We're excited to continue our unique series where our real estate agents have the chance to spotlight their favorite local business owners. In this edition, we're delighted to feature Heiko Lischen, the owner of Tool Time Handyman Services, who was nominated by Annette Lischen, Realtor at Treeline Realty. Heiko has won a complimentary mini photoshoot here at our office!
Congratulations, Heiko!
"I grew up in Germany, where my life was deeply rooted in hands-on work, from managing rental properties to diving into construction projects. My wife and I have always been into fixing up places, remodeling and renovating—transforming something old into something exciting and new. This hands-on work was not only a job for me; it was my passion. That’s what really drove us to start Tool Time Handyman Services when we moved to the U.S. It made perfect sense to bring that part of our lives here.
Before all this, I was formally trained in laying pavers and other construction-related skills. My journey took a different path for a while when I joined the German army, serving as a paratrooper for eight years and was deployed to Afghanistan twice. Following my military service, I became a firefighter in Germany, which lasted for 14 years. Balancing firefighting with managing our properties, I got to apply and expand my practical skills constantly.
The biggest challenge we faced starting over in the U.S. was building a new client base. It's tough starting fresh in a foreign country, dealing with a new language and cultural nuances. But we’ve been lucky to gradually build a solid network and now get most of our business from referrals, which really makes us feel at home and valued here.
The most significant accomplishment for me has been successfully establishing that client base despite the hurdles. It’s rewarding to know that our dedication to quality and reliability is recognized. Adapting to different work conditions and measurements here was another learning curve—imagine going from metric to imperial measurements overnight!
If I were to offer advice to new entrepreneurs in the handyman industry, it would be to truly know your craft and focus on what you can do best. Customers appreciate reliability and honesty. It’s crucial to communicate clearly and follow up, making sure people know that the person working on their project is skilled and trustworthy.
Balancing personal life and work is a challenge, especially when you can technically be on call 24/7. My wife and I work as a team—she handles the administrative side of things, which allows me to focus on the actual handyman tasks. We use a CRM system to keep things organized and try to batch jobs geographically to minimize unnecessary travel.
We’ve got big plans for our business, aiming to expand and hopefully bring on more employees to pass on the skills I’ve learned. Ideally, we want to establish a reliable company that’s known for its quality and integrity in this community.
Reflecting on all of this, I realize how each step—from the army to firefighting to running my own business—has taught me something invaluable about perseverance, quality, and the joy of making a tangible difference in someone’s life. Each project is like a puzzle, and there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing everything fit perfectly into place."
Phone: 239-406-7390
Email: Info@handymanserviceswfl.com
Stay Tuned for more interviews!