Today we’d like to introduce you to Aree Riley
Hi Aree, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Prior to the environmental field, I didn’t have a job. My journey began in the 1999, after learning I was to become a father. I realized I needed to learn a trade to earn more money to be able to support my child. After taking a placement test I joined a program called Youth Build here in St. Louis. They are a construction school that also offered students an opportunity to earn their G.E.D. and gain certifications in various fields. After I completed that program, I realized carpentry wasn’t for me, due to my dislike of heights, which comes with carpentry sometimes. I was educated on the environmental field. That led me to join another program called Brownfields (supported by St. Louis University). I graduated in 2002 after earning several certifications: OSHA-10, HAZWAP, Asbestos and Lead Removal.
I began working in the environmental field immediately after for several different non-union companies. Unfortunately, there were many layoffs which led me to jump from company to company. This went on for about 10 years. After that, I started trying to get into the Union but kept getting the run-around from the company I had been with for about 4-5 years. One night, while at a job site I called another company and asked if they were hiring. After being told they were, quit that night and started working for them the very next morning. One week later, the company I quit called me and told me they got me into the Union finally. I quit the new job and went back to the original company.
The Union was a great shift in my career. I went from making $14/hour to $34 immediately. This shifted my life not only because I was making more money, but I had better benefits and retirement. I continued to work as an environmental specialist for another 13 years before deciding to start my own company.
What made me start my own company was realizing there was a cap on what I could do in the field. I wasn’t able to go any higher even though I wanted much more for myself and family. I also had family and friends in the field that were constantly getting laid off. I wanted to create opportunities for my community and family that held more stability.
So, in 2013, while still working full-time, I started AllStar Environmental Services, LLC. In 2016, we changed our name to Earth’s Solutions Environmental Services, LLC.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. The struggle was learning how to be an owner and learning the business side of the field. I didn’t have the opportunity to be a supervisor, estimator or project manager. I went from being a working to an owner and it was difficult. I had to learn in real-time about sales, how to talk to clients, how to market myself and even how to type up proposals and properly estimate jobs. We didn’t make any money the first 3 years we were in business.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Earth’s Solutions Environmental Services, LLC is a family-owned compnay with a team of environmental specialists with over 20 years of experience. Our priority is to provide cutting-edge solutions to your mold, asbestos, and water removal needs. We work with residential and commercial property owners throughout St. Louis, St. Louis County and parts of Illinois, offering detection, testing, removal, and air clearance for your property.
As a family-owned and operated business, we offer personable, honest solutions for any property size. We understand that businesses and homes that fall victim to mold growth, asbestos exposure, and water damage need a professional team that can easily handle the job. That’s where we come in! Our certified team is constantly undergoing continued education to ensure we know the right solution for any issues.
What sets us a part and what I’m most proud of how particular we are in our work. We take the time to ensure each corner is cleaned and spotless. All horizontal and vertical surfaces are spotless. We don’t leave even a spider web behind when we’re hired for a property abatement.
We take pride in our personable approach with our clients. It’s like speaking to a member of your family when hiring us for any environmental need. We like to educate our clients about best evidence-based practices to complete the job and we even text our clients and answer any questions they may have about the work that’s needed.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I like most about my city is there’s plenty of opportunity for an aspiring entrepreneur to create something from nothing. There’s nothing I can say that I like least about my city. I was born and raised here; I love my city.
Pricing:
- We are a more affordable company when it comes to environmental work because we are a smaller company.
- We have 4.9 stars on Google and are A+ on BBB.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.earthsllc.net
