Larry Connor: why he stopped hiring from his own industry
Billionaire Larry Connor was interviewed on stage at a Family Office Club event. Richard retold one of his stories at a 2026 event. It is about handymen at Connor's apartment buildings and what industry experience can cost you.
The industry standard
Connor said the average apartment handyman fixes 4 to 6 jobs a day. He hired the most experienced ones he could find and had them run crews. Even with pushing, they could not get past 7 or 8 jobs a day.
The newcomer
Frustrated, Connor brought in a handyman who was not from the industry. He told him to do 30 jobs a day. On average, Richard says, they then fixed 24 to 27 things a day.
The rule that followed
Richard says Connor's company stopped hiring people from the industry for any role at its apartment buildings. Industry veterans brought baggage and limits, like the idea that a number is just the industry standard. Richard also shares another Connor line: every problem is probably a people problem, and most opportunities are people opportunities.
In Richard's words
"He said the average apartment building has handymen that fix 4 to 6 jobs a day." (Richard C. Wilson, 2026 Family Office Club event)
"And he told them, do 30 jobs a day." (2026 Family Office Club event)
"He said, every problem you have is probably a people problem, and most of your opportunities are people opportunities, right?" (2026 Family Office Club event)
How to use this
- Question any number called the industry standard.
- Try one hire from outside your industry for a role where habits hold people back.
- Set a target well above the norm and see what a fresh person does with it.
- Treat hiring as your biggest lever.
Questions and answers
What is the Larry Connor handyman story?
Experienced handymen topped out at 7 or 8 jobs a day. A newcomer told to do 30 averaged 24 to 27, per Richard's retelling.
Does Connor hire from the apartment industry?
Richard says the company stopped hiring people from the industry for any role at its apartment buildings.
Why avoid industry veterans?
Richard says they bring baggage and accept limits as industry standard.
What does Connor say about people?
Richard quotes him as saying every problem is probably a people problem, and most opportunities are people opportunities.