Ducts in a row | A conversation with Shin Sargent, owner of Integrated Systems of Maine LLC
Photo/Jan Holder
Shin Sargent, left, and Bruce Gammon
Integrated Systems of Maine LLC
Founded: October 2010
Employees: 2
Start-up costs: $18,500
Projected revenue, year one: $200,000
Projected revenue, year two: $400,000
Contact: 222-2933
293 County Road, Gorham
www.integratedsystemsmaine.com
What is Integrated Systems of Maine?
Integrated Systems of Maine is a locally based company providing services in plumbing, heating, A/C and refrigeration. We do just about everything, from home kitchen faucet installation to high-efficiency heating and cooling. Within a home or business complex, piping and mechanical ducts inside walls, attics, basements and offices keep people healthy and comfortable. Without plumbing, there would be no sanitation, and without HVAC we couldn’t keep our homes and businesses warm or cool as the seasons change. We specialize in these systems.
Why did you start the company?
I have always wanted to own my own business. My business partner, Bruce Gammon, and I started Integrated Systems of Maine with a few goals in mind. One was to provide top-notch service to our local community, another being a person’s right to the pursuit of happiness, and perhaps the most influential being the desire to be part of something big — we want to be able to stand back one day and say, “We did it!” Hard work and providing good customer relations is our foundation. I also felt it was a good time to pursue financial freedom. I had been working for a different company for about five years, but have been in the business for 10. Bruce has been in it for 17. Between us we have licenses as master plumber, licenses for gas — both natural and propane — a universal certificate in refrigeration and certification in oil.
How do you market the business?
Mostly through referrals, which started with family and friends, as well as people we knew from being in the business. We plan on doing some local advertising through e-mail and our upcoming website. Promotions and discounts will be made immediately through our Facebook page, so be sure to “like” us to receive them. Some promotions will include 10% off installations of new heating systems and preventative maintenance programs on refrigeration equipment by mentioning our Facebook page. Also, $15 off backflow preventer testing, which is ideal to prevent cross contamination of drinking water and recently required annually by the Portland Water District on all commercial buildings.
How do you finance this business?
We invested money through personal savings. Starting a small business in Maine can be tough, so we are making sure to financially plan well. Being conservative with spending has been a way of life with us. Looking around, we hear stories of other competitor companies having financial problems — it’s far too common. We have to be smart with our financing.
What has been successful about your business strategy?
Making customers happy one at a time by walking through all the options and design solutions for them. Word of mouth has been the most influential way of getting our name out there. Along with Facebook, my wife, Crystal, is working on creating our official website. Word gets around quick when trust is built.
What has been the biggest challenge running this business?
The biggest challenge for us was to dive into the business headfirst. We asked ourselves, “Do I risk it all?” One day, I was talking with my wife’s uncle, a successful small business owner, and he gave me some advice: Develop numbness to the liability of owning my own business. If I can do that, he says, I can stay focused and be more productive.
What are your goals for the future of this business?
To hire more employees and expand the business as much as possible. The local community is important to us, and being able to provide some good-paying jobs will contribute to our success. Also, all services provided by us to local businesses with fair pricing will help them grow, and eventually do the same for others. Making these efforts in the local community can lay paths to the goals all business owners share.
Interview by Kayla Collins
New Ventures profiles young businesses 6-18 months old. Send your suggestions and contact information to editorial@mainebiz.biz.
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