Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric & Shana Hopkins.
Hi Eric & Shana, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our story really began at the start of 2023, when we came together and started building a life side by side. Like many small business owners, the beginning wasn’t easy—we faced financial struggles and uncertainty, and for a time, we lost touch with our faith. But even through those challenges, we continued to show up for each other every day and kept pushing forward.
In March of the following year, we went through a traumatic experience that separated us for six months. That time apart was one of the hardest seasons of our lives, but it ultimately became a turning point. When we were reunited, we made a conscious decision to invite God back into our home and into every part of our lives. From there, everything began to change. We found a shared vision, put our goals on paper, and committed ourselves fully—not just to each other, but to building something meaningful together.
While working at a wedding rental venue, we spent our free time laying the foundation for our business. In December of 2025, we officially launched our website and went live. Since then, we have been incredibly blessed to see steady growth and support from our community. Every part of our business is a true team effort, and one of the greatest joys has been working side by side with your best friend every single day.
Along the way, our personal life has continued to grow as well. Since opening the business, Eric proposed and Shana said yes. We are planning to get married in the next year or two, but for now, we are focused on building our business and the life we’ve dreamed of together.
At the heart of everything we do is our faith, our family, and our shared purpose. We are proud parents to our three children—Emmitt Lee (10), Milah-Ann (8), and Dessa May (7)—and they are a constant source of motivation behind everything we’re building. Our journey hasn’t been perfect, but it’s real, it’s grounded in faith, and it’s something we’re incredibly grateful for every day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many new business owners, one of our biggest challenges was learning the business side of things. While Shana had prior experience as a sales lead and carried valuable knowledge from that role, applying it to a completely different industry came with a learning curve. Running a handyman business required us to rethink systems, pricing, and operations from the ground up.
Another major struggle was understanding our worth. Coming from a low-income background, it felt uncomfortable at first to charge customers what the work was truly worth. We never wanted to feel like we were overcharging, but we also realized that in order to survive and grow in a competitive industry, we had to price ourselves appropriately. That mindset shift didn’t happen overnight, but it was a crucial step in building a sustainable business.
Marketing was another hurdle. Figuring out how to get our name out there and make sure our community knew who we were took a lot of trial and error. We spent time researching, testing different approaches, and learning what worked best for us.
Through all of these challenges, we stayed committed to learning, growing, and leaning on our faith. We made a conscious decision to put in the work, apply what we were learning, and trust God with the outcome. So far, that combination has been working, and we’re grateful to see our business continuing to grow.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We are a handyman and home improvement business that focuses on a wide range of residential services, from trim work and finish carpentry to general repairs, fixture installation, and small renovation projects. We take pride in being able to handle a variety of tasks, which allows homeowners to rely on us as a one-stop solution for the things that need to get done around their home.
One of our specialties is detailed finish work—things like trim installation, door casings, and custom touches that really bring a space together. We also enjoy problem-solving repairs, where we can step in, assess an issue, and come up with a reliable, long-lasting solution for the homeowner.
What we are most proud of is the way we’ve built this business together. Every project is a team effort, and we both play an active role from start to finish. Beyond the work itself, we’re proud of the trust we’ve built with our clients and the reputation we’re developing in our community.
What truly sets us apart is the heart behind what we do. Our business is rooted in our faith, and we carry that into every interaction—with honesty, integrity, and a genuine desire to serve others well. We don’t just show up to complete a job; we show up to take care of people and their homes. We treat every project as if it were our own, and every customer like family.
At the end of the day, we’re not just building a business—we’re building a life together, creating something meaningful for our family, and doing work we genuinely love side by side.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The quality that has been most important to our success is perseverance. No matter what we’ve faced—whether it was financial struggles, time apart, or the challenges of starting a business from the ground up—we made the decision to keep going. Even when things felt uncertain, we stayed committed to each other, to our vision, and to the work in front of us.
Alongside perseverance, our faith has been a guiding force in everything we do. Learning to trust God with both our personal lives and our business gave us a sense of direction and peace, even during difficult seasons.
We’ve also built our success on teamwork. Because we work side by side in every aspect of the business, communication, trust, and mutual respect have been essential. We each bring different strengths to the table, and together, we’ve been able to grow stronger and more capable.
At the end of the day, it’s that combination—perseverance, faith, and teamwork—that continues to drive us forward and shape the foundation of our success.
Pricing:
- We provide transparent, upfront estimates so customers know exactly what to expect before work begins.
- Pricing varies based on scope, materials, and complexity, with most handyman projects ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
- We focus on fair, competitive pricing that reflects quality workmanship while remaining accessible to our community.
- Materials are clearly outlined in each estimate, and we work with customers to stay within their budget whenever possible.
- Our goal is to deliver long-lasting value, not just a quick fix, ensuring every project is done right the first time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.veryhandyllc.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veryhandyllc
