Often children tune out their parents when growing up.
You remember childhood. When your parents talked to people at work on the phone, did you listen?
Or, did you just disregard them completely?
Many times, the last thing on a child’s mind is business or what their parents are doing for work.
But for Nick Abell, as a kid, it was the exact opposite!
Nick grew up hearing his Dad, Chris Abell, conduct business while riding in the car. From location to location, while his Dad worked with Northern California businesses on historical and commercial restoration projects, Nick knew at an early age how important it is to stand firm by your business and to care for valuable clients and partners.
As such, Rainbow has instilled values into its waterproofing and restoration team as seen firsthand through a Father acting as a role model to his Son. Nick, now an Assistant Project Manager, for the team realizes more than ever the value of team spirit and carrying out important duties.
Commercial Restoration Projects That Matter
Chris remembers about his Son, “As a business owner, there are no working hours. Whether Nick liked it or not, he listened in on countless work conversations in the car and at home since he was born. As a very young child, he was obsessed with cars and car brands. I remember thinking he would end up working in the automotive field.”
But Nick knew the impact that commercial and restoration projects have on the Northern California business community. Although he led first in a marketing direction, he soon realized, construction is in his blood.
For Rainbow, these projects can range from concrete repairs to extensive structural repairs, waterproofing, window, and masonry restoration.
The Family at Rainbow
Chris and business partner Rob Browne purchased Rainbow in 2001, and Chris is President of the company. Rob is the Vice President and his son, Ryan, also works with the company.
Chris started in the construction industry in high school working at a local lumber yard. Through the lumber yard, he met a small contractor and worked there on weekends. He was inspired to major and graduate in construction management.
After that, Chris went to work for a large general contractor as a project engineer and was part of a team that built a mid-rise, multi-use structure in downtown San Francisco. After the project was complete, he went to work for a national waterproofing company for about 10 years where he met John Maillard, the former owner of Rainbow. “John wanted to retire so we purchased Rainbow.”
Nick comes to Rainbow with a degree in Marketing from the University of Colorado. As he approached graduation, a career in marketing didn’t take precedence in his mind so he switched gears and spent a year cooking professionally while determining his career path.
“Eventually, like many in my family before me, I found myself working in construction. Before Rainbow, I worked as a project engineer for Performance Contracting on various industrial insulation projects in the East Bay,” Nick shared.
Rainbow Northern California Commercial and Historical Sites
Rainbow has contributed to many thriving Northern California business and community sites including:
- One Powell Building. This iconic structure, located in the heart of downtown San Francisco, has undergone an 18-month meticulous restoration process to revive its original grandeur while incorporating modern amenities.
- 111 Sutter. Designed according to impressive French Romanesque architecture, the commercial building was constructed between 1925 and 1927, is 308 feet tall, and was used by the National Broadcast Company (NBC) as its west coast headquarters from 1927 to 1942. Fictionally, 111 Sutter is also widely known for being the home to the Spade & Archer detective agency in “The Maltese Falcon.”
- Oakland’s 1100 Broadway. Built in 1911, the Key System Building is a historic gem that sat vacant for decades after sustaining significant structural damage from the Lomo Prieta earthquake in 1989. Since then, the eight-story Beaux-Arts building passed through the hands of several owners, who made various failed attempts at redevelopment. But that changed when Rainbow stepped in to help revitalize the Oakland community.
“I like how Rainbow plays a part in preserving and restoring significant landmarks throughout the Bay Area. I drove past the Marin County Civic Center every day on my way to high school, and it was special to see how Rainbow was involved in restoring such an iconic building.” – Nick
Revitalizing Northern California Business through historical and commercial restoration projects is part of the reason Chris and Nick love their jobs.
Northern California Business Role Models
Nick recalls a time in 1st grade when the community came to give classroom presentations. “My dad visited my classroom for career day. I remember him dressing me up with his hard hat, safety vest, and harness during his presentation. Among the various presentations from doctors, salespeople, and others, his still stands out in my mind.”
Rainbow strives daily to focus on community and family with values of quality, teamwork, and integrity working diligently on building restoration projects across San Francisco and Northern California businesses.
Nick’s favorite company value is:
“Be a good teammate.
We all work best when we’re able to support each other.”
Historical and commercial restoration projects are important to the Rainbow team, and their quality work can be seen throughout Northern California as a result of an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Working Alongside Champions
Rainbow works every day to ensure that they are paying close attention to all aspects of building restoration projects. Nick has enjoyed the challenge of working alongside his Dad, the team, and project managers.
Nick said, “In my short time here, we’ve completed a handful of job walks together for some projects in San Francisco, Santa Rosa, and Mill Valley. In total, I’ve been involved in twelve projects throughout the Bay Area with a few different project managers.”
Chris shared, “We just completed a small sealant replacement project that Nick was involved with from the estimating phase through completion. Our “flywheel” so to speak is: professionally prepared proposals and bids submitted on time, complete and consistent job instructions, timely execution of work/project management beyond expectations, and timely close out. Nick was able to witness firsthand the results of following the steps in our flywheel. The result was a satisfied customer that will recommend us for other projects or use Rainbow again in the future.”
Chris added, “I am really excited that I get to see Nick almost every day and watch him learn and interact with the team that we have built over the last 20 years. Nick has a great work ethic; he is very responsible and eager to learn. Our team has been very supportive in onboarding Nick. He has been ready to get involved and prove himself to our team.”
Growing and Thriving into the Future
Rainbow provides leading services for waterproofing, foundation, masonry, terra-cotta, or infrastructure and building support—creating modern, functional, and inspirational spaces for the future of Northern California business.
Commercial and restoration initiatives for the future at Rainbow involve growing and thriving with a strong network of family, clients, and partners working in strong remembrance of the past and with a profound hope for the future. At the core, they understand what’s really important.
“My father was my teacher. But most importantly he was a great dad.” ― Beau Bridges
“I think I have big shoes to fill when it comes to upholding Rainbow’s reputation, but I’m not afraid of that challenge. I know my dad has put in a lot of work to make Rainbow what it is today, and I’m excited to help the company grow further beyond his initial expectations,” Nick said.
Chris added, “I am very proud that Rainbow has provided a place for people to work and grow. All three of our superintendents started with us as apprentices. Many of our foreman and crew members have been with Rainbow for 10+ years. We have very little turnover which tells me that we are living our core values.”
Chris added, “I am very proud that Rainbow has provided a place for people to work and grow. All three of our superintendents started with us as apprentices. Many of our foreman and crew members have been with Rainbow for 10+ years. We have very little turnover which tells me that we are living our core values.”As a leading waterproofing and restoration company, Rainbow recognizes the value of ensuring a high level of professionalism and expertise for every single job, embracing our clients, partners, and team members as family.
Rainbow delivers expertise and success for your Northern California historical and commercial restoration projects. Contact the Rainbow team today!
