We were lucky to catch up with Brian Levy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brian , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

The journey into starting my own business wasn’t a meticulously crafted plan from the outset. It all began when my brilliant wife nudged me about doing something in the field I was already in.

In 2008, when I was new to America, I started teaching lifeguards in Virginia during the summer of ’09. But when that season ended, the opportunity evaporated, and I found myself searching for the next step.

That pursuit led me to apply for a job as a CPR instructor with the American Red Cross. I became part of this diverse team, moving around Washington DC and teaching CPR in big corporate offices and federal buildings. It was a melting pot of trainers from all walks of life—different backgrounds and countries. Many of us were immigrants, just like me, trying to carve a path.

The Red Cross was undergoing changes—cutting hours, restructuring, and relying more on volunteers than paid instructors. In the midst of all this, my wife was expecting. While juggling all these changes, I was also enrolled in an EMT training program, eyeing up the path to becoming a Firefighter/Medic.

Then, in 2011, my son came into this world. That’s when my wife and I decided to take a bold step: launch our first training business under her name, giving us an edge with the SWAM certification for women and minority-owned businesses.

I started by landing a promising contract with a corporate daycare. But things got sticky when I took my entire 12 weeks of paternity leave, which didn’t sit well with my bosses. They even threw a non-compete agreement my way. I made a choice that felt like a leap—I left the job after sorting some debt from an accidental overpayment during leave. That was my plunge into the world of self-employment.

But you know what? I couldn’t have taken that risk without my wife’s unwavering support. She was the rock, the primary earner, and the one who nudged me to take this chance. Her belief in my potential gave me the courage and vision to step out of my comfort zone.

Looking back, it’s as clear as day. It’s the strength of having a partner who sees something in you that you might not see in yourself. Her encouragement wasn’t just about business; it was about reshaping our roles as a family. Her faith in me fueled diving headfirst into entrepreneurship against all odds.

Brimming with risks and uncertainties, this journey has been about more than just business. It’s a testament to the power of partnership and the belief that sometimes, taking a chance with the proper support can alter your entire course.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Brian Levy, and my journey through the world of emergency care education has been adventurous and deeply rewarding. Originally from Jamaica and raised in London, my love for the water led me to become a lifeguard at a young age, a role that came naturally due to my background in competitive swimming.

Life’s twists took me to the Caribbean, where I eventually worked as an Atlantis Submarine Pilot in the Cayman Islands. Fate had its way, and I met my future wife during a tour. We hit it off and got married, and that’s when I realized my passion lay in educating others about CPR, First Aid, and emergency care.

My prior experience in teaching swimming and certifying lifeguards equipped me well for the training field. Joining the American Red Cross (ARC) further deepened my understanding of the critical importance of CPR, AED, and First Aid training. I was thrust into diverse environments, training hundreds of people weekly, often in high-profile settings. However, amidst success, challenges arose. My proficiency and clarity in teaching made me stand out, leading to recognition and resentment, unfortunately, marked by jealousy and unfair treatment as a non-citizen.

The CPR/AED/First Aid certification business proved challenging and lucrative. It involved multiple layers, from sales and logistics to operations. Yet, the frontline instructors like me were the face of the service. While fulfilling, I aimed for more, pursuing an EMT course and envisioning a transition to a career in Fire/EMS.

In due course, I became the “Chief of Everything,” balancing roles from instructor to managing logistics, marketing, and the intricacies of running a business daily. Our commitment to comprehensive programs, unmatched quality, and dedication to saving lives through education became our ethos. I learned the hard way about underselling and compromising quality for value, but eventually found our worth, delivering more than just certifications – a wealth of lifesaving skills and knowledge.

My unwavering dedication and experience set us apart in a saturated market. I aimed to build a brand synonymous with excellence in emergency care education. Our partnership with World Point Inc. transformed our training, particularly with innovative manikins that increased confidence in CPR and represented diversity, mirroring our community.

Securing contracts with local counties affirmed our credibility, adding responsibility to train and recertify thousands. For years, I navigated the journey solo, striving for perfection and fearing dilution of quality by involving others. It took immense dedication, burnout, and growth to understand the value of collaboration without compromising standards.

Today, my brand stands as a beacon of quality, offering certifications and invaluable skills. My relentless pursuit of excellence continues, fueled by a vision to empower through education and a commitment to saving lives in our local community.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Pioneering Comprehensive Programs:

Our commitment to providing comprehensive programs sets us apart in the industry. We go beyond conventional certifications, offering a holistic education that equips individuals with invaluable lifesaving skills and knowledge. From CPR and AED training to First Aid and emergency care, our programs are meticulously designed to empower individuals and save lives. We cover Narcan and Epipenipherine. Training just because. All of the training comes from my EMS background, using the skills that were used in real life and transferred into the classroom and programs.

Innovative Training Methods:

At Respond and Rescue, innovation is at the core of our training approach. Our partnership with World Point Inc. revolutionized our methods, introducing cutting-edge manikins that have transformed the training experience and increased confidence in performing CPR. These manikins represent diversity, mirroring our community, and serve as a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and saving lives.

Building Trust through Partnerships:

Our strategic partnerships have been instrumental in our growth. Collaborations with renowned organizations have allowed us to leverage state-of-the-art training supplies and showcase our dedication to staying ahead of industry standards. Through these alliances, we continuously elevate our training methods and maintain our position as industry leaders. Various clients trust us in the healthcare, education, and local governments. We better prepare their workforce to handle emergencies in critical care situations when they must respond.

Empowering Communities through Education:

More than just a business, Respond and Rescue is a mission-driven endeavor focused on empowering communities. Our dedication to education extends beyond certifications; it’s about imparting skills that save lives. From securing contracts with local counties to training and recertifying thousands, we’ve become integral to the emergency care landscape in the Washington DC metro area.

Dedication to Excellence:

Our brand’s core values revolve around excellence and unwavering dedication. Overcoming challenges and striving for perfection has been our ethos. While the journey was often solitary, it taught us the value of collaboration without compromising quality. It allowed us to build a brand synonymous with trust, reliability, quality, and dedication to excellent customer service and deliverability.

How’d you meet your business partner?

I met my “Partner” (who came up with the original idea for the business) in the Cayman Islands on a submarine tour she took with her mom. I was at work in the back of the sub as the co-pilot. They came and sat down, and I was doing my pre-dive check, closing the hatch and securing the passengers. I usually ask where people are from to spark conversation. Usually, the passengers are on a cruise in town. I was told Washington DC, and my response was, “Oh, the redskins suck.” I ended up talking to her daughter, who was a huge Redskins fan, and we hit it off. I accompanied them back to the dock on the passenger’s vessel. We hit it off, and I asked her out. We went to a movie, hung out for a few days, and she went back to America. We stayed in touch, and I visited her not long after. We did the ” long distance” thing for a while; a few trips back and forth, phone bills, and the distance eventually had its toll. I flew to DC and proposed, and later that year, we married in Ohio at her grandmother’s church.

As I mentioned before, it was initially her idea. We were eating at Denny’s one morning. We discussed her work, the future, the baby, and what we will do in the next five years. During this time, my hours and benefits were being cut due to a company reorganization; discussing it further, we decided to do it. She created the first business name, and we filed the LLC.

While on my Paternity leave, I was a stay-at-home dad. I primarily cared for our son from an infant to 6 months while my wife returned to work. During this, I built a website, did marketing, designed uniforms, and we got a few jobs, ” Play Money,” according to my wife. I got a job doing training for a corporate daycare in the area, which had numerous offices around the region. This was the first big break. This allowed me to leave and pursue this business.

Fortunately, I had a partner who could support me from the ground up; I gave her all the credit because it was her idea initially. Without her support and belief, I would have probably joined the fire department or gone to work for another training company making $20,00 per hour. I would have probably never realized my full potential and embraced the idea of being a business owner/brand.

Thank You M….. You made this possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: respondandrescue.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/respond_rescue
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RespondandRescue
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/respond_rescue
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@respond_rescue https://www.linktr.ee/respond_rescue

Image Credits
All rights reserved to Respond and Rescue Safety Training, LLC, 2015 Our Partners WorldPoint Inc,