We were lucky to catch up with Oscar Gonzalez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Oscar , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
As a business owner, I find immense satisfaction in seeing my vision come to life and in the freedom to make decisions that shape my company’s future. However, there are moments when I wonder about the simplicity of having a regular job. The last time this thought struck me, it was during a particularly challenging week. A major client had unexpectedly withdrawn from a contract, and simultaneously, a key employee resigned, leaving a significant gap in our operations.
It was a Tuesday evening, and I was in my office, buried in paperwork, trying to devise a strategy to stabilize the business. The weight of the responsibility felt overwhelming. I imagined what it might be like to clock out at 5 PM, leaving work behind, free from the constant pressure of ensuring my company’s success. I thought about the predictability and structure of a 9-to-5 job, where the boundaries between work and personal life are more defined.
As I worked through these challenges, I realized that while the uncertainties of entrepreneurship are daunting, they also drive my passion and growth. The freedom to innovate and the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles reaffirmed my choice. Despite the hardships, the journey of a business owner is deeply rewarding.
Oscar , 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?
Welcome to High Grade Garage Doors, the premier provider of garage door repair services in Phoenix, AZ. I’m Oscar Gonzalez, the business owner. My journey into the garage door industry began with a passion for solving mechanical problems and a commitment to providing reliable services to my community. With years of experience and a dedicated team of skilled technicians, we have built a reputation for excellence in addressing all garage door needs.
We offer a wide range of services including same-day repairs, emergency repairs, garage door spring replacement, and garage door opener installation and replacement. Our goal is to ensure your garage door operates smoothly, securely, and efficiently. Whether it’s a misaligned track, a faulty opener, or a complete door replacement, we handle it all with precision and care.
What sets us apart is our commitment to customer satisfaction, high-quality products, and professional installation techniques. We understand the importance of a well-functioning garage door for your daily routine and safety. Our same-day and emergency services are designed to minimize inconvenience and ensure prompt solutions.
I’m most proud of our team’s dedication to excellence and the trust we’ve earned from our clients. We prioritize reliability, professionalism, and meticulous attention to detail. For those seeking top-notch garage door services in Phoenix, High Grade Garage Doors is your trusted partner.
Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?
Absolutely! One of my favorite marketing stories involves a daring campaign we ran for a small startup with a limited budget. We were promoting a new garage door opener with smart technology, entering a market dominated by big players. The odds were against us, but we decided to take a bold approach.
We launched a guerrilla marketing campaign, targeting local neighborhoods with eye-catching flyers and interactive door hangers that doubled as discount coupons. We also organized a pop-up demo event in a busy community park, allowing people to experience the smart garage door opener firsthand. The key was creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity, offering a limited-time discount for the first 50 buyers.
I remember feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety as we watched the initial response. The first few days were slow, but then word-of-mouth started to spread. People loved the hands-on experience at the park and the unique door hangers. Sales began to climb, and by the end of the campaign, we had exceeded our targets by 150%. The risk paid off, teaching me the power of creativity and community engagement in marketing. It was a thrilling experience that reinforced my belief in thinking outside the box.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that seeking help was a sign of weakness. Growing up, I internalized the notion that independence equated to strength and asking for assistance implied inadequacy. This mindset became ingrained during my school years, where I prided myself on solving problems alone, regardless of the difficulty. I saw it as a badge of honor to navigate challenges without leaning on others.
The turning point came during my first job. Faced with complex projects and tight deadlines, I found myself overwhelmed and stressed. My stubbornness to seek help led to mistakes and missed opportunities. It was a mentor who made me realize that collaboration and asking for assistance are not signs of weakness but essential aspects of growth and success. She emphasized that leveraging others’ expertise and perspectives can lead to better outcomes.
This shift in perspective was transformative. I began to see the value in teamwork and the strength in vulnerability. By unlearning this lesson, I embraced a more collaborative approach, leading to improved performance and deeper connections with colleagues. Ultimately, it taught me that strength lies in recognizing our limitations and seeking support when needed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://highgradegaragedoors.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highgradegaragedoors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HighGradeGarageDoor
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HighGradeGarage
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HighGradeGarageDoors
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/high-grade-garage-doors-phoenix-2
Image Credits
Oscar Gonzalez – Owner