Howl Services’ labor force consists of high school and college students who are available to babysit, tutor, house sit, care for pets, do yard work, run errands, help with Christmas decorating, or any other need one may have. The goal of Howl is to create an avenue for busy students to find work while also building strong relationships between the customer and Howl Services team members. The hope of founders Ash and Preston is that Howl will allow small transactions to evolve into lifelong relationships.
A senior at Chattanooga Christian School, Ash Perry has kept a notebook for years with creative inventions and business ideas. He and Preston Poe met as fellow students at CCS. Preston is now a freshman at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Once the two young men came up with the idea for Howl, they began meeting regularly. They diligently worked to create their website, which features a mailing list sign-up. Additionally, the two young men were pleased when local businessman Miller Welborn offered to meet with them on a regular basis. Miller graciously challenged them by asking them difficult questions and by promoting problem solving.
Ash elaborated, “When we have a conflict, Mr. Welborn has been great at guiding us without throwing solutions at us. He has encouraged Preston and me to work as a team to solve any problems we have.” This helped the young men develop a strong team approach to their new business.
Ash and Preston designed Howl Services with the purpose of connecting young people with odd jobs around the community. For example, one client needed the front yard raked when the fall leaves fell after a big storm and company was due soon. They contacted Howl Services and the job was completed that day. As far as flexibility goes, Howl is able to work with the schedules of both the consumer and the team member. With a vast network of eager workers, they complete jobs in a timely manner, fitting to both parties. Howl has removed Christmas trees, addressed Christmas cards, set up for a Christmas party, tutored elementary students, and provided babysitting, yard work, and house and pet sitting.
When asked why they chose the name Howl Services, Ash shared, “We wanted to connect to the neighborhoods here on Lookout. With the wolf on the Fairyland neighborhood sign, we want neighbors to know they can ‘give us a howl’ when they have a job to fulfill.”
With a desire to give back to the community, Ash and Preston will give a portion of their revenue to Love Lookout, Fairyland School, Lookout Mountain School, and their alma mater, CCS. When clients book Howl’s services, they may choose from a drop down menu which local organization they hope to support.
Howl Services is hosting a launch party on Sunday, February 23, 2020, from 3 to 4 p.m. at 105 Robin Hood Trail. All are invited to attend. Preston and Ash will show a short video, and drinks and snacks will be served. You can reach Howl through Ash Perry at (423) 414-1321 or Preston Poe at (423) 413-7136, or you can email [email protected] or visit the website at www.howlservices.com. As the founders say, “If you need a job completed, give us a howl!”
by Gwin Tugman