How Two Brothers Built a Sustainability Firm to Save Earth

MIAMI, FL – November 9, 2022 – ecofi, an innovative sustainability firm, celebrates a decade of driving conservation and sustainability in the real estate sector. Founded by brothers Lawrence and Richard Lamondin, ecofi has proven that conservation can be profitable and transformative. Born out of a passion for the ocean and a desire to combat climate change, ecofi is on a mission to redefine what it means to be a sustainable business in today’s world.

A Rising Tide Lifts All Ships

John F. Kennedy

From the Atlantic Ocean to Global Sustainability Impact

Growing up in Miami, Florida, Lawrence and Richard developed a deep love for the ocean, spending their childhood snorkeling, fishing, and surfing. This connection to nature shaped their values and ultimately led to the creation of ecofi. “Living close to the ocean made caring about the planet almost unconscious,” Lawrence recalls. “That sense of stewardship is at the core of who we are.”

Living in a city at the frontlines of sea-level rise, the Lamondin brothers felt a calling to help fight climate change, not just locally, but globally. In 2012, they founded ecofi, an ESG firm committed to proving that sustainability could be a business driver, not just a cost. “We always knew there was room for business in the climate fight,” Richard says. “Our mission is to show that conservation is good for business.”

Starting with Toilets: A Cost-Effective Sustainability Solution

Ecofi’s journey began by providing water conservation solutions in apartment complexes. They started with simple retrofits—replacing old toilet valves and leaky showerheads. For multifamily property owners, these retrofits offered a way to embed sustainability into their business models while saving money. As Richard explains, “Everything ecofi does stems from the goal of positive gains for our partners’ bottom line, meaningful conservation, and community enrichment.”

From Humble Beginnings to Big Breaks

In the early days, ecofi was a 100%-bootstrapped business. Lawrence and Richard drove across the country to meet clients, working tirelessly to save on costs. “We would pile into a car with our crew and drive through the night just to save on hotel costs,” Lawrence remembers. Despite the challenges, each project exceeded expectations, solidifying their belief that conservation could drive both sustainability and profit.

The breakthrough came in 2016, when a partner asked ecofi to help with a large-scale retrofit in Denver. The brothers implemented a record breaking Denver Water toilet rebate that saved their partner, BH Management, $370,000, marking the start of ecofi’s national expansion. “It was like building the ship while we were at sail,” says Richard. “But when they said yes, we knew we could figure it out.”

Growing with Partnerships and Pivoting During Challenges

After their success in Denver, ecofi grew quickly, relying on referrals from satisfied clients. Lawrence emphasizes, “Our partners are the true heroes of our story. Their success is the driving force behind ours.” As ecofi expanded, the company added capacity, hired more staff, and invested in leadership.

However, the global Covid-19 pandemic posed a significant challenge. With crews unable to enter apartments for water fixture updates, ecofi quickly pivoted to outdoor lighting updates, allowing their team to stay safe while continuing to work. The pandemic accelerated ecofi’s evolution, shifting the company to become a full-service energy conservation provider, adding energy efficiency to their service mix.

A Vision for the Future: Leading the Sustainability Revolution

Looking forward, ecofi remains committed to growing in response to evolving conservation trends. “We need to adapt,” says Richard. “What got us here may not get us where we want to go.” The firm is focused on delivering sustainability consulting, due diligence, and sustainable solutions to meet the changing demands of real estate sustainability.

Ecofi is also setting ambitious goals for the future. The Lamondin brothers aim to make conservation frictionless for their partners, integrating sustainability seamlessly into business practices. Their long-term goal is to be the most impactful ESG firm in real estate. “We’re fighting a global and potentially existential challenge—we don’t have time to waste,” says Richard. “Our mission is to maximize growth, create significant impact, and improve the world for the most people.”

Ecofi’s Impact to Date

Since its inception, ecofi has made a remarkable impact in real estate conservation:

• Upgraded 135,000 units

• Saved 6.4 billion gallons of water

• Put $58 million back in the pockets of owners

• Saved 176,000 metric tons of CO2

• Saved 252 million kWh of energy

Ecofi is leading the charge in real estate sustainability and helping to build a better, more sustainable world for future generations.

Join ecofi on Your Conservation Journey

Contact ecofi today to learn how they can help you save resources, reduce costs, and make a significant impact in real estate sustainability.