Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaime Beltran.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My Story
Almost seven years ago, I arrived in the United States from Ecuador. I came filled with dreams and ideas, yet with no clear path and little understanding of how life worked in this country. Adjusting was not easy. I didn’t know the language, I didn’t know anyone, and I had no idea what kind of work I could do. Back home, I had always worked in an office; starting from zero in a completely different environment felt like stepping into the unknown.
My first job in the U.S. was delivering pizzas at a small shop in downtown Washington, DC. I didn’t know the city, I didn’t speak English, and I didn’t even have a driver’s license at the time. One night, I accidentally drove the wrong way down a one-way street. The police pulled me over, and I was very close to being detained. Soon after, the pandemic hit. Everything shut down, and I lost my job. I spent nearly a month inside, wondering how I would survive.
One day, while scrolling through Facebook, I saw something that would change my life: an app called DoorDash. I didn’t know what it was, but I downloaded it anyway. That same afternoon, I went out to try it and, in just a few hours, earned what used to take me two full days at the pizza shop. That day I told myself, “I need to learn this.”
Over the next months, I studied everything—routes, peak hours, restaurants, tipping patterns, how to work smarter. Little by little, I saved a small amount of money, not knowing that this would become the foundation of my future.
One day, the only bathroom on the floor where I lived broke completely. The landlord hired a contractor to remodel it, and that’s when I met the person who would later become my business partner. Every afternoon, before heading out to work, I would go upstairs to watch the progress. Something about construction caught my attention and sparked a curiosity I didn’t know I had.
We eventually became friends. At night, I couldn’t stop thinking about how to improve my life and how to someday start a business of my own. Then one day, scrolling through Facebook again, an ad appeared: “We help you create your construction company and obtain your contractor license.” I thought about it for days until I finally said to myself: Why not?
I had a potential partner—someone with experience. I could take care of the administrative work, marketing, and clients, while he handled the operational side. I shared the idea with him, and he agreed. That’s how this journey began—driven more by determination than by knowledge.
We invested 50/50 to start the business. My half came from the money I had saved doing deliveries. We formed the company and obtained the licenses. Everything seemed on track—except for one major problem: we had no clients. And I knew nothing about construction.
My partner told me that if I wanted to be useful, I needed to learn. So I spent months observing his crew, studying each detail. At the same time, I built the website, worked on the branding, and tried to attract clients. But my money was running out, and delivery work was no longer profitable.
I asked my partner to give me some work so I could earn something. At first he did, but soon he told me I was “too slow” for his pace, and that it wasn’t worth hiring me anymore. And just like that, I was left without income, without clients, and almost without money.
With no other choice, I decided to take a risk. I went to Home Depot, applied for a credit card, and bought a few basic tools. That same week, I found an app where people posted small handyman jobs, and I started working completely on my own.
That is truly how my journey in the construction world began—armed with a few tools, a lot of fear, and an even greater desire to move forward. I did small jobs—changing locks, installing curtains, replacing light bulbs, repairing floors, changing water valves—and with every task, I learned something new. Little by little, I began to understand not only the technical side of the trade but also how the industry worked.
As time went on, I began taking on bigger projects through the company I had originally formed with my partner. I was fortunate to meet someone who is still with me today—someone who has taught me much about operational work and has become an important part of my growth.
Eventually, the company my partner and I had created had to be dissolved. We reached a point where our visions no longer aligned, and ending the partnership was the best decision for both of us. Although that chapter closed, the knowledge, connections, and experience I gained allowed me to move forward with confidence.
Starting over from zero again was one of the biggest challenges of my life. But when you carry your family, your child, and a sense of purpose in your heart, giving up simply isn’t an option.
Today, I have founded a new company: American Renovation Projects. I am working alongside people I’ve met along the way—people who have supported me, believed in me, and pushed me to grow. Every day, I continue searching for ways to improve the business because I truly believe in its mission.
On one hand, I want to help clients by solving their problems and offering a service that is personal, honest, and human—something that has defined my work from the very beginning.
On the other hand, I want to support the families of the people who work directly with me. I believe that a company should not only generate income but also create positive impact. That is why we are developing a social responsibility initiative to give back to the place where I was born, specifically to the town where my parents live. Our goal is to contribute a percentage of next year’s revenue to support those most in need in the canton.
My story is not perfect, nor has it been easy. But it is real. It is a story of starting from nothing, of failure and resilience, of losing everything and choosing to try again. It reminds me every day that dreams are built the same way a house is built—with patience, effort, strong hands, and above all, a heart determined not to give up.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Throughout my journey in the United States, I have faced a series of challenges that shaped my personal and professional growth. When I first arrived, I came with very little money and without truly understanding how life worked here. Everything was new to me—the culture, the social norms, the way people communicated, worked, and interacted. I had to start from zero: learning how to navigate the city, how the work system functioned, and what the basic rules were in order to move forward.
One of the biggest challenges was the language barrier. I arrived without speaking English; I could barely understand anything people said. This created major obstacles in my daily life—communicating, working, solving problems, and even defending myself when something went wrong. With effort and determination, I enrolled in an English school, where I studied for two years. I am deeply grateful for that opportunity, because learning the language changed my life. Today I can communicate confidently, offer my services professionally, and, most importantly, I was able to open my own handyman and residential remodeling company.
My story is also marked by significant work-related difficulties. My first job was delivering pizzas, even though I didn’t know the city, didn’t speak English, and didn’t have a driver’s license at the time. A simple mistake nearly led to being detained. Then the pandemic hit, and I lost my job, forcing me to start over once again. I discovered DoorDash, and although it provided some relief, it also demanded strategy, long hours, and a lot of resilience.
When I decided to enter the construction industry, I faced an entirely new set of challenges. I invested my savings and started a company with a partner, but we had no clients, and I had no experience in construction. I tried to learn by observing, but my money was running out quickly. When I asked my partner to give me some work, he eventually told me I was too slow and stopped hiring me altogether. I found myself without income, without support, and unsure of how to move forward.
Once again, I had to take a risk. I went to Home Depot, applied for a credit card, bought basic tools, and began working on my own. From changing a lock to installing a light fixture, every small handyman job became a lesson in survival and growth.
Despite everything, each obstacle only made me stronger. I learned the language, adapted to the culture, built new skills, met people who supported me, and kept moving forward even when the path seemed impossible. All these hardships, sacrifices, and lessons are what ultimately allowed me to found American Renovation Projects, a company that now fills me with pride, stability, and the opportunity to help other families.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about American Renovation Projects?
What should we know about your business or organization?
American Renovation Projects is a licensed and insured remodeling and handyman company serving Washington, DC and Maryland. We provide reliable, high-quality home improvement services for homeowners.
What do you do? What do you specialize in / what are you known for?
We specialize in kitchen and bathroom remodels, deck and porch repairs, flooring, painting, light plumbing and electrical work, and general handyman services. We’re known for quality craftsmanship and trustworthy service.
What sets you apart from others?
We stand out for our human-centered approach, transparent pricing, clear communication, and skilled, background-checked craftsmen. We treat every home with care and professionalism.
What are you most proud of brand-wise?
We are proud of being a dependable, honest, and client-focused company that guarantees its work in writing and delivers consistent, high-quality results.
What do you want readers to know about your brand and services?
That we offer a safe, hassle-free, one-stop solution for both small repairs and full renovations. Our mission is to improve homes with integrity, craftsmanship, and genuine care.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that starting from zero is not a weakness—it’s an opportunity. Arriving in this country without money, without English, and without understanding the culture taught me resilience, patience, and the value of learning every single day. Through setbacks, hard work, and perseverance, I discovered that with determination and a clear purpose, you can build a new life, a new career, and even a new company from nothing. My journey taught me that success is not about how you start, but about never giving up on where you want to go.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://americanrenoprojects.com/
- Instagram: americanrenovationprojects
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16X3ZeXwb9/
