After 85-years in the business, Dave Janett is still going strong. Although he spends most of his time now playing music in the Song Makers Group, Dave Janett is still one phone call away if you ever need something repaired.
Dave moved to Los Angeles around the late 1960’s where he worked as a repairman for a local business company. After gaining a great reputation among his clientele, Dave decided to start his own company. This ended up being one of the best decisions he would have made.
Although he was given various opportunities for himself, Dave never once let it get to his head. He never advertised as he believed that it can belittle his image. Plus, he always found work because people would recommend him to one another, and found that word-of-mouth was a better way for him to receive and except business. He became the handyman repairman for the stars. He would eventually have the opportunity to meet actors such as Regis Philbin, David Letterman, Don Knotts, and Don Rickles, to name a few.
For being known as an honest and reliable source in repairing all types of appliances, Dave was soon offered a radio spot for KABC radio. Dave goes on to explain that on the radio spot, his main objective is to take radio callers that would like to know how they can be able to repair their home items the proper way. He will give step-by-step instructions and would teach them what would be the best way to resolve there problem. What would make Dave stand out from the rest of the handyman in his time, is the dedication he gave his followers. While on the radio, if he found that one of his callers where just having to much trouble figuring out his instructions, Dave Janett, Mr. Fix-It, would go out to the callers location and repair it himself. Taking this type of humble initiative gave him a lot of recognition and would help him further his career as Mr. Fix-It. About a year later, Joanne Carson, the ex-wife of the comedian Johnny Carson, offered Dave Janett a spot in her show “Alive and Well” as Mr. Fix-It.
In the morning show “Alive and Well” Dave’s main objective was similar to the radio show. He was there to show people how to repair their own appliances. During his stint in the television show, Dave recalls showing Joanne Carson how to fix her leaky faucet. He would give her step-by-step instructions on how would the proper way to fix her faucet problem. Dave says, he would never forget the reaction he received from Joanne after she fixed her own leaky faucet. Dave says, that this type of dedication from woman is what would make them great as repairwomen. Unlike men, woman are not afraid to fail, they take it as a learning experience.
Dave enjoyed his stint in the morning show. However, as proud as he was to be given the ability to teach woman and men how to repair their home items, we says that the life experience was well worth it.
He is glad to have been able to live such a full and successful life. Not many people get the opportunity to start their own business, be on the radio, and even be known as Mr. Fix-It on a well-known television program. These opportunities alone are great, but to know that you can do what you are good at for a living must be the best feeling ever.
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