I, Juliano Scherba, and my wife, Lia Scherba, are the owners and founders of JL Home Projects. We were born in Brazil and came to this country more than 20 years ago seeking the “American Dream.” We had the simple and yet complex belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, could attain their own version of success in a society where upward mobility was possible for anyone willing to work. We recognized this was not a reality in most of the world, but we became another living example that the “American Dream” is still alive and available to anyone.
Our story began, with what seemed at the time, as the crazy idea of a very young couple. We moved to United States of America with very little resources and a minimal understanding of the language. We left behind careers, family, friends and everything else. In Brazil, I worked with an accounting firm and then as a salesperson in a multinational firm. After that I worked in my family’s business. I have studied business and finance. My wife Lia, at the time girlfriend, worked as a clerk at an International Bank and had a bachelor’s degree in business and system analysis.
The “American Dream” was not easily attained. Our beginning was nothing but HARD, a lot of work with very little money to show for our effort. My first job in the United States was as a tile setter helper, and Lia’s first job was as a housekeeper. They certainly didn’t seem to be the dream jobs we had left everything in Brazil and come to America for, but we were thankful to have jobs and a starting point. We knew that with perseverance and faith we would arise. Together we cried rivers and almost gave up many times. This background helped us in our decision-making process and also helped us relate to people.
