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Lamine Elabed, owner of LW Construction & Handyman Services, said he built his business around several key directives:

• “Do whatever it takes to get the job right, no matter how small or big;”
• “Take care of one customer at a time;” 
• “If you make a mistake, fix it;”

You cannot buy a reputation, Elabed explained. Success comes from doing what you say you are going to do.

“It’s as simple as that,” he said.

1. What was your first job?

Part time front desk attendant at night at a hotel in Paris, France.

2. What’s the worst job you ever had?

Lab technician in Silicon Valley. It was boring.

3. What job would you like to try/not try?

Try: President of the USA.

Not try: Congressman.

4. How did you get into this business/industry?

After sending over 25 years in the high-tech electronic and health care industry I needed a transformation.

I am using the same skills I honed during that period: planning, budgeting, running the business, hiring, customer service, marketing and selling.

5. What is the biggest challenge your business/industry has faced?

Finding and keeping skilled craftsmen who possess people skills.

6. What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you haven’t yet?

Work to live, not live to work.

7. You were born in Tunisia, in North Africa. Do you still have family there?

My dad is still there. He is 89 years old. We visit every two or three years.

8. What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

My high-tech background and multilingual skills.

9. How many languages do you speak?

I speak and write French, Arabic and English. I dabble in Italian, Spanish and German.

10. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?

Montara Beach: between Half Moon Bay and Pacifica.

Elabed can be reached at 707-553-6126.

Please click here for original article as published @ Napa Valley Register.