Today we’d like to introduce you to Gerry Ramsey.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I think I need to go back where first learned to write a resume. When I was thirteen my mom got me into the summer job program with the MACC Project. The first part of the program was about writing a resume, how to get a job, interview training, and even taught us how to stand out amongst other candidates. That summer I was placed to work as a custodian aide, where I helped prep my old elementary for the new school year. I discovered that I loved working and getting a job done. The next summer I worked as a library aide for the City Of Chula Vista, I ran the youth summer reading program and helped order movies for the movie library. I learned customer service, talking to people every day, and I also got to explore all the treasures of the library. Now I am 15 and have been in trouble at many schools. Going to the learning center I had free time to get a job, and because of the summer jobs I had a good resume too. I got hired on the spot at Burger King, it was a great team there. During this time in my life school was not going so well but I always excelled at my jobs. I went on to work at Lucky’s, Mc Donald’s, and Millers Outpost through high school. I also graduated from Palomar High School in Chula Vista where I also met the mother of my children. After high school I decided to get a full time job in telemarketing selling all kinds of stuff. I learned very quickly about being scripted and I loved the sales driven environment. Unfortunately, the company went bankrupt and closed its doors on all their employees.
So now I am almost 21, have a son, and I just got hired on at The Home Depot as a Temp Tree Lot Attendant. I did eventually get hired on as a full time employee, got promoted to night crew supervisor, and soon after ran the electrical department. I learned so much at the depot, it was like was running Gerry’s Electrical Shop. With the excitement of driving sales at the depot it led me get my real estate license, soon after the market crashed.
Going through life already by this time I’ve decided I wanted to get out of retail. I got hired with the City of San Diego at Torrey Pines Gulf Course and did take a pay cut but I had more opportunities. While working there I notice that staff was not being trained on equipment so I decided speak up during a morning meeting. I was then voted to become my co-workers union steward which I accepted and did some good things. I went on in the city to get promoted to Shore Line Parks, became a city wide steward and sat on the ethics board. I started thinking about what’s next and I found out that County Park Rangers can be hired from work experience and don’t require a degree.
I got hired with the County of San Diego as a maintenance worker and got promoted to Park Ranger within a year. I loved being a Park Ranger building trails, leading hikes, maintaining and protecting parks open space. About 3 years in there was a accident and my Ranger career was cut short.
So now after thinking I was set for the next 20 years, at 33 I was back on the job market with work limitations. I decided to get into the pharmaceutical field and got hired with a compounding Pharmacy. I learned a lot about standard operating procedures and the whole process of drug compounding.
At this time in life I have two preteens and my marriage is going through a divorce. Shortly after the divorce is finalized I decided to follow a dream had to start my selling Salsa and Chili at farmers markets. Working farmers markets, breweries, making everything and keeping a smile on my face for the customer was a challenge. I give so much credit to the people that believe in themselves enough to go sell and market their talent. I went as long as I could before I had to put the business on hold and find a more financially secure job.
I got hired as a Technician with Steris IMS. At first, I thought it was some kind of HVAC job but it was actually repairing and sharpening surgical instruments. I am a quick hands on learner, so I picked the skill set really fast. I serviced all Scripps Hospitals, Children’s and Yuma Regional along with other surgery centers mostly on my own. I was the face of the company and all my customers where pleased with the quality I produced. There was an opportunity for promotion, which I was passed up for a younger up and comer with connections. That left a salty taste in my mouth. I decided to apply for an electrician position within the same company but a different branch. I had an interview and was hired on the spot with a huge opportunity to learn a awesome trade that the company was going to put me through schooling for. All that was needed is approval from the VP of the company. Unfortunately it was blocked by that VP since I was making them so much money. I was ready quit but they did promote me within the same branch of the company and now I am a salary employee with bonuses. After going through this and running the business for this company for almost 3 years I decided to take a chance and start California Surgical Services in May 2021.
I have had some experience starting up a business from my first try but this is in the medical field so I wanted to make sure that I did some research on how to start my new venture. I quickly found out that there’s no guide out there that tells you how to start a competitive business in this field. So, I started by picking a name, building a website, and spreading the word. During this time for the next 3 years I would work 13 different jobs keeping the business going. Working nights and repairing instruments during the day was not easy but when you are determined and have a vision you keep pushing. While working nights I would be listening to books on tape about marketing, driving sales, and having a millionaire mind set. I learned to implement these new ideas into my business and it has been exciting to see results. In this business its constant learning and adapting to change. I have done everything to grow this business myself aside from occasionally reaching out to my business attorney. This business has become so much more than just Instrument repair and now includes Instrument Sales, Equipment Disposition, Scope Repair and Rolling Stock Repair.
The quality of my work and customer service is what sets California Surgical Services apart from the other guys. I now have 3 trucks stationed throughout California. I work with rural Hospitals, Surgery Centers, County Healthcare Systems, Surgeons, Colleges, Research Labs, and Veterinary Hospitals. I go as far north as Shasta County, East to Las Vegas and Yuma with monthly trips to the Bay Area. I am blessed to be able to see beautiful California and get paid for doing what I love.
I thought it was important to include the work history form the start because without that I know wouldn’t be where I am today. After all that same MACC Project resume got me this far (with a few updates).
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I look at every obstacle that comes up as just a challenge to learn and grow. There are things that come up running a mobile business that you learn from and help make you stronger like a 2am break down on I5 near Bakersfield. With the determination I have there has been no obstacles other than me holding me back from moving forward along the way. I think its because there is so much demand for my services.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
California Surgical Services is a Mobile Surgical Instrument Sharpening and Repair Service. We provide on-site surgical instrument repair services to hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, county healthcare systems and Veterinary hospitals . We service all specialties of surgical instruments and provide services throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona.
I started the brand with goal of being another option for high quality Surgical Instrument Repair Services.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
The biggest risk I take is pushing myself too hard. I realize after doing this for the past couple of years full time that you have to give yourself a break. I’ve taken plenty financial risks along the way but in this business one day good day could change things.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://casurgicalservices.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casurgicalservices/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerry-ramsey-8a93a490/
