Energy wright
Photo/Courtesy Josh Wojcik
Josh Wojcik
A conversation with Josh Wojcik, co-owner and COO of Upright Frameworks in Wilton
Founded: November 2008
Employees: 7
Startup costs: $50,000
Projected revenue, year one: $225,000
Projected revenue, year two: $750,000
Contact: 749-9656
PO Box 833 Wilton, ME 04294
www.uprightframeworks.com
What is Upright Frameworks?
Upright Frameworks is a company that specializes in creating energy efficient structures and we do that in two ways: for new construction we feature a system called structural insulated panels, which as far as we can tell is the most cost-effective way to create an energy-efficient building; and for existing buildings we do energy auditing and weatherization retrofits, so we take existing buildings and make them more energy efficient.
Why did you decide to start this company?
About three years ago I had a quarter-life crisis -- I had a nine-year career in environmental policy in New York city. My dad had been in the construction business his whole life and I’d been on sites with him since I was 10 and that was always in the back of my head. So I quit my job in New York and moved back to Maine for the summer. I spent time with my dad on his projects and at the time his customers were just starting to ask about energy efficiency, so he asked me to help him research some things and it really resonated with me. I started looking at this energy-efficient building thing and was struck by how much I enjoyed it and by the lack of companies in the state that did this kind of thing. There were some other building systems out there that were really expensive, so I did some research looking at costs and figuring out how to make things more affordable. Upright Frameworks was the result of that.
How has the business evolved since you started?
Initially we focused on new construction markets and we came up with some terrific ways to really cut down the cost of energy-efficient buildings. But in the fall, the financial markets fell apart and new construction ground to a halt. I had about six projects lined up and all of them got shelved, so we had to shift gears. Last fall I put myself through an energy-auditing program to get some background on the science behind the new construction systems we were starting to work with. That’s when we started doing the weatherization and energy audits, which have become a big part of our business.
What’s been the biggest challenge running this business?
First of all, my business plan focused on the new construction market and when we launched, everything changed because of the economy. So dealing with an utter lack of new construction projects in the state was obviously challenging. I happened to be going through a program that equipped me to work on existing structures, but we then had to recapitalize and invest in what would allow us to do this work efficiently, so that was a challenge. The other thing that has been challenging is developing the skills in employees because the business we’re doing is different than the construction and building business, so it’s been a process of retraining.
How do you market your business?
That’s something I’ve come to appreciate over the past year. We do radio advertising and tradeshows, which are good in terms of recognition, but don’t seem to result in a lot of direct sales. They generate indirect sales and increase visibility, but what I’ve found is most successful is guerrilla marketing. I do free public information lectures on buildings and energy conservation and I give advice about how people can make their homes more energy efficient. It’s been a nonstop effort and I try to network as much as possible, go to events, hand out business cards.
What’s the most useful bit of business advice you’d share with others who are starting a business in Maine?
Have your carrying capital and whatever you think you’re going to need, multiply that by three or four. We just barely had enough, this spring and summer were tight and now we’re expanding but you just have to make sure you have enough money in the bank before you launch. The second thing is learn marketing, do your homework, pound the pavement. I think a lot of businesses in Maine unfortunately fail because people don’t have an appreciation for the importance of marketing.
Interview by Mercedes Grandin
New Ventures profiles young businesses, 6-18 months old. Send your suggestions and contact information to editorial@mainebiz.biz.
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