We had the good fortune of connecting with Rahel Abraham and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Rahel, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I created ClimaGuard to prevent a repeat of my stressful flood experience. Hurricane Harvey was a historical devastation – not only were residential homes flooded, but many businesses and vehicles also flooded. I lost my car, and there was a shortage of rental vehicles. Living in Houston, we are dependent on our personal vehicles – being vulnerable post the hurricane was a challenge. I realized that I needed help, and so did many of my neighbors. As a Houston resident, flooding is an actual risk, especially during hurricane season, and I could not find a real-time practical way to safeguard my belongings. I also realized flooding is a growing issue due to urban development and climate change. Currently, flooding is the costliest natural disaster, with non-hurricane related flooding causing over $10 billion in damages in the US annually. As an entrepreneur, my goal is to advocate resiliency and empower those who live in a flood-prone city.
What should our readers know about your business?
ClimaGuard offers an all-weather protection cover for vehicles and home valuables facing the risk of flood damage. ClimaGuard’s TPE is a one-person set-up, portable, reusable, and made with recyclable material. Our innovative flood protection will allow community members to safeguard their possessions, rest assured all will not be lost upon their return home.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would literally take her on a food tour of all the delicious international food a girl could ask for! Indian, Ethiopian, Greek, Peruvian, Mexican, Thai…. Houston’s has the best authentic cuisine in the south! Also, we would attend a live show like a concert, play, stand-up, or spoken-word.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The McBride sisters! This year I was awarded the SheCanThrive Grant, and joined the SheCan Thrive Cohort. The McBride sisters are a personal inspiration to me and so many other entrepreneurs! Their support will bring us closer to our goal of offering protection at-scale against the financial hardships families experience due to extreme weather.
Website: www.climaguard.co
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climaguard_llc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClimaGuardLLC
Image Credits
Will Beale