Felicia Savage is a content strategist and up-and-coming PR specialist living in Indianapolis. When she isn’t sharing online content, Felicia loves to draw and watch animated films in her spare time. Twitter: @kittyhasfleaz
As a small business owner, you’ve probably heard the maxim, “Beware the advisor whose only tool is a hammer.” While that’s sound advice in most areas of business ownership, it might be best to overlook that bit of wisdom when it comes to—you guessed it—actual hammers.
When a door won’t shut, a sink stops draining properly or some shelving needs a little love to keep it from falling down, large corporations have the luxury—and the cash flow—to call in a handyman. Small businesses, on the other hand, benefit from having someone on hand who can take care of these things without incurring extra expenses. That’s right: You’re going to have to learn to use that hammer. But, hey, at least you’ll be able to use your handy new tools at home, too, and maybe save a little money!
Seek out advice from those experienced in the field of maintenance and repair; on the occasions when you do pay someone to fix something, don’t be afraid to stand over the professional to observe and ask as many questions as possible. Take notes, if necessary. Doing so will help you pick up some key skills to help with similar problems going forward.
DIY Repair Necessities
If you’re going to serve as your company’s designated handyman, you’ll need to have a good toolkit. Assembling your own kit can be intimidating, but starting with a list of hand tools can help. Several retailers have developed helpful tool kits ranging from basic to advanced sets, but even these might not have all you need. Your best bet is to buy a basic hand tool kit and supplement it with a few power tools and some cleaning supplies to tidy up after a project. The convenience of a basic tool set with some added customization can help even a DIY newbie get started quickly, simply and affordably.
Don’t feel like you’ve got to break the bank on your first trip to the hardware store or big-box retailer. Buy what you think you’ll need, and then add as you go along. Having these types of supplies on hand will help your business save money in the long run.
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