Two years ago, my dad came to me with a reality many tradespeople eventually face. After more than 25 years running a successful lawn maintenance business, he sold what he could, stepped into a brief retirement, and quickly realized that retirement only works if the business you build can truly support it. He wasn’t done working — and more importantly, he still had value to give. So we partnered up and built Handy’s. What started as a way to create stability turned into something we never expected. In a short—but very long—18 months, we built a successful, system-driven business supported by a strong team and repeatable processes. Along the way, we saw a bigger issue. The handyman industry is full of skilled people, yet it remains one of the most under-professionalized trades in the country. That lack of structure hurts perception, limits income, and prevents many operators from building long-term financial security for their families. With the right structure, some capital, and a community moving in the same direction, we believe that can change. That’s why we’re launching the Handyman Business Academy Community Grant (HBA Grant). What Is the HBA Community Grant? The HBA Community Grant is a merit-based business grant designed to support operators committed to building a more professional, sustainable handyman business. Each year: - Community members may apply - Applications are reviewed by HBA administrators - One or more recipients are selected based on defined evaluation criteria This is not a raffle or random drawing. Grants are awarded based on merit, effort, and potential for meaningful business growth. Grant Size & Structure - A minimum of 100 members is required to activate the grant pool - Any year below this threshold rolls forward to the next year - Minimum grant: $1,000 - Maximum per recipient: $10,000 If the community exceeds 1,000 members, multiple recipients may be awarded. How Members Help Grow the Impact Members can help grow and strengthen the community by inviting others who share the same commitment to professionalism and long-term growth. Each member will have access to a personal affiliate link to invite peers they trust. This is about intentional growth, not mass promotion.