Distinguished by more than 30 years of professional experience in business ownership, Julie B. Righton is the president of Aquarius Door Services Inc. In her position since 1987, she is at the helm of a team of 20 invaluable employees and runs the company’s day-to-day operations, which includes conducting the firm’s outside sales and garage door measuring, among other responsibilities. Notably, she specializes in the installation and maintenance of overhead garage doors, garage door openers, and entry doors. Most of the company’s work is residential, with approximately 20% performed in the commercial sector.
A family-run business, Aquarius Door Services Inc. was initially established by Ms. Righton’s uncle in 1963 as Aquarius Homes, who also owned a successful sprinkler system enterprise. Upon his retirement, her uncle sold Aquarius Door Services Inc. to Ms. Righton, who has since continued the family legacy. Previously working for the company prior to taking on ownership, Ms. Righton learned valuable skills necessary for her to succeed in the industry. To wit, she has always provided superior service and leads her business with honesty and integrity. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships with customers and ensuring all their needs are met. As an equally compassionate leader, she extends these values to her workers as well, noting that her service manager has been working for her for more than 20 years. Her son, Eric, is also the company’s vice president.
Prior to continuing the leadership of Aquarius Door Services Inc., Ms. Righton served in the United States Air Force between 1979 and 1988, exemplifying bravery and fortitude as a medic and escalating to the rank of staff sergeant. She also completed coursework in nursing at Hunter College in 1981 to supplement her military experience. In this regard, she attributes a great deal of her success to not only the lessons she learned while in the Air Force but to her honesty and her ability to learn from her mistakes and treat her employees with the respect they deserve. Over the course of her career, Ms. Righton has taken further, meticulous care of her reputation and incorporated integrity into her work ethic.
Although her career has been punctuated with several significant milestones, Ms. Righton is especially gratified by being a successful woman in what is typically a male-dominated industry. She states that her ability to earn the respect of her colleagues and peers is a standing testament to her exceptional skills as a business leader and unwavering dedication to her work, staff, and clients. As such, Ms. Righton has proven to be an inspirational figure to other women in the field, highlighting the importance and significance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Furthermore, she feels motivated when she sees the good in other individuals, which inspires her to be hopeful for the future.
A member of the International Door Association in her spare time, Ms. Righton and Aquarius Door Services Inc. have won several accolades. Impressively, they won the Super Service Award from Angie’s List in 2017, having thereafter won the Best of HomeAdvisor Award from HomeAdvisor in 2020. Outside of her professional endeavors, Ms. Righton is proud to give back to her community. A supporter of Habitat for Humanity and the Hawthorne Gospel Church, she also conducts work in helping seniors who require aid and helps her local church provide resources for teenagers with substance abuse problems.
The proud mother of four adult children and grandmother of three grandchildren, Ms. Righton enjoys growing vegetables in her garden, hiking, and spending quality time with her family. Looking forward, she aims to experience the continued growth and success of Aquarius Door Services Inc.