Jeanette Chavarria Torres, DCH Construction and Hauling LLC

Jeanette Chavarria Torres, DCH Construction & Hauling, LLC

Organizations: HACIA

Services Utilized: Create Business Plan, Price Products, Secure Licenses, Certify as WBE/MBE, Develop Partners

Jeanette Chavarria Torres’ journey to start her business, DCH Construction and Hauling, began when she was a kid. “Both of my parents are Mexican immigrants, and my dad used to own a trucking company,” Jeanette said. “Because his English was not the best, he thought his ten-year-old daughter could help him with the administrative stuff.” Unfortunately, Jeanette’s father had to close his trucking company due to financial challenges, but this early business experience gave Jeanette the confidence and determination to pursue entrepreneurship, and she dreamed of one day re-opening the family business. Jeanette incorporated her business, named for her father, when she was a senior in college. “I also became a single mom when I was in college,” she said. “That was quite the journey, but I still finished.”

Jeanette has been in business with DCH Construction Hauling for ten years. The company makes $6.2 million dollars in gross annual revenue and subcontracts to 50-60 owner operators per year. It took the company four years to get major contracts which include partnerships with O’Hare Airport and Walsh Construction, one of the biggest construction firms in the US. “It’s been quite the journey,” she said. “I don’t come from connections. I had to knock on every single door, but I’m really proud.”

Jeanette acknowledges the unique hurdles women face in business, particularly in male-dominated industries. “The work-life balance, especially when you’re a mother, is very difficult.” she explained. “Trying to get contracts and trying to meet people – you’re sacrificing time with your child.” Jeanette also faced prejudice both due to her age and gender. “I was 22 years old when I started, so I had everything going against me [including] my age [and] that I was a woman,” she said.

The Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA) has been a key partner as Jeanette builds her business. “HACIA has so many classes for your development as a business owner.” Jeanette said. “I literally took almost all the classes available.” Through HACIA, Jeanette found a mentor in construction and took both safety classes and classes on business development with the Illinois Tollway. Jeanette is now a board member at HACIA and advocates for small business legislation. “We’re letting legislators know that small businesses matter, and their legislation affects us,” she said.

Looking ahead, Jeanette plans to take the company from six million dollars to ten million dollars in gross annual revenue per year. She wants to disrupt the “good old men’s club” of the construction industry through her work on the women’s committee at HACIA and her advocacy on legislation for female business owners. “It’s been a very difficult journey, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything and I’m really happy that I decided to bet on myself,” Jeanette said.

Develop Your Idea – DCH Construction and Hauling LLC

What is the problem you were trying to solve?

“To be a reliable transportation company [by offering] reliable trucks with a reliable back office that gets the paperwork done because they’re both important.”

What is your product?

“We’re a construction hauling company.”

How did you price your product?

“I took an estimating class with the Illinois Department of Transportation. I [accounted] for labor right away then [added] taxes, maintenance, fuel, and overhead.”

Who is your ideal customer?

“My ideal customer is [one] where they give you the respect of a partnership, they respect your pricing, they respect your contract, and they pay within 30 days.”

How did you market your new idea?

“I joined HACIA because you need to join organizations where they can get you in front of the right people. They had a lot of networking events where I was able to meet some of my clients. Business development to me is shaking someone’s hand, making that connection, and following up.”

How did you make your first sale?

“I would go to all these networking events, and my very first client was Christy Weber Landscapes. I was able to tell her my story, and I guess people are impressed with my story and how I got started.”