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To celebrate 10 years of the NWPA Innovation Beehive Network, we are highlighting standout clients from our history of free business assistance. FIXED-HHS, or Fixed Home Handyman Services, provides assistance to homeowners throughout Erie County, Crawford County and Mercer County. FIXED technicians can perform an array of handyman-level tasks, such as painting, gutter cleanings, simple electrical work, holiday decorations, and much more. With an easy-to-use app, you can book services within minutes.
The Mercyhurst Beehive provided FIXED with a competitive analysis and market analysis, the Penn State Behrend Beehive provided assistance with their mobile app, and the PennWest Edinboro Beehive assisted with search engine optimization and graphic design.
We recently spoke with Desiree Troutner and Bob Troutner, the founders of FIXED-HHS.
— Name & Business Name
Desiree Troutner and Bob Troutner. FIXED-HHS LLC.
— When did you start your business? What inspired you to start the business?
We started the business in 2023. Bob and I have been entrepreneurs for 20+ years but felt passionate about starting a technology-based, scalable business that filled a real need in the home repair industry. We wanted to help homeowners with home repairs and the small services that contractors did not want to do.
— Talk about your collaboration with the Beehive. What did the network help you with?
The Beehive helped us with promotional marketing pieces, social media content development, networking and meeting valuable business contacts, and enhancing and optimizing our company website. They also helped us do a competitive analysis and market analysis to help with our geographic expansion plan.
— How has that Beehive work helped your business? What was most impactful about your collaboration with the Beehive?
Every aspect of the Beehive was valuable to our business, but the most impactful part was the mentorship, networking, and ongoing business connections and relationships we have built that have provided ongoing business opportunities and added instant credibility to our company.
— When thinking about your business growth, what are you most proud of?
We are most proud of seeing our dream become reality after years of very hard work. We made it through the entrepreneurial "valley of death" where 90% of new businesses fail. We learned to overcome much adversity, sharpen our problem solving skills, and pivot when necessary to remain a viable business. Being an entrepreneur is not glamorous. It requires grit and being willing to step outside the "comfort zone" and to withstand repeated failure, frequent "no's," and people telling you "you are crazy." With all of that said, the feeling of seeing a dream become a business that helps real people everyday is beyond fulfilling!
— Where are you going next? What are you excited to build or explore moving forward?
We are focusing on workforce development, regional expansion into Mercer county, and also working on a very exciting new feature set in the FIXED software.
FIXED-HHS on Facebook
FIXED-HHS on Instagram
We thank Desiree and Bob for taking the time to talk with us about their experience.
