We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chris Houston. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chris below.
Alright, Chris thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
In 2018, I left a job in Dallas, TX, working for a small design/fabrication firm. This sort of work was something I thoroughly enjoyed and taught me a great deal about building and taking pride in working with my hands. I moved to Truckee, CA, in the Lake Tahoe area. When I arrived, I didn’t have a set plan, but after speaking with a few friends in property management, it was clear that there was a massive need for talented handypersons/contractors.
I initially decided to pursue work as a solo handyman to build up my field experience and meet the requirements for a California contractor’s license.
I spoke with my partner, who agreed it was a great fit. We brainstormed and came up with the business name, The Tahoe Tradedsman. From there, I built a website, created business cards, obtained a local business phone number, conducted research on local licensing and DBA requirements, signed up for QuickBooks, and hit the pavement.
I had an in with the friends in property management, so that is where I started. I was working on small projects for a local company while also being active on regional social media, as well as visiting other management companies to meet with them in person and introduce myself and my services. It did not take long for the business to build a reputation that carried weight for being trustworthy, punctual, reliable, and knowledgeable.
I have made it a personal goal to continue learning every day to enhance my skill set and better serve my clients. After a couple of years, I met the requirements needed for my B2 contractor’s license, which I received. I restructured the business as an LLC and have taken on much larger projects, while still making time for the smaller tasks as I can.
Chris, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have always enjoyed working with my hands and solving problems. Remodel work is full-time problem-solving. Especially in communities with slightly older construction, or areas like Lake Tahoe with particular weather-related challenges, you really never know exactly what you are going to get, no matter how much planning you do. Every time we open a wall or finish a demo, we find something new and unexpected that we have to work with or around.
We strive to maintain five-star communication and reliability with our clients. As a vacation destination, the majority of our clients are second-home owners or short-term rental owners who are not present for the duration of their project. Being in constant communication and keeping them informed with photos, videos, and messages that can be easily searched, tracked, and monitored by our entire team ensures we provide the high-quality product that we all want.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective strategy I have found for growing the business and expanding the client base is to examine the market and identify what is missing. In my area, those were the key factors: quality, reliability, and communication. It was almost impossible to find a handy person or contractor who excelled in all of those areas. As a result, I made it a core focus of the business to consistently prioritize those areas and never lose sight of the fact that these important factors are what have brought us to where we are today.
Any advice for managing a team?
My goal as a business owner and manager has always been to be the boss I always wished I had. That starts with hiring the right people, but immediately transitions into treating people how you would want to be treated, without compromising what is best for the business. Primarily, paying a fair living wage for your local area is key. Your employees should be able to live comfortably in the area where they work. Additionally, understanding that mistakes happen to all of us and figuring out ways for everyone to learn from them in a productive way that eliminates repetition and promotes personal and professional growth. Finally, remembering that most of us work so we can live, we do not all live to work. Helping your employees not only maintain a healthy work-life balance but also truly enjoy the time they spend at work is incredibly important.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thetahoetradesman.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetahoetradesman
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetahoetradesman
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-tahoe-tradesman-truckee
Image Credits
Chris Houston