Assisted by ASBTDC Lead Center at UA Little Rock
Consultant Nicolas Mayerhoeffer
Conway’s Crawford Launches Foam Insulation Business, Fulfills Boyhood Dream
Allin Crawford of Conway set two career goals when he was a boy: become a firefighter and own a business.
A firefighter for more than a dozen years, Crawford accomplished his other goal in 2018 by launching Natural State RetroFoam.
“I am fortunate to have time in my schedule to keep my main job as a firefighter while starting a business, because we work 24 hours on and 48 hours off,” he said.
Crawford was exploring multiple business ideas when he began researching insulation options for his home.
“The only way to insulate my walls in an existing home was to tear down one side and add insulation. Then I would have to completely refinish one side of the wall. A 25-foot section was going to cost about $7,000,” Crawford said. “I went to researching other ways to insulate homes and came across RetroFoam, which is a new innovative way to insulate a home without having to tear down any walls.”
RetroFoam insulation, a three-part resin, is injected not blown, typically from outside the building.
“I realized the need and then I researched the market. Thanks to ASBTDC, we came to the conclusion that there was a market that needed the insulation as bad as I did,” he said.
In addition to market research, the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock assisted Crawford with other aspects of starting a business. Crawford’s business consultant, Nicolas Mayerhoeffer, reviewed his business plan and helped him with his loan package.
He received a startup loan from Centennial Bank, enabling him to secure the first RetroFoam franchise in Arkansas.
“Thanks to having done all my homework and prepping for going to the banks, it streamlined the process, and we received funding at the end of August to start the process of onboarding and becoming a RetroFoam dealer in Arkansas. At the end of September, we had finished our training and were up and rolling,” said Crawford, who has four employees.
Mayerhoeffer also advised the new business owner about marketing.
“I thought getting the business to the starting point would be the hardest, but I will tell you, name recognition is the hardest thing to do. Getting established and knowing your market is key in the startup phase of the business,” Crawford said.
A key selling point, according to Crawford, is that his product “is 100% eco-friendly.”
“The foam has a negative-10 carbon footprint,” he said. Having a negative carbon footprint means a product removes more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it adds.
“Now that’s a cause I can get behind – help people solve their problems while bettering the environment.”
The new business owner is learning on the job. He recommends others who want to start a business “have a plan and to execute the plan with diligence and to make sure you have every waking moment available to nurture your business because it is essentially a baby that you are caring for.”
Crawford appreciates the support of Mayerhoeffer and the ASBTDC. “Thank you, Nicolas, for all your help,” he said. “Couldn’t have done it without the help.”