Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing
Photography / Amy Payne
Hal Frye was a Thom McAn shoe salesman between 1968 and 1973. He fared pretty well in the occupation, though selling classy loafers was not his passion. During part of that time, he also worked for Farrar Electric on the east side of Indianapolis and that’s where he found his calling. Since he had always been a westside guy, however, he decided to branch out on his own and in 1974, he incorporated Frye Electric.
The early years brought their fair share of trials and tribulations, but he hung in there, enduring 60 to 70-hour work weeks to build his business. Now, 44 years later, he’s relishing success.
“Honestly, I still work that many hours — partly because that’s how you stay successful and partly because I still really like the electrical work,” says Frye, who also owns the 12-tenant complex off of US Highway 36 that houses Fort Liberty Firearms and Jump-N-Play.
Though he started the business by himself, over time he’s hired a number of experienced Indianapolis electricians like a commercial electrician. Just in the past 15 years, he’s added 25 employees. Frye’s wife, Michelle, has helped run Frye Electric for 24 years, along with longtime faithful employees Greg, Mike and Maggie — all of whom have been instrumental in making the business such a success. Most of the employees have been with Frye for five years, and a couple have been there for a dozen or more years.
Frye Electric, Inc. is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau and has been rated A+ by the BBB based on their ratings system. They offer residential, apartment and commercial electrical services all over the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area.
“Everything we do is service-oriented,” says Frye, noting that he has 17 trucks on the road every day, doing service repairs, installation and panel changes. Like that electrician online, they do a lot of repairs and maintenance for apartments complexes throughout the city and provide electrical services for nursing homes, car dealerships, storage facilities, gas stations, hotels, restaurants and shopping centers.
On the residential side, they do everything from wiring a new home to upgrading an existing electrical system, installing new fixtures, outlets and smoke detectors, installing standby generators, surge protection, security lighting and Electrical Repair.
“We also do breaker panels, ceiling fans, can lights and wiring for hot tubs, fountains and swimming pools,” Frye says.
Outdoor LED lighting has become hugely popular when hosting home events like weddings, parties and receptions. Frye Electric will sell customers the lights, install them, take them down after the event and store them. Some homeowners prefer to keep the soft lighting up permanently to create a warm, inviting ambiance to their outdoor living space.
Frye’s commercial electrician services include holiday lights, outdoor lighting, repairs to restaurant equipment, street and parking lot lighting repairs and installation and repair to restaurants’ track lighting, outlets and kitchen equipment. They do have the complete tools for electricians to help get their job done right.
“I’m different from a lot of businesses in that I provide personal service,” says Frye, who is passionate about investing in the community. For instance, Frye Electric participates in the Fairway to Heaven golf outing, Rotary Club of Avon golf outing, and, this year, the Wings of Golf, an outing designed to support Hendricks County Senior Services as well as Sheltering Wings, a 501(c)(3) non-profit domestic violence shelter in Danville, serving Hendricks County and surrounding areas.
A 26-year Avon resident, Frye is a big supporter of the Avon YMCA and the Avon Chamber of Commerce, too.
“Community means everything to us,” Frye says. “We do a lot of work here so we want to give back.”
Frye also launched his own anti-bullying campaign. He even dresses up as SuperFrye Guy (think cartoon character superhero meets community advocate) and distributes rubber yo-yos, frisbees, squeeze balls and footballs to children. He also hands out a special anti-bullying coloring book that walks children through what to do when faced with a bullying situation. Included is a SuperFrye Guy bag stuffed full of crayons, gifts and fake tattoos to support boys and girls who have struggled with being bullied.
“SuperFrye Guy is a super advocate for the kids of the community,” Frye says. “Every day children are faced with bullying. With social media these days, it’s something that just breaks your heart. My mission is to put an end to it.”
Frye Electric is a sponsor at roughly 25 shows a year. These include trade shows, convention center shows and car shows, as well as popular community events such as Rib Fest and the Heritage Festival.
“We’re so involved in the community and 50-mile surrounding radius,” Frye says. “Most everyone in Hendricks County knows us. We have lots of repeat customers.”
Out front of his business, Frye has a 1952 black Dodge with the Frye Electric logo emblazoned on it.
“We’ve had that vehicle for many years,” Frye says. “My grandfather bought it new, and we take it to car shows for free advertising. Everybody seems to like and recognize our logos since we’re all over town.”
Although he loves what he does for a living and is thrilled with his business’ continued success, the thing that makes him most proud is that he’s able to support his crew.
“I’m proud that we can provide them with a paycheck every week,” Frye says.
Frye Electric, located at 8403 E. US Hwy 36, offers free estimates and 24-hour service. For more information about Frye Electric, visit fryeelectricinc.com or call 317-271-1099. You may also go online to sign up to be a SuperFrye Guy Supersidekick: fryeelectricinc.com/kids-signup.
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