Crawford Fenceline

Name: Joe Crawford

Location: Houston, TX 

Type of Business:
Fence, Landscaping, & Maintenance Contractor.

What does your business do?
We build residential and commercial fence as well as renovate flower beds and lawn care. we also do residential maintenance.

When and why did you start the biz?
My company, Crawford Fence Started April 1995 building fence and expanded services in landscaping in 2007 and maintenance in 2008. Following my dad foot steps in building fence and the on side made me want to build fence as a company. Also,cutting yards when I was young and helping my Aunt and friends renovate homes and business made me think about my customers always asking do I know some body to do there lawn and maintenance.

How Many People are in your Company?
My company has 5 employees

Where's your office?
My business is a home base business. My office personal and I work from our homes. We all can answer the phone line during our work ours. We also can send files and service request to each other via email.

What's the toughest part of running your biz?
Our toughest part of running the business is working capital and not having 2 more vehicle so we can hire more people.

What's the most fun part?
The most fun part of the business is that we were able help our customers. not only save money but to our provide our services.

Anything you would have done differently?
If I knew my customer knew about different grades of wood I would have not sold her #3 grade pickets. I would have sold her #2 or better grade and have done quality inspection of the material.

What's next on the horizon for your biz?
My company next Horizon is to buy a truck, landscape trailer and some more lawn equipment for the purpose to be able to haul more fence material, and to be able to haul our lawn equipment.

What advice do you have for others?
Work hard and hire office personnel to handle all phone calls. Spend smart and save. The most important thing take out time to be with your family at least 10 days out of the month.

How do you use Idea Cafe to help your biz?
To explore more ideas and help other business if I can.

School (where, still in school, degree)?
I went to Forest Brook High School,

Prior jobs or business?
My prior jobs where counter sales and stoker at lower lube tech at Mr. lube, sub-contractor at Fenceline Systems, Assembler at Wetmore work as an temp for Mechanical Contracting Services.

Favorite Food?
My favorite food is Italian, Mexican, and soul food.

What are your pets' names?
My dogs name is Shorty & Anna.

Do any of these pets help with your biz?
They both help with the company.

Is there any one person or event in your life that led you to go into business for yourself?
Terry Foster

Contact Info:
281-819-0262
Crawfordfenceline@yahoo.com