Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Saucedo.
Hi Maria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My husband, Jose, and I began our small business in 2019. My husband left his pay check to pay check job and started with only $500 worth of tools. We wanted to make it legit and registered MyLow Masonry in Dallas County (that’s were we lived at the time). It was only him and I and started with small residential jobs. We passed out flyers, walked a lot of neighborhoods, knocked on many doors, in many parts of Dallas/Ft Worth. It was difficult for me because I knew nothing about construction vocabulary but learned along the way and knew I had to learn it. Some people just weren’t interested and other asked questions and gave us their trust for minor repairs/jobs. Being that my husband’s English is limited(but a great knowledgeable mason), I translated AND worked my own job. At times, I felt outcast as a woman in the construction industry. Many times I would tell my husband, maybe we made a wrong decision. Then our son, Raul, started to help us out as a laborer here and there. Eventually, he saw his own interest in this trade. We saw how much potential he had. His strong communication, commitment and his willingness to learn has brought Raul a long way in this profession.
He didn’t know where this would take him either, but decided to stick around even on our most difficult, rainy days! After this, I didn’t have to worry about going much to sites since he is bilingual and had gained knowledge of the main aspects of masonry.
Even though we didn’t know how we’d be able to manage bigger jobs, we still didn’t give up and kept our posture. We still dream big, of course as all small business owners do. Maybe one day our son would want to take over the business. Raul has grown within our business and has enhanced his knowledge of duties. Raul is now our Field Supervisor. We are grateful and very proud to have him as part of MyLow Masonry and the contribution to the business.
With very minimal knowledge of social media, I researched and asking questions here and there, I opened our social media platforms (FB and Instagram). Shortly thereafter, we started getting jobs and joined BBB and after a year, we got A+ accredited. This was huge for us and gradually gained more customers.
We started to get contacted for bigger projects.
My husband and I bought our first home 2 years later in Terrell, Tx. We have gradually purchased more tools and have 2 utility trailers for business. My husband has a small shop where he keeps all the tools and keeps it well maintained and clean. Every tool has it’s placed. I can say very proud, this man takes good care of his masonry tools and more so, pride in his work!
Some people think having a business comes easy but little know what goes on behind the scenes, time spent, stress, sacrifices, decision making and dedication involved. All the long nights of figuring out what is next and all the stepping stones has brought us where we at now. We are still not where we want to be but God has lead us to this point.
Mylow Masonry is a family owned and operated business.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not being a smooth road. It’s been a roller coaster. Full of challenges, dedicated time, trying to find capital since it’s a small business, to many competitors bidding low and having to stay on top of the rest. I’ve been having to juggle from my own work to my business role many times.
Sleepless nights overthinking on a bid/job, if it’ll land or not.
These are some of the major obstacles we’ve encountered.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Mylow Masonry specializes in the construction industry. To be more specific, masonry. We specialize not only residential but now commercial projects.
We do brick work, concrete, stone work, repairs and restorations. These types of work require sometimes breaking or cutting materials to size, mixing mortar or grout, and applying these materials skillfully. Laying and aligning masonry units, ensuring structural integrity and visual appeal to satisfy a great project’s outcome.
Another part of a mason skill is taking care of the tile, coping, and sometimes decorative stonework on pools.
The work mentioned require the use of specialized tools and safety equipment.
I am proud of our daily work, the detail and precision our team brings to each project. I am proud of earning the respect and trust from so many of our customers thus far. Proud that we’ve gained nothing but 5 star reviews
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Networking and communication is what has helped me be successful at work.
The use of technology is essentially important to me.
Google, Jobber and having a cell phone! LOL
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mylowmasonry.jobbersites.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylow_masonry2019
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mylowmasonry
