Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
Fire Tech Systems opened 1990, in October we will celebrate 27years in Business.
What is your primary product or service?
Fire Sprinkler Systems –We design, fabricate, install, inspect repair and maintain wet, dry, and
deluge systems.
Fire Alarm and Detection – Our certified technicians will analyze and recommend a complete
comprehensive safety solution for your facilities and provide regular testing, repairs and 24-hour
service of your equipment.
Special Hazards Fire Suppression Systems – Dry Chemical, Clean Agent, Foam Systems and
Kitchen Hood Systems – We design, furnish, install, inspect, repair and maintain these systems.
Nurse Call Systems – Our trained personnel can design, furnish, install and service all brands of
Nurse Call Systems for nursing or assisted living facilities.
Fire Extinguishers – We offer extinguishers designed for the specific fire classification as well
as inspection, testing and maintenance for facilities and for company vehicles.
Security Cameras – We design, furnish, install, inspect, repair and maintain these systems.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
I started my career in 1980 as a fire sprinkler designer. I had just graduated from a local Vo-Tech school with a Drafting Technology degree in Mechanical drafting hoping to land a job in the Oil & Gas Business. Unfortunately, my timing was off and the bottom fell out in the oil business. Hind sight, quite lucky for me! The fire protection industry was just moving into hydraulic calculations for sizing pipe and I was fascinated by the challenges every job had; there was no job exactly alike. I can still remember working into the night waiting on the computer calculations to finish, it took hours back then to calculate a system and if it didn’t work, it was back to the drawing board, literally.
Early in my career I learned about a women’s organization that only had women members who were in the construction industry. I joined the National Association of Women in Construction and became very active and eventually became president of our local chapter. I credit that organization for teaching me to be professional in our business and the networking it provided was invaluable and the friendships I have made are still with me today. I would encourage all women in our industry to join an association that benefits women and become active.
In 1990 I had an opportunity to start my own business. Shortly, after that I met a wonderful woman who became my mentor. Ms. Alice Coleman, building manager for a local high-rise building gave me a clear understanding of the right way to do business; NEVER PROCRASTINATE! ...and always be diplomatic no matter how hard the situation is. Through the years she has always encouraged me to do my best.
Once I decided to start my own business, with the encouragement of my husband, I went to LSUS-SBEA office to guide me in developing a business plan, along with assistance to secure a bank loan. Charlotta Nordyke, director of the SBEA office at the time, told me to look for investors because there’s a 1% chance a bank would provide a woman, starting a non-traditional company in construction, with a loan. I was fortunate and found a backer who was instrumental in funding my start up.
I rented a 13 X 13 construction work trailer with no restroom next to my investor’s office. When it rained, I would have to jump across the ditch to their office to use the restroom. Good Times!! Two years later, I was able to buy my them out. In 1993 I purchased a 5,000 square foot building west of town. In 1996, I remodeled the building to accommodate the growth. In 2004, I built a new 6,500 square foot office/warehouse building in the Ashley Ridge Business Park. In 2010, I purchased the 5,000 square foot building next door to expand my training center, office space, and warehouse space. In 2015 I connected the two buildings with a 4,300 square foot addition.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
As a business owner, my first goal is to provide a working environment where my team members can grow and feel successful in their careers. I have an outstanding group of dedicated and caring employees that are driven by customer satisfaction in all that we do. I also encourage my team to complete all the training classes we provide through the American Fire Sprinkler Association - Leadership Ladder, Contren Learning Series, Design Schools, teleconference seminars and competing in the national Apprenticeship contest. Training gives your employees confidence in their job and customers recognize a well-trained technician which bringing recurring business.
My simple philosophy is if you take good care of your employees and treat your customers like kings and queens, then success will come. Keep up with the current trends in your industry and offer your customers a little extra lagniappe. They will keep coming back.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
Fire Tech now employees 88 Team Members, with an office in Monroe. Fire Tech Systems is licensed in six states: Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Provide detailed directions to your location
Address is 721 N Ashley Ridge Loop
Off of Line Ave - Ashley Ridge is street between Outback Steakhouse and Coldwell Banker (near 3132 exit from I-49) Turn onto Ashley Ridge Dr, (you will pass Air U and Spa Concepts on your left side. right after spa concepts there is a road to the right - that is Ashley Ridge Loop) Take Ashley Ridge Loop and Fire Tech Systems will be on your right.
What type of payments do you accept?
Cash, Check, Credit Card
Which areas do you service?
Fire Tech Systems is licensed in six states: Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
I am the owner/President and oversee the daily operations along with my management team
What are your hours of operation?
8:00 am - 5:00 pm - Monday through Friday (office closed during the lunch hour 12:00-1:00)
Closed Holidays
24 hour emergency service
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
Continued business, I still have many of my first customers 26 years later. That is a great compliment!