Nikki Zavradinos worked in global technology operations and led development teams at Mastercard for 15 years. When she ended up with a severance package, she decided to switch gears into business ownership. She started looking for businesses to buy in St. Louis and came across Local Handyman. By Kelsi Trinidad
Hitting the Ground Running
Nikki Zavradinos worked in global technology operations and led development teams at Mastercard for 15 years. When she ended up with a severance package, she decided to switch gears into business ownership. She started looking for businesses to buy in St. Louis and came across Local Handyman.
“We saw tremendous flexibility and opportunity to truly make the business our own, create great jobs, and deliver meaningful value to our customers,” Zavradinos said.
While she’d never been a professional handyman in her past, she had done a lot of handiwork on her own houses throughout the years, including a project refinishing their basement to accommodate her mother moving in with their family.
“My husband and I have a lot of knowledge and hands-on experience, but we’re not experts,” Zavradinos said. “That’s why we hire skilled professionals. We understand what quality and craftsmanship looks like, and what it takes to help people feel confident and cared for in their homes and spaces.”
Through talking with Local Handyman’s corporate team and other franchise owners, Zavaradinos and her husband were assured they would have the support needed for launching a new business.
“The level of support and commitment to franchisee success really stood out,” said Zavradinos. “From best-in-class systems and marketing support to guidance on meeting customers where they are, there is strong support on both the operational and strategic sides as we grow while maintaining quality for our customers and communities.”
Zavaradinos opened her location in September 2025. By December, it was the leading location in the Local Handyman family. She’s built a great team of employees and a strong customer base in the community, including a high rate of repeat customers.
“Being able to build something I truly believe in and deliver exactly what people need, is incredibly exciting for me,” Zavradinos said.
Kelsi Trinidad