One business simply wasn?t enough.
Already the founders and owners of Baldwin-based Reel One Media, a 20-year-old graphic design firm with clients such as Northrup Grumman and CareFirst, Lorena and David Streb decided to buy a CertaPro painting franchise last November.
“We were thinking about something that everyone needs and wants,” said Lorena Streb, noting that not everyone needs graphic design services. “At first we thought: ice cream or toilet paper.”
After three years of researching, however, the couple honed in on an available CertaPro Painting franchise in Timonium. After officially opening its doors in February, the couple generated 419 leads, did 307 estimates and booked more than 100 jobs, she said.
The franchise is one of 10 in the state for the international painting company, according to CertaPro.com.
Lorena Streb, born in El Salvador to Spanish- and French-speaking parents, manages the painters, many of whom speak Spanish.
“CertaPro prides itself on customer service, and I?ve translated all of our training materials into Spanish because I want to train everyone down the line on how to treat the customer,” Streb said.
She also manages marketing efforts with the help of a mentor from CertaPro?s corporate marketing team.
“We are getting more bodies into the streets to do very grassroots marketing,” she said. “But it is about finding the balance between bringing brand awareness to the community and not being a nuisance.”
These days, Streb is passing her own business savvy to others as a board member for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, among other community engagements.
“Lorena brings unbelievable creativity and true-to-life business experience to the board,” said Veronica Cool, a vice president with Wachovia and HCC board member. “Our goal is to provide opportunities for Latino businesses in Maryland, and she has provided unbelievable expertise. She is a hard-working, dedicated, passionate Latina.”
The Strebs? other company, Reel One Media, provides graphic design services to a number of large clients in the area. Its success, however, has not been without challenges.
“I wish I had known about the services available like the small business development organizations and networking groups. I fell into that after about 10 years of being in business, and they have helped tremendously,” Streb said.
When she graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art with a degree in graphic design, Streb did now know she would become the owner of multiple businesses. But these days, she and her husband are planning for their future like savvy business owners.
“With CertaPro, as it grows, it builds in value, making it possible to sell and walk away later,” shesaid.
aminkowski@baltimoreexaminer.com
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