Today we’d like to introduce you to Armando Galindo.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I originally attended school and received my Associate’s Degree in Automotive Technology (Manufacturing and Rebuilding). I worked in that industry for about 6 years before leaving it as a hobby/side work in 2008. I then shifted my attention to maintenance and repairs in multi-house properties. I advanced in the construction industry, focused on HVAC specifically, and obtained my EPA Certification/License. I continued to grow my leadership skills within the HVAC industry while expanding my knowledge of Construction in general to find my niche and way to my career choice. After 6 years of running projects and crews on commercial sites, I finally decided that my best route within the industry growth was to start my own business. I started taking on Handyman repairs and needs within my community (next-door app, handing out business cards, knocking from door to door).
I slowly started having word of mouth expand my name throughout my area. I then started to expand my services more into the general contracting area. I am offering the same customer service on the repair end while growing my clientele in the remodeling sector. I always have taken pride in impacting someone’s day and way of life; a simple repair and conversation could make a person’s day so much different. While building a rapport with my clients, I understand their project needs, hear them out, and empathize with them during my visit. Not only be the thermometer measure the room and situation but also the thermostat and leave the room better off. My long-term business goal is to have a fully functional company that offers maintenance repairs, remodeling, and home building throughout the city and state. Long-term personal desires would be to build homes for the less fortunate. Retire near the beach if possible:).
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I was growing up in Los Angeles, California, in the 90s, with certain odds stacked against me aside from the environmental impact and having overcome those life issues. My approach to most situations and problems as an adult has been that I can do everything! I’ve learned that it is hard to not only reach certain goals in life but also to navigate the relationships along the way, whether clients, subcontractors, vendors, etc., to help open doors, paving the way to the correct path, and help one grow. It has been a maturing process to reach a point in my career (not that I’ve reached the pinnacle of it). To work through knowing that not all work is guaranteed or that workers are not all dependable but also blocked the naysayers that tried to discourage me from their experience running on business within this industry from working on invoices, collecting payments to the marketing, and filing taxes. To know the truth in the high statistics that most Handyman businesses (when I first started) go out of business within the first year, to keep that motivation daily that one needs to cater to their work and craft. To this day (8 years later), I’ve yet to print out more business cards to hand out (not a permanent approach) since 60% of my work is return clients, and the other 40% is between referrals (from the other 60%), word of mouth and some general site postings (next door, yelp, etc.). As I continue to grow and reach the point I would like to get to my marketing strategy, I need to be more diligent and make another investment. However, I never got into this industry or ran my own business to have a fleet of workers or a huge company. With that comes sacrifice within quality and especially time to cater to that quality. I manage my company the way I do my life, and I don’t live to work or work to live. I work hard and play hard in my downtime, away from the hustle of every day :).
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I run a construction industry business, focusing on remodeling projects, Handyman repairs, and general contracting in most light residential construction. I want to think about running a small business like mine and most others. It comes with its laundry list of dos, from the initial communication with a potential client to walking the finished project and collecting the payment. I have set myself apart from most companies in this industry. It comes from being transparent, upfront, and sticking to my word. The other part would be the customer service itself. From hearing people out with their needs, having empathy for their situation, and understanding their financial constraints or limits (budgets), explaining the work through and through in-person and writing so that the client knew exactly where their money was going went a long way to establish a good rapport. When I started my own business, it amazed me how people were very trusting in that they knew that I would collect a deposit upfront to schedule out said work, whether a few days or weeks in advance, let alone let me into their homes. My first thought was, who does such a thing? Then I knew that people were patient and would trust me when I explained what I would do and how it would get done.
In conclusion, the understanding was that I was selling more than a product, that being the work itself. I am selling my word and myself as this company’s image/experience and driving force. People are paying for that when it’s all said and done. I take a lot of pride in that.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?
It helps to relax and unwind for and after work. I always keep a good vibe on my job sites, so Pandora is a must in general and in all work activities. I don’t have any podcasts or blogs that I listen to or read, aside from the daily news vlogs on Google here and there and keeping up with current events. However, everyone should be motivated to keep themselves focused and aspire to keep a healthy mental life, whether at work or out and about. I use my daily devolution and tune into my church online.
Contact Info:
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/quick-4-13-fix-services-austin
- Other: https://nextdoor.com/pages/quick-413-fix-services-austin-tx?init_source=org_pages
