Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chris Uchacz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Chris, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
Work ethic……I am fortunate to have a strong one and will credit my father for instilling in me to always give 100% in whatever I was doing. Early in my life he taught me the value of a dollar and to work hard for each one I had the opportunity to earn. He taught me that anything I did in life was a direct reflection of me and those around me so work hard to create a strong and lasting impression. With over 30 years in a leadership role in NCAA Athletics I also learned the value of service and treating people with respect. My service mentality coupled with my strong work ethic has directly contributed to my success with creating and developing Coastal Home Watch & Concierge, LLC.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My wife, Karen, and I and our three dogs moved from Salt Lake City, Utah to Ocean Isle Beach, NC in 2022 while launching Coastal Home Watch & Concierge, LLC. Our goal is to provide visual home inspections for vacation properties and second homes, checking for issues like storm damage, leaks or pests, while providing a wide array of concierge services for owners away from their second homes. Home Watch Checks are generally conducted weekly or every two weeks and are comprised of a detailed exterior and interior visual check of the property and anything else located on the property (i.e. pools, solar panels, sheds, etc.). A detailed 55+ point inspection/report is provided to the client via email or text and includes notes and embedded pictures when required. If there are any issues with the house, the client is contacted immediately and as part of our Concierge program, we can manage contractors/vendors to diagnose and repair issues both timely and in a cost-effective way. We are “flip flops” on the ground for our clients ensuring their homes are well maintained and in good repair. Our Concierge services focus on making life easier for our clients while providing more time at the beach. We can set restaurant reservations, grocery shop and stock pantries and fridges prior to a client’s arrival. We also provide pre/post storm services for our clients while making sure their homes are prepared for potential tropical storms/hurricanes while assessing any damage after the fact. Our clients trust us with one of their most important investments and we work hard to gain their trust while developing strong relationships. We are excited as we have listened to prospective clients and will be expanding into Little River, SC in the very near future.
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?
This is a great question, and I will be honest, starting your own business from scratch is no easy task and if you want to be successful, can be very time consuming. I did everything myself so I could learn about all things encompassed by the business. I applied for my own LLC, created all of my bookkeeping checks and balances, marketing, logo, website, and the list goes on. I think it is critical for the success of your business to know it all and as the business grows, there may be a time when you can hire others to take care of certain aspects. Networking with the local community and other businesses was huge. Right out of the gate, I joined the local Chamber of Commerce and started meeting people who were more than willing to share the word about Coastal Home Watch & Concierge, LLC. Lastly, I am accessible! I answer all of my phone calls, texts messages, and emails in a very timely manner. Every call or text or email could be a new client — you never know. In this same vein, I do what I say. If I promise something, I do it and do it when I said it would be done. Lastly, I do not assume to know everything and am always open to suggestions and new ideas or ways to do something. There are people that know way more than I do about the industry and I am always open to listening. I also joined the National Home Home Watch Association (NHWA) which is our governing body and could not have started my business without the guidance of the Executive Director and countless people I have come to meet.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I am thankful to have grown rather quickly and have more clients than I ever thought I would have after three years in business. It can be a lot at times, and I have started to think about hiring someone to help with the workload. It’s a tough call and I would have to hire someone I was really comfortable with and trusted as they will be a direct reflection of me and in my clients’ homes. Self admittedly, I am struggling to get over this hump and will need to figure it out sooner than later. I have committed to providing my clients with a certain level of service and do not ever want to compromise that service. Growth like this is another challenge and I will meet it head on!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.coastalhomewatchconcierge.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/coastalhomewatchconcierge
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/coastalhomewatchconcierge
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/coastalhomewatchconcierge
