Success Stories
2013 PTAP Success Client: Ameristar Construction
The Jaramillo family has grown their business from doing work out of a small shop behind their home in the Albuquerque South Valley to a ten-acre facility encompassing a fully operating blasting, powder coating and paint shop on the West Mesa. Over the years they have diversified by adding specialty trades such as asbestos and mold remediation to their services. Equipped with one of the oldest Air Quality permits, they have installed one of the largest powder coating overs in the region. They have eight employees.
Established in 1976 by Rick and Annette Jaramillo, the company was originally known as R&R Heavy Equipment Sandblasting and Painting. In 2000 Rick Jr. assumed responsibility of the business. With his wife Angela, a licensed contractor with the state of New Mexico, and his family behind him, he pushed forward with expanding the capabilities of the company now known as Ameristar Construction, Inc. Visit the company website at http://ameristarindustries.com/
“For years, we worked on becoming 8(a) certified, but it seemed like we would hit one obstacle after another. I was at the point I was ready to give up,” says Angela Jaramillo. “Then we met Lenny Bean of the South Valley PTAP. With his help and continued weekly support and ‘homework’ we have finally come to see that our dream of 8(a) certification is very close to becoming a reality. The guidance and knowledge that he has given us has been priceless to our company. Lenny’s understanding of the process has alleviated many frustrations and doubts.”
Success Stories
2012 PTAP Success Client: RTD Hardware of Las Cruces
There was a time when you could walk into your local hardware store and you would be greeted by the owner who knew you and your family by name. As you perused the store the owner would show you new items they had received and give you advice on how to get the best use of the things you had. You could even just stop in to talk about the weather.
Richard Trujillo opened the doors to RTD Hardware in 1986 with these ideas in mind. With the help of his wife, Rita, and three children – Renee, Theresa, and Deanna, whom RTD Hardware is named after - Mr. Trujillo has steadily built up his business.
Even though the times have changed and things are more complicated than a handshake, RTD Hardware has strived to provide a store that is convenient, has knowledgeable, friendly staff and provides quality products at reasonable prices. Richard and his staff pride themselves in taking the time to get to know their customers and customers’ families. They continually try to demonstrate that RTD is not just a store trying to make a quick buck. Richard and his staff are members of the community providing a service to customers and a good living for employees. They support local schools and non-profit entities.
RTD Hardware has enjoyed both commercial success and success with government clients. The company was certified as an 8(a) business in 2009. PTAP Advisors assisted Mr. Trujillo with the process to get a General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contract, which he did in July 2011. The GSA establishes long-term government-wide contracts with commercial firms to provide access to millions of commercials products and services at volume discount pricing. RTD Hardware has received approximately 200 orders against their GSA Schedule Contract.
Richard Trujillo’s efforts, dedication to sound business practices, to his community, and to his family have not gone unnoticed. RTD Hardware was awarded the 2012 New Mexico Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Small Business of the Year and the Region VI 2012 Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Small Business of the Year Award (Region VI consists of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas and New Mexico). The award was presented to RTD Hardware during ceremonies of the 2012 Small Business Week Awards Luncheon held in Albuquerque, NM on June 13.
