Handyherman, LLC
Business Type:
Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations
Member Since: Jan 14, 2008
Richmond,
Virginia,
Website:
http://handyherman.com
Business Owner:
Yes
A few words about me and my business:
The idea arose when I couldn' t figure out why there isn' t a company that contracts out talented labor other than for building houses. For example, if a couple wants to fix up their house by paving their driveway, shingling their roof and powerwashing their back deck. Do they have to cold call small businesses out of the phone book and organize all of this work themselves? The answer is yes. So why isn 't their a company that contracts this out? That' s because no one want the liability of correcting these small service compan y' s mistakes. We all know about these costly mistakes that are covered up or a job left half done. I decided I didn't want to get in the business of fixing people 's mistakes because I wouldn' t make any money unless I was immoral myself and let things go or ignore my customers. After about a year of being frustrated with this reality, I sent this email to my two good friends from college that were excelling in computer programming with large companies in Northern Virginia: "Fellas, I have the million dollar idea. I truly believe that if we quit our jobs and worked our tails off on this for 6 months we would make money. Maybe not millions, but the sky is the limit with the internet. I don't think it's realistic to quit our jobs but if you think its good it will never happen unless we quit everything else for a year. Basically, here's the deal: I want someone to power wash (i.e) my deck. How can I find the best deal with the best guy? The answer is that: I can't. I will ask around, look at their review on their website and hope the guy I get isn't a drunk and will actually show up to work. Why isn't there a My Space for small businesses? Easy to start for the company and they can slowly build their knowledge until they have an actual web site, with reviews (such as eBay review that ebayers take very serious), a ranking according to their reviews, addresses and directions. If they have a website there'd be a link to it. Now I could go on " what is now called HandyHerman.com" , type in what I am looking for, my address and up comes a listing of these capable people in order of their ranking. I can contact that person directly through their profile. Companies will be more accountable and more competitive. It's a win- win situation for all that's involved!" There response was "Yes" and they created an amazing website that is receiving a great response (amazing to me that these two guys could create something this complicated yet still practical with out an entire team). Moral of the story is that if you have an idea, stick with it because you never know where your idea will take you at it evolves.