Sustainable success: The Armenian immigrant-owned businesses of Sky Solar Pro and Berg Construction

Acting as a cultural enclave, particularly for the Armenian immigrant community, Burbank, California, has a diverse immigrant community contributing to its cultural uniqueness. More than 16,000 immigrants are settled under the singular Burbank ZIP code.

Following the Ottoman Empire genocide, Armenians dispersed to nations around the globe, specifically those seeking refuge in the United States. Through the preservation of language, cuisine, music, and traditions, Armenians prominently contributed to the vitality of the Armenian immigrant image.

Many immigrants in Burbank are actively involved in local businesses, education, and community events, establishing an environment that celebrates diversity. The businesses, in particular, contribute to a diverse economic landscape, making Burbank a more desirable and interconnected place to live.

In the heart of Burbank lies a dual Armenian immigrant-owned business—Sky Solar Pro and Berg Construction. Sky Solar Pro and Berg Construction are beyond businesses; they symbolize the perseverance and resilience of underserved immigrant communities. Immigrant-owned businesses have been an integral aspect of Los Angeles. Exemplifying the American Dream, this duo highlights the strength and definite purpose of the mass immigrant population in the city.

Taron Sargsyan consults a cleaner future with one of his many prospective clients. As CEO of Berg Construction and COO of Sky Solar Pro, Sargsyan is passionate about sustainable design and innovative architecture. Berg Construction focuses on designing, building and renovating small self-contained residential units known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs). These units are often added to the property of an already existing single-family home— raising its overall value and functioning both guest and rental properties that generate income.

With limited English proficiency, Sargsyan moved to the United States only seven years ago. He embraces his Armenian immigrant identity, finding inspiration from the urban design of his hometown.

Sargsyan has been pursuing his entrepreneurial goals while pursuing an architectural degree, following in the footsteps of Le Corbusier and Vitruvius, the first architect to produce a book on architecture. Since relocating to Los Angeles, he has been seeking further education, and at SCI-Arc, he is presently getting his architecture bachelor’s degree.

“I had many obstacles and failures in life, but I never gave up on my dreams. I always knew the only direction is forward and upward, regardless of what trials and tribulations life has in store for me,” Sargsyan said,

With Zaven Sarkisyan, Sargsyan’s business partner, their worldviews aligned. The two became an inseparable duo, enhancing each other’s business and personal brands.

“When two or more like-minded, driven individuals combine forces, there’s not a goal too big to achieve,” Sargsyan said.

Collaborating and creating a joint business quickly became a mutually beneficial decision.

Now CEO of Sky Solar Pro, Sarkisyan moved to Los Angeles from Armenia in the summer of 2015. Initially, the only jobs he could find were physically demanding and required late hours. While he took on those without hesitation in order to put bread on his family’s table, Sarkisyan decided to try his luck as a commission-based salesperson on the side.

Given his limited English proficiency at the time, Many tried to convince him he had no chance in sales. However, Sarkisyan was determined and was not going to allow limitations and preconceived notions dictate his future. That’s when his journey with solar panels began.

Every day after work, Sarkisyan took a short break and spent his afternoons and weekends going out to different neighborhoods of Los Angeles, knocking on doors and offering solar panels to strangers. This was mentally and physically straining as most shut their doors in his face before he was able to get past a greeting.

It was discouraging, however, Sarkisyan kept at it consistently until a door opened and did not shut. His first sale brought him hope.

Slowly but surely, Sarkisyan began to see consistent progress. Sale after sale throughout the years, he attained invaluable knowledge and experience and was able to build a large sales team consisting of like-minded individuals

Together, Sarkisyan and his team created Sky Solar Pro in 2022. A large part of the company consists of extended family members and friends, most of whom are immigrants.

“The biggest influences in my life were my grandfathers, Zaven and Vanik. Their teachings and stories shared were my example, shaping me into the individual I am today,” Sarkisyan said.

The two had very different life paths. However, what they did have in common were their life values and disciplines. Through perseverance, trial and error and hard work, they achieved great heights and served their communities.

What started as a business initiated with knocking on doors and cold calling in the kitchen, Sky Solar Pro and Berg Construction have manifested into one of Burbank’s premier small businesses.

Sky Solar Pro and Berg Construction tell a story beyond just business success; they highlight the immigrant spirit of resilience and innovation. The impact they have made in the Los Angeles community is profound, providing sustainable energy solutions and building ADUs that contribute to solving the current housing shortage in our city.

“The future for Sky Solar Pro and Berg Construction is very bright,” Sarkisyan said. They hope to expand their reach, scaling across California and continuing to support both local and national development.

Sargsyan believes that anyone with a true passion must first conquer their doubts.

“We have nothing to fear except fear itself.”