May 6, 2026

Shay Veatch has seen the horizon from the top of a wind turbine. Now, she’s focused on repairs much closer to the ground.

The 30-year-old North Dakota native works in general maintenance at Smithfield Foods, repairing everything from printers to large X-ray machines. She’s also a third-year electrical apprentice working toward her journeyman’s license.

No drill, stud finder or ladder can intimidate her.

Veatch knows that not everyone has her confidence or knack with tools, however. That’s why she’s started her own small business, Shay’s Handyman Service. It’s a woman-owned business designed to help women who don’t have her comfort level with tools or just don’t have the time or interest for home repairs.

The idea came to her as she began making plans for her Oct. 31 wedding and wanted a second job to help pay for the festivities. Veatch, who moved to Sioux Falls in October 2023, also wanted to meet more people.

“I thought, what are some ways I can make a little extra money on the side but also help the community in a way and get out there and know some people? I haven’t been able to socialize the way I’d like to,” Veatch said.

“It came to me: oh, a handyman business but more focused on women. I’d also get the comfort of being in another woman’s house as well. I’d be more on edge going into a man’s house. It goes both ways as to comfortability.”

Veatch completed her first task in early March, changing fill valves on the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms in a woman’s house. Veatch swapped out the parts, and her client has reported no problems since.

Other household issues have benefited from Veatch’s abilities since then. She replaces doorknobs, strengthens bed frames, mounts shelves and televisions on walls, paints and fixes all sorts of small electrical or plumbing problems that involve appliances such as dryers and dishwashers.

What she doesn’t want to do is large construction projects and installations or replacing drywall.

“I don’t have the time or tools to invest in those projects,” Veatch said. “But I can do all the small things.”

Veatch knew when she was in middle school that she didn’t want to take the traditional route of attending college after high school. Her father worked for railroads his entire career, but Veatch didn’t see that as having much of a future. She also wanted a job where she could travel. She lived in Washington state for about six years, where she traveled as a mechanic.

“I wanted to do the railroad, but I felt it was a dying transportation system, and I wanted something growing, something where I would travel,” Veatch said. “I did the researching and decided wind turbines was a growing industry.”

Veatch worked on wind turbines between Brookings and Hendricks, Minnesota, before she accepted a maintenance mechanic position at Smithfield in late 2023. Her days start early so she can accept handyman appointments in the late afternoon and on weekends.

It really doesn’t feel like work, Veatch said.

“I’ve just been having a really good time with meeting people and repairing stuff,” she said. “It almost doesn’t feel like more work — it feels like I get to work on projects I want to work on. I’ve always liked doing home improvement things, so it’s keeping me busy but almost like playing. It’s fun for me.”

Her fiance, William Sturgeon, has assisted her in starting the business. He owns MB Wellness on East 10th Street and is a personal trainer whose services are geared toward people older than 40. He’s also a licensed massage therapist.

“He encouraged me to start the business and keep going and gives me enormous advice,” Veatch said. “He has been my No. 1 fan.”

Veatch also plans to share her expertise periodically. She plans to build a fake wall that will be used at a free seminar, teaching basic skills such as how to use a stud finder and install drywall anchors. Veatch also plans to demonstrate how to use a fire extinguisher, repair a running toilet and change car tires.

“In the future, we might do some really fun ones like electrical safety, simple breakers, fuses, outlets and your home panel,” Veatch said. “Our world runs on electricity, and I think everyone should know more about it.”

Veatch can be reached through her Facebook page and at ShayFixesIT@outlook.com.