Letecia Colon de Mejias was enjoying a fulfilling career in health care when a friend suggested they watch a film about energy conservation called “Killowatt Ours — A Plan to Re-energize America.”
Jeffrey Barrie’s award-winning documentary about taking personal responsibility to conserve energy and save the planet hit the 37-year-old Windsor resident like a thunderbolt.
“It was a pivotal moment for me,” Colon de Mejias said of that 2009 screening. “It changed my life. It brought home the concept that we personally are responsible for global warming. I feel like everyone has a reason for why we’re here on earth. Everyone has a calling. And I felt all of a sudden that all of these multiple skill sets that I’ve been developing over the years, that I could make a difference.”
Personally and professionally, Colon de Mejias’ life was transformed. She became a self-appointed ambassador for energy-conservation education. She bought a copy of the film, showed it to friends and neighbors and held a special screening at the high school. The family’s 3,000-square-foot home was outfitted with a solar panel system, which significantly reduced the electricity bill and “now I generate more electricity than I use.”
With one of her five children, Colon de Mejias co-founded Green Eco Warriors, a nonprofit youth education and conservation organization. This all led to her investing $25,000 to start her own energy conservation business in 2010.
In three years, Windsor-based Energy Efficiencies Solutions has grown from three employees and $100,000 in revenues to 25 employees and projections to reach $1 million in sales this year. Colon de Mejias, married and the mother of five children, is the president and CEO. She is also certified to perform home conservation fixes, though she mostly runs her business, trains employees and manages staff. Her brother Justin Buck also works with her.
“The thing that sets us apart is our customer service,” Colon de Mejias said. “I learned that from my years at Hartford Hospital. Quality. Intergrity. Service. The one thing we always say in our office is to do the right thing, even if it costs us money. Because in the end we’ll make more money by doing the right thing.”
EES is one of more than two dozen energy conservation vendors affiliated with local utility companies that help make homes more efficient. Business, Colon de Mejias says, is steady. It relies heavily on word-of-mouth referrals. The company is open six days a week and is booked one month ahead, averaging six-to-eight home inspections a day.
Inspections range from $75 for homes with gas or electrical heating to $99 for homes that burn oil. The inspection includes making quick fixes such as door drafts, caulking leaking areas, installing energy efficient bulbs and pipe insulations. Thermal imaging equipment is used to assess air flow and leaks.
Water flow, heating and cooling systems, attics and basements are also assessed. As part of the inspection charge, homeowners receive a comprehensive assessment report. They can also receive rebates for more extensive energy-saving work, such as new windows, insulation or energy rated appliances. The utility companies subsidize the energy vendors for documented work it does to improve energy efficiency in the home.
EES operates out of Colon de Mejias’ nearly 5-acre Windsor home, where in-law quarters have been converted into an office. A barn has been renovated into an equipment storage area.
Her work in educating urban communities about energy conservation has been recognized by former Gov. M. Jodi Rell and a local community group. This year the national Department of Energy recognized EES for customer service and market leadership.
“How can life be better?” Colon de Mejias asks. “I’m reducing carbon emissions. I’m making people’s homes safer and more efficient. And I’m employing people who didn’t have opportunities otherwise.”
Most of the staff was previously unemployed. Colon de Mejias takes pride in seeing employees become more self-sufficient, buying cars and homes and having personal pride in acquiring a trade. Her business works with the state’s job funnel program, which trains the unemployed for various jobs. An EES employee can earn from $15 to $26 an hour. The business’ target market is broad: Colon de Mejias, who is of Puerto Rican and Italian descent, places a special priority on reaching urban and immigrant markets. As the author of several children’s books about energy conservation, she also partners with schools to reach young people about the importance of thinking green.
This is a woman who has clearly found her calling. But life wasn’t always so cheery
As the daughter of divorced parents — an Italian mom and Puerto Rican dad — Colon de Mejias grew up in Tolland. She had a bit of an identity crisis and self-esteem problems because peers in Tolland viewed her as Puerto Rican and called her names. Folks in Miami, where she visited her father in the summers, regarded her as white and also called her names.
In 1996, Colon de Mejias, then 19, was pregnant and married to her childhood sweetheart. She was divorced before she turned 20. As a single mom, she had to move back with mom and get her life in order.
Both parents were active in their communities. Dad was director of the Puerto Rican National Forum, with branches in Hartford and Miami. His strengths were building coalitions and negotiating contracts. Mom was a DCF caseworker who was big on personal accountability and financial responsibility.
In 1997, Colon de Mejias secured a job at Hartford Hospital as a patient administrative assistant. Over the next 15 years, she ascended to several other jobs there, including stints in medical records, research and special projects. She credits good mentors at the hospital with helping to shape her business acumen, interpersonal skills and management style. It all came in handy when she stepped out on her own.
Colon de Mejias now wants to take her energy-conservation movement national. She knows personally how the information can spark a dramatic change in habits.
“Life is about taking action,” she said. “You have to take the first step — and people will follow you.”
Stan Simpson is host of “The Stan Simpson Show” (www.Foxct.com/stan and Saturdays, 5:30 a.m., on FoxCT). His ‘Faces in Business’ column appears monthly. Know someone who’d make a good subject for ‘Faces in Business’? Contact Simpson at stansimpson@comcast.net
