I’d had it with the corporate world, and this was my first job working for myself, but those Dobermans were the meanest, hangriest (hungry + angry) puppies I’d ever seen.
The client had assured me they were “mostly harmless”. Ja, right.
Fortunately, they were behind a locked gate when we got there. Unfortunately, the house was behind the same gate, and they’d forgotten to leave the key.
Now, if you’ve ever shown up at a job in a taxi, tools in hand, eager to start, and ended up stuck outside with cold coffee and a full bladder, then you know exactly what mood I was in. And yet, it was an opportunity, and I had to grab it.
Making the best of a bad first impression
I didn’t have a fancy bakkie. No magnetic logos, no uniform, no swagger. Just me, my cousin Steve, a stepladder, and some well-used tools.
When you look like that, people don’t expect too much. The sceptics assume you’ll cut corners or do a crap job. You can feel it before anyone says a word.
So I decided: if I were going to be judged before I’d even started, I’d make sure they were wrong.
The minute we finally got inside, we got to work. No fuss, no complaining, we did everything by the book: prepping, sanding, priming, sealing, and cleaning up after ourselves. I swear the door I hung that day is still my best ever.
To this day, that door is straight as a die. No squeaking, rubbing, or creaking whatsoever. You could’ve sworn it was hung in a factory.
Overcoming The Hurdles To Shine Bright
The reward I didn’t expect to earn
I’d already done the basics:
- Registered the business with CIPC
- Registered with the NHBRC
- Sent a decent-looking quote
- (And I knew my wife’s invoicing was better than most)
But that job turned me from “Frikkie the handyman” into “Frikkie the Master Builder”.
We all know quality work turns doubt into respect. Quietly, without selfies or big talk. Just by doing the job right.
Two days later, the customer messaged me for two more jobs, and then referred me to their sister-in-law.
“You need a job done at your house? Don’t even bother looking around, just ask Frikkie and his cousin Steve – they are simply the best!”
Final thought
It’s not always about getting the big contracts right away. Mostly, it’s about building your reputation by showing up and doing a great job even when the dogs are barking, the house is locked, and your sense of humour has taken a dive.
If you’ve ever been there, you’ll get it.
Chat soon,
Frikkie.
