Ultimatum Leads Kennewick Entrepreneur to Take Plunge Into Business Ownership

Elite Construction was jump-started when Trini Garibay – the then leading sales person at a Tri-Cities car dealership – was given an ultimatum by his boss.

“My boss at the dealership felt I was distracted from selling cars, even though my sales numbers where still strong,” Trini said. “He said I had to choose.”

Trini had started the business he had always dreamed of in early 2008. The ultimatum proved to be fortuitous and that was the moment Trini and his partner David Magana got serious about the construction business.

With a family to support, it put Trini in a “sink or swim” situation. Fortunately, Trini grew up in an entrepreneurial family and always knew he wanted to be his own boss. By taking that leap in 2008, he and his partner have built what is now a successful and thriving construction business headquartered in Kennewick, Washington with eyes on the world.

“My business experience and the skills I developed in the automotive industry – particularly in sales – have helped us succeed in the construction industry during a time when others were failing,” Trini said. The original plan was to flip houses, but economic and local real estate conditions in 2008 forced them to change their plans. Rather than give up, they decided to focus on renovation projects.

Read more about Trini and his business or hear him speak about his experience a National Hispanic Heritage Month event Wednesday, October 15 in Pasco.