Rising Stars: Meet Paul Hay

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Hay.

Hi Paul, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My business started off of as just a way to have extra income. Once I started to mount more TVs customers were very pleased with my work and they begin to ask me did I know how to do small home repairs then I started being asked hey can you just be my handyman for my home. My customers stated I was not like any other person that had to come do work in their home or to mount their TVs because I had normal conversations and actually did neat and perfect work. My business is H&F Connections and I gave it that name because I wanted my family and friends to be able to come work for me if they ever needed. If my company could not do a job, I would connect my other friends who have a business to take opportunity. I also had a strong business partner my wife behind me encouraging me when I wanted to give up because things were slow or not where I wanted them to be. Being a young business owner, I get doubted a lot and people underestimate my ability, but I continue to push through judgment and complete amazing jobs daily.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been a smooth road some days when I was not getting business at all, I became discouraged and just said forget it. I had spoke with one of my customers and my wife and they said it’s only the beginning the more people see your work and how you are such a great person, your business will continue to grow. Some struggles that I encounter is being a young African American male and not only am I judged from people of my same ethnicity for being bad busy, I also have hair and a lot of people at first label me as thuggish. So, there were plenty of times when I spoke about my business and people would overlook me and pass up my offers because they did not know my passion for what I do and why I do it. When I begin to explain my business name, many people begin to see I am not just that young person I am in fact a young male trying to prove the way and show my family and friends that anything is possible and you can be and do anything you put your mind to.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in Tv mounting and small home repair and small home improvements. I am known for my TV Mounting the most because that is what I started out doing. I am most proud of my recent add on to my company epoxy countertops. What sets me apart is that I am always learning new things and I do not limit myself to just one particular thing. I am talented and can perform more than one job.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been a smooth road some days when I was not getting business at all, I became discouraged and just said forget it. I had spoke with one of my customers and my wife and they said it’s only the beginning the more people see your work and how you are such a great person, your business will continue to grow. Some struggles that I encounter is being a young African American male and not only am I judged from people of my same ethnicity, I also have hair and a lot of people at first label me as thuggish. So, there were plenty of times when I spoke about my business and people would overlook me and pass up my offers because they did not know my passion for what I do and why I do it. When I begin to explain my business name, many people begin to see I am not just that young person I am in fact a young male trying to prove the way and show my family and friends that anything is possible and you can be and do anything you put your mind to.

Pricing:

• TV Mounting rages from $75 to $250
• Epoxy countertops range from $500 to $7,000

Contact Info:

• Email: hayandfamilyconnections@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayandfamilyconnections/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hayandfamilyconnections