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If one of your New Year's resolutions was to make more money in 2006, Darren Kimura may be able to help you.
Darren Kimura started Energy Industries at the age of 20, while on summer break from The University of Hawaii at Manoa. He began by helping his parents, Big Island contractors working in the family business. It was here that he noticed new buildings were being built but electrical generation was not matching the growth. Concerned about the future, he began offering and selling energy conservation projects to customers to help them save energy. He later moved to Portland State University in Oregon and got a Hawaii fax, pager and cellular phone. With the communication tools in place, his customers did not realize that they were dealing with a college student attending school on the mainland.
He says that the mainland exposure allowed him to learn from other energy efficiency companies and utilities and bring the successful strategies to the islands. Over the past 12 years Darren has become a leader in his field and many look to him for expertise and help while saving millions of dollars in energy.
Through Darren's journey of learning about energy efficiency, building his company and balancing life at a young age, he has come up with three important tips for young entrepreneurs considering starting a business. First, use other people's money to gain experience and credibility in your field of interest. By working for someone else you can become an expert with out paying for that experience from your own capital. Second, only create a business on something you love. That love will help you focus and endure through the ups and downs of business. Third, focus on building a great team. This consists of an internal team, like your employees, advisors, directors and an external team which is your bankers, insurance agents, attorneys, accountants. Money spent today is much more money saved tomorrow.
Twelve years after starting Energy Industries in the library of his parent office, Darren has been able to grow his company to twelve offices worldwide. His success has come from determination, hard work, and community service. Darren said, "At the core of our company is helping community. When we help people save money by saving energy, this helps the environment, the economy and the community. In addition, we help educate about the need for energy efficiency in the home. Finally we outreach with our own staff around the world to non-profits." That's a win-win situation for Energy Industries and the customer and the world. For more information on energy industries please visit www.energy-industries.com.
For a checklist of energy efficiency tips for your home and work place go to www.energysmartnews.org.
For the full audio interview and transcript please visit greatergoodradio.com. Greater Good Radio airs every Saturday morning and Wednesday night on 1420 AM and online at www.greatergoodradio.com.
