This month, we’re featuring WCE alumni and recent graduate Esmeralda “Esme” Badillo (‘20) for our alumni spotlight. Our alumni spotlight showcases the entrepreneurial journey of the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship's graduates. Let’s meet Esme Badillo (‘20), co-founder of Faro Disinfecting Services.
Meet Esme Badillo (‘20)
Esme was always one to be creative – innovating and impacting something. In high school, she was the girl that did everything. When she started at the Bauer College of Business, she intended to major in accounting. Very quickly, she learned that she hated accounting and couldn’t see herself doing that for the rest of her career. None of the majors appealed to her because fitting into a box just wasn’t for her.
That’s when she leaned on an advisor for advice. Her advisor wisely mentioned that Bauer had the #1 undergraduate entrepreneurship program in the nation.
Esme had thought no one could major in entrepreneurship. Her first step into what we all know today was volunteering at Wolffest 2017.
She loved the idea of starting something from nothing.
Experience in WCE
Her experience relied on self-discovery and understanding her “why” or purpose. Entrepreneurship is often seen as a shark tank environment where money is being thrown around. But it’s more about how you deal with failures, how you pivot, and how to work with other people. You must learn about yourself in order to lead others.
When it came to building a business plan around a piece of intellectual property, Esme quickly learned that her tendency for needing to know every technicality of the IP was simply too much. She’d come in with a long list of questions that weren't prioritized or necessary at that point of time. Her team, knowing her Birkman, coached her on how to set those question boundaries.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the world to shut down, Wolffest 2020 and many of the other activities that usually occur in that last semester were cancelled or moved online. Esme mentioned in the interview that she still feels like she’s living in her own version of Wolffest.
Faro Disinfecting Services
Faro means “lighthouse” in Spanish. Not only does Esme’s first venture, Faro Disinfecting Services want to bring light to disinfecting, but they want to bring hope to a somewhat hopeless situation – the COVID-19 pandemic. And just like a lighthouse, they bring stability and guide people to safety.
Starting Faro Disinfecting Services During a Pandemic
Quarantine in the United States went into effect in March 2020. Soon afterwards, Esme’s father was laid off from his job in April 2020.
There was a lot of uncertainty in the world. As Esme was quickly approaching graduation and a job market that was not hopeful, she and her father searched for a solution – whether it was getting a new job or starting a company together.
Naturally, there was a lot of fear. But they saw other businesses step up, and this inspired them. They found their path to step up and help others. That’s when Esme, her father, and their business partner started a disinfecting company – Faro Disinfecting Services.
The Faro Disinfecting Services Team
They use various technologies to best cater to the needs of their clients. One of them uses Hydroxyl radicals as a natural air disinfectant. It is FDA approved and safe to be around food, animals, and people. Because it can continuously disinfect the air while people are present, it has become very useful at dine in restaurants. It has even been used at a radio station, hair salon, and a chapel
Their other procedures using Ozone (O3) for deep disinfection are known for penetrating into fabrics and thoroughly cleaning up the air and surfaces without leaving any harmful residue.
O3 is a clear gas that has a 99.99% rate of disinfection for viruses, bacteria, and allergens for both air and surfaces. It is also known for being 50 times more powerful than chlorine, penetrating into fabrics, and spreading through the entire room, reaching even hard-to-reach areas. There is no harmful residue left by O3 since the residue gradually reverts to breathable Oxygen (O2)!
Although Esme’s father already had various certifications in the remediation space which allowed for safe handling of their technologies, both Esme and her father decided to become GBAC certified technicians in order to have the best foundation possible to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. They are now cleaning professionals with the planning, knowledge, and processes needed to respond to a biohazard crisis in the workplace, including ozone and other leading edge cleaning techniques.
Esme’s main role is in business strategy – marketing, sales, business development, etc…. Everything! When in a startup, she’s implementing what she learned in WCE to keep all her roles organized. Her big tip: implement software and systems to keep organized.
WCE Class of 2020 Pitching In
You may notice when you go to FaroDisinfecting.com or their social media platforms a few familiar faces. Ken and Canyfer from WCE Class of 2020 both pitched in to be a model for their social media marketing.
How can you support Esme and Faro Disinfecting Services?
If you know a business that needs disinfecting (restaurants, offices, etc.), connect them with Esme. She’s in the process of building relationships with businesses all across the Houston metropolitan area.
If you have some quick tips for accounting, entrepreneurship, and marketing, feel free to reach out to Esme Badillo directly to esmeralda@farodisinfecting.com. She is always open for advice and feedback!
Words of Wisdom From Esme Badillo
With our alumni spotlights, we always want to help and inspire current WCE students and WCE alumni accelerate through the learning curve. Here is Esme Badillo’s words of wisdom.
Know your “why”. It’s not about finding a job then finding purpose in the job. Find your purpose first, then apply it to a job. You’ll be so much more fulfilled and happy.
Push through your disappointments. Sometimes, there’s going to be things that just don’t work out. You need to know how to deal with failure as an entrepreneur.
You can learn more about Esme’s company at FaroDisinfecting.com or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
If you’d like to be spotlighted in this monthly series, click here to apply.
This WCEAN Alumni Spotlight was interviewed and produced by Jessica Ramirez (WCE ‘16), Lauren Jefferson (WCE '16) of FocusCopy, and Christian Madison (WCE '16) of Bluberry Creative .
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