The dogs of Home-Tech are arguably just as important as the employees of Home-Tech. At Home-Tech, besides every day being an appliance and ac repair day, EVERY day is also take your dog to work day. Then again, if you ask the dogs, every day is take your HUMAN to work day. The employee owners enjoy having furry friends in the workplace. Many of them, instead of taking coffee breaks, take puppy breaks.
At our Regional offices in Fort Myers, Founder and CEO Steve Marino, brings Winston every Wednesday for “Winston Wednesdays”. He’s a proud Cuban Havanese that Steve and his wife purchased from a breeder in Tampa. Winston is one of the “upstairs” dogs of Home-Tech and loves all the attention he gets on his visits to the office. Everyone loves to hear Winston’s little paws tapping down the hallway. He lets out a bark on occasion and is sure to make his rounds, visiting all of the departments demanding a belly rub.
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The Upstairs Pack
Whereas our showroom, customer service, service, dispatch and parts departments are downstairs and get a bit more action, upstairs is where big decisions are made, creative ideas come together, I.T. is at high speed, Service Agreements are sold and checks are signed – and Winston rules the roost on the second floor. Around the corner, the princess of the upstairs offices is Paris, a Yorkie/Maltese lovable ball of fluff known as a “Morkie”. Our CFO, Sonya Sawyer, adores her 5-month old pup and spoils dear Paris with rhinestone collars and pink bows.
The Downstairs Pack
Caesar is one of Tracey and Mike Hendershott’s four Schnauzers. Tracey, who is Corporate Service Director started out as a foster mom to Caesar who came to her from ARC (Animal Refuge Center) by way of Chicago after his elderly owner passed on. When the friendly 7-year old who loves to prance excitedly through the halls of Home-Tech quickly stole Tracey’s heart, he became a permanent member of their – and of Home-Tech’s – family. Down the hall in Warranty Administration, Leisa Masters is kept company by her and her husband, Gordon’s 10-month old German Shepherd pup from Georgia, a sweet Southern girl who goes by the name, Sweet Pea.
A Meeting of the Mutts
While some spend their workdays downstairs where the action is, or upstairs where things are a bit more sedate, the dogs of Home-Tech have been known to meet outdoors for the occasional break – and sometimes we get to eavesdrop on their dogversations…
Winston: (with a deep Spanish growl) Hola, amigos – I may not be boss around here, but I am top dog, comprehend? This is why I am putting in a petition for three day weekends for all of us dogs.
Caesar: (wiggling his grey moustache) Hey, I know I’m the new guy here, but, pal, if we’re not here, who runs things on Fridays? I got emergency service calls and dispatching to handle. I’m a very busy, important dog. Home-Tech customers are counting on us for service.
Sweet Pea (suddenly looking off into the distance): Is that a squirrel, y’all? I swear, I just saw me a squirrel! I need to git that squirrel! I have to chase it – chase it and chase it and chase it! SQUIRREL!
Paris: (yawns): Dahlings, you have my complete support. I need longer weekends for my beauty sleep, massages, spa days and groomings – it takes a lot of work to be this adorable.
Stay tuned. These dogs have got their own Home-Tech-style upstairs/downstairs stories to tell and we’ll be sure to check in on them now and then – arf!