I still remember the first time my brother and I talked seriously about starting a business together. It wasn’t some grand plan laid out on a whiteboard or a “Shark Tank” pitch moment. We were fixing a leaky faucet for a neighbor—just doing what we’d always done: showing up, solving problems, and getting our hands dirty.
He looked at me and said, “You think we could actually turn this into something real?”
I nodded. “I think we already are.”
That was the unofficial beginning of what would become Unstoppable Handyman, a San Diego-based handyman and home improvement service that—somehow—grew from a couple of jobs here and there to a full-fledged, in-demand business with an amazing client base and a growing team.
And the wildest part? I get to do it all with my brother and best friend.
But before you get any ideas that it’s all sunshine and brotherly high-fives, let me be real with you. Working with family isn’t always easy. Running a business definitely isn’t easy. And doing both at once? It’s not for the faint of heart.
Still… I’d recommend it in a heartbeat.
Let me explain why—and how to make it work if you're thinking about starting a family-run business of your own.
If you’ve ever called a contractor and felt like just another number, you’re not alone. That’s actually a big part of why we built Unstoppable Handyman the way we did. San Diego has no shortage of handyman companies—but not many that answer the phone like it’s their own mom calling. Not many where the person showing up is the same one who helped write the quote. And definitely not many where the core values are built around showing up, not just fixing things.
The trust we’ve earned with our customers didn’t happen overnight. It came from showing up consistently—through heatwaves, early mornings, and more caulk than I ever thought I’d hold in my lifetime.
But at the root of it? It’s the strength of our team.
And when that team includes your own brother—someone who knows how to read your frustration before you say a word or who pushes you to go the extra mile because he knows your kids are watching—that’s something no money can buy.
Let’s not sugarcoat it.
Running a business with family means the highs are higher—but the lows can hit deeper too.
There are days where we’ve disagreed. Days where we’ve had to divide and conquer on four hours of sleep. Days where I’ve gotten a call from a client while coaching my son’s little league team and had to pivot fast.
But the magic is in the balance.
When I’m burned out, John steps up. When he’s stuck in a surgery recovery or just needs to reset, I take the wheel. We’ve learned to tag each other in like a wrestling team—because that’s what we are.
You don’t get that kind of rhythm with just anyone. Family brings a kind of accountability you can’t hire. We’re not just building something for income—we’re building something for legacy.
If you’re thinking about going into business with a family member—especially a sibling—here are some lessons we learned the hard way (and that I’d gladly hand over to save you some trouble):
I’m a systems guy. I love structure, workflows, and creating a better way to do something. My brother John? He’s got hands of gold and a heart that makes people instantly trust him. We don’t compete—we complement.
Before you start a business together, ask: What do you bring to the table that the other doesn’t? If the answer is “the exact same thing,” you might be in for a bumpy ride.
We have a simple rule: No business talk during family birthdays, and no passive-aggressive texts about work after 9 PM. It sounds small, but protecting your relationship from burnout is huge. Don’t let business bleed into everything or it will.
Even though we’re brothers, we treat the business like a business. That means clear roles, agreements, and documentation. Because trust doesn’t mean you skip clarity—it means you protect each other with it.
The truth is, I don’t just run a handyman business. I run a vision. A way of life. A belief that honest, hardworking people can build something meaningful—and bring their family along for the ride.
And it’s not just about blood relatives.
If you’ve got someone you click with—someone who shares your values, your goals, your grit—don’t wait for the perfect moment to start. It’ll never come. You have to create it.
I’ve watched this business support not just our families, but our clients’ families too. We’ve had customers tell us we were the first contractors they felt they could trust. We’ve had people leave their keys with us while they went on vacation. We’ve even been asked to help surprise a spouse with a home project reveal.
That kind of trust doesn’t come from clever marketing. It comes from being real.
Here’s the not-so-secret sauce behind Unstoppable Handyman’s growth:
And the biggest one?
We never forget why we started.
Not for the money. Not for the hours. But for the chance to build something real—for our families and our community.
Here’s my advice: Don’t wait for all the answers. Just get started. If you’ve got someone you trust, start the conversation. Pick a small project. See how you handle decision-making, stress, client feedback.
But go in eyes open. Know that it will challenge you. And if you do it right, it’ll bring you closer than ever.
If you're in San Diego and need a reliable, family-owned handyman service—where the people answering your messages are the same ones who show up with tools and smiles—you know where to find us.
Need help with a home project? Whether it’s a ceiling fan install, drywall repair, or just getting that squeaky door finally fixed, we’re here to help.
👇 Click below to request a free estimate:
Request an Estimate from Unstoppable Handyman
Or shoot us a text at 619-815-7588 and say “Help!”—we’ll take it from there.
As a dad of four, every decision I make—every job I take on—is filtered through the lens of what I want to model for my kids: integrity, work ethic, and the courage to build something from the ground up.
If you're on the fence about starting a business with someone you love, my advice is simple:
Do it scared. Do it messy. But do it together.
And maybe one day, you’ll look back at your first job the way I do—with gratitude, some scars, and a whole lot of pride.
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