Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Koch.
Hi Thomas, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m originally from Jacksonville, Florida, born and raised. Growing up, I’ll be honest — I wasn’t always on the right path. I was a troublemaker and made a lot of mistakes that led me down a road of incarceration. But looking back, those experiences are part of what shaped me. When I got out, I knew I couldn’t keep living the same way. I had a daughter who looked up to me, and that changed everything. I wanted to build something that would make her proud and give us both a better life.
At the time, I was working a job doing the same kind of hands-on work we do now at Axtra Hand — remodeling, repairs, painting, all that. I actually used to joke with my coworkers that if I ever got fired, I’d start my own company and call it Axtra Hand — you know, to give everybody “an ole’ Axtra Hand.” Funny enough, that joke turned into my reality not long after. I got fired, and instead of looking for another job, I decided to bet on myself.
Starting out was brutal. I launched Axtra Hand in February 2021, right in the middle of chaos — no real savings, no investors, no backup plan. I worked for free for nearly two years just to build relationships, earn trust, and get the name out there. I used my last few dollars to buy tools and materials, and I worked out of a beat-up ’96 gold Ford Ranger that barely ran. I’d go home exhausted every night wondering how I was going to keep things going, but quitting was never an option.
Balancing business and family has probably been the hardest part of the entire journey. It’s tough when you’re trying to build a company while also being a dad and making sure your kids see you present. But those same challenges became my motivation. Every time I wanted to give up, I’d remind myself why I started — my kids, my vision, and the people who believed in me.
Slowly but surely, things started to turn around. About two years in, we began to gain traction and build a reputation across Northeast Florida. People started recognizing our trucks, calling us back, and referring us to others. That’s when I knew Axtra Hand was turning the corner from a hustle into a real company.
Today, Axtra Hand is growing faster than ever. We’ve expanded our team, upgraded our trucks, and developed a brand that stands for reliability, honesty, and hard work. Our mission has always been simple: to give homeowners and business owners a company they can actually trust — one that’s down-to-earth, communicates clearly, and takes pride in going the Axtra mile.
What separates us from other contractors is our mindset. We’re not just here to finish jobs; we’re here to build relationships. We’re not happy until the client is happy, period. That level of commitment and integrity is rare in this industry, but it’s what keeps people coming back.
I’ve bootstrapped this entire business from the ground up with no outside help — no family backing, no investors, just persistence and a lot of faith. I still reinvest everything back into the company to this day. Every truck, every tool, every piece of marketing — it’s all been built through sweat equity and sacrifice.
Looking ahead, we’re preparing to expand Axtra Hand across Florida, starting with new locations in Tampa and Orlando. The long-term vision is to license the brand so other motivated people can join the Axtra Hand team and carry the same mission into new cities.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that success doesn’t come easy — and it doesn’t come overnight. You have to make up your mind, commit fully, and learn everything you can about what you’re doing. Don’t wait for anyone to give you permission or validation. Most people will tell you that you can’t do it — until you do.
My favorite quote sums it all up: “A man with no plan plans to fail.” I live by that every day. Even when things don’t go right, I keep moving with purpose. Because the truth is, no matter where you start, you can always rebuild your life — one plan, one goal, one day at a time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. It’s been anything but smooth. When I started Axtra Hand, I had no investors, no family support, and honestly, no real plan other than to keep going no matter what. I was rebuilding my life from the ground up after coming out of incarceration, trying to figure out business, fatherhood, and adulthood all at the same time. I didn’t have credit, savings, or a safety net — just a beat-up truck, a few tools, and a lot of determination.
For the first couple of years, it felt like I was pushing a boulder uphill. I worked jobs that barely covered gas money, sometimes for free, just to build trust and get our name out there. There were nights I’d sit in that truck wondering if I’d made a huge mistake, but I refused to quit. I had my kids looking up to me, and that was enough to keep me moving.
The hardest struggle wasn’t just financial — it was balancing everything at once. Trying to run a business, raise a family, and stay mentally strong takes a toll. There were moments of burnout, doubt, and exhaustion. But I learned that consistency wins. Even when I didn’t have much, I showed up every single day.
I’ve also had to learn business the hard way — managing people, handling setbacks, dealing with cash flow, keeping clients happy, all while trying to grow. But every obstacle has taught me something valuable. I’ve learned patience, leadership, and resilience through trial and error.
I wouldn’t say the road’s been smooth, but I’ll say this — every bump, every mistake, every sleepless night made me sharper. It’s the struggle that built the foundation for what Axtra Hand is today.
We’ve been impressed with Axtra Hand, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Axtra Hand Inc. is a home improvement and remodeling company built on hard work, honesty, and a genuine care for people. We specialize in painting, flooring, remodeling, tile installation, and general handyman services — basically everything that keeps a home or business looking and feeling its best. Our focus is on residential and light commercial work, and we’ve become known for our attention to detail, reliability, and down-to-earth approach with clients.
What makes Axtra Hand different is our culture and mindset. We truly care about the people we work for, and we approach every project like it’s our own property. We don’t rush jobs, we don’t cut corners, and we don’t disappear when the work is done. We take pride in doing things right and standing behind everything we do. Our goal is simple — we’re not happy until the client is happy. That’s what “going the Axtra mile” means to us.
I’m most proud of the brand we’ve built because it represents more than just home services — it represents second chances, growth, and grit. We started with almost nothing and turned it into a brand that people recognize, trust, and talk about with pride. From the clean trucks and uniforms to the quality of our work, everything about Axtra Hand is designed to stand out in an industry that often lacks consistency and integrity.
I want readers to know that Axtra Hand isn’t just another contractor — it’s a company with heart. We’re building something that lasts, one satisfied client at a time. Whether it’s a full remodel, a flooring project, or a simple repair, we approach every job with the same level of professionalism and care. Our mission is to keep growing, keep improving, and keep proving that with the right mindset and work ethic, you can build something meaningful from absolutely nothing.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I see the home-services and remodeling industry evolving in a big way. The biggest shift is going to be technology and trust — homeowners are getting smarter, more research-driven, and far less tolerant of poor communication or shady contractors. Companies that don’t adapt will get left behind.
I think we’ll see a major rise in systemized, brand-driven service companies — the days of unmarked trucks and handwritten estimates are fading. Homeowners want transparency, digital scheduling, before-and-after documentation, and consistent communication from start to finish. The companies that invest in professionalism, branding, and customer experience will own the market.
There’s also a shift toward multi-trade service models — clients don’t want to hire five different people to get one project done. They want one trusted brand that can handle painting, flooring, remodeling, and repairs under one roof. That’s exactly where Axtra Hand is heading.
Long-term, I think we’ll see the industry lean heavily into licensing, automation, and AI-assisted project management — making it easier for small operators to scale and for clients to get seamless service. My goal is for Axtra Hand to be at the forefront of that movement — not just keeping up with the trends, but helping set them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.axtrahand.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/axtra.hand
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/axtrahands
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@axtrahand357
