Page 52 - Security Today, May 2017

COVER STORY
By Ralph C. Jensen
MORE THAN A CONCEPT
ntegration of security systems is more than a concept or plan for Jeff Comeaux. It has become a passion and a calling. For the past 8-plus years, Comeaux and his I3Concepts team have taken the Dallas area by storm, currently working in as many as 250 to 350 buildings in the Metroplex.
Small, but nimble, I3Concepts (I3C) has 38 employees, includ- ing more than a dozen service techs, and these employees are doing the work of similar, but larger, integrators in the area. Comeaux and his staff office in a low-rise building, operating on several floors, but there is movement in the works to bring the staff together in one fa- cility, with more floor space. I3C is busting at the seams.
As with any successful business, I3Concepts has its own niche for work and customer service.
Securing parking facilities comes to mind first for Comeaux. The company has aligned itself with TIBA Parking Systems in Ohio. They serve numerous verticals, including airports, medical facilities, hotels and central management, among others.
“TIBA breaks the mold with innovative parking solutions and emerging technologies. With more than 30 years of experience, TIBA caters to customers from such diverse industries as airports, universi- ties, shopping centers, municipalities, medical centers and high se-
curity facilities,” Comeaux said. “Built with exceptional and intuitive design, TIBA allows us to focus on efficiency and profitability, help- ing us help our clients maximize ROI in less time.”
As Comeaux launched into the security industry, he found his sweet spot in access control and CCTV. In fact, he started his new venture in 2008, just when the economy was on a downward spiral. Numerous friends and associates warned him not to start his new business, but he had a concept in mind, and felt like with the econo- my going south, security would be heading skyward.
Comeaux opened his doors for business, and there he was, on his own and looking for install work. It worked and within a year he was hiring employees as the business grew. His business philosophy is what really helped him take off.
“Surround yourself with people that are as good as, or better than myself, and you will be great,” Comeaux said. “It is these people that really built the business.”
As the business grew, Comeaux envisioned the company employ- ing eight to 10 people, and doing $1 million of business a year. That goal has been surpassed as he is on target to have a $6 to $8 million year this year, and projecting an $8 to $10 million in the near future. So, the business that expected to be small enough to earn a living
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