The Power Couple NEXT DOOR

BY EMMA WOLF | PHOTO BY 726 VISUALS

When hearing the word “power couple,” celebrities like Jay-Z and Beyoncé often come to mind, or even William and Kate, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It turns out, though, that local power couples are a lot closer than you would think. Jim and Shay Dunne of Downers Grove are a husband-and-wife team showcasing the epitome of a power couple and all the trials and tribulations that come with it. Jim is the President, and Shay is the Vice President of Marketing & Operations of Op2Mize Energy, LLC.

Before starting their own business, Jim worked in real estate development for a private equity firm, and Shay worked in advertising. When the market crashed in 2008, Jim’s job ended, and he was forced to look into other options. While considering what to do next, Jim landed on the possibility of working in the energy consulting field. In 2012, he began an energy consulting company, Hope Energy, which became Op2Mize Energy, LLC. in 2013.

Op2Mize Energy, LLC. is an energy advisory consulting company that provides commercial energy procurement services to clients using green and sustainable energy. The green company specializes in natural energy and gas for all their clients’ needs.

ties. Also, Op2Mize can help ensure that your energy supply is as green as possible with certified Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). RECs represent the environmental benefits of electricity generated by renewable sources, thereby avoiding carbon emissions. Some would call optimizing energy costs and the environment a win-win. We call it sustainable intelligence.”

– JIM DUNNE

Like an insurance brokerage, Jim and Shay work with highly reputable electricity brokers, such as ComEd, to help find their clients the best and most renewable energy products and solutions for their needs, helping optimize their energy usage.

“If a client wants to ensure that they are getting greener energy, we help them purchase wind energy, for example,” said Shay. “Wind energy is the most common renewable energy resource in the Midwest.”

Op2Mize’s goal is clear. “Through our strategic partners, we can help identify ROI-driven, energy-saving opportuni-

At Op2Mize, Jim and Shay start the process by assessing their client’s current energy situation, including the usage. They then break down the jargon and help their client select the best energy source from the best provider, allowing them to maximize their energy usage in the greenest way possible.

“We have a few residential customers, including a high-rise condo building, but it is mostly larger businesses and companies that we serve,” said Jim. “We service big clients like Weber (Weber grill), and it is cool that we are such a small business, but we have a big footprint. We have clients all the way in southern Texas, Georgia, Florida, New York City, and of course, Illinois. I am very proud of our growth.”

After Jim started the company, Shay wrote the job description for the Director of Operations, quickly realizing that she wanted the role. Coming from a background in advertising made her the perfect candidate. She would be able to manage the marketing and operations aspects of the company while also helping it grow and establish relationships with clients.

“Within months after bringing Shay on board, our overall revenue increased between 200%-300%,” said Jim. “Shay is very detail-oriented, and that is exactly what we needed. She manages the marketing side of things and works on all the details and logistics, and I’m on the sales and receiving end.”

Although they have an office in Oak Brook, the husband and wife team do most of their work from their home within walking distance from downtown Downers Grove. This helps make it more convenient for them and allows them to work from their favorite restaurant, Pierce Tavern. It also helps simplify getting their kids to and from school and activities. Their kids, Addie (11) and James (9) attend St. Joseph School. The family enjoys walking to Cellar Door and Cocomero, where Jim jokes that “both the adults and kids get a treat at the end of the walk.”

“We definitely spend a lot of time together, now more than ever,” said Shay. “Now, whenever we need to talk to each other, we literally just turn around,” said Shay. “We make a great team. Jim brings the clients in, and I make sure they stay.”

Like any other small business, it takes a while to get the ball rolling, and success does not come immediately. The Dunnes still have to figure out all the uncertainties that all small-business owners face. One of the biggest challenges is not having guaranteed steady-paycheck jobs with benefits like health insurance and 401K. Shay sets up each of their retirement accounts and must purchase their health insurance. They both agree that it would be challenging to return to working traditional nine-to-five jobs now that they are so used to running their own business and managing their own operations.

“We absolutely face challenges being a small business and working for ourselves. But growing pains are good. It is also very satisfying to work for ourselves and build a family life and a business together as husband and wife,” says Jim.

As for the future, Jim and Shay hope to expand their business as they continue to grow. Overall, they hope to continue to improve their clients’ energy usage by maximizing the green energy, electricity, and natural gas intake and use, making for an overall greener approach as green energy becomes increasingly more popular. The dynamic duo looks forward to the process. ■ 686529, MT - 686529 - 2611, NC - I-186207, ND - NDMLO686529, NJ - Licensed, OH - MLO-OH.686529, PA - 71774, SC - MLO - 686529, SD - MLO.09290, TN - 185702, TXLicensed, VA - MLO-40998VA, WA - MLO-686529, WI - 686529, WY - 7711 Guaranteed Rate Inc.; NMLS #2611; For licensing information visit nmlsconsumeraccess.org.