Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Alleyne.
Steve, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I worked for two different fireplace companies over the course of about 15 years. I was mainly their gas guy. I ran gas lines from basements into fireplaces, underground gas lines for barbecue grills, gas lines on the roof for outdoor fire pits, etc. But I also installed the fireplaces and grills. I did some marble work, mantel installations, chimney sweeps, I did it all! When the last fireplace company I worked for went out of business in 2008, my wife assumed I would find work with another company. It would have been easy enough to do.
At the time, I had a cargo van filled with pipe, fittings, cutters and threaders, and a lot of tools. I tried to think of a way to downsize. I thought about all the different kinds of work I did for these fireplace companies, and I realized how lacking they were in the area of service and repair for the fireplaces they sold. If the fireplace wasn’t working from the start, we would make sure to get it going. But after that, it seemed like customers were pretty much on their own. I found that other installers didn’t even take the time to explain to customers how the fireplace works. It was somewhat understandable, given the amount of work we were trying to complete on a daily basis.
So I thought if I start my own business specializing in service and repair, I could probably earn as much money as I had in time. I reached that goal within 3 years. I really didn’t imagine how successful my business would become. Now the challenge is to grow with the company. I was apprehensive to take on employees. That would mean having to train them to approach each job as I do, not to mention the vast amount of different kinds of fireplaces for them to become familiar with. But I see that the only way to grow is to have faith that others can carry on the reputation I’ve built for myself. It’s been quite an adventure, but well worth the risk taken.
Has it been a smooth road?
Every year is bigger than the last. The hardest part has been time management. When I come home from work, my day isn’t over yet. I still have to return messages, schedule more work, order product and materials, and prepare for the next day. I now have an employee and am working toward training another. Maybe someday I’ll have a secretary!
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Firefixer story. Tell us more about the business.
I don’t run my company as other businesses do. I don’t ask for payment unless your fireplace is fixed. I don’t take money up front when ordering parts for customers. I’m fine with a mailed check from an out of town landlord, as opposed to a credit card number immediately after completing a job. I pretty much rely on the honor system. People call me crazy, but after 9 years of doing business, I can count the number of times I’ve been stiffed on one hand. It really renews my faith in society.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I can only see my business continuing to grow. Fireplaces have become standard in any new construction. Condo buildings can have over a hundred fireplaces. Fireplace companies will always focus on sales as opposed to service. Why would they bother to fix your 10-year-old log set when they can just sell you a new one? In fact, these companies aren’t selling like they used to, with more and more people purchasing on line. I’ll install that log set they purchase.
Pricing:
- $145 to inspect, clean, service, and repair your gas fireplace or barbeque grill (replacement parts not included)
- $195 to install a log set or barbeque grill to existing gas
Contact Info:
- Website: www.firefixer.com
- Phone: 773-951-7439
- Email: steve@firefixer.com
- Facebook: Firefixer
- Yelp: http://yelp.com/biz/firefixer-chicago?
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