Today we’d like to introduce you to Dustin DeRouchey.
Dustin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My father started the business in 1977 when he was doing spray construction and a customer asked him to spray a mountain with urethane foam for a movie called Beast Master. In the next 35 years, he became known as the “mad foamer” as he continued spraying foam on sets and artistic sculptures for the film industry.
In 2008, I began to work for him during college. I worked on mobile coating and Sprayfoam services until 2012 when I purchased the company from him. I then opened a physical location where I added a specialty product line and fabrication service for scenery and props. I’m proud to say since then we’ve done thousands of projects for countless TV Shows and featured films.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I began to expand the company by adding products to become a one-stop-shop for the film industry there were some growing pains. I had to learn to transition from being a technician to being the person instructing others as the owner/manager as we began to add employees. I would say the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has been our greatest challenge. A few months prior to the “Safer at Home” order, we had relocated into a larger space and opened up another location in Georgia at the request of entertainment construction buyers. Instead of the business growth we were expecting, we were almost completely shut down. It’s been a tough ride navigating through protecting our employees and their families while protecting the business during these times. We are optimistic that business will resume better than it was before, meanwhile, we just need to ride out the bumps.
DeRouchey Foam – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Our specialty is the ability to provide the finishing process of coating for sculptures while maintaining the artistic details that someone has spent countless hours perfecting. We have spent years working on the right formula of coating and spray technique so that it retains the integrity of someone’s work – whether it is for a one time shoot or a permanent display.
We are also known for being one of the only companies that provide specialized foam and coatings for artistic use. Customers often come to us as an expert resource on what materials to best use for their unique project. In addition, we strive to have a meaningful relationship with our customers. We don’t just want to be where they buy materials but we want to be a resource partner that promotes the growth and health of their business.
I am the proudest of creating a healthy workplace that prioritizes the needs of our employees and their families. We are careful to structure our resources to provide a place where people can make an above-average wage and have reliable employment. We also give 10% of all our gross revenue to non-profit organizations. We currently sponsor 40+ World Vision children, have given to Boys and Girls Clubs, funded a year’s budget for a chaplain program in Zambia, sponsored Door of Hope to help families experiencing homelessness to rebuild their lives, and many others.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success by how much I am able to improve the lives of everyone one we come in contact with, from employees to customers, to vendors. I also strive to be honest and above reproach in all our business dealings and live by the golden rule from Luke 6:31 in the bible, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is a biblical concept spoken by Jesus in Luke 6:31.”
Contact Info:
- Address: 11035 Sutter Ave
Pacoima, CA 91331 - Website: www.derofoam.com
- Phone: 888.959.4852
- Email: www.derofoam.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deroucheyfoam/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/derouchey-foam-pacoima?osq=derouchey+foam
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