Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Birdwell.
Brianna, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I get asked quite often how I started this adventure of turning one man’s trash into another man’s treasure. It has been quite the journey with remarkable results.
I was honorably discharged from the Navy in 2003 and upon completion, began attending The College of Oceaneering in San Diego to study Marine Engineering.
Commercial Diving seemed like a good idea at the time, it paid well and every day was an adventure. It was tough mentally and physically and I was under pressure to perform, as I was one of only three women in our class of 30. It was in this training program that my love for electronics was born.
I completed my program and soon after hurricane Katrina ripped through New Orleans. Two months prior I had every intention of moving there to become a dive tender and continue building my skills as a Commercial Diver. However, I was advised by my instructors to reconsider the move as there were rumors of unsafe diving conditions and the tenders were being pressed to perform without adequate training. On his advice I stayed and registered in classes for an additional semester to see what I could make of it in San Diego, with the hopes that the diving conditions would improve. In that short time, I started my first Asset Value Recovery Company with a partner.
My brother mentioned eBay and how easy it was to buy and sell equipment and turn a great profit so I thought it was at least worth a shot. I put an ad on craigslist, “Let me help you sell your stuff!” Within a couple days I received two calls, two interviews and two gentlemen that were willing to hire me and teach me wholesale industry.
Like many others, I started in my garage and it turns out a “garage” is a great place to start a business. I was humble, and I was hungry, and that combination created magic.
For three years, I researched, studied purchasing and sales trends, and taught myself how to test and repair all types of electronics and biotech equipment, it was an amazing learning experience that only required a computer and a bit of dedication.
In the fall of 2008, during the financial crisis, my first partner and I parted ways and for the first time in 3 years I was uncertain of my future. I knew that I had a solid business concept of re-marketing used electronics, but was unclear on how to see it to fruition.
In 2009, I met my co-founders Tony Huynh & Jeffrey Harding of Recycle San Diego. They recognized the potential value that my skill set could bring to my community and so many organizations that create electronic waste. With their support I would create a future of my own design.
Together, we created the foundation that supports our business today. We work with corporate and not for profit organizations in the Southwest Region of the United States providing and exceptional alternative to typical waste disposal techniques.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing in life worth having comes without struggle, and we had some growing pains in taking the company from a one-woman show to a full staff.
I had no formal training in running a company and I was learning as I went. It was easy to drive the boat solo but when I started adding different personalities, more accounts and accountabilities I created an environment where communication became top priority. With so many moving parts we needed to operate like a well-oiled machine. I took initiative and enrolled us all in training and development courses that focused on communication, which allowed a clearing to create a thriving work environment and thriving employees. It was an amazing investment that continues to create remarkable breakthroughs in our company and the lives of our employees.
Please tell us about Pro Transactions.
Pro Transactions is an Asset Value Recovery firm. In a nutshell we buy and sell technology hardware and work closely with companies creating tailored programs that recover value from unused or end-of-life assets through effective reuse or divestment. I treasure hunt each day and a usual day for me at the office is touring companies and large warehouses of E-scrap locating equipment with secondary market value, and then re-marketing that equipment, creating a revenue stream from a waste stream. I have a tremendous passion for creating a positive impact in this world and it just so happens that I am making a difference for my client’s and for environmental sustainability.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
One of the most remarkable memories from childhood was my first cross country trip with my Grandparents. My Grandmother is originally from San Diego and during the summer of 1988 we began a cross country trip from my hometown in Tennessee to San Diego. It was this adventure that sparked my love of travelling the world.
Contact Info:
- Address: 8148 Ronson Rd
Suite O
San Diego, CA 92111 - Website: https://www.protransactions.com
- Phone: 858-292-5019
- Email: info@protransactions.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProTransactionsLLC/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pro-transactions-san-diego
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/12898537/
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
