Jaime, left, and Juan Delgado are driving Sustainable Living Builders to a greener future. [Photo by Duncan Garrett Photography]
Jaime Delgado knew from a young age he wanted to pursue a career that benefited the environment.
Born in Jalisco, Mexico in 1980, Jaime and his family moved to the states when he was a boy; he earned his degree from Santa Rosa High School in the late 1990s
After graduation, Jaime pursued sustainable farming and continued educating himself on eco-friendly practices—all the while fanning his other passion by studying digital media and cinema at San Francisco State University.
After completing his bachelor’s degree, Jaime went to work for a company in which he assisted contractors in providing green financing solutions to their clients. This was his “a-ha!” moment—witnessing the growing demand for sustainable building practices was an inspiration.
From here Sustainable Living Builders quickly came to fruition. Jaime earned his MBA from Sonoma State University in 2019 and discussed starting a sustainable construction company with his older brother, Juan Delgado. Soon the duo recruited brother Eloy, who Jaime describes as the “silent backbone of the company.” Eloy manages the company’s finances and keeps a watchful eye on the “backend stuff” to ensure that the company is steady on its path to success.
And it certainly was. Less than two years after starting, Jaime was one of nine recipients of the 2021 Latino Business Leadership Award presented by the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
“Winning this award was an incredibly humbling experience, it felt like a significant milestone, not just in my career but also in my personal journey,” says Jaime, 41. “This recognition has inspired me to continue striving for excellence and giving back to the community that has supported me throughout my journey.”
Mixing business and family can be difficult but it seems the siblings behind Sustainable Living Builders have mastered the balancing act. Jaime knew from the beginning that he wanted to build this venture with his family—so getting his brothers involved was a no-brainer. “Sharing this entrepreneurial journey has brought us closer together, enhancing not just our professional relationship, but our personal one too,” he says. “Eloy and Juan’s dedication to our company is evident every day, and I believe it’s this shared commitment that has been the key to our success.”
Sure, there are typical disagreements that arise in any company, but the Delgado brothers continue to combine their passion and commitment to SLB in order to keep business running smoothly.
Juan, 47, describes how the banding together as a family business has been incredibly fulfilling, not only because of the bond that has been built between the brothers but also because SLB is continuously striving to better the environment.
“Overall, our family interacts more than ever, and this journey has not only strengthened our business but also deepened our familial bonds,” says Juan.
The business
Sustainable Living Builders offers a variety of services—from roofing to insulation to the installation of skylights. Jaime says their commitment to sustainability has always been the driving force behind their business endeavors and has shaped their overall mission.
As the mission statement at slb-inc.com says, “To promote sustainable and green communities in California and contribute to a cleaner environment, we provide green-building solutions and alternative, sustainably sourced materials.”
SLB specializes in sustainable roofing designed to reduce energy costs and improve a home’s energy efficiency. The company also promotes solar solutions that can help customers
SLB contractors are also certified installers for Tesla Solar Roofs, a brand that can collect more solar energy than traditional panels and also feature an appearance similar to standard roofing panels, yet each solar tile is made of glass and metal. (The Tesla tiles are particularly durable in preventing weather damage, according to Tesla officials.) SLB a lso offers gutter and skylight/sky tunnel installation, as well as sustainable insulation.
SLB also adds to the list with energy storage services and a variety of battery options.
The Delgados primarily utilize lithium-ion batteries, which they concede comes as a double-edged sword and is hotly debated in environmental circles, due to the strain lithium mining can have on water resources and land degradation, as well as the potential for contamination that comes with mining. However, proponents argue the energy efficiency of lithium batteries makes them a far better alternative to energy derived from the coal industry.
Delgado acknowledges that the effects of lithium mining have an environmental cost but stresses that it is crucial to
consider the bigger picture. To him, the negative environmental impacts from the burning of coal and fossil fuels, at this point, outweigh the effects of mining lithium.
“In our pursuit of sustainable practices, we invest significant time in researching and staying updated on emerging technologies,” says Jaime. “We are committed to choosing materials and technologies that minimize environmental harm.”
And it often comes down to “a matter of selecting the lesser evil, as almost all materials come with some environmental cost,” he says.
The path toward becoming a successful business is one that can come with significant hurdles—and Sustainable Living Builders has not been immune to these challenges. One of the most invaluable lessons the Delgados have learned is the power of networking and receiving guidance from experienced peers.
Jaime illustrates a situation in which he and Juan fell into a bit of a rough patch. There was a surplus of leads but no projects in the pipeline due to a lack of sales followup. It was to the point that the Delgados were feeling overwhelmed and didn’t know where to turn. Eloy came up with the idea to organize a company retreat. This eventually led to connecting with a Canada-based construction company that offered vital advice to SLB.
“They generously shared their own experience and solutions, which inspired us to make significant changes. We revamped our sales and marketing strategies, expanded our team and, most notably, shifted our sales entirely to a virtual model based on [the Canadian company’s] successful approach,” says Jaime.
Committed to a sustainable future
One thing Jaime has learned about starting a business in construction: The industry can be competitive. But that shouldn’t discourage anyone from pursuing their dream business. Jaime believes there is a consistent need for business-savvy contractors and, he says, familiarizing yourself with the latest technologies within your respective field can increase your chances of success.
“The key is to stay informed, be adaptable and, most importantly, believe in your vision,” says Jaime.
Besides opting for sustainable construction solutions, Jaime also looks for sustainability at home. For transportation, Jaime traded in his truck for an eco-friendly Prius, which uses both gasoline and electricity to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. And to further reduce his family’s carbon footprint at home, Jaime and his daughter can be frequently seen exploring the county on their bikes.
Promoting sustainability is also reflected in Jaime’s community involvement, as he currently serves on the board of EcoRing, a Guerneville-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism—a model that seeks to maximize the benefits of tourism while reducing its negative impacts.
Further mirroring the principles they advocate for in their business, Jaime and Juan have both installed solar panels into their respective homes. The Delgado brothers are also consistently sharing best practices when it comes to sustainability and encouraging others who are also passionate about sustainability.
It’s about creating “a ripple effect,” says Jaime—inspiring people to make conscious choices that contribute to a greener, more sustainable world.
Says Jaime: “Sustainability, to me, is a way of life—a commitment woven into the fabric of daily existence.”
5 thoughts on “Building a greener future”
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