Every company has a story. Some are run by a board, by strict business partners, or others are family-owned and operated. Masters Services is a family-owned and operated corporation. Our company has been serving in the Dallas/Forth Worth area for over 23 years now.
Starting a Business from Nothing
Let’s tell the Masters Services story from the beginning!
It all started with a newlywed couple, Chad and Christa Murray. To make a living, Chad worked every day of the week as a window washer. This job was laborious and exhausting, but it taught Chad just how much work actually goes into running a business. Despite the hard work, Chad realized that he wanted to start his own long-term company.
Chad talked with Christa and they both decided to start up a business. Their dream was to one day create a trustworthy, family-focused business. They were hesitant at first, but they knew if they didn’t start, they never would.
Chad started by taking courses with a professional and then earned his degree. At the time, they had none of the tools to get a business up and running, so for a time it seemed that their dream would remain a fantasy.
In the company’s earliest years, the business was run out of the Murray’s small Texas home; it was just two people who fought to make it work no matter the circumstances.
With Chad’s ambitious personality and Christa’s willingness to be patient, the company officially opened for business. If only they knew then what the company would eventually become!
Chad is now a Certified Master Chimney Professional, which is actually very rare in the chimney industry. Most people start a chimney-related business off of the information they already know. Chad didn’t want to make the same unprofessional mistake other companies do.
I’ve learned that all we needed to truly succeed was will-power and motivation.
-Chad Murray
Progress in Execution
Of course, a business rarely starts off without a hitch! Success doesn’t go hand-in-hand with easy tasks – especially when it comes to home service businesses. Chad and Christa focused on consistency and with determination, the achievements came naturally. That’s exactly how we began.
Single-handedly, Christa ran the call center while caring for their newborn daughter. Between answering calls, adding up customer totals, writing blogs, and caring for their first little one, she found her plate and heart full. Little did they know at the time that their little girl would be one of four more! As the family kept growing, so did the business.
While Christa was working at home, Chad worked out in the field. He did all chimney-related repairs while balancing a schedule that demanded immense and effort. Struggling to spend any quality time with his wife or his baby girl, Chad knew this needed to change.
He called up some close friends that he grew up with and asked them to come and work for his company. Since the business was so new and still developing, this was a leap of faith for them to agree to work with him.
Unknowingly, this was already the first test for the possible employees. If they were to take the job, Chad knew they would start off with a foundation of trust. That’s an employee to keep!
Tried and True: Employees Here From the Beginning
Everything starts with an idea but without proper execution and dedication, it won’t be successful. Chad knew if he really was going to start a family-owned business he needed to hire people with the same determination and aspirations.
All of those employees that were on the team in the very beginning are still with Masters Services today. Many are leaders and they are still our go-to employees.
Let’s take a moment to recognize these employees that have been with us through it all.
First off we have Jon Michaud, General Manager of Masters Services. His positive and authentic attitude really paid off as a leading attribute for our company. Jon is now the operating General Manger of Masters Services and continues to work towards keeping the business family-orientated.
Then we have Brian McMahon, Assistant General Manager of Masters Services. Brian is a very hands on person and he’s wiling to get his hands dirty when asked. He was one of the first employees to remove and relocate wildlife, as well as, install chimney caps. Now, he runs our Houston office while out in the field and his fiancé is apart of our Houston call center.
Lastly, we have David Bishop, Chief Financial Officer of Masters Services. David is good with numbers and coordinating things behind the scenes. Without him, we wouldn’t be where we are today. If we have an issue, we go to David and knows exactly how to solve it.
Chad’s supporting mother, Wanda Boe, became a part of the business around 15 years ago. Her empathy and compassion for helping others is the reason why our company continues to keep going forward. Her husband, Rory Boe, works in the shop of our office. Rory fabricates our chimney caps and trains others to do so too.
Craving Success and Learning Unity
Since Chad was young, he longed for the feeling of success and was willing to work hard to achieve it. When he was just five years old he started a “business” shoveling snow. He would walk around his neighborhood knocking on every door to collect potential clients weeks before the first snow hit the ground.
Every once in a while somebody, wouldn’t answer the door. This didn’t stop five year old Chad! If he saw a car in the driveway, he would try several times before giving up. Then, if they eventually didn’t answer, he would stick a home-made note in the crack of the door.
If you can’t tell, persistence is a key trait valued by Chad and the company. Even when he was just starting elementary school, he still continued to make sales. At school he sold small trinkets to anyone in his path.
When Chad was a little older, he enrolled into the Boy Scouts of America. Boy Scouts was very beneficial for him because there was always some sort of sales for him to get involved with. While he was selling popcorn or coupons, he became really close with his fellow scouts. The troop became his family. This was where Chad learned that business means unity. Without teamwork, he knew they wouldn’t achieve success.
Growing up with a loving single mom, Chad learned the importance of creating bonds. Whether it was with his family or in a business. He knew he needed to find unification exactly he was.
How We Connect With Customers
As a company, we don’t just strive for customer satisfaction- we strive to develop authentic relationships with our customers. This ensures that we both know exactly who are doing business with. Therefore, we can guarantee the best quality of service possible!
As Shep Hyken once claimed, “All your customers are partners in your mission.” This is how Masters Services works with our clients: as partners. Customers are never viewed as less than our employees or technicians.
In our call center we have eight diligent employees. Whether it’s answering calls from customers or making sure all the appointments are lined up correctly, they always seem to come through on top. We have six employees who work at our Dallas office. On the other hand, we have one employee who in located in our Oklahoma City office and the other is in Houston.
The Meaning of a Family-Owned Business
Anyone can claim their business is centered around family. Although, what does that really mean? Honestly, a family owned company means nothing until a sense of unity and trust is established.
Masters Services has come a long way. Of course, we have had our highs and lows, just like every business does. No matter what, we have stuck together and kept moving. That’s the true meaning behind a family-owned business.
Company Value Video
Watch our recently filmed Company Value Video:
Thank you for taking the time to learn about Masters Services Chimney and Masonry! We hope to see you soon Neighbor!
