Vulcan Garage Services Inc.

Michael Fahey: Garage Door Guru

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

SAN JOSE — When Michael Fahey answered an ad for a management position, he had no idea where it would lead him…especially because it didn’t specify the industry. “It was just a generic ad placed by an owner looking for someone to run his company for him,” he recounts. “It wasn’t until later that I found out it was a garage door company. With my background in sales, marketing and home improvement, I had all the qualifications the owner was looking for, so I decided to give it a shot.” In 2018, nearly a decade later, Michael took the knowledge and experience he’d accumulated and started an independent garage door service company with partners Cory Wikstrom and Chad Wolffe.

Today, as CEO of Vulcan Garage Services Inc., Michael says his favorite part of his job is educating customers. “When it comes to garage door replacement, most homeowners don’t know the full extent of their options. That’s why I like educating customers and helping them find products that best suit their needs. It’s very rewarding when a customer is ecstatic because their door looks and functions better than they’d ever imagined.”

A resident of San Jose (where he lives with his wife, Lisa), Michael spends his time outside of work on a variety of active pastimes. “I’m an avid gardener,” he details. “I’m on a continual mission to grow the perfect tomatoes, beets and asparagus. I’m also involved in an adult flag football league along with my daughter. At my age, I prefer to just watch my daughter play, but if they’re short on people, I’ll get in there, too.”

In regard to his business, Michael espouses the value of a dedicated employee team. “When you’re in a service-based industry, you need employees who aren’t only skilled at their jobs but also take care of customers,” he explains. “In addition to hiring good people, it helps to provide your employees with motivation. That’s why Cory, Chad and I offer our guys financial incentives for meeting specific goals, one of which is customer satisfaction. When your employees have a vested interest in making your customers happy, that’s a recipe for success.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite sports team?

A: The San Jose Sharks.

Q: Music or talk radio?

A: Talk radio.

Q: If you could instantly pick up any skill, what would you choose?

A: Computer coding.

Q: What’s your favorite snack?

A: Toasted almonds.

Q: If you were to retire tomorrow, what’s the first thing you would do?

A: I’d take my wife to Italy.