Recent News at ClearCom Inc.
Spotlight on entrepreneurship from the RAMAC Business Quartly: ClearCom’s Dave Grebetz
By Nancy Dokter Public Relations & Marketing
Entrepreneurship – starting your own company – it makes every business heart beat just a little faster. Small business is the blood, sweat, and tears of America, marrying innovation with drive and the desire to achieve a dream. Entrepreneurship is also the fertile soil for economic growth in our community – generating new jobs in diverse fields.
Meet Dave Grebetz, business owner at ClearCom in Racine. With a 25-year background in communications, cable TV, network cabling, and fiber optics, Grebetz knew the cable industry. His experience in installation, customer service, and business development - plus a degree in marketing - gave him a well-rounded skill set.
To him, the next logical step was to launch his own business. “I always knew I would be self-employed,” says Grebetz, “and the idea of a company specializing in internet-accessible surveillance systems really interested me. It matched my past experience with a new application.” He incorporated the business in 2004 as ClearCam, on a part-time basis. After two successful years, the enterprise became full-time. It also became time to change the charter and name - to ClearCom Inc.
Security and Communications
“The security business was quickly moving toward an IP - or Internet Protocol - platform, which meant the decision-makers involved with security solutions would also control the network infrastructure needs of an organization. By changing the company name to ClearCom, we could serve the security market and expand into the communications infrastructure market.”
The strategy worked, as ClearCom became a go-to company for network cabling and fiber optics in Southeastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Grebetz landed contracts with municipalities including the City of Racine, Racine County, Milwaukee County Transit, Mount Pleasant, Caledonia, and the City of Kenosha.
The company also attracted clients in manufacturing, health care, and other industries. These include Abbott Laboratories, Pro Healthcare, Pioneer Products, ABB, Nucor, and Vulcan Materials – with security systems at eight rock quarries.
“I knew that cameras where just the start of our security business,” notes Grebetz, “We now provide access-control systems, intrusion and fire alarms, alarm monitoring, nurse-call systems, and video surveillance solutions.” ClearCom even offers portable video surveillance trailers - units that monitor and record activity at sites with no infrastructure. One operates at General Mitchell Airport. ClearCom has become a distributor for these trailers, providing yet another avenue for income and diversification. The company also sub-contracts support to larger national security companies.
In seven action-packed years, ClearCom has evolved into a full-service security and communications integrator, with thirteen full-time employees and plans to add more. “While a security background is desirable,” says Grebetz, “I first hire employees with an aptitude for superior customer service, plus the ability to learn. Then, I invest in on-going training.”
His perspective on being a successful entrepreneur: “I identify opportunities and get excited about them. From there, I go for it!”
