Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Walsh.
Dana, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As far as I can remember I’ve always wanted to own my own business. My father who take after in most everything I do in life, owned a dry cleaners in Everett. I used to go in his shop and see how much I loved doing what he did. His customers loved him and he treated everybody that worked for him very good. I knew then that I would own a business one day just like my father did for so long. I worked in debt collections in Lawrence Massachusetts called Valentine and Kebartas LLC for 8 years. I loved my job so much for many of those years. At the end of my collections career I was miserable and ready for a change. I came home one day and told my wife I’m putting my notice in at Valentine and Kebartas and starting my own business. I don’t even think she was shocked. My wife knew I would always do whatever I had to make sure our family was taken care of. She was on board as she always was with anything I ever wanted to do. She has always supported my dreams. She’s my rock. So we came up with the name A&A Cleanout and Handyman Services named after my first two daughters Alysia and Ayla. I started getting my name out there all over social media and joining business networking groups such as BNI and the Chamber of Commerce in Peabody. Everyone was so supportive and instantly my phone was ringing like crazy with jobs all over Massachusetts. I have always treated every job no matter how big or small the same. One of my first customers said to me one day Dana no matter what never forget where you started. That has always stuck with me. My customers all get top of the line work at a great price. Money comes and goes but keeping a great reputation stays with you forever. At the end of the day I’m just a family man trying to take care of my family the best way I can.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been so smooth. I have had to go through many employees to find the right crew that has the same work ethic I do and guys that are trying to help me grow my business. I’ve had couple slow winters that made me second guess my decision to start my own business. But like my mom used to say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Please tell us about A&A Cleanout and Handyman Services.
A&A Cleanout and Handyman Services is a one stop shop kind of company. You can call me to come clean out your garage and demo a few rooms in your home for you and after come back and paint the entire interior or exterior of your home. We specialize in interior and exterior painting, demolition and cleanouts. Commercial and residential properties.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I’m not sure I would want to do anything different. Maybe I would say to have more patience with my guys at the beginning.
Pricing:
- Clean outs $100 per for two guys plus dumpster costs
Contact Info:
- Address: 11 Florence rd
Peabody, MA 01960 - Website: aacleanout.com
- Phone: 978 406 3985
- Email: aacleanoutsinc@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACleanoutServices/
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