We recently connected with Lou Heintz and have shared our conversation below.
Lou, thanks for taking the time to share your lessons with our community today. So, let’s jump right in – one of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. Where does your self-discipline come from?
I have been a very self-disciplined person dating back to my childhood. Perhaps I inherited this trait from my father as his side of the family is German and they are generally known to be self disciplined. When I approach a project or need to solve a problem I try to do so in a very organized and logical way. That approach helps me stay focused on reaching the solution I am looking for. When I am working, I utilize a process I have developed through the years and follow this plan step by step until I have completed the job. Also I am constantly evaluating this process and am willing to change if I see a better way to reach my goal.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My father was an extremely handy individual with an incredible workshop in our basement. He tried his best to teach me but my interests lied outdoors playing baseball, basketball, and football. Plus I’m left handed which is not a good thing when using tools. So I eventually married and had two children and life was very good. However, if there was a “fix it” job around the house, it fell on my wife’s shoulders as I was pretty useless in that category.
I worked in the staffing profession for many years and was very successful. Everything changed when my wife died in an automobile accident in 1998 and I was suddenly a single parent with two young children. I tried to continue my career for a few years but things did not go well. Between taking over for my wife as my children’s support person and dealing with the depression following my wife’s death, I was not able to perform in the manner I was accustomed to. So in 2001 I took a sabbatical to try to figure things out. I read an article in a magazine about great businesses to start and one of those was child proofing. I think it was the possibility of preventing serious injury to children that grabbed me despite my lack of handyman skills.
In 2002 I opened Super Safe Tots! for business as a child proofer. Fortunately I met a gentleman just as I was beginning who was transitioning from a pastor to a handyman. If not for him, I would not have made it. However, I am a quick learner and persistent so I was able to overcome my shortcomings and have a nice 9 year run. Eventually the work become tedious and the recession hit so I tried to go back to staffing as my kids were now grown. That move did not work out so I returned to child safety in 2014 with my current company Baby Gates Of Atlanta and love what I do.
I’ll be turning 70 next year so my plan is to work another year then retire although I will likely continue to install baby gates beyond that on a limited basis. Guess we’ll see.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The traits or skills that I possess are the following:
Organized – Doing the work I do it can be easy to get off track and spend half your day looking for a tool you’ve misplaced. As I’ve said before, I have a process for what I do and follow it for every project which is the most efficient way for me to get the job done.
Quick Study – I certainly did not have the skills necessary for this work when I started. Fortunately I’m pretty intelligent and learn fast so I’m able to figure it out if and when I get into a bind.
People Skills – I’m pretty much an outgoing introvert so I am comfortable communicating with my customers as I typically spend a half day or so in their home. My sense of humor often comes in handy and can help to open up the channels of communication.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
This would sometimes happen when I was in the staffing industry as the pace can be overwhelming and I am a pretty laid back person. I am able to set my own pace in my current situation and work deliberately as it helps me to avoid mistakes which can end up making the task take longer and not reach the desired outcome.
I always found taking a short break is the best way for me deal with the feeling of being overwhelmed. Perhaps step outside for a few minutes and just breathe until I’m calm again. Then head back in and get back to work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.babygatesatl.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louheintz18/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/babygatesatlanta
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLBzBrshbBg
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/baby-gates-of-atlanta-buford-3
