Fixer Spotlight – Cat: “I love helping people transform their environments to better fit their needs.”

Cat has been working at Fixer since April 2020 after completing our training program. Learn about our training center and how our paid program prepares Fixers to safely and expertly tackle a huge range of home repair tasks. Cat currently works on the Concierge team and loves helping people finally get that nagging thing on their home repair list fixed.

Cat shares what makes Fixer unique, an unusual customer request, and the time she cleaned up toxic waste in Antarctica (say whaaaat?!)

How did you learn about Fixer? 

 I didn’t have a lot of time to waste between moving to Chicago and finding a job and I happened to stumble upon Fixer’s ad on Craigslist. I thought it would be really great to learn about home repair and get paid while doing it.

Having had previously worked in Antarctica, I thought it would be an obvious transition (more on that next, ha!). Additionally, I was drawn to the training program because I thought it would be a great way to learn how systems in the home worked and since I am planning on applying to graduate school for architecture, I thought it would be great practice that I can apply later.

Can you share a bit about your time in Antarctica cleaning up toxic waste?!

Working in Antarctica was cold, challenging and exhausting but allowed me to go to one of the most remote and inhabitable locations in the world. The last position I had while I was there was as a Hazardous Waste Spill Technician where I had to clean up spills – mostly from vehicles and machinery, collect the spill, process it, store it, and eventually ship it off the continent. With each spill, I had to send a report to the National Science Foundation documenting the occurrence. This was to adhere to the Antarctic Treaty which states that no foreign and therefore hazardous substance can touch the land or sea. Prior to that, I was an equipment specialist where I repaired the tents, sleeping bags, stoves, and general equipment for the scientists who traveled out into the field to do their research.

What have you learned since starting at Fixer?

I’ve learned countless things as a Fixer:

• Plumbing

• Electrical

• Drywall

• Painting

• Smart home add-ons

• Tiling

• Trim

• And doors, doors, doors (Doors are our most requested repair!)

In terms of customer service, I’ve learned that there are various types of customers and priorities. It has been a great lesson in adaptability.  

What does a great day at work look like for you?

It makes me very happy to help people with their projects. Some people will wait up to a year to schedule an appointment after deciding they need something fixed. That might be because they haven’t found the right person to do it or because they are busy or they wanted to try it themselves but never got around to it. I love being able to help people transform their environments to better fit their needs.

What’s a common question that customers ask? 

“What does your pricing look like?”

Fixer has straightforward pricing for in-home visits that is prorated after the first hour of services. For video calls, the first 5 minutes are free, then it’s just $15 for every 15 minutes after that. Learn more about our pricing.

What’s the most unusual request you’ve heard?

We had a person once ask us to replace an electronic part on their mechanical cat litter box. I believe it was called the Litter Robot 3 which is not necessarily unusual, but unusual for us.

What’s your favorite kind of customer problem to solve?

Anything that I can help the customer fix or improve so they don’t have to replace or throw away.

What do you think people should know about working at Fixer? 

Being a woman in this industry is challenging. I know that if ever I need support, I’ll have it — from the Fixers, the concierge team, the tech team, and the office staff! I know that I have the space I need to engage in conversations and let my voice be heard. That is incredibly valuable to me and from what I can tell, to our customers as well. I think if there is anything you should learn about this company, it’s our mission.

 What do you enjoy outside of work? 

 These days, I like spending as much time as I can outside and playing with my dog – Joey. ????