The "STOOP IT" STORY
It all started in 1983 when I was 17 years old. My father was a physical education and health teacher, my mother a stay-at-home mom for six children. Having said that, money was not to readily available. My father was extremely well read and super knowlegable on a multitude of topics. He just loved to read and was extremely handy as well. It's such a long story but in short, my father and I changed the 18' columns on our home in Commack, NY on Wichard Blvd. After completing the job successfully, our neighbors took notice and of course wanted their rotted out aluminum wrapped wooden columns changed as well. This all came at the end of my father's career as a teacher. It was my mother's idea to start a business since my father was a natural with his hands. In 1983 MARTED CONSTRUCTION was born and named after Marcia & Ted - my parents. I was 17 years old.
When I was a junior at Commack High School North, I helped my father on weekends install columns all over Long Island. At the end of my senior year in high school, my parents had placed their trust in me (the youngest of 6) to take the business to the next level. Unfortunately, my mother was suffering from Parkinsons and my dad needed to be there 24/7. I started up a sole proprietorship and kept the name MARTED CONSTRUCTION. I added railings to the lineup, computerized the business, did all the advertising, accounting, billing, ordering of materials, and went on all the estimates & installations while attending C.W. Post College - graduating with a B.S. in Accounting - AMAZING!
It's funny where life takes you. My interests were never to install columns and railings as my career but rather to work as an accountant on Wall Street with the aspiration of eventually landing a job on a trading desk. I started my career at Smith Barney back in the day and worked for a number of hedge funds, commuting over 4 hours a day for 15 years. Juggling between going to graduate school at night (earning a Masters in International Business) and work, I also continued with MARTED in the evenings and on weekends to help my parents.
Then came September 11th, 2001 - a total game changer. I remember that day clearly. I was watching the news on the trading desk when the first tower had been hit by a plane, then I saw the second one hit. I will never forget my thoughts. I knew in my heart that it was no accident. All I could think about was how to get home to my wife and baby girl. I let my boss know that I was leaving - he thought I was nuts. Long story short, the other three traders followed me. When we went downstairs - hundreds of people in the streets scattered. We ran out, and raced towards the Fulton Fish Market. I remember hopping the dividers on the highway, running over a bridge to Brooklyn where I bought a bicycle from a kid for $100. After riding for a while, I found a cab ride home for an additional $100. What a day - the next few months were no better, scared of a subway bomb, wearing a mask to work, watching truckloads of steel being carted away, and armed police in the streets, I soon realized that I did not want that life any more. I left the following April. I then went back to school, enrolled at Dowling College and earned a teaching degree in business. I taught Business at Eastport High School for a year. After realizing that the high school kids in business class didn't really want to learn, I called it quits. It then became very clear to me what my true calling was. I decided it was time to expand the company I helped start and spend more time with my family.
In 2003, my new "STOOP-IT" company was born. The name originated while at my vacation home in Florida. We went out to dinner one night with friends. I told them I wanted to rename my company. I wanted a name to describe exactly what I do. I wanted to be a one stop shop for columns, railings & masonry for stoops. With no hesitation the name "STOOP-IT!" was born. What a laugh we had, I will never forget it. Since day one, my company's unforgettable name quickly caught the attention of consumers all over Long Island. I saw an opportunity to share my knowledge of columns, railings, masonry and more. I look at the business as an art of transforming an old stoop into a functional & beautiful entrance to a home. After some research, I was able to locate the best products and materials I could find to form my maintenance free product line.
I am very fortunate to spend my days meeting and talking to new people and having more time for my family. My goal is to provide each customer with years of experience, superior products, excellent installations at low prices and unmatched customer service. I personally work with all customers to help them design the STOOP that they have always wanted.
I will never forget how I started. Every time I complete a project, I am reminded of my parents. They would be so proud and thrilled to know how far I've come on my own doing it my way without. After coming from Wall Street, I can absolutely say that there is nothing like owning your own business and working for who you want to work for on my own schedule.
Since 1990, I have personally completed thousands and thousands of jobs for people all over Long Island with out any complaints! My tract record is my biggest asset in addition to the fact that I install every job personally. STOOP-IT is owner operated which is why everyone chooses "STOOP-IT" over and over again.
I hope you "STEP UP to STOOP-IT" too.
Suffolk - License # 39017-H / Nassau - License # H18F2080000