During times of life-changing transition, the saying “you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone” can be somewhat of an anthem. Not so for Steve Goulette — he knew what he had and he wanted something more.

Over his 25-year career with Swedish quick coupling specialist CEJN and hydraulic hose and fitting manufacturer Aeroquip Corporation, Goulette had held positions ranging from design engineer to manager of training and development to division manager. Having seen the business from all angles, Goulette had a vast understanding of its operation and decided to use that knowledge to follow his entrepreneurial dreams.

“Like many entrepreneurs, I had a vision and a passion to strike out on my own,” said Goulette. “Owning a business had been my goal for a number of years but I wanted to be sure the concept I chose would not only employ my past experience but provide a needed service to the community.”

Goulette’s early research led him to Pirtek, a hydraulic hose replacement company that picked up where his former employers left off. After meeting with representatives from corporate and noting the unique product and high level of professionalism, Goulette and his wife, Kathleen, decided to relocate from their home in Illinois to Jacksonville, Fla., to open their own Pirtek operation. They will begin servicing the Jacksonville area on March 10 from their offices at 6000 Phillips Hwy.

“Moving halfway across the country for a job is a deal-breaker for some but for me, the opportunity was just too great to pass up,” Goulette said. “Jacksonville is a growing area and a desirable location for many people to live and work. Pirtek’s brand recognition is particularly strong in Florida and businesses that would benefit make the potential for growth very exciting.”

Rockledge, Fla.-based Pirtek provides ETA 1 Hour On-Site Hose Replacement. Pirtek offers a 24/7 service that serves almost every facet of industry including construction, manufacturing, transportation, agriculture and engineering among others. When an equipment breakdown occurs, it often results in costly delays in time and labor before the proper replacement hose is located and installed but Pirtek vans carry the component parts necessary to manufacture hose assemblies on site. Hose and fittings can also be purchased over-the-counter at Pirtek’s national network of service centers that serve as home bases to its mobile fleet. There are nearly 40 Pirtek service centers nationwide and more than 170 Pirtek mobile service vans serving major metropolitan markets throughout the country.

“Pirtek is a great business to business franchise opportunity offering exclusive territories that enable motivated entrepreneurs the opportunity to be in business for themselves, but not by themselves,” said Gwyn O’Kane, vice president of franchise development for Pirtek USA.

Goulette would like to play a role in Pirtek’s expansion by opening a second location within five years. He also hopes that his actions will empower more people to realize their goals in business ownership.

“What I represent is the dream of a lot of people. They work a good share of their lives and have successful careers but instead of riding that wave out to retirement, I have parted with the safety net and started over,” Goulette said. “With so many options out there, I feel as though this is the best decision I have ever made.”

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