Hi, my name is Stephen Lombardo and I am the owner of Handyman All Trades LLC. My company was created out of the necessity to survive, post COVID-19. During the pandemic, everyone’s lives were effected either negatively or positively. I was lucky to be on both ends of the spectrum, simply because I chose to thrive and survive.

Like many others, during that unstable timeframe, I lost my job. Sure, I collected unemployment and got to be a stay at home husband and father, which I enjoyed but there was no real future in that role.  As my 6 month unemployment stint came to an end, I had a choice. Re-apply for unemployment benefits and continue collecting or get back to work.

Prior to the pandemic I was driving part-time for Uber and Lyft, to save for me and my wife’s wedding. I enjoyed this thoroughly because I am a people person, who loves his freedom.  That being said, when the time came for unemployment to end, I took the next logical step. I decided to forgo my upcoming unemployment benefits extension and get back to work, by driving for Uber and Lyft on a full-time basis.

I am so thankful to have made this decision because becoming a ride-share driver led to a most unlikely encounter, which set me on my life’s path. On a normally uneventful Tuesday morning, at 5:30 AM, I received a ride share request to pick up a customer, who’s mere acquaintance would change my life. This gentleman was a retired contractor, who was utilizing the “Handy for Pros” app for a supplementary source of income.

He described the app to me as the Uber and Lyft for Handymen. I immediately connected with his description and recognized it as an opportunity, for two main reasons. One, I love helping people and two, I’ve been preparing myself for such a career, my entire life, but never knew it.

Reverse engineering problems has always come naturally to me, and I thoroughly enjoy taking chances. I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and enjoy the art of problem solving like MacGyver. In fact, many of my friends and acquaintances have compared me to MacGyver at one time or another.

As I stated in the beginning, the COVID-19 pandemic effected many lives in various ways. My life was effected negatively when I lost my job and I did not know what was in store for my future. However, my drive, honesty, willingness to help others, and positive attitude has landed me in a very unique position.  I am extremely fortunate to do what I LOVE every single day, which is help others and problem solve.  Of course, owning my own company has its benefits as well.