law Tianna, helping to watch Roman, but I knew then I wanted to be home with my boy more. I told my husband, Darrin, that I wanted to find another job and work part-time. I mentioned it to my family and that’s when my dad, Tony, and big brother, Anthony, asked me to come back and start working full time with them. After discussing with my husband, we knew ultimately it was a no-brainer. I knew I would have the flexibility to work less and be able to have my son with me most of the day.
Naturally, I was nervous about coming on board right after the housing market crash and knowing construction was barely picking back up. However, the fortitude and determination my dad and Anthony showed during the hard times were inspiring for everyone. They knew that all of us together could build something even better than what it was before.
Shortly after I came back on, we decided to re-brand the company and really focus on the great family dynamic we have, and the quality of work and dedication we have to offer. With their expertise in building and remodeling, and my education, we started the new business together and that’s where Pro Tech Construction was born. A year later my little brother Richard graduated high school and decided he wanted to join in with the family business as well. Now the 4 of us together run the day-to-day of Pro Tech Construction.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our family has always been rooted in our faith and we have been extremely blessed, but like anything worth having, we have had to sacrifice and have been tested with difficulties that could easily have pulled the business apart. Business and life was going good and we were growing and getting busier. That was until my daughter, Scarlett was diagnosed with cancer at 7 months old and was almost left paralyzed from the tumor. Being the close family that we are, her cancer diagnosis affected the whole family. It not only turned my and my husband’s world upside down, but we were all devastated. My husband had quit his job a year before her diagnosis and was working for us during her treatment so we were luckily both able to be off and be together with her during her hospital stays and chemotherapy treatments.
As if we weren’t already a tight-knit family, her diagnosis brought us even closer together. The rest of the family took on many extra tasks to ensure we were able to help Scarlett fight and beat cancer. They watched our son while we were in the hospital for weeks, they would cook for us, clean the house, and they also had to take on a lot of our workload in the business. She fought hard and with the grace of God and after four rounds of chemotherapy her cancer went away. She is officially 6 years cancer free! She was left with a walking disability but we’re happy to be on the other end of that nightmare and grateful beyond measure that she’s such a fighter and made it through! We try to look for the positives in every situation, even during difficult times. I will say the positive that came out of her diagnosis has been our strive to give back to the childhood cancer community. We work hard so we are able to give back.
After we had been through so much as a family, we needed a change and we all knew we didn’t want to stay in New Mexico. We knew we needed to move to a state that could offer more resources and quality care for our daughter and the treatments she still needed. Anthony threw the idea out there for us all to move to Austin because his wife, Tianna’s family lived there, and had told us all about how beautiful it was and how much they loved it. So, we all went on a trip to Austin to check it out. We all loved it and decided this is where we wanted to plant our roots! Not only did we move a whole business, but we moved all 4 of our families. 15 of us to be exact. I’m sure you can imagine how the adventure of moving everyone, including all of our pets, was a sh*t show (as we like to call it), but against all odds, we made it in one piece to our new home.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Pro Tech Construction?
We are general contractors who specialize in full home remodeling, kitchen & bathroom renovations as well as custom home building from foundation to roof. “Built on Family… built on Trust!”
Once we first meet a new client who is wanting to make their home design dreams a reality, we have an in-home consultation where we can get a look at what they need and what is possible. We offer advice and guidance and are up to date with all of the latest home design trends as well as timeless classics to find what is best for our customers. After discussing the details, we have our clients come into our office/showroom to see the materials in person and guide them through making their selections. While at the initial meeting, we offer an incredibly unique presentation, including a 3D rendering on a big screen that has been created custom by us to show exactly how the project will look when finished. This is an aspect of our business that is something we have so much pride in, because it is taking the customer experience to the next level and they usually are not expecting to see something so comprehensive. After the presentation, a written proposal detailing the work to be done is given to the client and we move forward with the bid. Once they decide to hire us we take them from start to finish and guide them through the entire process of the remodel. While we are working on the renovations, we treat the clients’ home as if we are a guest, ensuring that everything is handled as if it were our own. After our team has completed the job, we love seeing the joy in our clients after seeing their vision come to life.
I’m most proud of my family and how we are all able to work together and provide our individual specialties to the company. My dad does most of the sales, project managing and scheduling. Anthony does the same while also running the New Mexico location, Richard helps with sales, project managing, as well as doing all of our remodel designs in 3D CAD, and I do our marketing, help with the design selections, and also manage all the back side of the business. We each do different jobs and without each of us we wouldn’t be where we are today.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Be flexible! Sometimes things don’t always go as planned. The supply chain has made planning and scheduling very difficult. Material delays are a part of our reality now and we are learning how to work around it, when needed.
Most importantly, don’t take life for granted. Our time here is short, be kind and love one another. Spend time with family. Take the vacation, make the memories! Don’t hold a grudge. Also, do good work and good things will come to you.
Contact Info:
- Website: protechconst.net
- Instagram: protech_const
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProTechConstructionInc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfEQaPaafyd7KnBLQns7zUw
