With CertaPro Painters of Northwest Indiana’s various projects around the Region, its employees are out on the job at homes, buildings, and other locations. As they plan, travel, and paint, who’s holding down the fort at their office in Crown Point?
Tammy Sliwa, CertaPro's office manager, has been doing just that since March 2021. Aside from organizing projects, Sliwa has also been on her feet answering phone calls, doing financial work, and following up with customers.
“It’s been a learning experience,” she said. “There’s been a lot to learn in the past few months I’ve been here, but it’s been a great challenge. It’s very rewarding.”
Sliwa continues to soak up knowledge throughout her training and employment with CertaPro. Her favorite lesson has been about the company itself, including operations before and after each project.
Another lesson Sliwa said is worth noting is the importance of constant customer communication. Keeping in touch with each individual has resulted in smooth job processes for each party involved.
“There are individuals who want to know when their project will begin, where they are in the production line, and talking to individuals and assuring them that their project will move forward,” she said.
In her short amount of time with the company as office manager, Sliwa has obtained numerous tools when it comes to providing the best service to CertaPro customers in addition to communication. As a people person, she likes getting to know who the company is serving.
“Some customers like to tell you a little bit more about their background and what they need, so it’s an awesome feeling to be able to help people with their home.”
Sliwa says the best part is following up with customers after their project has been finished.
“I love working with individuals and helping them, even with the follow up calls after the project and figuring out how everything went,” she said. “It’s rewarding when customers are so excited to find out their house feels brand new to them.”
Now, Sliwa feels more than comfortable with her responsibilities around the office. She has taken all of the skills she has learned and put them into her arsenal of paint brushes.
“It’s so nice seeing things fall into place that might’ve not made sense when I first started, but now they do! It makes me feel like more of a part of the CertaPro family,” she said.
When she’s not in the CertaPro office, Sliwa is on the go with her two children because of their hobbies and extracurriculars. Her 14-year-old son is a musician who plays the guitar and drums, and her 13-year-old daughter plays club volleyball.
“I am usually a free Uber driver for them,” she laughed.
Sliwa describes herself as a homebody. She also likes working out and doing yoga from time to time. Her entertainment of choice is a good book.
Another lesson Sliwa has learned from CertaPro Painters of Northwest Indiana is to “always promise what you deliver,” and Sliwa believes that saying can be carried into other aspects of life.
“It’s been a great experience working at CertaPro. My fellow employees present a family atmosphere, which we are. It’s a great culture here, and I couldn’t be more happy about it,” she said.
To learn more about Tammy Sliwa and CertaPro Painters of Northwest Indiana, visit https://certapro.com.