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::: Business Features :::
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ALRSI
Business Owner: Andrew Lawyer II
Web Site: www.alrsi.com
Written by: Keisha Williams
Ever got in a car accident, but it wasn’t your fault? Perhaps, the other driver blamed the accident on you and there were no witnesses around for proof, and you didn’t have any idea of what to do.
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ALRSI Inc. provides several types of services that can help pull you through this tragedy and others. ALRSI, which stands for Andrew Lawyer Reconstruction Services, Inc., is a Tallahassee based engineering consulting firm that provides forensic reconstruction analysis to attorneys and sometimes laypersons. The company may also assist as a trial expert. There are other services provided in other areas, such as electrical system failures, fire and explosion, graphic services and vehicular accidents.
The first dollar bill earned by ALRSI Inc. sits behind Andrew Lawyer’s desk, the company’s founder, inside a black picture frame on the wall, along with several plagues of recognitions and certifications. This first dollar bill was from an automobile versus tractor trailer accident in Fort Myers, back in 1999.
Lawyer said the ideal of business ownership began when he was a child. Lawyer’s father owned a landscaping business in Fort Lauderdale and that inspired him to own a business.
“I always wanted to own my own business, Lawyer said but I didn’t know what type of business.”
After working for another business, doing the same type of work, he decided to branch out on his own. While doing so, he discovered that he had clients who wanted to work with him.
Now, there are several myths about starting a business; however Lawyer didn’t find it to be difficult.
“It’s not hard, in my opinion, the way I did it,” said the Florida A&M University electrical engineering alumnus.” Lawyer had clients from his previous employment, before starting his own business, so finding clients was not hard for him.
Lawyer assures that it isn’t all glitz and glamour, like television makes it out to be, because starting a business comes with a lot of responsibilities, also.
The certified fire and explosion investigator suggested that owning your own business isn’t as pretty as it sounds because you are responsible for everything.
“If you don’t work, you can’t pay employees or the bills. Then Internal Revenue Services may be on your back,” Lawyer said with a smirk.
Lawyer began working out of his home. Then as business picked up, he invested in a one-office setup, which parlayed into a two-office setup with one employee. Now, he currently is in a two-office setup capable of employing two people.
He encourages entrepreneur to enjoy what they do and build their credentials. Lawyer is still in the process of building his credentials, not pursuing degrees but just improving himself.
“Credentials are built everyday," said the Professional Engineer. "For instance, going to trials to testify is a stepping stone and a building block to improve my credentials.”
Lawyer recommends that business developers start their business in their field of expertise and to work for someone else for a short period of time.
"I worked for someone first and learned the in’s and out’s of the way they conducted business,” Lawyer said.
Other helpful tips Lawyer suggested for business developers are:
- Develop a good business plan
- Know and understand your product services, perspective customers and cost
- Have a financial plan
- Utilize all sources, (i.e: FAMU has an office that assists small businesses, called FAMU Small Business Development Center)
Someone once told Andrew Lawyer that he couldn’t own his own business, but ALRSI has been up and running for seven years, now.
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