When Bill Feher met his wife, Teresa, as Fairfield University students in 1986, little did they know that 36 years later they would be raising 4 children in Fairfield County, become very involved members of the community, and own a successful and growing franchise business.
As the proud owners of Garage Force of Southwestern CT, a premium installer of polyaspartic polyurea concrete floor coatings, Bill and Teresa are dedicated to helping homeowners and businesses transform their drab, damaged or stained floors into the beautiful floor they’ve always wanted. Their coating systems provide a durable finished floor that is both easy to maintain and adds value to any home or business.
The Fehers are also both extremely passionate about an organization near and dear to their hearts: Make-A-Wish of CT. Bill played an important role in purchasing and renovating the beautiful new multi-million-dollar donor-funded Wish Building in Trumbull. “We are extremely grateful to the Fehers for their support of Make-A-Wish Connecticut,” says Pam Keough, CEO Make-A-Wish Connecticut. “Their commitment and time were invaluable in helping us create a positive, creative, and healing environment for our wish kids and alumni”.
We sat down with this entrepreneurial and philanthropic couple to learn more about their passions—both professional and personal.
Let’s start with business. For those unfamiliar, tell us about Garage Force:
Garage Force is a national leader in Concrete Floor Coating Solutions since 2008 with over 70 franchises. Garage Force of Southwestern CT is the first location in New England. Our concrete coatings provide a custom, finished look while adding functionality to an existing concrete surface. We offer a variety of concrete coating solutions for both residential and commercial applications, depending on the desired use and appearance. We can transform your garage, basement, patio, sidewalk, or commercial showroom and service area into the floor you’ve always wanted with our various coating systems.
What makes Garage Force different from the rest?
We are a local family business, based in Trumbull, backed by the Garage Force International infrastructure. We pride ourselves on our personal service. Our primary goal is to have satisfied customers by offering high quality products backed by a lifetime residential warranty. Our products are 20 times stronger and more durable than epoxy and easy to maintain. They are nonslip and extremely resistant to abrasion, impacts, and common chemicals such as road salt, oil, and gasoline.
What are your professional backgrounds and how did they prepare you to run Garage Force so successfully?
Bill: I am a CPA and have worked in various executive level accounting, risk management, and audit positions for very successful large companies and remain active in privacy and cybersecurity consulting.
Teresa: I worked in employee benefits consulting for over 15 years. When 4 kids came along, I stayed home full time while volunteering in the Trumbull schools. I now work in the title insurance industry.
What’s the best business advice you’ve ever been given?
Do the right thing and the rest will take care of itself; your customers will appreciate if you go the extra mile.
Obviously helping people is in your DNA. With so many wonderful charities in need of support, how did you get involved in Make-A-Wish?
Bill: I was asked by a friend to volunteer on the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors about 10 years ago. Teresa and I wanted to find a charity that could utilize our professional talents and support our desire to provide help to those in need. After getting to know the team and meeting the wonderful wish families we wanted to do even more to help.
The new Make-A-Wish Wishing Place in Trumbull is wonderful! What were your roles in helping to bring that major project to fruition?
Bill: I was very active in the new building search to replace the small office that couldn’t comfortably accommodate the team, or the wish families. As the vision for the new space became more clear, I accepted the role of Building Committee chair and helped lead the way with financial and construction advice.
What’s been the most rewarding part about your affiliation with Make-A-Wish?
Being there during a critical and stressful transition time for the organization. We had just purchased the new building and had begun fundraising when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. We were able to withstand the financial strains and delays in wish granting and came out the other side even stronger and more resilient as an organization. To be a part of a board that is fully engaged and committed to the mission is truly amazing.
How can people get involved with Make-A-Wish?
We are always looking for people who want to get involved as a donor or volunteer. Visit https://wish.org/ctor call 203- 261-9044 to help grant the wish of a child today.
For more information on Garage Force: https://southwesternct.garageforce.com