Today we’d like to introduce you to Oscar Morejon.
Oscar, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been around Construction since I was old enough to swing a hammer. My father, Rafael Morejon, played an instrumental role in mentoring me to love the industry. At the age of 15, I asked my dad for a new car, that day he said he was going to buy me a Ferrari. The next day he showed up with a pressure cleaner and said if I pressure cleaned enough houses, I can buy whatever car I wanted, including a Ferrari. At the age of 15 and through high school, I made extra money pressure cleaning and painting driveways. I quickly realized the value of a dollar and the value my father was teaching me. When I was 17, I opened my first company and began a handyman business. I would paint houses, repair fences and be the neighborhood handyman. At 19, I hired my first employee, Hiram Lascano and began studying construction management at Miami Dade. Throughout Miami Dade and then at FIU, I worked to pay for my tuition, monthly expenses and begin saving money for the future. I always tell myself that I pressure cleaned my way through college. At the age of 21, I began working at Suffolk Construction. I began as an intern and quickly began growing my way up the corporate ladder. I was an Assistant Superintendent at the MET 3 project in Downtown Miami where we managed over 150 Million dollars’ worth of work and built one of the most iconic building in this city.
Since the young age of 15, being a business owner was something that I always dreamed of. I did not only dream of the flexibility and financial opportunity but the opportunity to make a huge difference in the lives of those around me. Prior to the completion of the MET 3 project, I began praying and considering going on my own and opening my own business. I remember people always asking me if I could work on their home or property and their need for a good and reliable general contractor. I saw a huge need in the market for a company that showed up on time, for fairly priced and was SET APART from the other contractors. At that time, I created John Bell Construction, Inc. and began the transition as an employee to an employer.
After I resigned in May of 2016, I had no work lined up or did I have any idea of how I was going to pay the bills. The only thing I did have was $2,500 in the bank, a logo, business cards and a truck. I left my steady paycheck in faith knowing that the need for good general contractors existed and that God will provide work. 7 months after the company started, I offered my best friend, Albert Faz, a position in the company. We now run the company together. In a year and a half, we have done over 3 Million dollars of work and over 65 complete projects. We are expected to do 10 Million in 2018 and 50 Million by 2021.
This company is founded on the principles founded on God’s word. We believe it is our responsibility to lead the community in the right direction and be good stewards of their investments. We aim to be honest, hardworking and faithful individuals that are SETAPART for their clients and their employees.
We specialize in residential and commercial renovations. We also build new construction houses and buildings. We have a great team of workers that make me proud every day. We are excited for the future and we are blessed to be a part of this great city.
Has it been a smooth road?
This is an easy question yet so difficult.
Here it goes.
When I resigned from Suffolk and I started John Bell Construction, Inc., I knew it was going to be tough. Nobody thinks that starting a company is easy. But one thing is starting the company, the other is running and maintaining the company. Being a business owner is the toughest thing I’ve ever done in my life. Some say being a business owner is the most loneliness place to be. I remember when I started, everyone asked me how much money I had in the bank. Someone told me that I needed at least $20,000 in the bank to start the company. I remember telling them that I had the money when I really only had $2,500. The reason I say this is because now everyone loves John Bell Construction and everyone applauds me but there weren’t many applauding when I quit my job and went out in faith to start the company. I am the type of person that doesn’t allow the opinions of others dictate what I was so clearly called to do.
My second struggle was knowing who to trust and who was only out to take advantage of me. I’ve lost a lot of acquaintances because I had to choose to do the right thing and not the cool thing. But I owe my clients, my wife and my friends the correct thing and my ethics cannot be shaken by the actions of others.
Growth was and is one of my biggest struggles. We quickly began landing work and the time to meet clients, perform the work and manage the company was extremely difficult. This is the main reason I called my good friend Albert Faz. He helped me organize the company from the office side and allowed me to do what I was born to do. Build buildings and build people.
The current struggle continues to be growth. My dream and vision is to continue making an impact in this city and continue building throughout South Florida. Bigger projects and more responsibilities mean more office space, more employees, more responsibility and more struggles. We are currently hiring and creating a strong foundation prior to our next significant growth. We will overcome growth and we will make a significant difference in the lives of the citizens of this great city.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the John Bell Construction, Inc. story. Tell us more about the business.
The first need we saw as a company was the need for honest general contractors in the city. The main client that needed a loyal GC, was the residential client. The hardworking family that put all their life savings to fix their home is our priority. We feel it is our duty to lead them in the best direction and be good stewards of their investment. We love working with families to create their dream home.
Coming from commercial construction, I have a huge heart for commercial projects. We are currently building restaurants, kitchens, offices and medical facilities. We want to serve the private commercial client just as much as our residential clients!
One thing that sets us apart from other General contractors is that we have crews of trained employees that are in house and ready to perform all scopes of work. This means that we subcontract 40% less than other GC’s, which allow us many benefits. The first benefit is price. We are able to be more competitive in or pricing by eliminating the middle man. We use our own in house employees that are safety trained, loyal and committed to the vision of John Bell Construction. Another great benefit is the opportunity to guarantee our clients when the project will start and when it will be completed. Managing our employees is much more efficient than managing subcontractors.
I am most proud of our entire John Bell Family. Our family includes, relatives, friends, ex coworkers, neighbors and all those who have somehow contributed to our success. I never say that I’m self-made because I am not. I am made by the efforts and support of so many individuals that have been there for us since the very beginning. This company is not built on money or fame or power but on faith and family and teamwork.
We are set apart from others because there is no other construction company like us. Our heart is to SERVE our clients and serve then with an open heart. We go above and beyond on everything we do. We are called to be there for our city, state and country. For example: when hurricane Harvey hit, we packed our trucks and guys and left to volunteer to Texas. We spent a week there serving the community and just bringing hope. I am so proud of who we are and what we do. We offer exceptional service, excellent prices and the peace of mind that with John Bell Construction, you will never be let down.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In the next 10 years, John Bell Construction will be a household name. They will know that John Bell is here to serve them and know that we are the company to trust! We will be a leader in the industry. We will be building mid and high rises and creating structures that will change this city for the GOOD.
Pricing:
- Free consultation
- Free estimates and proposals
Contact Info:
- Address: 260 Palermo Ave
Coral Gables, Fl - Website: Johnbellconstruction.com
- Phone: 786-918-1000
- Email: oscar@johnbellconstruction.com
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