Today we’d like to introduce you to David Moore.
David, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Long story short beginning in Sisters. I fell in love with a restaurateur who owns her own building and restaurant. I found the best way to show off was to impress her with my repair and maintenance skills and fix a few things here and there, and over there, and up there and under there… you get it. As time passed, and as I gobbled up all the fixes that were low hanging fruit, it became obvious that I was going to need a commercial license and insurance to get serious about keeping her building together.
A few larger projects later, another restaurant asked for help, then another then a bakery and the rest is history. The real interesting thing is that I never advertised. I’ve picked up binders of residential clients word of mouth also.
The beauty of building these relationships is also learning about the different businesses, their trials (because they rarely call me when everything is groovy) and their needs. We’ve gathered these businesses together into a Sisters Business Association that’s been gaining traction now for a couple of years. I have eventually become chair of that board and it’s really something to watch and be a part of from the ground up.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The story is twofold, right? The contract maintenance and repair side is physically and mentally hard work. It seems everything breaks everywhere all at once, making for some long days. And that’s ok. Whatever it takes to keep the lights on.
On the SBA side, the road did get bumpy as we rotated board members several times through the first year. To be expected, of course, but it also made it hard to show our association members that we meant business and could be held accountable. We have stabilized and have been able to make some incredible progress thanks to a wonderful board of very bright entrepreneurs.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The term “handyman” never sits well with me. It carries a connotation of less than par, informal help rather than repair or maintenance. I’ve asked a lot of folks and can’t come up with a better term, so it’s there… for now… as “what I do.” I am pretty damned handy though, so it may fit. I seem to have made every mistake a person could while working on my own projects throughout life, pre YouTube, to be able to benefit those whom I work for from those experiences. How I haven’t lost a finger is beyond me.
I pride myself in relationships. I like to call the people who need me “clients.” Some are a turnkey job and others seem to call me back often. What I am most proud of is when a client shares their experience with a neighbor, family member, or friend and I get to help them next.
I keep my overhead low, stay local in Sisters, schedule tight, and have a good sense of how long a repair might take. I don’t get greedy.
I don’t see anyone doing what I do with the response time or know how I have. It’s a fundamental need of mine to help people, and that bites me at times. I’m built different than most that are half my age. There’s a time for sloth, but not in the workplace. I’ll probably slow down one day, but that’s not tomorrow.
It’s pretty awesome and humbling to be trusted with somebody’s home or business. I pride myself on being super responsive, brutally honest, and willing to work hard. Really hard if needed.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Quality: Decisive! I move quickly from problem → logistics → solution.
I don’t sit in ambiguity long, and I push toward something buildable or actionable. Even if I get it wrong at first, it’s going to be right at last.
Characteristics top 3
Direct, logical and action focused
I try to communicate clearly and expect the same. I have to force myself to listen actively and it’s important. It’s been a work in progress but I may never perfect it. I prioritize execution over discussion. This proves to not work well in a boardroom. So I have do adapt when I’m in that space.
I find my solid ground logical decisions. It’s my best tool for confident repairs.
Pricing:
- A knowledgeable repairman should charge $90-$125
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.Sistershandyman.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CddRNen3d/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://sprd.li/thereforyou
