Hidden Gems: Meet TJ Hartung of Handyman Connection of Parker

Today we’d like to introduce you to TJ Hartung.

Hi TJ, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am excited to announce that I am the new owner of Handyman Connection franchise in Parker!
Well… after 28 years as an IT Manager, I’ve officially turned in my ticket queue for tool belts.
Almost a year ago to the day, I lost my job. I spent months applying, interviewing, and hearing a whole lot of “you’re a great fit, but…” (translation: you’re too experienced, aka too old). After about 8 months of banging my head against the job boards, I called it: ageism won that round.
So instead of waiting for another “we went with someone else” email, I decided to hire myself.
Over the last 4 months I’ve looked at everything from gas fireplace repair to running a pizza joint to owning a liquor store (yes, I was serious about that one). In the end, I landed on something that makes a lot of sense.
Apparently, I’ve gone from managing networks and servers to managing plumbers, carpenters, and electricians. Different kind of patching, but still patching.
The truth is, this last year has been a humbling ride—but also a reminder that reinvention is possible at any age. So here’s to fixing more than just broken printers and servers… now it’s drywall, decks, and doors!🔨🔧🛠🧰🪛

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being out of work for over a year was something I had not experienced before. With 28 years of experience in IT Ageism was alive and well and there was nothing I could do about it. I had no choice but to think out of the box and hire myself. I decided to buy a business. Looked for months and got turned down for a loan but I kept going and finally found a business that I could run and afford.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Handyman Connection is a franchise that has been around since 1991. We take pride in being your trusted partner for all your home repair, maintenance, and improvement needs. Whether you’re looking to tackle a small repair or undertake a major renovation project, we have the expertise and experience to get the job done right. From plumbing and electrical work to carpentry, painting, and more, our craftsmen specialize in a diverse range of services to cater to the unique needs of homeowners. We separate ourselves from “Chuck in a Truck” in that we are fully insured. We background check all of our craftsmen every year. We offer a full one-year warranty on workmanship. We have a brick-and-mortar location and are active in our local community Chamber of Commerce.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
We are a locally owned and Veteran operated business

Pricing:

• 10% Veteran discount on labor

Contact Info:

• Website: https://handymanconnection.com/Parker
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handymanconnectionparker/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HandymanConnectionParkerCO/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyronehartung/