With C.O.R. Improvements, Hein turns dreams into reality

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A decade ago, Maretes Hein was bartending while doing handyman work and finish carpentry on the side.

Now, she has managed to turn these pursuits into a career by starting C.O.R. Improvements, a general contracting and construction company in Glendale.

“During the past 10 years, my passion for creating and growing my company came from seeing how I helped so many people in need,” Hein said. “I still feel such joy with every completed project we do. I love creating outstanding relationships and helping people and businesses turn their dream projects into a reality.”

After working in the field for a few years, Hein suffered an injury and needed to hire others to help with her services. She recognized her strengths were in sales, customer service and project management and decided to take classes to obtain her license to operate a construction company.

The business was founded in 2007, originally under the name My Girl Tuesday. She decided to change it to C.O.R. Improvements in 2010 to better represent the company’s expanding array of construction, design and renovation services in the retail, residential and commercial markets.

“I went from working with only a handful of subcontractors on small residential projects to now working with approximately 30 to 35 subcontracting companies per year doing larger residential remodeling and small commercial projects. I have also recently hired three employees to help grow my company even more,” Hein said.

When it comes to their work, it’s always about quality and craftsmanship and never allowing a corner to be cut or a code to be overlooked.

“Her subcontractors love working with her and really appreciate her clear direction and commitment to doing the best job possible every time,” Chris Grow, who has worked with C.O.R. Improvements and Hein with his marketing firm, Third Eye Local.

As for the future, Hein hopes to create more job opportunities within her company and work more with small and medium-sized commercial projects like store fronts, salons and restaurants. They will also have a residential department that will specialize in kitchens, bathrooms, basements and attic remodeling and additions.

The name of the business may have changed, but its priority remains establishing strong relationships in the construction industry through collaboration and communication.

“Our passion is to make sure the clients are involved as much as they want to be. We strive to communicate with our clients like a home or business owner, not a technician or contractor so we will make sure they understand every part of the process, Hein said.