FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My goal is to provide quality work at a great price. I also want to be as communicative as possible. When I discuss price, I try to explain what aspects of the job have costs involved. I'll often offer a couple a few ways of doing something, so that the customer can decide what level of work they want to start out with.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
With Thumbtack, everything starts with me getting a notification. I then have about 2 minutes until five people have responded. That's not easy, especially since when the text comes I'm usually busy doing something else. I'll respond with pre-fab notes that Thumbtack encourages businesses to use. I usually send a second message if I get a quiet moment encouraging the potential customer to call me. Maybe I'm old school, but I find it easier to have one short conversation by phone than to have multiple text messages over several hours. I then try to meet the person at their office or a Starbucks midpoint. If it's a good fit they check me as hired and I get started. The relationship builds and everybody is happy.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
High school in Boca Raton, business degree from UF (go Gators) where I graduated 7th in my class ranked by GPA. I then ran small businesses for 20 years, growing into increasingly larger management roles. Went to FAU for a Master's in Accounting and earned the CPA. Went into business for myself, occasionally teaming up with other CPAs to tackle larger jobs. I've worked for over 25 years in Boca, I don't FEEL that old but I guess I am. Having that many years gives me a sense of calm confidence, and I embrace the routine.