Many of our LBA members are enjoying their second careers. Bob Atwater is one of those. Previously an award winning executive in human resources recruiting and staffing, the circumstances of life, to include parent care, were leading him to step back from those endeavors.  

He now runs Atwater Partners a residential repair and renovation LLC. The changing regulations to obtain a General Contractor license have become increasingly daunting, complex and costly. Bob has found that certification is not necessary to his trade effectiveness or career success.

Atwater Partners, LLC marketing is entirely word of mouth and referrals based on excellent service. He does not use paid advertising.  The best way to contact him is via the company Facebook page, Atwater Partners, LLC. In fact, Bob’s use of Facebook to showcase the day-to-day activities of his crews is the best advertising strategy for his business sector I’ve seen. He ends each post with “Who’s next for a contractor crew or handyman for any interior or exterior project?”

As an avid entrepreneur, Bob is one who sees opportunities and solutions where others see problems or inconvenience.  His journey to successful contractor began while caring for his aging father. Bob needed work with a more independent schedule and got creative offering small handyman jobs where he could bring dad along.  Over the years, Bob had developed a large network of friends who knew him to be responsible and honest from as far back as elementary school. Bob was also an athlete at Lakeside HS, he is friendly and enjoys talking and listening to all he meets, he receives favor wherever he goes.

His two sons participated in sports and he further extended his friend network to include coaches who have access to much needed manpower in an industry that typically has a high turnover and is further impacted by the unionized film industry construction. Bob’s experience in recruiting and vetting has garnered him loyal employees that have worked with him for years.  Bob starts recruits on cleanup/moving tasks and later as apprentices matched with seasoned tradesmen. These young people often continue working with Bob through their college years as well as recruiting their friends. He typically has up to 8 crews working at a given time, leaving a trail of satisfied clients in his wake.

So…“Who’s next for a contractor crew or handyman for any interior or exterior project?”

---- Sandra Waldrop and Nancy Tawes