We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Manny Martinez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Manny, thanks for joining us today. The first dollar your firm earns is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.

The road to my first client came about when I decided to leave a corporate position for a sub-contractor position, where I’d be responsible for my book business. After several clients going elsewhere, I decided to quit and start fresh with more options. I had several clients get disqualified for roof types and requested custom installations. The last client disqualified became my first client. I wanted to be involved with a company that could service all my client’s needs. Not just what was convenient for the company. I had built a great rapport with that client. The new outfit I started with had a better producing product with a better warranty. I felt so good knowing I put my client in the best solution for their families’ needs.

Manny, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started in the service industry 24 years ago. My expertise ranges from pest control, low voltage telecommunications, real estate, and energy efficiency products. The services I now provide my community are as follows. Solar, Energy Storage, Generators, Roofing, HVAC, Pool Solar, and Whole House Fans. The product, performance, and warranty matter. Not all solar is equal or the other products we provide. We thrive on providing our clients with the best customer service. We make sure our clients thoroughly understand processes and how it all works. What sets us apart from others is our expertise and going the extra mile to get it done right.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I don’t stop talking about what I do. Networking has always been a big thing in my life. I’m exceptionally extroverted. So I do not have a problem speaking with strangers. Dropping the fear of rejection will make you unstoppable. My Motto for this is “Some will, Some won’t, and Who’s next!”

I have recently been educating realtors on how renewable energy works so that they can better help their clients understand it too. Homeowners buy to stop renting. You can now generate your energy and not purchase it from the utility. Like I was saying, I talk everywhere I go. It’s the only way. Get well known in your community and your sphere of influence.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Everything leading up to the pandemic was going great. Right as is hit. Everything went to a halt. The majority of my business was coming from door-knocking. That all had stopped. So I weathered the storm and started reaching out to more people through social media.

The door of opportunity opened during the pandemic for us to be able to service the whole state of California. Sunpower is the solar industry’s top manufacturer and has allowed us to market their complete residential systems with an all-inclusive warranty that includes labor to the whole state.

This truly has been a game changer. We are able to meet more production than the rest with our M-Series 425 watt solar panels. I have had thoughts in the past of leaving this industry, I just cant seem to do it. Our need for electricity is rising, just as the electricity rates the investor owned utilities are constantly raising. If you are in California a solar quote or a second opinion, I am here to help.

Contact Info:

• Website: Generateyourenergy.com
• Instagram: thatsunpowerguy
• Facebook: facebook.com/generateyourenergy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manny-martinez-668a13b6/
• Youtube: Generate your Energy

Image Credits
Photos taken by Manny Martinez of Burtek Energy.