Threat of pink slip motivated Carl Edmunds to start a small business

•Particpant 3: Carl Edmunds
•Age: 56
•NuVision Inspections
•Business: Home inspector and energy use auditor
•Location: West Windsor, N.J.

Edmunds, who worked for 25 years in the printing industry, has started a home inspection and home energy audit business that is simply awaiting customers.

In the past few months, he passed a grueling series of certification tests and is now able to offer services such as home inspections, radon tests, termite and other wood-destroying insect examinations, and mold and chimney assessments. He is in the midst of getting certified for home energy auditing.

As for his new career, it fits right in with his passion for home repairs. "I love hands-on type of stuff," he says.

The 'aha!' moment

Edmunds says he "always wanted to control my own destiny." He did that during the 1980s and 1990s, when he held a stable job in the printing field.

But as that industry experienced troubles, and his division at a national printing firm was scheduled to be cut, he realized that he needed to seek other career options.

He decided that his home repair skills and education in industrial technology would provide a strong foundation for a home inspections business. When he brought it up to his wife, Maribeth, was enthusiastic about him pursuing a new venture.

"The support from my wife and the constant threat of the proverbial pink slip hanging over my head motivated me to pursue this business opportunity," he says.

"My hope is that there will be no more worries, and I hope that I can build a new future, one that includes support for a 27-year-old autistic son."

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