Today we’d like to introduce you to JR Rodriguez.
Hi JR, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born on Long Island, New York. I was fortunate enough to be raised by family members that had construction companies and I was able to see the ins and outs of the construction world. When I turned 16 years old, I started working with a family member in the Hamptons on Long Island, New York. I was sucked into the construction world the first weekend I worked with them. I had never seen such a brotherhood of men doing different trades and skilled at what they did. I would day dream when I was in high school the entire week and couldn’t wait to go back to work on the weekends. My family members worked for a General Contractor in the Hamptons that took me under his wing for a bit and I knew then I needed to be a Contractor, Builder, or General Contractor at some point in my life. I worked every holiday, time off, and weekends until I graduated. I couldn’t absorb enough information about skilled work and I wanted to be the best out of my crew and / or circle. If your not the best in New York, no one looks at you, your just another head filling up space in the renovation. I couldn’t nor did I want that for myself.
At 19 years old the same General Contractor offered me contracts and told me that if I could come up with a working van and all heavy machinery, he could give me contract work and I wouldn’t have to work for anyone, I could be my own boss and run my business to shine the way I had learned. That same week I grew the courage to ask my dad for a loan that I could pay back with time and he had questions but besides the doubt he gave me funds for machinery. I only needed a working van, at this point I didn’t mind using any work van, I couldn’t be picky. I spoke to my brother in law that was also in the business. I’m not sure how, but he also believed in me and us to start up a business. He ended up buying a cheap Astro van but to me it was beautiful van. It meant my dream could come true, all I had to do is put in the effort. I wanted everything legit so, I purchased the name, insurance, and workers comp. I was 19, didn’t learn about taxes in school but that would be a challenge we talk about soon.
I ended up running a business for 2 years in the Hamptons, but at 21 I shut the business down. I moved with my parents to Charleston, SC. This was around 2004. I lived here for about 9 months or so, ended up married but I was not happy. I ended back in New York working for family again. Something was not the same when I moved back, I missed the freedom of running my own show. I stayed 2 years and ended up moving to Florida with my wife’s family. I went to school to become a medical assistant. This was my plan B if all else failed. Needless to say, this was a recipe for disaster. I was always dreaming of what could have been if I had stayed in New York and not moved down with my parents at age 21. My older brother begged me not to leave because I had a good thing going with my business, he even offered me to live with him but I had never been to the south and it was attractive at that time.
I ended up divorced and moved back to Charleston, South Carolina. I was planning to go back to New York but wanted to visit my parents before doing so. Some how I ended up working with a local contractor here in Charleston and we would work in Seabrook, Kiawah, West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, and surrounding areas. I was hooked on the construction life once again. I felt like I was back at home and the idea of moving back to New York completing went away. Fast forward a couple years, I was in my second marriage and doing side jobs while working for a community management group. They allowed me to spread my wings and I was happy for a while. I soon became to busy and I couldn’t work for local contractors any more. Reasons or issues I’m sure everyone deals with in the Lowcountry. Im not here to bash anyone or any company, just here for my story.
I told my wife that I had a business at 19 but I was scared to start another business because I was not born and raised in the south, my network was in New York. I didn’t have a network like the one I had in New York, so it could be a little difficult starting up. God must have sent her in my path for a reason because she gave me the courage to believe in myself and start up Charleston Premier Workz. I added the “Z” at the end of Workz because of my last name. It was difficult starting a network of trades to do remodels but eventually after years of trial and error, it all worked out. I was able to continue working on my skill and new skills I had learned from other local contractors throughout the years. I always wanted to be the best in each project I worked in whether it was a kitchen make over, bathroom remodel, or carpentry throughout a home. Saying no was not an option, I either purchased a new tool for the project or hired smarter guys than me so I could learn more. Eventually I got to the point that I could not physically work doing manual labor. I was filled with projects and I needed to step back and manage projects. This meant I needed to let go of my business in one end in order to grow it better and create the vision I never thought possible. 12 years later here we are, we won best remodel for 2024 with Charleston living magazine and top 3 for 2025, and we have been nominated again for 2026. Being in a magazine was a dream I always had just never thought it would happen for me, let alone be #1. I felt God walked with me in this entire path and I want to continue being a better version of myself every year for my customers and family. Im not saying it was all beautiful, I had a lot of ups and downs both with business and personal life. If I had a choice to start over, I would do it all over the same again. Well maybe some smarter choices in some areas, lol.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Obstacle I faced throughout my years in business from the first business to the current one has been taxes. No-one teaches you what to save or who to hire to do your taxes. Unfortunately we had a couple bad tax companies that took us for a ride and we found out too late. By the time we found out both times, it was a couple years too late. Now we learned our lesson of hiring a good tax company. Made me realize that going to a high name or location doesn’t always mean they are in your best interest. Sometimes it’s the person that actually delivers when they say they will and not the ones that fill you with hopes and dreams.
Second obstacle was building a network. I won’t stay here long but just because they say they know how to do a certain trade, doesn’t mean they actually do. Most popular phrase I’ve heard while being a boss is ” I’ve been doing this for 20 plus years”. My response was always the same, ” Just because you have been doing this for 20 plus years, doesn’t mean you have been doing it correctly or up to code for that amount of time”. The network I have now, I wouldn’t trade for anything, they are truly the brotherhood and guys I can call family.
Last but not least, I struggled learning that I can’t please everyone. Learning how to type up estimates was the way that I have learned keeps the customer and I honest. When customers or I have questions or concerns, I always like to reference back to, what does the contract or line item say about scope of work in question. This avoids any ill feelings that can arise during project. We do our best to show customers in the beginning, this is where we start and this is our end goal. It makes our customers appreciate the details so that projects can go as smooth as possible. We always keep in mind that it’s a privilege that they let us in their home to work, so we try to make customers have a great experience and give them our best.
We’ve been impressed with Charleston Premier Workz, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We love to give back to the community. Doing out reach has always been my passion because I remember where I came from and I want to bless others just they way God has blessed me.
We specialize in custom kitchens, baths, additions, and complete home renovations. We do turn key projects and also have 3D rendering software so that customers can see their home in a Doll House view before any demo starts.
What sets us apart from others is our large network of trades, we have architects, engineers, all types of trades, and software to be able to do turn key projects. Doing a remodel is stressful for anyone, we like to minimize the stress and guide our customers by educating on their project giving them options so that they can pick what works best for them.
I want readers to know that I stand behind our product and services. I couldn’t be more proud of the network of guys and team that we work with on a daily basis. I tell everyone “ There is always room for improvement”, it lets us all know we can always be better. I don’t think I will ever stop learning a new skill in construction.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Giving a customer more than what they originally expected or signed us up for. Seeing the smile on a customers face after dealing with a disaster in there home is a warm feeling for us, knowing they trusted us to help make their home better than it was before. Or when customers hire us to design a kitchen or bathroom, knowing they will have something custom that no-one else has is also rewarding to me. I want everyone that doesn’t know about our company and services we offer to be know all over South Carolina. The experience they will have with our team and network will speak volumes once we are done.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.charlestonpremierworkz.com/
- Instagram: charleston.premier.workz
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/charlestonpremierworkz
- Other: https://CharlestonPremierWorkz.com
