Trades Aren't a Backup Plan: Building a Business With Your Hands with Shawn Ellis of Handyman Ellis, LLC

Hey, friends. Welcome. And welcome back to nosey AF conversations about art, activism, and social change. I'm your host and friend, Stephanie Graham.And y', all, we are deep into our series 31 Days of Black Business here at nosey AF. And today's guest is Shawn of Handyman Ellis. And if you've got something around your house that needs handling, Shawn can totally hook you up.Because, you see, Shawn mounts and he assembles, he installs, he repairs. And 80% of his business comes from word of mouth. And I'm part of that word of mouth, and so is my dad.My father tells his entire friend group about this man in 80% word of mouth. Like, that is such a high rating. Like, one can dream. I can only dream.Anywho, speaking of things that need handling, Shawn also has one thing he wants you to stop putting off. And it's smaller than you think. And I've thought about it every day since we talked, mainly because it is also on my to do list.But we're going to get to all of that. So here is the wonderful theme song that I love so much. I hope if you've been listening, you have grown to love as well.And then we will meet Shawn of Handyman Ellis. Welcome to nosey af.Gotta get up, get up to the whole world you a winner, winner Vision of a star with a mission in the cause what you doing, how you doing?What you're doing and who you are Flex yourself and press yourself Check yourself, don't wreck yourself if you know me then you know that I be knowing what's up. Hey, Stephanie. Graham is nosey as Shawn. Welcome to nosey af.

Thank you for having me.

Yeah. So you've described yourself, and I could totally attest to this, as being hardworking, outgoing, driven, motivated, and always hungry for knowledge.Where does that mindset come from?

I think it really comes from just how I was raised. Being around those same type of people and just watching them day to day show that same kind of hard work and dedication.I think it instilled within me to not only keep the name going and to stay driven myself, but it just showed me, like, the different avenues that I can take within myself and to show, like, hey, I come from this, I can keep this going, and this is really the way of the world. Like, if you don't have those kind of aspects about yourself, it's really hard to make it out here.

Yeah, that's such a testament to, like, the adults around you, because it sounds like you're just mimicking what you're seeing.

Seriously. And a lot of people don't have that.Like, to have somebody within your household and within other households that you were around as a child growing up, people don't have that to look at, to use for motivation. So I just feel like I was blessed to have that.

Yeah, for sure. And I know you said that you've always enjoyed building and fixing and working with your hands. When did you, like, first realize that?Oh, I actually like this. Like, this. This feels good.

I would actually say ever since I was a child. When I was younger, my mom said I used to take my toys apart and put them back together. So I think that's really when it started.Cause it was like, I had the drive to see, like, how does this work? Like, I love playing with this stuff, but I'm like, how did this work? Or if it breaks, I had to fix it.Cause it's like, I knew I wasn't gonna get another one. With me having two other brothers within the house, I knew it was gonna be like a hold on me getting a new toy.But I think really it was my grandfather, rest his soul. But I think around I was maybe about 12 or 13, he had his own, like, construction business, and he was a bricklayer.He used to do this thing where he would.Me and my brothers and cousins would, like, take him a quarter or a dollar, and he used to tell us he would put it in this little magic thing and flip it. So we'd go back the next week and it'd be $10. He said he didn't did magic to make it $10 or $20.But as I got older, he was like, no, I'm not gonna keep doing that. He said, this summer, when you get out of school, you gonna come work with me. And I was like, 13, rehabbing houses and doing all that kind of work.And I think that's when I just realized, like, hey, this is something I can do. I enjoy doing it. Like, I feel the drive and the inspiration. With me doing this type of work, I'm like, this is what I belong.This is what I want to do.

I love that. I love that. Your grandpa's like, okay, you want to see how the real magic is made? You need to come out here.

That's exactly what it was, Stephanie. Seriously, like, this is really how I'm flipping your money.

Yeah. How did you decide that? You have these interests, right? Like, you're enjoying this.You have family that are, you know, really good with building things and using that as their business. What made you Decide to also sort of continue the family tradition and have a business yourself. In these handyman skills.

I'm very observant. So I paid attention to, like, a lot of people my age wasn't doing that type of work. Like, it was starting to die down.Like, people needed stuff fixed, they would always have to call somebody. Or people was looking around like, can you do this? Or asking, can you do this?And I'm like, hey, this is something that can be like, picked up and taken seriously.And then when I started looking at it, like, not only I was doing stuff within the people in my family and friends, like putting stuff together for them or hanging TVs and stuff like that, I start to see, like, hey, I can take this and start it as a business within myself to help it grow to something bigger than what I'm looking at now is just like a small thing for family and friends.

Yeah, and I've seen your name recommended countless times.And like, even in neighborhood groups, you know, you've done work over at my house, in my union group, like, people are always like, oh, yeah, Shawn Handyman Ellis. You know, it's like, what does that mean to you? You know, when your business comes from referrals,.

It means a lot.Cause it not only tells a lot about me as a person, but it shows that I'm taking it to your household or coming into your home and treating it like it's mine. Like, I thrive on keeping everything professional.From the smallest things that a lot of clients like, put to stand out with me is like, I love how you come everything organized, you put your footies on before you come in my house. And it's like that right there drives me to be like, hey, you doing this right?And then especially, like, mostly 80% of my business comes from word of mouth. Just means a lot. Cause it's like when other people are recommending you, that shows that, hey, you're trustworthy.It shows that you're doing good, quality work and that you are very professional. So I think that means a lot to me.

How do you earn that trust?

I think just me being charming. But no, like I said, I like to treat people things like mine. When I come into your house, it's full respect. You know, I want to be professional.I want you to feel that comfort level to be like, he's trustworthy. Like, a lot of my clients would let me in their homes while they're not there. And that goal, that shows measures to how professional I am.Because if you not home and you can let Somebody come into your house and do work and you know everything is going to be tidy and, and left intact. That's major.

Yeah, that's a big deal.

Very big. And I like that. And it's kind of hard because I get so busy sometimes that I be wanting to put like hire other people.But that right there is a reminder too. Like I can't just hire anybody. And it's hard to find somebody that you can trust that other people would trust as well.Because once you put your name out there and it's messed up, it's hard to come back from that.

Yeah, no kidding. So tell us about Handyman Ellis llc. What services do you provide.

Really? I try not to limit myself. I thrive on mounting assembly, repairs, installations, and it's growing by the day.Like I tell people all the time everything that I've learned was mostly self taught, but I have taken classes and certifications for things. But YouTube is a free school. YouTube, TikTok, all that.I use that as a knowledge gainer all the time to like grow my skills and to see like what's transitioning and what's picking up with the world. That's major to me.So it's like I don't put no limits really on what I do, but just for like easy way of explaining my business, I would tell them those main things. Like I specialize in mounting assembly, installations, repairs. I have this saying my stepfather used to.Well, he still says it to people when he tell people about my business. He says if it's broke, he can fix it. And he might kill me if I'm saying this wrong. But I used to have it on my business cards as well.It was just like a quote that just stood out to me because it was just like he put that faith, so much faith in me as well, to know that my services are really top notch.

Yeah, they really are. And I love like, I feel like my dad, he always refers to you.Actually I was just out with my family for the fourth of July and one of his friends was like complaining about having to get stuff fixed. And he's like, Stephanie uses a service, this young man, anything I no longer want to do, he can come and do.Like I'll like the guys in his age group were like, oh really? Like, who is this? You know, like he's like, come give him the number. They're just like, man, we don't have to be bothered with it anymore.The next generation. Like he has a whole business. He invoices her.He's very professional and I just really love that, like, go talk to who Stephanie uses, you know, which I really just love so much.

Yeah, I love that too. It really shows kudos, especially from like the older generation.They always give me props, especially when I come in and they see like how all my tools are organized and just how I carry myself. And even with my old school playlists as I work, they. They just really love all that. So it's like that means a lot as well.

What were some of the biggest challenges you might have faced when you were starting your business?

It's so many, because I used to hear that a lot.Like even when I was thinking about starting, I would just have conversations with different entrepreneurs or people who I know have started businesses and continue to do them. It was just like I would like brainstorm with them or pick their head about what's the biggest things I face.And it was more so just like continuing after the hardship after slow businesses and you not having business.It's like those were the main things that I would come across, even like figuring out pricing because, you know, a lot of people facing hard times, they selves. So it's like me knowing that my price is right there with the competitive, but it's still like manageable. It was like those were the things.It was so many. But I think the main thing that kept me going is this is what I love to do. Like when I'm doing this type of work, I feel like I belong.I feel like I'm free. And it was like long as I kept that feeling, that just motivated me to keep going.

Yeah, I bet that does feel good to like feel free.

Yeah. Because a lot of people are doing so much these days that they don't want to do or they don't know where they want to go with life.And it's just like having that I know that I have something that's always going to be around and something I can always turn to.

Yeah. What's something people don't realize about being a handyman?

Um, you face all different kind of personalities. You know, you have picky people, you know, and you just gotta learn how to have patience.Cause some people, you might have one client who's super easy to deal with, very understanding, you know, not expecting too much. But then you may have a client that's like, you know, you did the job right and everything is completed, you did how they wanted it to do.But then when it's done and you, hey, tell them to come check it out, they change their mind and they want Something different. They be like, can I change? So I think patience is the main thing.

Sheesh. Yeah. That happened at the braid salon last month.A girl, like this lady was braiding her hair for, like, a good 30 minutes, and she just, like, she was in her phone and looked up and wanted a different way, and they ended up doing it, but I was just like, oh, my gosh. Like, you were that in your phone. Like, now you wanna change your mind? I think I would've just been like, well, this is just style.But I couldn't believe she did it.

Yes. I mean, you know what they say. Customers are always right.

Yeah. Geez.

That's major. Especially doing the type of work I do. And then just me working in several different professional fields and different kind of careers.I done done is just like, I learned that within the way of, like, hey, people can change their mind. And at the end of the day, you still have your professional hat on and get the job done.

Yeah, for sure. What do you enjoy most about your work?

Um, I think I enjoy most of seeing it completed and just seeing the happy customer that makes my day. When someone comes to me with a project or anything, and then I complete it and the excitement on they face, it helps me sleep better.

Yeah, definitely. I know. Put my bed together, and I feel like I had had that box up there for, like, weeks, and I'm like, oh, my God, it's done. I can't believe it.

Yeah. That excitement right there, that drives me right there. Stephanie.

Yeah. What do you think separates, like, a great handyman from someone who just simply knows how to fix things?

I think the separation lies on how professional you take your job. Cause a lot of people know how to do the things that I know how to do.And you can have somebody who's not even a handyman, who just good with their hands and do the type of work. But I think it's more so, like, the way that I come in and the professional state that I provide.So, like I just explained to you earlier, as far as, like, me coming in, even the smallest thing of putting booties on my feet before I walk in your house, that shows the difference between, like, oh, you're a professional, and somebody who just know how to fix things.And then the knowledge that I may have because some people are coming people, or I have clients that don't know direction or what they want to do, and just me having that eye for certain things that I can explain to them or show them, like, hey, you can do this, or, you see, you have the space for this or this might look nice. You know, that also separates you because you have a vision that you can look at something and say, oh, I can see it looking like this.And it would look really nice. And people would be like, hey, yeah, you, right?So I think that what separates it, like, your professionalism and how you carry yourself, another main thing is your tools, because you can have the skill, but if you don't have the tools to complete the job, then it's just like, no, you're not a professional. Once I complete a project, I like to come back and see it.A perfect example is like, I did a deck at my house, and when I come home just to see my wife enjoying herself there or just getting her me time, and just to know, like, hey, I built that. It just. It makes me feel like things like that.Or even just coming to my mom's house and looking at all the work I've done or going to my cousin's house, and it's like. Cause I have a big family, so when I go visit their residencies, and I just see, like, hey, I put everything together in here.I mounted everything here. It's like. That sticks with me to know, like, you doing something right.

Yeah. I think one of my favorite things is when you came over last, you had your son working with you, and he also had his handyman Ellis shirt on.And I'm like, oh, my gosh, I love this so much. And even just hearing you talk now about, like, how, you know, these skills have sort of been transferred down, you know, by generation. What have.Like, what are some of the skills that you've taught your son? I feel like you've, you know, you've wanted to instill forever skills.I don't know if we've talked about that or if I read that, like, what are some of those skills that you've, you know, put on him?

I try to teach him everything. And, like, every day I'm testing them, you know, like.But not even just, like, handyman stuff, but just, like, things that I've experienced in the world.But the smallest thing, like, I may order something that I know would take me five minutes to put together, but I would let him do it just to get the knowledge of it and to learn how to work with certain tools. So it's like me just not even asking him what he want to do with his future, which he made me proud.He said he's thinking about being an electrician, but.

Oh, that's awesome.

Yeah, I would just test them all the time. So it's like I can have a small thing. Like last I had like a. I think it was like a coat hanger set, something put together to put together.And I was just like, hey, come put this together. I want to see how long it'll take you to do this.Or just giving him an instructions list and watching him go over it and read and just picking up the tools or asking me, can I use this tool? Would it be faster? It's just like that. Yeah, that makes my day.But yeah, when he came and even when he asked me, like he was seeing me get my handyman attire and stuff, and I'm just making sure it fits. And he come in the room like, hey, I want a hoodie like that. I want a handyman shirt. Yeah.And you know, now he's at the age to where he wants things and he needs things all the time. So I'm like, you want some shoes? Well, I got a job this weekend. You want to have to come work for it?

Yeah.

So now, yeah, now he's at the point, he's asking me, do you have any work for me that I could come do this? I wanna make this amount of money so I can buy this. So it's like seeing him even like, wanna work makes my day.But not only that, me knowing that he's learning stuff that he can use later on in life that he don't have to call and pay somebody is also a major thing.

Yeah, that's huge. And I really love. It's like now he's learning how the magic happens. Like you had to.

It's a trend. It keeps going. You right?

Yeah. I feel like there is this conversation around trades dying, right?Like, or even like friends who maybe they've gone to, you know, school for like accounting or you know, like even like other film, film professionals.Like when the film industry has been like so crazy, you know, folks have just been like, well, I'm gonna go get my electrician certification, I'm gonna learn this or be a plumber. People say I should have done this, you know. Do you have any thoughts just about, I guess, perceptions around trade work or.It seems sort of like recession proof, but it's not always treated that way. Even though it's like no matter what, everybody's gonna need something wired, you know, everybody's gonna need something fixed or maintained.Just I guess. Any thoughts you might have around, you know, perceptions around the trades?

Well, I kind of used to think that people looked down on the trades. Like if you was a Plumber, like, oh, you a plumber, Come and fix my toilet. That's it. Or you a handyman. Fix this.It's like you ain't really doing nothing.I think that they looked down on trades back in the day, but even then, the people who knew how big trades were, they would always still try to instill in me, like, hey, get you a trade versus going to college. You know, like, these are the kind of jobs that are always gonna be around. They're not going anywhere.And I think now the world is realizing it, that it's making it so major that, like, I'm seeing companies offer you, if you work for them, that they giving you trade classes and they offering it like Home Depot and Lowe's and all of them are doing like training certifications that you can just go pick it up. And Even like with TikTok and all the social medias being so big on DYI ers, it's like, I mean, D, yeah, they are so big.

Diy. Yeah, we got you.

Yeah, they are so big now that you can just go on those and see somebody doing something and you can learn it right there. They're giving you step by step process on, on how to do this.So I think that trades are becoming bigger than college now because a lot of people are going to college and they're getting their self in debt and then they're getting out of college and can't find a career in what they went to school to study for, versus like with a trade, you know, you coming straight out doing that type of work and even if you're not having a job that the trade can put you in, you know, you still have that skill where you can go and make the money yourself. So I think to me, a trade is the best way to go.I even tell the youth all the time, like, hey, if you can't find nothing to do, go get your H Vac, go, you know, be an electrician, go be a plumber. Because, you know, those are things people always gonna have a bathroom. Everything is electric.You gotta get fired, you know, and AC and heat, we need both of those for the world to move. So it's like those jobs are going to be around.

Yeah, for sure. I. I think it's smart.I feel like even as I look back, I'm like, man, you know, they had wood shop or just even like beauty school, you know, it's like, even my friends, it's like, even if they're not hairstylists, they could still like color their own hair.Even if there's like downtime and just like make money, you know, even if it's just like 40 bucks with us just like in the kitchen sink, it's like it's always like available to you. The trades.

And I'm wondering, do they like.Because when I was in school we did have like wood shop and me just having those type of classes and stuff that kept me to know like this was something I want to do. Do they even still offer that in like high school? Is wood shopping, things like that even still offer?

Yeah, it's a good question. I, I have zero idea. It's been so long since I've been in high school.But I also felt like these types of programs, they would always like offer them to like just kids like, oh, you didn't go to college. Oh, okay, well you can go to electrician school. And it's like that's actually sort of a big deal to like.I mean we're dealing with electricity here, you know, it's not like a brush off.

Yeah, that's why I said it was like back in the day it was like downplay. Like you always have that as an option, but in reality that can be your number one option. Like college isn't for everybody.Everybody can't look at a book and be taught something. A lot of people like to be taught hands on or you know, they like to work with their hands versus you have to do a paper to do something, you know.So it's like I feel like they shouldn't be put as a down thing to do or as like a second option when it can be a first option for a lot of people and.

It should be, yeah, a hundred percent, One hundred percent. What advice would you give to someone who enjoys working with their hands but they're not sure if they could turn it into a business?

The advice I would give would be just give it a shot, go for it. You know, like a lot of people would not do certain things because of the fear of how it would turn out.But that's just like a what if and if you living life on like a what if and you'll never know what things can be. So if you're thinking about doing something or you feel like you have the skill and you just don't know where to start. Do your homework.Like I said, YouTube is a free school. You have people around you or social media. You can look at how to get started or you can search how to get started.I think that once you start applying yourself to know like this is what I want to do. And you start and you get the hunger for knowledge for it. It'll fall in place. And then what I tell people all the time is start.Once you start something and you have that drive to know, like, I'm not gonna give up, then it's gonna continue. You're gonna find your way. The client's gonna come, the work's gonna come, the knowledge is gonna come.And I think the motivation to keep going is what's gonna be the main thing. Cause it's like, once you start getting, like, hey, you getting good feedback?Then that's going to give you the motivation to be like, yeah, this is something that I want to do.

Yeah, that's really good advice. And even just going back to the whole customer service piece of it all, what is your philosophy when it comes to customer service?Especially if, you know somebody's listening and they. And they want to try this? Because I could.I could even see someone, like, getting their first job, and maybe it is a picky client, and it's just, like, easy to be discouraged.

Well, see, with me, I think I've worked at plenty of different jobs, and I've seen, like, how customers can be. And then, like I told you, I'm. I'm. I'm very observant. So even when I'm at a restaurant or something, I'm.I'm looking at how the manager is moving around or how they're dealing with somebody who's rowdy or somebody's dissatisfied. And I think that comes from me just having that hunger for knowledge to apply within myself.So I think the main thing people can do is just like, look around, you know, use what's around.You put yourself in a situation or think about a situation that you was around or you been through or you seen where you was out at a restaurant or you was at a Walmart or anything, and somebody had to deal with someone that, you know, was like, in a situation, that'll make you nervous, you know? Cause it's like a lot of people don't like confrontation.So you in a situation with a client that dissatisfied with your work, you always want to have, like, the thing that I do is I go in it like this. Always want to have an answer for things if it's going wrong. Being proactive is what they say.So if you know, you doing something and somebody might not like it, always have a solution. Cause once you have a solution, it's gonna not only calm you, but it's gonna calm them to be like, oh, okay.You know, they're not matching my energy to know that it's negative. They're trying to find a solution to help me out. And I think being that way would help you and your business.

Yeah, that's really great advice. Do you just work in Chicago or where does your territory span?

Well, mostly in Chicago and, like, surrounding areas in Chicago, like, the suburbs and stuff like that.I do have a lot of people on, like, my following pages and social media, they try to ask me or people like, who I knew have moved out of state, be like, hey, I'm moving here. Would you come here and do my stuff? So it's like, I'm really thinking about expanding.That's like, my biggest thing is growth right now and how I can grow, because I know, like, schedules is the main thing, and me trying to keep all of my clients that I currently have happy and the new ones that I'm gaining, it's like, that's kind of hard to be like, hey, I gotta go out of town for this, when I know I have a lot to do here. But I'm definitely thinking about expanding. Handyman Ellis? Yes, nationwide.

Handyman Ellis, llc, Alaska.

Hey, never. I heard, never limit yourself.

How important is community when it comes to growing your business?

Very important, you know, especially from the community I come from on the south side of Chicago. It's like that doesn't exist anymore to, like, you know, everybody in the neighborhood knew each other.It's like, I think that all the time, too, even with my son. Like, y' all don't. Y' all would never even get to experience that. To know, like, you could come outside and all the neighbors know everybody.Or you can go on the next block and, you know you gonna get in trouble if miss Smith saw you doing something. Cause she gonna come tell your mama, you know, so it's like, community is big. And that just shows, like, the generation I come from.Because not only is all of my work word of mouth, but I'm being brought up in different communities to say, like, hey, he can do this, or this, who you should call. So I think that that's major, especially with a business, you know?

This conversation plays in August during Black Business Month. What does being a black business owner mean to you?

It means a lot, you know, just being part of that community. And to know that I'm successfully running a business as a black owner, especially with the history of the world, it just.It keeps my head held high, you know, and wants me to continue more.And I just motivate the Youth and the other people around me who thinking about starting business or watching me, you know, so I feel like that's so major. That's why I tilt my hat to you for even giving this avenue for others as well.

Yeah, it's been a lot of fun. What are some ways you feel like people can better support, you know, your business and even just support local black owned service businesses?

I feel like a lot of people are, you know, I have a lot of people who no matter what, bring my name up when certain things are needed or offered. And I think to continue that we as a whole. Cause I actually had a conversation with one of my clients about that.Cause I'm like every other day she's texting me or telling me, hey, I gave somebody a number or such and such should be reaching out to you. And it was just like I just wanted to take the time and appreciate her, tell her how much I appreciate her.Because you know, a lot of people don't do that.Especially within our community, like the black community, you know, it's always surrounded by so much people feel like hating or nobody wants to or competition, I should say, to where people feel like they can't, you know, bring your name up or give you more business because you're gonna take away from them. And it's like with me, I even try to instill that within myself. So it's like I get contacts for people who do stuff that I'm.I don't do or I might can't do and I keep them and send them to people because I'm not. It's enough out here for all of us. And not only that, I want other people to thrive as well.So it's like I'm big on like, hey, go to such and such or I'm giving somebody their business card when they need certain services. Or I could be at somebody house and another vendor's doing something and I see that they're doing good work or they have a good personality.I'm going to ask for the information because I'm like, hey, I know somebody who might want to do this. And you know, you look good professional, you like what you do and how you carry yourself. And I'm a pass it along.So I think like, like what you doing and what I'm saying doing, that's what has to continue for us to grow. You know, we have to keep pushing each other and giving other avenues. Like when presented.

Yeah. What has entrepreneurship taught you about yourself?

It taught me that I'm stronger than what I thought I was.

That's great.

It's not easy, you know, I miss a lot as far as, like, things that's going on, you know, events, time with my family. You know, I miss a lot with that. Just trying to keep my business afloat or, you know, to keep my word.So it's like entrepreneurship taught me, like, people. I was talking to someone actually yesterday who's retired.I was doing work at his daughter's house, and he was just telling me, like, how the different hats that he used to wear and how much he used to do, and he was like. He said those exact words. He was like, I see you being an entrepreneur. He was like, people don't understand all the hats that you gotta wear.You know, you gotta be the manager. You gotta be, you know, the scheduler, everything. And he's like, I salute you for that.So I say, entrepreneurship has taught me that you are stronger than what you think you are and be done. Like, you just push yourself, stay grounded and balanced, and it's possible. It's very possible, you know?

What is your most requested service?

That's hard to say because, honestly, Stephanie, I started with just mounting TVs, okay? That was the main thing I used to do. Like, once I was like, I'm gonna do this.Like, my mom, she works at a bank, and she was just like, hey, you need to really take this serious. You know, you're getting a lot of people requesting you. Everybody wants TVs mounted. And I was just like, yeah, I'm gonna start with that.And it was just like, once I started with that, I would be at people's house, and they would be like, hey, you know how to do this? Or can you fix this?And I was just like, I can't limit myself as just Shawn's TV Mountain services, you know, when I have so many other skills to offer. And it was just like, right now, it's like, I don't have a set thing to do. It's to the point now that I do so much.Like, a client asked me the day before yesterday and was like, do you mount TVs? And I had to smile within myself because I'm like, she not even knowing. That's really what I started doing is mountain tv.

Right? Right.

It was like, I don't really have, like, a special thing I'm requested for now. It's just like, I tell people all the time, you send me your project, and I'll let you know if I can make it come true.

Yeah.What is one thing that you Find that either homeowners or even businesses that you visit, what is one thing that you feel that they should stop putting off?

Stop putting off. Like they need to keep up with.

Yeah, like maybe you've seen a service and you're like man, why are you taking for like why am I now just coming over here to deal with this?

The smallest thing.And I hear this, even if I'm on social media, watching people's videos, anything like that, people listen closely, change them batteries in them, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. I hear that so much, just the beep every 30 seconds. And I'm like, that's something that you need to really take serious.And it, I know we all be busy and you know you can get distracted rhyming but it's life changing and after a while that beeping gonna stop and it's gonna be dead. And you not knowing like this is not working no more. So now when you need it, it's nowhere to be found.But yes, the smallest thing is the fire and co alarm systems. Please check into them people.

Oh my gosh. You know I have the ones that like you plug into the wall. Do you have an opinion about those or should I have the wired ones?

Well it really just depends like if you good with like keeping up with your battery.The main thing I do like even because I have people who have wired ones as well and what I do is I would write on there or I tell people like hey, you have your phone with you all the time. You know that I'm here today like say for some here today, July 6th, I came at 2 o'. Clock.You set that alarm to know this battery is going to last a certain amount of time in your phone to say update me when it's time to do this. But as far as preference wise, I really wouldn't say wired or battery matters.Like if you have a system within your home that's wired already, then of course you have to keep up with that because it's like that might be a system that goes through your whole home and notifies you, but now I think it's cold that you gotta have a fire alarm in each room, bedroom, anything like that. So it's really no preference. I would just say if you don't have any, definitely get some.But when you do just keep a reminder for yourself to know like I need to change these batteries even though it's gonna let you know anyway. And even with wired ones like you know we've been having a lot of storms and everything like that when the power goes out, it's gonna do what?Rely on the battery. So that's why I say it's really not. No preference. It's just like you taking the time to, you know, keep up with that,.

You know, as we close out. If one of your customers was recommending handyman Ellis to a neighbor, what would you hope they say about you?

I would just hope that they let them know that I'm dependable. You know, that's what I try to be big on, being dependable, keeping my word and being professional.But I hear that so much to the point where people are like, I had a handyman, but he's just not dependable anymore. I had a handyman and he don't answer the phone no more. So it's just like I try to keep that to being dependable.Like, when somebody knows that they're getting me, they're getting the full service from me.

Thank you. So how can we get in touch with you if we, you know, we're looking around our home and business and we need some things done.

Um, well, I do have a booking site that you can get. I think we can tag it into this.

Yes, absolutely.

I can be contacted via email. Mr.Handy ellismail.com and also I'm working on, like getting my social media sites up. Cause like I said, most of my business comes from word of.So it's just like I don't really have time to be on there like that. It's like kind of distraction. But I know definitely and then just my number.You know, a lot of people have that already, so those really the main keys right now that I'm working on. But advertisement is a big field, so new avenue is definitely coming soon.

That concludes another episode of nosey AF31 Days of Black Friday Business. I'm your host and friend, Stephanie Graham. I hope you took something away from today's conversation and had a good time hanging with us.Be sure to check out the show notes to learn more about today's guest and consider supporting their work. You know how it goes, whether you're making a purchase, hiring them, or simply spreading the word. Listen, who doesn't love a referral?It truly all makes the difference. Quick thank yous go out to Queen Lex and Freddie. Bam Bam for the nosey AF theme music. And Emma McGo who hooked me up with the COVID art and branding.Shout out to the partners and supporters for this series. You can check them out in the show notes as well. Super grateful for a partner. Hello. That's the show Friends until tomorrow.Stay curious and take care. Bye.