Local Entrepreneurs Launch Mr. Handyman Franchise in Anne Arundel County to Fill Rising Demand for Home Repair, Maintenance Services

By: Mr. Handyman Int'l. LLC | 1,014 Shares 299 Reads

Nation's No. 1 Employer of Handymen Nationwide Announces New Location

July 12, 2010 // Franchising.com // Millersville, MD – Citing the economy and housing market slump as contributors to an increased demand for home maintenance and repair projects, local entrepreneurs Kevin Crysler and Diana Cantrelle McKinney have launched Mr. Handyman of Anne Arundel and Northeast Prince George's Counties, part of the nation's largest full-service home repair and maintenance franchise and the No. 1 employer of handymen nationwide.

Kevin is a former actor and producer, and Diana is a classically trained singer specializing in opera. They met when they were cast in a show together at the Atlanta Opera. Kevin went on to become the Director of the Atlanta Opera Studio and his career took him into arts administration and, eventually fundraising. He served as Assistant Dean of the School of Education at Johns Hopkins and more recently, as Director of Development at the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum. Diana is pursuing a Masters Degree at Peabody Conservatory in Vocal Pedagogy and Vocal Performance, with a minor in composition. Kevin will manage the new Mr. Handyman operation and Diana will work part time in the business. "Most of our customers are the woman of the house," says Ms. Cantrelle-McKinney. "I know from my own experience that reliability and professionalism are at the top of my list when I ask a serviceman to come into my home. I want them to show up on time, have the right tools and equipment, and get the job done right the first time. That's exactly the service that Mr. Handyman provides."

"As more homeowners in the area decide to stay put in the sluggish real estate market, the demand for home improvement services are experiencing greater demand than ever before," said Kevin Crysler. "More people are in the 'Do-It-For-Me' market rather than the 'Do-It-Yourself' market. This new generation struggles with home repair, so our goal in opening the franchise here in Millersville is to help them shrink those nagging To-Do Lists on their refrigerator."

"With 75 percent of American homes over 25 years old, Mr. Handyman is growing to meet the needs of its customers in the $100 billion home service industry," said Crysler. Mr. Handyman of Anne Arundel and Northeast Prince Georges Counties employs licensed and experienced handyman who are capable of hundreds of different jobs around the home.

According to the U. S. Census Bureau, six out of 10 homeowners have home improvement to-do's, and most Americans have an eye on seven or more projects at any given time. For millions of homeowners, tending to these nagging repairs while balancing work and family has created a thriving demand for professional, safe and reliable home-repair services. The Mr. Handyman concept is recognized as one of America's fastest-growing, service-oriented franchise systems. Entrepreneur magazine ranked Mr. Handyman the #1 handyman service in their January 2008 issue.

About Mr. Handyman

Mr. Handyman is a network of independently owned and operated franchises with more than 300 locations nationwide that provide commercial and residential property maintenance and repair services. Founded in March 2000, Mr. Handyman is a member of Service Brands International, a group of service companies that provide a variety of timesaving services ideally suited for today's active consumer.

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