News Archives

May 29, 2006

SAN DIEGO BUSINESS JOURNAL - Small Business
Spotlight: Clean Power Systems
by Jessica Long

Few people actually grow up to be what they dreamed of as a child; Sabre Springs businessman Kirk Mulligan is no exception.
“I never envisioned myself being a small-business owner,” Mulligan said. “I always saw myself first to be a pilot, but as got older, my eyesight got a little bad and so I had to set my sights on something else.”
Although he doesn’t spend his workweek at the helm of a jumbo jet, Mulligan, 28, found a far more reaching passion involving the sky above with Clean Power Systems.
As president and chief executive officer of Clean Power Systems, Mulligan runs a company in the business of installing solar energy systems for both residential and commercial customers. It’s an industry Mulligan was first introduced to while in college when he took a sales job with a solar energy company in Virginia.
According to Mulligan, it was while observing others in the industry that he learned how to fully appreciate the positive environmental effects of solar energy and how to view business as an art form rather than just a paycheck.
Mulligan said that he was drawn to be the artistic and creative nuances of starting and developing a company from the ground floor. And it appears Mulligan, who has plans to ultimately grow the business throughout the state and nation, is just getting started on his very own masterpiece.
“Obviously there’s doubt,” Mulligan said. “It’s a scary thing to grow larger, but I’m not a person to do something, for lack of a better word, half-way. I welcome the challenge of it all.”

VITALS
Name: Kirk Mulligan.
Titles: President and chief executive officer.
Company: Clean Power Systems.
Company address: 13230 Evening Creek Drive S., Suite 203, San Diego 92128.
Company phone: (858) 748-3636.
Year founded: 2003.
Prior business experience: Regional sales manager for Atlantic Solar Products.
Average hours worked weekly: 60.
Source of startup capital: Blood, sweat and small line of credits from vendors to provide product and good cash management to fund the growth.
2005 revenue: $2.5 million.
2004 revenue: $990,000.
Number of employees: 17.
Web site:www.noelectricbill.com

BACKGROUND
Birthplace: Harrisburg, Pa.
Education: Bachelors degree in integrated science and technology from Madison University.
Age: 28.
Current residence: Pacific Beach.
Family: Single.
Hobbies: Does work count? I do like to golf.

JUDGEMENT CALLS
Reason for getting into business: I saw that the solar industry was moving toward companies that can both provide the entire product and install it. The market was right, I formed strong relationships in the industry and I wanted the challenge.
How I plan to grow the business: I plan to grow this business by sticking to our company’s mission and philosophy, creating a fun yet professional work environment in a new industry and creating an expectation of 100 percent customer satisfaction, allowing the company to make a reasonable profit.
Biggest plus of business ownership: Creating something in your mind and watching it grow and mature into a viable, stand-alone entity.
Biggest drawback: Is the possibility of failure and knowing that employees and their families rely on you.
Biggest business strength: Drive to learn and succeed.
Biggest business weakness: Actual business knowledge and experience.
Biggest risk: Starting a company in a new industry.
Smartest business decision: Buying out three of my original four partners.
Biggest business mistake: Starting the business without a line of credit made rapid growth difficult.
Toughest career decision: To hold back expanding throughout California and the United States until San Diego is self-sustaining.
Biggest ongoing challenge: There is a huge module shortage because of the demand of solar. It is an ongoing challenge to secure product for our customers as we grow.
The most important part of my business: Customer service and quality of work. When a solar electric system is put on your home or business, it can cost tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of dollars, and will last more than 25 years. We want to make sure that customers remember our quality of work.
My business works best when: I don’t micro manage.
Best way to stay competitive: To keep providing the best product and installation at a reasonable price.
How I measure success: Profitability and growth. If we are profitable, we will be here to honor our warranties and if we can grow within our profitability, then more customers can realize no electric bill.

GOALS
Goals yet to be achieved: To expand our offices into other locations throughout California. To become one of the largest and most renowned solar companies in the world.
My five-year business plan: To become a worldwide company that provides not only solar but any new emerging renewable technologies.
I would sell my business only if: I would like to have this turned over to my kids when I have them, but I would sell if I could not grow it any further with the team that I have.
Guiding principle I will continue to follow: Treat each home or business installation as if it were my own.