This week’s business spotlight is one of the hardest workers I have the privilege of knowing and it is a true honor to have him on my blog. Chip Fogg is the owner of Windward Window Cleaners based in Kailua. Chip prides himself on integrity, excellence and dependability, all while making his customers happy. And he is not afraid to do what it takes to get the job done. Often, he is the person who answers the phone, runs the office, and takes care of sales. He is also out there on the ladder, taking care of business and leading by example for all of his employees. He has often said to us, salt and hard water are two of the things you should be most concerned about living in Hawaii, especially if you want to maintain your view! So while you check and see if your windows need cleaning, (I know you looked!) enjoy this little glimpse into the life behind the man who owns and runs Windward Window Cleaners, Chip Fogg.

 

Me: So, how long have you been in the window washing business?

Chip: On and off for 32 years.

Me: What made you start your own business instead of working for someone else?

Chip: Well, I started doing this part time while I was in college. And then my buddy told me I needed to get my own equipment and my own license, so essentially he was teaching me how to set up and run my own business. I was also working for the Navy, too at the time, training dolphins. So I was working 2 jobs for about 10 years and then the job I was doing in the Navy moved to San Diego and I thought, well, I already have a business going and it seems to be working pretty good, so I just decided to keep growing it and focusing on that. Before then I didn’t have any employees. It was just me. So I took on a couple of the guys who decided to stay locally and they became my first employees. The amazing thing is, everybody I hired at the time was military of some sort and they were all professionals. So when I lost those guys over the years, and had to start hiring people, you quickly realize how those skills taught in the military aren’t common knowledge skills. It makes it really tough to hire someone who you then have to teach work ethic and the importance of showing up on time!

Me: So who do you hire now?

Chip: You know what, students are kind of my market niche right now. I go into the local schools and recruit from there. I go and speak with the counsellors and help hire those students who are heading to college but need to work as well.

Me: So what kind of skills are you looking for?

Chip: I need people who are going to show up on time, follow directions well and communicate. It’s pretty simple, really.

Me: What kind of work do you do? Residential? Commercial?

Chip: So, yeah, we do residential homes as well as businesses with buildings up to about 7 stories. And this year, we are on par to do over 1000 homes!

Me: Is that more than normal?

Chip: Seems like it’s more than usual! We have gotten a lot of new customers this year, which is great. We definitely have our regular repeat customers as well. But we do quite a bit of real estate work, too. You know, like getting the homes ready to show before they go on the market at a Brokers Open. Even though the clients move and the houses change, the realtors stay.

Me: So what is your favorite kind of work?

Chip: I like really high end homes or nice commercial work, like really well established facilities.

Me: What other kind of commercial work do you do?

Chip: We do the University of Hawaii Warrior Recreation Room, golf courses, BYU, and Safeway, just to name a few.

Me: How many employees do you have for all of this work?

Chip: We currently have one part time office staff member, Dee, four full times guys, as well as myself and my son, who are both also full time. So 6 of us.

Me: What is the best job you have ever had? The most fun, or most rewarding?

Chip: I like lift work. We use an 80ft lift at Saint Francis to wash the outside. We’ve done the windows on that building ever since it was built. I think that is by far my favorite.

Me: How long does a building like that typically take?

Chip: A whole day. With buildings like that, we go fast. We will all work it together to get it done. Yeah, what’s good about us is that we started out in residential. We are trusted and have proven ourselves and we take those skills to commercial work. It’s been a good transition.

Me: Ok, something a little more personal about you. How long have you been here on the island?

Chip: I came here in 1974, I was 19.

Me: What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Chip: Haha….never go into business for yourself…work for a large company that has retirement, insurance and everything else. Obviously, I didn’t take that advice! Honestly though, if you want to run your own business, make sure you have passion, that you can turn into a money producing business.

Me: What is your favorite movie?

Chip: Oh, probably The Lord of The Rings. I watch that with my son.

Me: What about the best book you’ve ever read?

Chip: It would have to be The Lord of The Rings, as well. I loved reading that.

Me: If someone was coming to Hawaii for the first time, what is one thing you would tell them they had to do, or try?

Chip: Walk the Kahuku Coast, without a doubt. You go to Turtle Bay, and head out towards the right corner as far as you can go. It’s right where the helicopter pad is and there is a path….and just keep walking. There is a path in the trees and there is a path along the beach, so you can pick where you want to walk and there are little signs along the way telling you interesting information about the area. The Point is about a mile away. It’s all open and you walk along side the golf course. There are paths there with little beaches, a keiki pond, and all kinds of nick knacks you can pick up off from the sand after a storm. It’s just beautiful. Some times you will even see monk seals on the beach because they can just hide out there without people.

Me: Ok, if you are not up on a ladder cleaning windows, where can we find you?

Chip: Usually in the water. mostly body surfing now. My favorite place to body surf is Makapu . I like Sandy’s but it’s too crowded. So Makapu is good.

Me: And, what’s your favorite drink?

Chip: Jack and coke!

 

I promise you will not regret contacting Chip and his crew if you need your windows cleaned. His hard work and work ethic stand out in today’s business world, with both superior service and exceptional products. Like one of my friends once said, if you can’t see out your windows, you just have walls! The beautiful Hawaii weather should be enjoyed from both inside and outside of your home. So, give Chip a call if you or anyone you know could use some clean windows for the holidays!

 

Chip Fogg

Windward Window Cleaners

Hawaii Window Cleaners and Pressure Washing, serving all of Oahu

T: 808. 263. 2097

Email: contact@windwardwindowcleaners.com