Satisfaction’s guaranteed at Guaranteed Appliances
YSN Staff
Kristen Mortensen, founder, owner and service tech at Guaranteed Appliances in San Marcos, Texas, recently spoke with AVB’s Women in Business group about her company, her choice of Speed Queen and why ladies make the best repairmen.
How far back do you go with Guaranteed Appliances?
Guaranteed Appliances was founded in 1988.
What do you do?
We provide our customers with the best, most reliable appliances on the market by providing quality new and used appliances and service/repair.
What do you love about your job?
I love fixing things! I love helping people.
What reaction do you get from people when you show up to repair their appliance?
In most cases, super supportive delight from women. The men have adjusted nicely. I don’t get skepticism like back in the day.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Tough one … become a Speed Queen dealer ranks pretty high. My hubby gives lots of good advice and that was one of his suggestions.
What’s a change or improvement you’d like to see in the industry?
I would like to see a break from the disposable appliances direction the industry seems to be taking and back to quality built.
What’s your proudest accomplishment, and why?
My very best pupils — when training people to repair appliances — have been girls. They wanted to do something different, and learning how to use tools and do “guy” stuff has served them well in their adult lives. Training people to work with their hands and minds was rewarding.
If you couldn’t be in the career you’re in, what would you do instead?
I would be putting together a conglomerate and building some mini-storage facilities. That plan is delayed for now.
What advice would you give a young woman starting out, especially in a male-dominated field?
Find a mentor with integrity and wisdom.
Do what your mentor says.
What three things would you pack if you were going to spend a year on a deserted island?
I would pack three shipping containers full of tools, building materials, supplies and food! I’m not much into starving and camping. Let’s build something!
BrandSource, a unit of YSN publisher AVB Inc., is a nationwide buying group for independent appliance, furniture, mattress and CE dealers.
