What started as a freelance opportunity turned into a multi-million-dollar environmental consulting business for Teresa Tramposch, founder of CORE Environmental Consultants, Inc.
In 2004, while teaching part-time at Buffalo State College, Tramposch accepted a contract involving 14 remediation sites in New York City. After writing reports and hiring staff, the project became profitable, and she began pursuing larger contracts. In 2005, her husband Ron, a geologist and environmental consultant, joined the company.
CORE helps clients comply with federal, state, and local regulations. About half the firm’s work involves asbestos and lead abatement, while the rest includes construction air monitoring and petroleum storage tank testing.
By 2011, CORE had seven employees in Buffalo and 27 in New York City. The company had completed projects for JetBlue Airways at over 50 airport terminals and was awarded more than 350 projects by the NYC School Construction Authority in 2010 alone.
Revenue grew from $1.1 million in 2008 to $1.6 million in 2009 and reached $3 million in 2010. Ron Tramposch credited this to increased recognition and new contracts.
Teresa also completed the University at Buffalo’s Allstate Minority and Women Emerging Entrepreneurs Program, which provided mentorship in marketing, HR, and financial planning. She emphasized the importance of stepping back from daily tasks to focus on strategic growth.
“Have a service provider for payroll, human resources and benefits so you don’t need to worry about those things,” she advised.
