Good Company Handyman plans to use EDGE grant to expand service area, hire more people

By Sara Uzer

DOVER – Paul Bryant has been on construction sites since he was “probably too small to be there. His father was a contractor, which allowed him to pick up the skills of the trade at an early age.

Like Paul, Charline Clauson grew up watching her plumber father at work, leading her to gain valuable skills and become actively involved in projects.

In April, the pair joined with Kayla Clauson in April to establish Good Company Handyman, a veteran- and woman-owned business that serves as a one-stop solution for a range of home improvement needs, from minor fixes to larger renovation projects.

Less than six months after opening its doors, the company was awarded a $50,000 EDGE Grant, which they’ll use to expand their service area and reach more customers across the region.

After completing his service in the Air Force earlier this year, Paul decided to launch Good Company Handyman, drawing on his extensive background in construction. He was joined by the two Clausons, who both have experience running a home service business.

Paul, Charline, and Kayla now make up the core team, with Paul and Charline handling the hands-on work at job sites while Kayla manages the administrative side of operations.

Changing the narrative

The team acknowledges the bias that sometimes comes when a woman shows up on a job site.

“Customers are often surprised, but Charline can hold her own better than a large population of people,” says Kayla. “She definitely sets a good standard for women in this industry.”

Paul adds that the company is committed to breaking down barriers and providing opportunities for women in the trades.

“Something that sets us apart is we will focus on hiring women as full-time technicians,” says Paul.

Good Company Handyman also places a strong emphasis on customer service, which they feel is often lacking in the trades.

“Anyone can do high-quality work — that’s just the standard. Combining that with exceptional customer service is key,” says Paul.

Kayla echoes this sentiment, noting the company’s dedication to building strong relationships with clients. These extra steps include delivering handwritten thank you notes and holiday cards.

“We want to reinforce that we’re a small local business that genuinely cares about who we’re working for,” she says.

Vickie Weaver has used Good Company Handyman three times and has been consistently pleased with the team’s work.

“They are professional, meticulous, courteous, and always attentive to my needs. I wouldn’t use anyone else,” she said.

Good Company Handyman’s plans for impacting the community

When applying for the EDGE Grant, the company was asked how it will impact the community.

Paul admits that while the three of them have always been passionate about giving back to the community, pursuing volunteer opportunities hasn’t been feasible due to their busy schedules. They were honest about their current limitations but remain optimistic about the future.

Before receiving the EDGE Grant, Good Company Handyman had already been working to grow their team. Now, they plan to add two more work vehicles and hire at least two more employees, including a full-time technician.

“The EDGE grant will help free our time up so we can start impacting the community,” says Paul. “And that’s something we’re really excited about.”

The team is also looking forward to expanding their service area.

“We currently operate in a 30-minute radius outside of Dover, but hope to expand coverage across the whole state,” says Kayla. “Our larger goal is to have staff in each county and provide same-day service or faster turnarounds as we scale up.”

Key takeaways for Good Company Handyman

Good Company Handyman has learned several valuable lessons as they continue to grow.

First, don’t expect to have everything figured out from the start.

“It’s a lot of learning as we go,” says Kayla. “But we each have a unique skill set that can be brought to the table to build on what we already have.”

Paul also encourages other entrepreneurs to leverage all available resources. Specifically, he recommends reaching out to organizations like the Delaware Small Business Development Center.

“It’s hard enough starting and running a business, so connect with people that will make your life easier,” he says.

Finally, Paul emphasizes the importance of balancing work with personal priorities.

“Remember that you’re building a business to have the type of freedom that a lot of other people don’t have, not to spend less time with the people you love,” he explains.