We had the good fortune of connecting with Rick Leviton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rick, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
There was not a true thought process behind this start up. I was working in another field, another company I started. I saw the need for a home service business in this field, child proofing homes. I worked on a plan on and off for two years. I knew I can start a safety business and be rewarded by making babies safe. With that stated I came up with a name, and advertised in the JCC newsletter. Received my first client and went to work.
I worked this business six years part time and still ran my other company. I had a buy out offer from a major company, so I sold out and started full time in this fun and rewarding concept

What should our readers know about your business?
My Business, Precious baby protectors, was a crazy start up. All of our friends and law partners said I was crazy, it will never wok. Well 35 years latter and looking back: we have almost 40 other businesses that we set up across the country making homes safe for new parents, pets and elderly. Houston Texas we have 23 service trucks with 18 being used every day. Unlike handy men or other competitors, we are all licensed, bonded and insured.

The hardest part of business, advertising, still is. I have tried everything, I have spent so much money on this, 90 % never received an ROI.

Getting here was not easy, lot of late nights meeting parents after they got home from work. Doing installs during the day, selling at nigh.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If we had friends that were not from here.

Visit The Space Center, Galveston, Moody Gardens, NRG center to see the astrodome.
I would take them down town and show off the tunnel system we have.
We could visit Kemah, The Board Walk.
Go riding a horse.
Go to the Galleria.

To eat: BBQ 🙂 Joes in Alvin, Pappas BBQ, Truth, Good Company
Three Brothers Bakery
Gaidos in Galveston

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife Debbie deserves a shout out. She was a bit upset when I told her my plan. Debbie knew that when I have a plan, you cant stop the mission. I bought a brand new Ford Van had it lettered up and created our logo, The Baby bottle. When I brought it home she said, well if it does not work we will make that van into a camper. 35 years later we did buy a camper, but much bigger.

Also a shout out to my Mother and Father. Both were always behind me and had my back. Mother always stated if you don’t try, you will never know.

One more shout out: Mr. Joe Georgiana. Joe, was a DECA class teacher in my high school. He groomed us to be the best at what ever we do. He always stated that Richard will be the top business owner that ever came through his class. Any time we had school fundraisers, we were given a quota to achieve> I always more then doubled the expected numbers.

Website: Preciousbabyprotectors.com Poolguardtexas.com

Other: working on a few of the above

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