U.S. Veteran Starts an Ace Handyman Service Franchise in Dover
Published On October 25th, 2021
After serving in the United States Air Force for 23 years, Nick Pieller wasn’t ready to retire. He spent his last year in the military doing research on how to break into the business world – with the help of an entrepreneurial coach, Nick started looking at the possibility of owning a franchise.
Nick’s last tour of duty was completed at Dover Air Force Base, where he was in charge of aircraft mechanics for the Air Force’s largest aircraft, the C-5M Super Galaxy. This kind of assignment – managing a team, working to fix and prevent problems, and creating structure – would eventually translate into the business environment he wanted to create.
With family nearby, his wife’s established career, and his children in local schools, there were some major factors in deciding to stay in the area after retirement – Kent County offered Nick a comfortable family life and the potential to support his new business franchise. After a few months of research, Nick determined that two businesses could work: Handyman services and irrigation installation and repair. He contacted the Delaware Small Business Development Center to help him make the final decision and move forward with business planning.
Calls with both franchise headquarters yielded great background for the SBDC. After making a list of pros and cons with Nick, it was determined that his skills, passion for the work, support from the franchisor, and the business model most likely to yield success in Kent County would be franchising under Ace Handyman Services. Now, Nick and his team have the support and ongoing training from Ace Handyman Services, a “veteran-friendly” company where the owners believe former military members have the skills and discipline to manage the franchise, grow the business and provide great customer service.
Nick has located his business in downtown Dover in what will become a “hot” new location, 371 W. North Street, as it is across the street from where the new Post Office is under construction. He is in a corner storefront with other businesses in the complex.
“I am so pleased that we have been able to get this business started only a month after my retirement,” Nick said. “And the Dover community provides an excellent opportunity for a nationally-branded, reputable handyman service,” he added.
“Today’s homeowner is busy,” Nick said. “Oftentimes, parents are working and don’t want to spend their spare time doing odd jobs around the house.” He noted that Kent and Sussex Counties – his territories – are also home to many retirees who may not feel safe climbing ladders or doing other tasks that a professional can do, so they need a reliable, well-known service such as Ace Handyman Services.
Some of the tasks that Nick’s company can do are doors and windows, furniture and equipment assembly, drywall repair, carpentry, painting and staining, minor remodeling, gutters, tile installation, preventative maintenance, and much more. With the determination of a veteran and the Small Business expertise of the SBDC behind Ace Handyman Services, we know Nick and his team will only continue to see success!
