From excavation to “oddball projects,” filling the handyman niche in Cambria County
Tim Grose has grown his handyman busy, taking on jobs big and small with quality craftsmanship.
Being driven by competitiveness and having a deep-rooted drive to keep learning and growing to be the best is at the core of entrepreneur Tim Grose, owner of Grose General Services.
“Getting set up early in your business is key,” Grose offered as advice. “Find someone to show you the ropes, someone who is a few steps ahead of you. Get with an accountant, a business coach and an insurance agent right off the bat.”
Grose said that he has done odd jobs for people since he was a teen, and when the calls kept coming in, he decided to make it into a legit business. “It has been such a huge help to have Startup Alleghenies and Blake Fleegle by my side,” he shared. “Blake has helped me get everything on paper and really focus on how to structure pricing, online processes and workflows. And now we are working through the funding process.”
This home was in need of a new coat of paint, and Grose was happy to help out.
Grose found his niche by identifying a gap in the market and filling it. “I do the small jobs that larger companies won’t even look at,” he said. “If there is a small ditch that needs dug or a shrub pulled out, I am willing to do it to serve my customers well.”
“I am open to any conversation—I do a lot of landscaping, small to medium excavation work and some oddball handyman projects. I still hold a full-time job in human services, and this business is my side hustle,” Grose said. “It has unleashed my creativity to create something I can be proud of.”
There is some excitement in not knowing and just seeing how big the next year can be. That one contact might give me the next five jobs or put me in a position to transition to this full-time or hire staff.
“If I do get a call for a job that’s too big or won’t fit into my schedule, I have established a good network and relationships with other businesses that I can refer people to,” Grose shared.
“His drive for doing his best work makes his side hustle successful,” Fleegle said. “He is willing to put in the time to learn and grow – benefiting himself, his business and his customers.”
The room was transformed with a fresh coat of white paint.
The quality of work he provides is what keeps customers happy and the calls coming in. “I give 110% to every job I am on,” he shared. “Every year, it’s gotten a little bigger as my amazing customers refer me to others.”
Right now, Grose sees no ceiling on his business. “The sky’s the limit,” he said. “There is some excitement in not knowing and just seeing how big the next year can be. That one contact might give me the next five jobs or put me in a position to transition to this full-time or hire staff.”
Grose said that entrepreneurship is a bumpy road that comes with stress and uncertainty, so having a good support system is important. “My wife, Katie, has supported my ideas. I couldn’t do this without that support and her being willing to sacrifice time when I am working long nights,” he said.
Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.
