Six-year-old Haley and 2-year-old Faith Hawkins are an amazing duo. They smile 24 hours a day. They catch other people's attention with their cute faces. They cultivate business.
Their ubiquitous presence on the side of all "Will" Fix It Plumbing's vans gives the company a family-friendly local appeal and tattoos the business' logo on the mind of all passers-by. Their father, Will Hawkins, is the owner of "Will" Fix It, a flat rate plumbing company in San Antonio, Texas, and enjoys knowing his adorable girls are doing him an important favor: marketing his company.
"People love the girls on the side of the truck," says Hawkins, a 20-year veteran to the industry. "People like doing business with people you see eating at a local restaurant. It gives more of a local feel for family."
Those squeezable cheeks coat all of "Will" Fix It's 22 big trucks. The inside of the truck can carry three water heaters, 18 faucets, two toilets and three disposals. This covers most daily service work jobs.
"We do 100 percent service work," Hawkins stressed. "We don't want some of the hassles of new construction; we want to focus on service."
Each truck is identical, inside and out. All of the pieces, accessories and shelves are exactly the same, making it easier for Hawkins's employees to find specific materials and equipment. The vans not only match up with each other, but also coincide with "Will" Fix It's warehouse.
The company started six years ago and has blossomed into a multi-million dollar business, thanks in part, according to Hawkins, to flat rate pricing.
"We're a flat rate Maurice Maio spin-off," says Hawkins, who last year set a company record with $3.8 million in sales, and will obliterate that mark this year with more than $6 million.
With more and more money rolling Hawkins's way, he is continually adding to the inside features of his service vans.
Another proposed addition to the vans, which will possibly be implemented in the upcoming months, is Visa terminals. Currently, payments with credit cards have to be called in and checked by the plumber on-site, costing the company more in phone surcharges. With the terminals inside the vans, transactions will be handled quicker and cheaper.
"We're always looking at ways to be as lean as possible," says Hawkins. "That way we won't suffer much during an economy downturn and can even pick up more techs with excellent skills."
With everyday plumbing trouble, Hawkins points to the motto on his truck, "Relax, 'Will' Fix It. Your Problem Is No Problem." And while business seems to be looking up for Hawkins and company, two pretty faces will always be looking down at him -- down from the side of his truck and smiling, that is.