The Fix-It Lady

This business was going under before I went through Enterprise for Equity's program. They helped me to figure out how many customers I would need and what kind of rates I should charge to meet my expenses. Even more, they showed me that I didn't need to do every repair in Olympia. They taught me about defining and targeting ideal customers for my business. Since going through the program, using the acquired business tools and making appropriate adjustments, the business revenues have tripled!
-- Nancy McGill

Nancy McGill

Most people can tell at least one story of losing their shirt to a handyman, contractor, or mechanic. If you are a senior or a woman - you probably have a few tales of broken trust. These are the stories that inspired Nancy McGill to start The Fix-It Lady - "Your Handyman Alternative"

When speaking with women that were not do-it-her-selfers, she discovered "a huge need for honesty, integrity, reliability, and experience in the industry of maintenance and repairs."

As she serves the Olympia community, she hears even more stories. One elderly customer, frustrated with auto mechanics who persistently tried to sell her extra services, entrusted Nancy to take her car in for an oil change - minus the snake oil.

Fences look like new after a good pressure wash.

Without Enterprise for Equity, Nancy might not have been around to be the heroine in that woman's story. Before taking Enterprise for Equity's business training program in early 2009, Nancy's business was struggling to stay alive. With diligent work to complete her business plan, her Fix-it-Lady business is now a thriving enterprise in our community.

Beyond the personal attention and reliability, Nancy brings expertise to The Fix-It Lady. She is a former realtor and property manager of twenty years, where she learned the ins and outs of home maintenance. Prior to that she supplemented her natural mechanical bent with a four-year apprenticeship program in plumbing, safety, electrical work, and over-all maintenance and repair.

The friendly Fix-It Lady van.

Today, she applies her skill and knowledge to nearly any type of home maintenance or repair - whether you want a light bulb changed, some dry wall repaired, old windows or doors restored, bathroom tiles re-grouted, preventative maintenance inside or out, or just another set of hands to hang a picture.

The Fix-It Lady is a licensed, bonded, and insured company - which, Nancy cautions, is the minimum requirement for credentials when working with any contractor.

Come see Nancy at "The Day of Empowerment", a day-long event that helps women find and live a balanced life, on October 23 at Heritage Hall and Exhibition Hall.