Sometimes, you do everything right. You have a world-changing idea that can save lives. You validate your market. You think you’ve filed the right forms – And then you get mired in bureaucracy that kills your business. We’ll let our next guest explain…

Please introduce yourself to our readers…

Hi, I’m David Pressler, a Service Disabled Veteran in southern Florida.

You once started your own business – what was it (What Problem/Need/Service did you fulfill?)

As a firefighter for Miami Dade County during Hurricane Andrew, I saw the need for better construction and formed a corporation called Lunar Construction. The goal was to rebuild South Dade County with indestructible, off the grid dome homes. At one point, with only word of mouth advertising, we had  30 serious homeowners interested.

Our problem was that we had no comparable market competition. In order to issue a conventional construction loan, Federally insured lenders need you to have three comparable businesses for them to complete their paperwork. As there were no dome homes built and sold at the time, there was no comparable market.

Undeterred, we found another option. Instead, marketed the SafeDome as a “storage shed that could save your life” under DRD Enterprises. It is an 8-ton, transportable monolithic concrete dome, that by its shape and design can withstand tornadoes and hurricanes. Within weeks after purchasing the first SafeDome one family stayed in theirs for 7 hours while the 130 mph eye of Hurricane Wilma passed over their neighborhood.

SafeDome now is certified by Dade County, and Federally by the Department of Defense for storm shelters and the GSA as a bunker.

What made you decide to go out on your own vs work for someone else?
No other company exists that provides an above ground safe room used everyday at that time in South Florida.

Did you take any outside funding?
No.

Did you have any partners?
No.

What was your vision/goal for the company? 

I wanted to create off the Grid indestructible homes and safe rooms including off the grid mobile homes using transportable SafeDome power plants.

What was your company culture like? Did it ever change?
It is constantly evolving with new technology.

Why are you not with that business anymore?
This business is always evolving. When the opportunity came to buy an existing Greenbelt Aqua Farm at Arcadia, Florida, we bought it with the plan to use the SafeDome as an alternative power plant.

Unfortunately, this was blocked by DeSoto County. Regulations have now killed the Aqua Farm and our dreams for the alternative transportable power plant Safe Room business.

Would you do it again?

Certainly.

What are you doing now?

After liquidating all of the assets of Liquidated all assets of DRD Enterprises including land, machinery, etc. I now travel and produce underwater videos of our dying reefs and oceans.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting their own business?
Know the pitfalls of legal rights. For example, a corporation cannot file pro se – you must hire a law firm! It is very difficult to hire a firm once your corporation has filed bankruptcy.

What is your favorite song?
My Way – Frank Sinatra

Thanks for sharing, David! You can find him on Twitter @safedomes.