Today we’d like to introduce you to Brigitt Zelada.
Hi Brigitt, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2011, I was working in the light industrial side of the staffing industry, daydreaming every day about one day owning my own business. Eventually, I saw a desperate need in a small niche within said industry and; dived into the Forklift Certification world with some basic knowledge in OSHA compliance and $500 that I borrowed from my mother. I called on all contacts that I had made within the staffing industry, placed some ads on craigslist, secured spots at my local swap meet every single weekend and the rest is history.
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?
No, to say the least. I struggled to learn everything there was to know in the Safety and Forklift Certification Industry as quickly as I could. Making many mistakes and embarrassing myself along the way. I also found that many companies were baffled as to why a woman was going to conduct a class, train and certify them in a dominantly male-driven industry. Let me tell you, the looks I would get, or the disregard of what I was teaching them as if they knew better than me. I have to say this is still something I deal with today only now I am confident and strong. I also struggled with being a single mother trying to run her own business and of course the financial aspect of profiting enough to make ends meet and reinvesting to make my business grow.
As you know, we’re big fans of Bridgeway Forklift & Training Services. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are proud to be a woman-owned business! We make a significant contribution to our surrounding communities by providing a skilled trade in an industry that provides individuals a lot of room for growth. What sets us apart is that we provide quality training, excellent customer service (something that the forklift certification industry lacks), and have maintained that human touch that has been lost in these times. We also make a significant contribution in connecting our customers with local employers that are offering job opportunities.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the diversity of our cities but, we have a long way to go with offering better resources to our lower-income communities.
Pricing:
- Forklift Certification for Experienced Operators $45
- Forklift Training and Certification for New Operators $125
Contact Info:
- Website: http://bridgewayforklift.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgewayforklift/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridgewayforklift/
Image Credits:
Photo by: Madelaine Ochoa
