Welcome to Ava Shinkle's Website

1) Name of business, address, and website (if they have one):

Shinkle Electrical Service, 947 Georgetown Road, Swarthmore, PA 19081
Website: ShinkleElectricalService.com

2) When did you start your business and what inspired you to do so:

I started in 1996. I was inspired to start my own business because I wanted to be my own boss. I had ideas of what and how I wanted to do things and I wanted to do things my way. 100% of my energy going into my business that I completely controlled myself.

3) Where did you get the funds to start your business:

I started with nothing but a used truck, and the tools that I had accumulated over the years. From there I saved money and got a new work van. I got more tools and materials using a credit card and supply house credit accounts.

4) How many employees do you have?

Me, Myself and I. If I needed help on larger jobs, I had a small circle of fellow electricians and we helped each other out.

5) What do you like best about your work/business?

Freedom, and I enjoy electrical work. You work on your own at your own pace without anyone rushing you. I get to pick and choose the people I want to work for and the jobs I want to do. I like the fact that this is a learned trade and I can always make money doing it, anywhere.

6) What has been your biggest challenge in developing and running your business?

I would have to say pricing and/or estimating the cost of each job. You are in business to make money. It has to be the perfect balance...you can't charge too much or you lose customers, you can't charge too little or you can't stay in business.

7) What skills do you have, that without them, your business wouldn't survive?

The skills I have are in actually knowing how to do electrical work professionally, safely, and by the electrical codes of the state and town I’m working in. I also had to study and obtain a Master Electrician's License in order to do the work I do.

8) What are you most concerned with regarding your business?

I worry most, I think, about the economy, because my customers must be able to make money in order to spend money on my services. So when the economy is good, people have more expendable cash on hand to get things done around their home...like electrical work...new lights, car chargers, kitchens and bathrooms, additions, etc.

9) What marketing tools or advertising methods have you used to promote your business?

Most of my advertising is all word of mouth. Someone referring my name to someone else. In the past, I have found that advertising in Church bulletins has gotten me a good deal of work. Also, when I first started, I used little tear-off phone numbers that I put up in area banks and businesses. But it’s all word of mouth now.

10) What advice would you give to anyone that is thinking of starting their own business?

The advice I would give would be just do it! You must have a plan, you should have some money saved but even that isn’t always necessary. If you have an idea, a basic plan, then just do it and don’t let people talk you out of it. Be prepared to give 150% effort and work, and you can make it happen. Be prepared to succeed but if you fail, it’s probably a good thing because you can only learn and be even stronger from that failure. The worst thing is to have the ideas and to never act on them...you will regret that. You can do anything once you set your mind to it, anything!