Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricardo Duran Jr.
Hi Ricardo, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was introduced to the industry by a family member who owns a pest control company in Los Angeles, CA. At the time, I was going to school for culinary arts and was working as a cashier at a fast-food restaurant.
After school, I spent most of my downtime learning about every aspect involved in the pest control industry; all the laws and regulations, reports and paperwork to be filed and the ability to identify and treat for every pest I might come across.
During the summer, I would venture out on the field to gain hands-on experience. I didn’t even know if I wanted to be in this type of industry up until the day came where I helped a lady and her newborn child get rid of their bed bugs. In that moment as I witnessed the joy and relief that I gave that family was all the motivation I needed to know that this profession is the direction I wanted to pursue.
So, I decided to go full-time and obtain my licenses to continue to help people as much as I can. As the years went by, I kept wanting to grow in the industry and in life, so I left the company my family built and gained experiences with other companies. I even helped start another company in Corona, CA although it still wasn’t enough for me; so, I decided it was time to venture out again but this time to form a new path for myself and finally gained the courage to start my very own company, now called “ER Pest and Termite Inc.” which covers all of Southern California. Still continuing to learn, grow and now teach my employees to grow along with me. All while also helping other small companies grow their businesses in the industry to create the change we thrive for.
I have a goal for this industry and I’m hoping to work together in making that new era possible.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely been a long tough battle. From all the studying and hard-worked money saved being spent. The drama coming from people I thought were my friends and so-called family members and all the legal stuff with the structural pest control board. I don’t even know where to begin this part of the story. But one of the biggest obstacles I had to face aside from all that was my own self-doubt.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about ER Pest and Termite Inc.?
What I can say that set us apart is our honesty and fairness to the customer of not applying pressure to buy and informing them of their options. ER has thrived on our loyal customers who have become our ER Family and the recommendations they have given us.
We are known for our kindness, professionalism and our thoroughness to even educate our clients. I would like the whole world to know that anything is possible and ER is always here to help.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’ve had a lot of bad luck starting my company. Betrayal, abandonment, trouble with the law, robbed, discrimination, and many, many more. The greatest of luck I would say are the true friends and family members who stayed by my side since the beginning of this adventure and even the loyal customers who gave me the opportunity to serve them and to continue to serve them through the pandemic. They became my good luck charms and I cherish them all dearly.
Pricing:
- $65 General Pest Control services on Monthly, Bi-monthly, and Quarterly programs.
- Free inspections for Rodents, Insulation, Termites and Wood Repair. (Termite reports for Escrow/Refinance is $150)
- Flea/Tick treatments , German Roaches treatment, Bed Bugs/Mites treatment, Bait Stations and Mosquito stations are more services we offer.
- When you’re ready, join our ER Family. 951-466-9000/951-691-3424.
