By Chris Hagan
Review Staff Writer
More often than not it seems that nearly everyone has a horror story when it comes to dealing with a contractor.
Either the job is taking too long, it was done wrong, or the client just has no idea when they’re going to show up. Most of it boils down to poor communication between the two.
But for Pablo Ortega, he’s looking to change that client-contractor relationship through an App and he’s now one step closer.
The 24-year-old Lake Orion man and his Bloomfield Township business, Fresh Co. Home, was selected by Comcast as one of six grand prize winners from around the country. Called the Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs, the competition selected businesses looking to integrate technology to help better their business.
‘I was on a job and when they [Comcast] called I dropped everything and my heart started racing,? Ortega said. ‘It was just completely unexpected and exciting at the same time because it was reality.?
Ortega won the regional stage of the contest by an essay submission detailing his vision of developing an App that allows the clients of construction jobs to track the progress.
After winning $10,000 in the regional, he contacted members of the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce and others to vote for his App on the national stage. The App, which is still finishing patent approval, was selected and won Ortega an additional $20,000. His idea addresses many of the issues clients and contractors experience during a project.
‘There will be a job tracker feature where pictures can be uploaded during the job and the client can access it,? Ortega said. ‘It’ll have a customer service feature because right now there’s a huge communication issue with clients and contractors.?
Ortega is also including a feature that would display the schedules of employees so clients know who’s working in their house and at what times. He’s currently working with a developer to get the App in production which may cost upwards of $25,000 with thousands more to fine tune it.
The award selection has been a whirlwind for Ortega and while he’s excited to move forward with his idea. He’s also a student attending Oakland Community College.
Realizing the value in education, he’s used the momentum of the Comcast award to jump start the Youth Chamber of Commerce. Ortega and other entrepreneurs act as advisors and mentors to kids and teenagers seeking careers in business.
‘We’re providing young entrepreneurs with networking opportunities and giving them resources that they wouldn’t have otherwise just to help them start their careers,? he said.