How it all began: The foundation of MCA
Starting a company is a challenge, but it can be rewarding. Rafael Martinez and Richard Couch first embraced that challenge twenty-one years ago when they founded Martinez Couch & Associates (“MCA”). Little did they know, how much their professional lives would change on that fateful day.
Richard and Rafael met in 1986 while working at an engineering firm in New Haven. Richard was the Project Manager in the engineering group while Rafael was the Chief of Surveying. They developed a close working relationship. In the late 80’s, Richard started an independent engineering company, performing civil and environmental work, while Rafael joined other firms. In 1999, with a good understanding of their chosen professions, they decided it was time to join forces and became Martinez Couch & Associates.
“Our initial motivation to start a company was to provide clients with high quality support and service, with great staffing and working conditions. At that time, there was a lot of work available in Connecticut, and not as many engineering and surveying companies. That environment provided us an opportunity. We wanted to have permanent clients that would provide repeat business, not just one project.”
Richard and Rafael established MCA on three principles. First, create long-lasting client relationships. Second, hire motivated and skilled employees and provide a harmonious working environment. Third, focus the company to satisfy our client’s expectations.
Their first office was in a rented home where they had only two desks and one computer. Their determination and focus allowed them to grow, and in 2000, MCA moved to their second office, which was a converted bowling alley in North Haven.
Like any beginning, there were challenges. "We started without any clients. We knew the work was out there and had to figure out how to convince people to give us a shot.” Richard and Rafael had connections from their previous work in the industry but were not known as a team. There was a reluctance to award projects to a new company that was not well established in the industry. This required them to work beyond the typical workday. They spent most of the daytime meeting with potential clients and developing relationships. The actual project work had to be performed during the evenings and on weekends. “It was a lot, but that was what we needed to do to survive and grow the business.” Their hard work paid off and as time went on MCA started to develop a steady flow of work based on solid client relationships that led to repeat business.
Over the years, MCA continued to grow and hire more staff. In 2004, the company moved to a larger space in Wallingford, CT and ultimately in 2011, to their current office in Rocky Hill, CT. Since then, the projects have become larger, more complex, and the number of clients has increased dramatically. Many of the same clients MCA worked with in the beginning continue with them today. “That says a lot. We value those relationships today as much as we did back then.”
Rafael recommends establishing principles early on and following them. He says, “You should always maintain respect for your clients as well as your employees. They are the ones that will help you get to where you want to go.”
MCA continues to follow the principles that Richard and Rafael established from the beginning. These principles move the company towards new opportunities, while enhancing the quality of work that MCA provides to clients, existing and new.