Today we’d like to introduce you to Aleko Souliotes.
Hi Aleko, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My entrepreneurial journey has been significantly shaped by the “school of hard knocks” and the philosophy of “Fail Forward.”
In my early twenties, I invested in a 50% interest in a cell phone store, which I successfully grew into a chain of three locations across the San Francisco area. Following that, I ventured into the restaurant industry, opening an establishment with my uncle. My path then led me to launch two different insurance agencies.
I later transitioned into property redevelopment, where I focused on flipping numerous single-family homes. This ultimately led me to acquire Radford Doors & Gates in 2019. We initially purchased the company as a residential garage door business and have since expanded by adding commercial and gate departments, which has contributed to tripling the company’s revenue and size. I am fortunate to have my wife, a talented operations manager, as my number two at the company. We work exceptionally well together and enjoy growing our company side-by-side.
Throughout my career, I’ve found that challenges are the best teachers, and I’ve learned invaluable lessons from overcoming them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In my humble opinion, growing a business is rarely, if ever, a smooth road. There are many curveballs from customers, vendors, the economy, tariffs, employees, personal life, and more. For me, some of the biggest hurdles were navigating COVID-19, the current instability of tariffs, and most recently, the birth of our third child, which requires more personal life attention. In addition to those items, we deal with employees who make simple mistakes costing us thousands of dollars in losses. Those are some of our primary struggles.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Radford Doors & Gates is San Diego’s trusted name in custom doors and gates, serving Southern California’s most discerning homeowners, builders, and businesses for over 80 years. We specialize in high-end residential garage doors, gates, and entry systems, as well as commercial and industrial door solutions—from storefront systems and automatic doors to rolling steel, fire, and high-speed doors.
What sets us apart is our white-glove approach to every project. From initial design consultation to final installation, we deliver a seamless experience grounded in craftsmanship, professionalism, and attention to detail. Our team combines deep technical expertise with a designer’s eye, helping clients select products that enhance both function and architectural beauty.
We’re proud to be known for raising the standard in our industry—delivering solutions that last, service that delights, and design that elevates. Our 10,000-square-foot San Diego showroom allows clients and builders to experience materials, finishes, and automation firsthand, making Radford the region’s go-to partner for premium door and gate projects.
At our core, we believe doors and gates are more than just access points—they’re statements of style, security, and quality. That’s why every Radford project reflects our enduring commitment to craftsmanship, integrity, and service excellence.
How do you define success?
Success, to me, is about freedom and fulfillment — building systems and teams strong enough that the company thrives without depending on me day to day. It’s about leading a profitable, purpose-driven business with great people, creating something lasting, and still being fully present for my wife and kids. True success is living intentionally, and having the time and energy to invest in family, health, and experiences that matter.
Pricing:
- Standard steel or composite garage doors: Starting around $2,500–$4,500 installed
- Premium wood or glass garage doors: Typically $6,000–$15,000+ installed depending on size, design, and finish
- Steel or aluminum vehicle gates: Starting around $5,000–$10,000 installed
- Custom wood or architectural vehicle gates: $10,000–$40,000+ installed depending on automation and design complexity
- Commercial automatic sliding and swinging doors: $7,000–$20,000+ depending on configuration
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.radfordgaragedoor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radforddoorsgates/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RadfordDoorsGates/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/radford-doors-and-gates
- Twitter: https://x.com/RadfordDoors
Image Credits
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