The Working World
Lemonade Maker: Brendan Barry, RainMan
Profiles of people who are seeing opportunity in a pile of economic lemons.
Brendan Barry, Rainwater Harvester
Location: Raleigh-Durham, NC
Before recession: Excavating Contractor
Now: Owner at North Carolina Rainwater Harvesting. Barry’s company installs above/underground systems for home and business owners.
Q. When did you notice a shift in the economic climate?
A. As an excavating contractor, I saw a building slowdown in Massachusetts in 2007. Watching friends fight over any crumb that fell from the home building table became too much to bear. Coaxed by siblings and a perception of a better local economy down south, I closed my sewer, water and grading biz and moved to NC the following December.
Q. What was your “aha” moment?
A. In the beginning I was optimistic to see the building trade still thriving in NC. Then I was laid off 1 day before my benefits kicked in. I got another job pretty quickly. At this point, NC was in a serious drought and people were purchasing rain barrels to provide water for flowers, shrubs, and vegetables. I noticed that there was nobody installing these barrels for little old ladies. My “aha” moment came when I approached my new supervisor about pursuing rainwater harvesting projects. He laid me off.
Q. How are you turning economic lemons into lemonade?
A. We add the water. Fresh water is a commodity. A lagging economy makes people look at their self-sustainability. More people are planting vegetable gardens and heating with wood stoves. When we get back to basics, “all things old become new again”. Also, with the high unemployment numbers it is easy to find skilled labor. My company has expanded to installing up to 10,000 gal rainwater collection systems as a result of the internet marketing along with a grass roots approach at home and garden shows and the local flea market.
Q. How is your business model tailored to new economic realities?
A. I think we are right in line with the direction of the economy. Green business finally has legs and tax breaks for conservation have put Rain Water Harvesting on the radar for new construction. Service is the timeless foundation we are building on.
Q. Any tips for other readers thinking of starting a new venture?
A. Find a product or service people want/need then work your butt off to provide it. Good old fashioned service and respect works wonders.
Read about more Lemonade Makers here.
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2 comments for “Lemonade Maker: Brendan Barry, RainMan”
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Great idea!!! Keeps the water and money flowing, and saves the environment! How can you beat it!
My mother was the one who pointed out to me what a great idea Brendan had. She lives in Raleigh and has had the problem of keeping up with her garden in the drought. You’re absolutely right that it’s good for the wallet and the earth!