Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristian & Viviana Rivera.
Hi Cristian & Viviana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
CR Pro Home Remodeling started as a dream in our heads. Our parents were in the home remodeling business, so we grew up around that all our life. Starting on your own at 18 years old with a baby on the way and living paycheck to paycheck was not easy, but it was part of our journey to where we are today. I worked 6 or sometimes 7 days a week as a bartender and server at a Mexican restaurant. I worked almost every day from 8 am until midnight for over 7 years. 3 years after welcoming our son, we welcomed our beautiful daughter into the world, and soon after that, my wife Viviana, a stay-at-home mom to our two kids, decided to pursue her own dream and start nursing school. When I decided to learn about the home remodeling business, I knew that it would not be easy and would have to sacrifice even more time away from my family.
I worked as a bartender, and after work or on my day off, I would learn as much as I could, and of course, in the beginning, it was sometimes free. I just wanted someone to give me a chance to learn, and that’s just what I did every day. I learned a little more and got better and better. I worked hard, and most nights, I wouldn’t get home until the kids were already asleep, and we barely ever had time to have a proper Family dinner. It took lots of sacrifices, dedication, hard work, as well as Physical and emotional exhaustion. But I learned as much as possible and became the best at what I did. I loved it so much! To this day, every single job I do brings me so much joy. Because I truly love to make people’s dreams a reality. About a year after learning about the business, I decided it was time to take a risk and quit my job at the restaurant and start my own business. It was scary, but I knew that this was what I was meant to do. I slowly started buying my tools little by little and started promoting myself to friends and family. It was challenging. First, I often spent many days and nights waiting for Just one person to call. Many days I wanted to quit and return to my safe space. Go back to making constant money. Owning your own business meant you needed to go out there and look for work.
You needed to do anything in your power to convince people that hiring you would be their best choice. You needed to get it because it wouldn’t just come to you. It’s not a safe, comfortable space at first. It makes you feel vulnerable and uncomfortable. It makes you doubt your dreams and aspirations and question your abilities and yourself daily. Trust me, it’s not easy, but it is worth it! I went from having one to maybe two projects every month to have 3 or more projects every week and constant estimates daily. It is all about dedication, hard work, and never giving up. Where you start doesn’t have to define where you will end up.
All it takes is one step into that uncomfortable space to give you the greatest satisfaction. We struggled, but we stayed strong and supported each other’s dreams. When one of us was too weak, the other had to be vital to lift the other. We stayed strong in our faith and never settled for anything less than what we knew we could obtain. My wife graduated nursing school, we have two beautiful kids, and we are about to open our second company and soon-to-be restaurant owners. Trust me; we are only getting started. Have faith in yourself and never give up. No dream is too big, and no dreamer is too small.
The sky is the limit.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not a smooth road. We struggled to pay our bills, put food on our table, and for anybody to take us seriously. We had a lot of people close their doors at us. But that only made us fight for it even harder.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a family-owned business that is fully licensed and insured. We proudly serve Jacksonville, as well as surrounding areas. We specialize in kitchens, bathrooms, and flooring. Whether you need a small remodel or a complete makeover, we are here to help you turn your dream home into a reality. Our attention to detail and professionalism is what sets us apart. Our promise is that we will exceed any expectations and make your experience as stress-free as possible. We won’t be satisfied until you are. We know your home is your greatest investment, and we want to be the company you trust to keep it looking its best.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Playing outside and climbing the fruit trees with our cousins in our home country. Enjoying the little things in life.
Pricing:
- Free estimates
- Between $200-$500 off to our voyage readers
Contact Info:
- Website: Crprohomeremodeling.com
- Instagram: Cr_prohomeremodeling_
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/CR-Home-Remodeling-106741452109744/
