We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jose Casillas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jose, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I learned to be resilient from my parents. Imagine trying to raise a family of 10 children on a one income salary in an underdeveloped part of Tijuana. My parents struggled financially; it was hard. However, they were able to keep a roof over our heads while teaching us to be better in the world. We were raised with very little and it was a constant grind to get ahead. My dad had saved enough money to build a small, humble home and was building it after his long shifts as a driver. Seeing my parents making it work during tough times made me learn to be resilient, focused, and dedicated to be successful in life.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
We are JC Flooring & Design: a family-owned and operated business, servicing the entire county of San Diego. We specialize in custom stair installations and most types of flooring installations (with the exception of carpet). Other services include baseboard installations, demolitions, refinish and stain hardwood floors, floor preparation, and repairs. Most of our work is residential, usually remodels and some new construction. We extend our services to other small business as well.
Although we do not have a storefront, we are affiliated with a flooring showroom in Miramar: Craft & Bulk. Our clients can shop and view options of flooring products, and we take care of the installation service. We are passionate about our craft and strive to complete each project as if it were in our own home. We pride ourselves in quality workmanship and delivering the best service to beautify each home one plank at a time!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three most impactful qualities, skills, and area of knowledge during my journey as a Licensed Contractor are customer service, cleanliness, and organization.
Customer service is a skill and quality that must be learned and developed in all trades and professions because first impressions count. You are likely not going to return to, for example, a restaurant where the service was awful and the waiter was rude while you are trying to enjoy a lovely meal with family. Treat your clients as how you would like to be serviced and, trust me, they will return because of the positive experience.
Having cleanliness in work areas and all around will help with better work flow. The more clutter you have, the more you are prone to an accident while on the job. It’s important to organize tools and equipment, and maintain clean areas. Not only will it improve focus, but your clients and/or boss will appreciate it too.
Organization is key to having a successful business. Administration is just as important as the profession you are learning. It tends to be the least favorite part of operating a business, however it must be upkept and organized to avoid headaches. And, if administration is not your strong suit, then I recommend finding a partner with the same goals and vision, or hiring a professional.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
I dedicate my life and success to my parents. The most impactful thing they did for me was giving me good advice, even if it took time for me to understand it. Growing up, they always told me to learn how to do something because it will become how I make a living. My parents pushed me to work hard and to always be a better person. Many of the times it sounded like a broken record, but now I understand where they were coming from. Their endless support and love have motivated me to accomplish things in life that I thought I could never do, such as opening my own business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jcflooringdesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcflooringdesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jcflooringdesign
Image Credits
Mimi Raza Casillas
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