Minority Contractor of the Year

Arteaga finds the secrets to success

By Sean Ryan

Arteaga Tony Arteaga's story in the construction industry hits upon many of the themes that describe a successful small business.

He followed in his father's footsteps, looks before he leaps, treats his employees with respect and gives back to his community.

Arteaga, founder and president of Milwaukee-based Arteaga Construction Inc., started out building houses for his father, who developed real estate. Nine years ago, after spending many long nights thinking about it, he decided to buy his hunting buddy's construction firm. Using the shop and equipment from Platt Sawing and Drilling, he founded Arteaga Construction as a masonry subcontractor.

The company is now a general contractor employing more than 100 people. Its $14 million in revenue last year doubled the previous year's figures, and Arteaga said the growth is part of the business plan.

Although he considers his company to be simply a general contractor, others describe it as one of the largest and most successful minority construction companies in the state. Last year, the U.S. Small Business Administration selected Arteaga as Wisconsin's Minority Small Business Person of the Year.

"We're excited that he's successful because he is generous," said Leni Siker, executive director of the Wisconsin Minority Business Opportunity Committee. "As a small-business colleague of Tony's, I'd like to know his secret."

The first secret is planning ahead. Arteaga's core management meets every morning to map the business' course, and the company operates under five-year, long-range plans.

Siker praised Arteaga's ability to choose the right projects to pursue, noting that in addition to the company expanding its revenue, Arteaga Construction also lands a solid profit. There are many small firms that put themselves out of business by winning projects with bids that don't return a profit.

"Tony realized that being big is not everything," Siker said. "He's business skilled. The way he analyses things, that has to be it."

Siker said she was impressed with Arteaga's dedication to his employees and his efforts to make them feel like significant parts of the company. All employees get to use the company phones and cars, partake in bonuses and get a half-day off for a company-funded pizza party at the end of a successful project.

"He's smart enough to be around good, smart people, and he treats his employees right," Siker said. "I've seen the respect his employees have for him."

But for Arteaga, it's not just about running a successful business. He uses his success to help the Milwaukee community he calls home. He serves on the boards of four local organizations, including the Wisconsin Business Resource Center Board that oversees Siker's organization.

"He's always willing to write a check," Siker said. "He's always willing to give back."