Fixer Spotlight, Chang: “Fixer’s a pretty cool place to be.”

Chang has been at Fixer for about 3 years – almost since day one! He tells us how fixing things around the house from an early age ultimately led to his career at Fixer, why he loves a good challenge, and why his “fix it for forever” outlook makes him the guy you want for those nagging plumbing leaks.

How did you get into being a handy person?

I used to get in trouble for taking things apart and putting things together, but I was always fixing things around the house. In some ways I’ve been exposed to it all my life – I’ve been in charge of the maintenance of our church for about 11 years, and have done general contracting work on my own. I realized I was good at it. 

What have you learned since starting at Fixer?

I knew a lot of the technical aspects when I started – I actually helped with ideas and spent a lot of time with the original training module and curriculum. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s being better with communication and interaction skills, and to have more of an open mind which is valuable when you’re visiting with customers and helping new trainees.

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

I don’t like downtime, so having a full day of jobs to go from one to the next is good. It’s fulfilling to hear from a customer, “I had 4 different companies come out, but [you were the one] who could fix it.” I enjoy the challenge: for the customer, it’s impactful and meaningful. It brings them peace and comfort – that’s a good day at Fixer for me. 

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

I’m known around here for being very knowledgeable in plumbing, but I really enjoy anything that’s challenging. One example: about a little over a year ago, a customer contacted us for a kitchen sink that for over 10 years was a problem (it was constantly leaking or clogged). Someone had built a roller coaster under their sink and the installation was completely wrong. I repiped their entire drain to the wall much simpler, and to code. No more leaks and clogs!. I really enjoy finding a solid fix; nothing that’s temporary. 

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

It’s a company who truly cares about employees and they are truly trying to make a difference. They’re open to train anybody and want to give anyone a chance, if you have the will and the drive and a good attitude. They bend over backwards to try to get things to work and give back to the community. It’s a pretty cool place to be. 

Tell us about a favorite memory working at Fixer so far.

It’s definitely cool to reflect on being here since day one at this startup and how we’ve evolved over time.  

When you’re not busy Fixing things, what do you enjoy?

I love spending time with my kids, cooking, and being with friends and family. I enjoy golfing, hunting, and winter sports. One of my new favorite hobbies is bowling – I’ve got a 180-190 average right now and I can only get better!