You
don't often find a woman running a window and door installation
business even in today's economy, but when you find one who
is a psychologist and a university professor as well, you
have to sit up and take notice. That's what we did when we
met Jan Peterson, owner of Ace Window and Glass.
Jan taught and practiced psychology in North Florida for a
number of years and just tired of it. "So I moved south.
I had always been interested in art and architecture and had
an opportunity to buy a little business," she told us.
Today, that business has eight regular employees, headed by
the warm and charming president.
Jan
told us that the company sells windows and doors but really
is in the remodeling business. An example is a homeowner who
has two windows facing the pool who wants to know if they
can be made into doors. "So what we do is make a hole
and put in doors—French doors, sliding glass doors,
whatever they like," Jan told us.
Next month the company will be working on a Victoria Park
living room that is too dark inside. "We're going to
install a circular or oval window. This will look really different
and distinctive, give a little drama to the room and brighten
up the place."
Ace has been in business since 1989 and in Ft. Lauderdale
for the past seven years. Jan is the sales person who measures
the job and discusses with the people what they are looking
for. "Very few people know exactly what they want and
I give them the variety of options.
"We
generally work on just one job at a time, and I put a six-man
crew on it. We operate from a workshop van that has all sons
of tools to cut, shape and mold the aluminum products we provide,
insuring we have an exact fit. The team includes three brothers
and the other three are expert workmen. I've had the same
basic crew for almost 10 years," she told us. Her team
is one of her main selling points. "I can't say enough
nice things about the guys who work for me. They're really
great and my customers agree."
We asked Jan's advice for someone who is seeking a contractor.
"First,"
she said, "anyone thinking of doing something should
consider there is a shortage of good construction people in
this area. If you're thinking of doing some remodeling, you
must give yourself time, because it's going to take time to
find the right people and probably take longer than you think.
Above all, don't use someone who is not licensed. Do it the
right way. Get a permit. Don't let somebody sneak in on a
weekend," she said. "It's for your protection that
the building department comes out to see that everything is
installed properly." And Ace does things properly.
-Taken
from "Victoria Park News" August 2001 |
