Today we interviewed Joseph from Chandler Appliance Repair in Montgomery, Alabama about what it takes to start a business in the appliance industry. With so many new appliances coming out, you would think it’s difficult to keep up on each new units working parts. Fixing an appliance is something that is learned over time, most appliances have the same working parts as they did years ago, just a different outer layer or different look, with a few minor upgrades.
How do you keep up with each new appliance you work on?
Joseph – It really isn’t that difficult.. maybe it sounds harder than it really is. If you worked on airplanes as a mechanic, how do you keep up with the newer planes they keep coming out with? Its the same thing with appliances. Nothing is really that different from one generation to the next. Maybe you would have a few upgrades or in today’s age we find many new appliances have touch screens and computer memory boards. But even those aren’t that difficult to repair. Anyone would be able to figure out how to replace that part if they needed to.
What’s it like working in a small town like Montgomery AL?
Joseph – Owning your own business in a small town definitely has its pros and cons. For one, its harder to stay busy. You have to keep up with marketing your business because if you don’t there will always be another company ahead of you. When you live in a small city like Montgomery, the competition can be fierce as there aren’t as many jobs to keep everyone busy. But as for the pros, if you really work hard and stand out from your competition you can get most of the business coming in. Just by going above and beyond with every customer, they will remember you the next time and they will also be more willing to refer business to you. Besides, Montgomery isn’t that small of an area. Our city has just over 200k in population.
If someone wanted to get in on the appliance repair business, how would you suggest they get started?
Joseph – Well first of all, starting your own business takes a great deal of work. Its not just about going out and fixing a broken refrigerator or maybe a broken dishwasher and then getting paid for your time. You have to know everything there is about each make and model of appliance as well as what problems are most popular with that specific brands. You also have to be able to schedule people and know how long it will take you to fix one appliance at one location before you have to leave for your next appointment. Scheduling is probably the hardest thing to get down when you first start off. I would suggest that they start working with a successful appliance repair technician now and start learning the business. In a few years they would be educated enough and had seen the process working that they could start their own business. Even then, you would need to know how to budget your time and money, be able to buy your own insurance, get bonded and insured as well as start your own website and pay for marketing. Most times it makes since to just work for an established business, someone whose been around for years, instead of trying to start your own business.
Joseph Chandler is the owner of Chandler Appliance Repair, located in Montgomery Alabama. You can find out about them here – http://www.chandlerappliancerepairs.com/