Trades Aren't a Backup Plan: Building a Business With Your Hands with Shawn Ellis of Handyman Ellis, LLC

Ep 136:Trades Aren't a Backup Plan: Building a Business With Your Hands with Shawn Ellis of Handyman Ellis, LLC Part of noseyAF's 31 Days of Black Business series 🖤 His grandfather used to take his quarters and hand them back as tens. Called it magic.

Then one summer he said, come work with me and I'll show you what the magic actually is. Shawn was thirteen.

Shawn runs Handyman Ellis LLC in Chicago, providing professional services for homeowners and businesses: mounting, assembly, installations, repairs. About 80% of his work comes from word of mouth.

I'm part of that word of mouth. So is my dad, who tells his entire friend group about this man.

What We Talk About Why he thinks the trades should be a first option and not a backup plan, and what he tells young people who don't know what to do next What separates a professional from somebody who just knows how to fix things, and why the booties on his shoes are part of the answer His advice for anyone with a skill who's scared to turn it into a business: do your homework, then start The unexpected turn: the one thing in your house he wants you to stop putting off, and he's right, and you should go check it after this If you love a conversation about building something the honest way, this episode is for you. All about Shawn You're gonna love Shawn.

He shows up organized, in booties, with an old school playlist going. Mostly self-taught with some classes and certifications along the way, he treats every house he enters like it's his own, and plenty of his clients trust him enough to let him work while they're not home.

He's driven by gaining knowledge and passing it on, and he talks about instilling forever skills in his son, who's already asked for his own Handyman Ellis shirt. His stepfather's line, which used to be on his business cards: if it's broke, he can fix it.

Chapters: 00:09 - 31 Days of Black Business 02:25 - The Journey to Handyman Success 11:02 - The Challenges of Being a Handyman 19:57 - The Value of Trades in Modern Society 29:43 - The Importance of Community for Business Growth 34:31 - Entrepreneurship Insights Things We Mentioned Handyman Ellis LLC, professional services for homeowners and businesses. Booking site Email: mrhandyellis@ Serving Chicago and surrounding suburbs Services: mounting, assembly, installations, repairs.

As he puts it, send him your project and he'll tell you if he can make it come true. This series is supported by Off the Grid, a podcast for small business owners who want to leave social media without losing their clients.

Find them at offthegrid.fun 🖤 Connect with Shawn Email: mrhandyellis@ Stay Connected 📬 Get the noseyAF Dispatch → Subscribe here 🏡 Grab the Good Neighbor Playbook → Download it free More ways to connect Email: stephanie@ Follow on IG: @stephaniegraham Listen to more episodes: Support & Feedback noseyAF is listener-supported ; thank you for being here. 💛🫶🏾 ⭐ Rate & Review the Show 📣 Share noseyAF with a friend who needs to hear this Episode Credits Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Stephanie Graham Lyrics: Queen Lex Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam Cover Art: Emma McGoldrick