Our Story
We’re Derick and Anna Lay, and we never imagined our journey would lead us here. Like many hardworking Americans, we set out chasing something a little bigger and better: independence—the freedom to build a life on our own terms while doing work that felt fulfilling and meaningful. That dream led to the creation of the Denver-based service Native Honey-Do Handyman, a small for-profit handyman business built from the ground up with determination, grit, and a shared belief that honest work still matters.
Our goal at first was simple: to never have to work for someone else again. We poured ourselves into the business, often working long days and weekends, doing whatever it took to build something sustainable. Over the course of a year and a half, that dedication paid off. Native Honey-Do Handyman served more than 150 clients throughout our community, many of whom became repeat customers. Word spread quickly, and the business began to gain real momentum.
(And to all of our Native Honey-Do Handyman patrons—thank you. We wouldn’t be here without your support.)
But life has a way of shifting our priorities when we least expect it.
When a family health crisis suddenly brought Derick’s father into our home, everything changed overnight. Becoming caregivers opened our eyes to a reality we hadn’t fully seen before—the daily challenges many people face simply trying to maintain a safe and functional home.
Through this experience, we noticed something that had always been there but often goes unseen: a significant gap in support for people who need basic help around the house.
There are programs for major assistance and emergency aid, but everyday needs often fall through the cracks. Small repairs, routine maintenance, and essential household fixes can become overwhelming barriers for older adults, veterans, and individuals with disabilities—especially those living on fixed or limited incomes. Tasks many people take for granted can mean the difference between living safely at home or facing unnecessary risk.
We also saw firsthand how expensive even small handyman jobs can be. While many professionals do excellent work, the cost of repairs can quickly become out of reach for the people who need help the most. That realization changed our perspective.
What began as a business built around the American dream, slowly transformed into something else—a calling.
That calling led us to create a nonprofit handyman service dedicated to filling the gap so many people experience every day. Our mission is simple but powerful: to help keep members of our community safe in their own homes.
We focus on serving adults over the age of 65, military veterans, and individuals living with disabilities—neighbors who may not have the physical ability, financial resources, or support network needed to manage everyday home repairs and maintenance.
For us, this work is about more than fixing things. It’s about restoring peace of mind, preserving independence, and helping people remain safely in the homes they love.
Helping others has become our passion—but passion alone doesn’t keep the gas tank full or the tools running.
That’s why community support plays such an important role in this mission. Through donations and partnerships with supporters who share our vision, we hope to grow this nonprofit into something even more impactful.
In the future, we hope to expand beyond repairs and maintenance to provide essential household appliances—items many people rely on every day but cannot afford to replace in an emergency. Something as simple as a working refrigerator, stove, or toilet can dramatically improve someone’s safety and quality of life.
Every repair completed and every home helped represents something bigger than a project—it represents a community that looks out for one another.
Our journey began with a dream of independence. Today, that dream has grown into something far greater: helping others keep the independence of living safely in their own homes.
And we’re just getting started!