We had the good fortune of connecting with John Hatfield and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, what is the most important factor behind your success?
We built this family business with the core values of high-quality work and exceptional customer service.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I remember having a job from an early age. Going to construction sites with my dad, working at a golf course and then entering into the restaurant business. I remember interviewing for a manager position when I was a bartender. My boss told me I just didn’t have any experience in that. So, I quit, got a job managing another restaurant and then a year later re-applied. I got that job. Working in restaurants taught me great customer service skills. I loved speaking with our guests and learned that a mistake dealt with correctly could lead to regular guests. I also learned how to motivate and get the most out of my employees. It was so important to me that I provided a fun working environment while still holding high standards.
I am most proud of how I treated people in my career. I still speak to many of my old employees who were in their 20’s working for me and now have families and careers of their own. I have run into employees that I had to fire, and they still remember me in a positive light. When I left the restaurant industry to start this business, I received a letter from one of my managers who thanked me for teaching him that bosses don’t have to yell and be mean to get results. His feedback is something I will cherish forever.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Red Rocks is a must. Such beauty and unique to Colorado.
A Rockies game is always fun. The purple seats at a mile high, and the water works in the outfield when they hit a home run.
Breckenridge is our favorite mountain town and where my wife and I got married. We never go there without eating at Empire Burger.
Our weekends are spent watching our kids play sports. So, we would take our friends to football, baseball or basketball youth games around the city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This business is a labor of love that has been supported by so many people. When I decided to take the step to leave the restaurant industry and start my own construction business, I started with a leg up. Not only did my immediate family support the change since it would mean more time with them, but my father gave me my start in the construction industry. When I was just 10, I would go to work with him and pick up nails on the job sites. Working for him gave me the passion to build and work to make things better.

My mentor, John Beck, has taught me all I know about business and how to treat people. I worked for him for 15 years and have been friends with him for over 20. Because of his mentorship I have been able to be a leader that gets results and is great to work for. Vinny, our Project Manager, worked for me for over 15 years in the restaurant industry and was the first person I called when I decided to start this business.

And finally, this wouldn’t be possible without my wife and community. Two years ago, I had a stroke. It was my wife who jumped in to keep the business running with Vinny. Our vendors and clients, new and old, supported us as well. It was especially the generous outpouring from our community: family, friends, the school, our kids’ sports teams and many more who rallied behind my family and provided so much love and support. It was a very humbling experience.

Website: https://www.customgaragesolutions.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/customgarageco/#

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CustomGarageSolutions/

Image Credits
All of the photo’s are taken by us and there are no other image credits to give.

Thanks!
Sarah

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.