Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Goldstein.
Michael , can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was always handy as a kid, building forts in my backyard, taking things apart and trying to fix them.
When I moved to Chicago in 2001, I worked as a camp director and ran after school sports programs for kids.
In 2002, I started working as a handyman in the evenings and weekends as a hobby.
In 2009, when the economy was tanking the company I was with was restructuring and offered me the opportunity to leave…I started Mensch With A Wrench over 8 years ago and never looked back.
I love going to work (almost every day). The best part of my job is my clients, I work for fantastic people, spend time chatting with them and getting to know them.
I have had clients stick with me for many years…they started off single in a rental, bought their first condo, got married, had kids, bought a house and we are all still one big happy family 🙂
I have some clients who don’t know my name and just call me Mensch and other clients whose kids have been known to play Mensch when I leave and they pull out their tools and walk around the house banging on things.
To me, this is the key to my success 🙂
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been mostly a smooth road, obviously, you learn a lot along the way.
I would say I’m mostly self-taught but know my limits, I never bite off more than I can chew.
Setting geographical boundaries has been very helpful. In the beginning, I would drive all over the city and some suburbs but as I became busier over the years, I have limited my service area to be more efficient and it has helped tremendously.
Please tell us about Mensch With A Wrench.
I’m a general handyman. I tackle the around the house, honey-d0 list!
I change plumbing and electrical fixtures, hang pictures, shelves, make repairs, etc. I do everything on a small scale and it keeps me plenty busy.
I have developed a home tour that I give people in their own houses, checking detectors, showing them how to change air filters, discussing energy efficient alternatives in their homes. I like to teach people about their homes, the largest investment most people will ever make and show them how to maintain it.
I would say my reputation is what I’m most proud of. I always tell my clients that I treat everyone like my mom, I can talk back (politely of course), give my opinion when doing a project but at the end of the day what the customer wants will be what I do.
I have worked hard over the years to perfect what I do and I’m at a great point in my career now. The highlight of my days is when I leave someone’s house and see the smile on their face as they look at a new picture on the wall, can close a drawer that was broken, or know that their smoke detector is going to keep them safe.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Continue treating others as I would like to be treated.
Contact Info:
- Website: menschwrenchchicago.com
- Email: michael@menschwrenchchicago.com
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