Community Craftsman
After more than 20 years in education, including 15 as a principal, Eric Douglas made a decision that surprised a lot of people: he walked away from a stable career to start something new.
“I’ve always been wired to serve people. This is just a different way of doing it,” Douglas says. “That was true in education, and it’s true now. This is just a different way to serve people.”
Douglas officially launched Handyman Connection of Fishers in September 2025. He brought more than 20 years of experience in education, including 15 years as a school principal. The transition may seem like a big shift, but for Douglas, it was a natural evolution. He blended his background in leadership, problem-solving and hands-on knowledge of quality work.
“I had always wanted to own my own business,” he says. “When I started exploring different opportunities, this one just made sense. I’m handy myself, so I understand the work. Even though I’m not out there doing every job, my leadership background translates directly. It helps in managing a team and serving customers.”
Douglas approached the decision to open a handyman business with the same diligence he used in education. He carefully evaluated independent business models and franchise options. Drawn to their support systems, he chose to partner with Handyman Connection.
“I really took my time looking at different options,” he says. “The franchise model offered support that I felt would be valuable, especially in areas like marketing and operational structure. It gave me a strong foundation to build from.”
That support has allowed Douglas to focus on what he does best: leading people and building relationships, further blending his prior experience with his business goals.
Today, Douglas oversees daily operations and manages a network of skilled craftsmen dedicated to customer satisfaction. He also personally handles many customer estimates, ensuring clients feel heard and understood from the start.
“I want people to know who they’re working with,” Douglas says. “When I show up for an estimate, it matters. People aren’t just hiring a company, they’re deciding who they trust in their home.” That goes a long way in building confidence before any work even begins.”
At its core, Handyman Connection of Fishers delivers a wide range of home improvement and maintenance services designed to make homeowners’ lives easier. By professionally handling both small repairs and large remodeling projects, the company brings convenience, expertise and peace of mind to customers.
“We really do cover a broad spectrum,” he says. “Right now, we’re seeing a lot of bathroom remodels and deck projects, especially as people start spending more time outdoors. But the smaller maintenance jobs are just as important. Those are the things that keep homes running smoothly.”
Douglas sees smaller jobs as essential to his business model. He sets his company apart by offering accessibility and reliability to customers needing both minor fixes and major projects.
“We’ll absolutely take on those smaller jobs,” he says. “And what we’ve found is that those often lead to long-term relationships. Someone calls us to replace a light fixture or fix something minor, and later they come back to us for a bigger project because they trust us.”
That trust is built not only through quality workmanship but also through communication and consistency, two areas Douglas emphasizes heavily with his team.
“We talk a lot about how we interact with customers,” he says. “From showing up in uniform to knocking on the front door before starting work, those details matter, even for outdoor projects. It’s about professionalism and respect. A big part of what we do is making people feel comfortable. A lot of homeowners just want someone they can trust, ask questions, and not feel talked down to.”
Behind every successful handyman business is a team of skilled craftsmen. Douglas has been intentional about building and maintaining a reliable network.
“When I started, I reached out to people I knew, people who had done work for me or that I had seen in action,” he says. “I was fortunate to bring on a few great craftsmen early on, and they’re still with us today.”
Like many in the trades, Douglas acknowledges that turnover can be a challenge. However, he believes his leadership approach has helped create a more stable and supportive work environment.
“We treat our craftsmen well,” he says. “We keep them busy, and that’s a big part of it. I also try to support them as individuals. If someone wants to grow their own business or do something else, I won’t hold them back. I want to help them succeed.”
That mindset reflects the same mentorship-driven approach Douglas brought from his years in education, reinforcing the continuity in his leadership style.
“It’s about investing in people,” he says. “When you do that, they’re more likely to invest back into the work and into your customers.”
While Douglas is confident in his team’s work, he’s also realistic about the nature of the business.
“We strive for perfection, but we’re not perfect,” he says. “Mistakes happen. What matters is how you handle them.”
For Douglas, accountability is nonnegotiable. If something goes wrong, his team addresses it head-on. They do so quickly and transparently.
“We don’t leave customers hanging,” he says. “We communicate, we fix the issue, and we make it right. That’s how you build long-term trust.”
That commitment to integrity is a key factor that Douglas believes sets Handyman Connection of Fishers apart, working hand in hand with the company’s emphasis on accountability.
“Anyone can say they do quality work,” he says. “But how you handle the moments when things don’t go as planned, that’s what really defines your business.”
Douglas isn’t just a business owner in Fishers. He’s a longtime resident who has watched the city grow and evolve over the past two decades, making him deeply invested in its future.
“I’ve been here about 20 years,” he says. “It’s been incredible to see how much the community has expanded.”
That growth has created steady demand for home services. Douglas believes there’s ample opportunity for businesses that deliver added value through quality work and exceptional customer care.
“There’s plenty of work out there,” he says. “As Fishers continues to grow, people need help maintaining their homes. And I think fewer people have the time or the skill set to do everything themselves these days.”
For Douglas, being part of the community extends beyond business, motivating him to give back whenever possible and deepening his connection to Fishers.
One of the company’s recent initiatives included a “Handyman for a Day” raffle, where residents could nominate someone in need to receive a full day of free services.
“We were hoping to help someone who might not otherwise be able to afford it — maybe an elderly couple or a single parent,” he says. “It was really meaningful to be able to do that.”
In addition, Douglas and his team sponsor local youth sports teams. They also look for organic ways to support neighbors in need. During a recent winter storm that blanketed the area with more than a foot of snow, Douglas and his son took it upon themselves to help residents clear their driveways at no charge.
Douglas’s connection to the community extends to his own family. He and his wife, Rachel Yocum, are raising two sons in Fishers. Dempsey is a freshman at Fishers High School. Dash is a fifth grader at Riverside Intermediate School.
Family also influences how Douglas approaches his work, especially as he balances business growth with his personal values, ensuring decisions align with what matters most to him.
“At the end of the day, I want my kids to see what it looks like to work hard, treat people the right way and give back to their community,” he says.
As Handyman Connection of Fishers continues to grow, Douglas is focused on expanding his team and enhancing the services he offers.
“We’re always looking to bring on more craftsmen with different skill sets,” he says. “That allows us to take on a wider variety of projects.”
One potential addition on the horizon is a seasonal home maintenance program, designed to help homeowners stay ahead of repairs before they become costly issues.
“The idea is to have a seasonal checklist that helps homeowners stay ahead of maintenance, saving them time and stress by preventing larger problems down the road,” Douglas says.
It’s a concept that aligns perfectly with Douglas’s overall approach, which centers on prevention, communication and building long-term customer relationships.
For Douglas, Handyman Connection of Fishers is about more than fixing what’s broken. It’s about delivering long-term value to homeowners and contributing positively to the community by providing trustworthy, expert service.
“This business is really about people,” he says. “It’s about helping someone feel comfortable in their home, knowing they can trust the work that’s been done.”
And just like in his years as an educator, that sense of purpose continues to drive him forward.
“At the end of the day, it’s still about serving others,” Douglas says. “That hasn’t changed. It’s just taken on a new form.”
For more information, visit handymanconnection.com/fishers.
