Today we’d like to introduce you to Yusuf The Gaza Guy.
Hi Yusuf, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m Yusuf, the Gaza Guy. An LA handyman.
I was born in Gaza, Palestine where I began working in construction at 5 years old. My family ran a concrete block manufacturing business in which I assisted in shaping and building various sizes of concrete blocks. At the age of 11, I worked as a masonry foreman laborer, focusing on brick and concrete projects. A few years later, I became a residential rehabber, which included inspecting and assessing damages of various structures for the purpose of increasing the market value of properties. Here, I studied demolition, plumbing installation, roofing, plastering, and painting while managing a construction team. I even spent time as a residential carpet installer.
While in my home country, I grew up on a farm with chickens, goats, sheep, and horses. From a young age, I learned to garden and grow all our own food. When I became an adult, I came to the UAE where I ran my own construction company, servicing many homes throughout Dubai.
In 2021, I moved to the United States and worked in construction in New Jersey, focusing on masonry and stonework.
Outside of construction, I am also a professional gymnast. In Gaza, my tumbling was featured on many international news networks and even in a documentary. While balancing construction and gymnastics, I also earned my degree in Business Management from Al Azhar University.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While I have worked in various construction businesses from blocks manufacturing to home remodeling, my path did encounter difficulties such as regional conflicts in the Gaza Strip, harsh market fluctuations, and even personal family challenges.
Throughout my time in Gaza, many wars led to the destruction of entire sites, lands, and homes. Explosions would decimate not only construction projects, but the lives and dreams of many people. We always have to rebuild, reinforce, and repair structures in response to the constant bombing.
Because Gaza is sieged, the Israeli occupation controls all imports of materials. As conflicts arise, they manufacture shortages and price increases of essentials like cement, steel, and tools that disrupt our ability to build and limit our access to resources.
Personally, I sometimes struggled to balance construction work and school, finding that as a child the responsibilities were overwhelming.
Nevertheless, all these struggles have given me a strong sense of gratitude, resilience, and adaptability as no matter what happens or how many times I have to rebuild, I know that I can face the challenges in front of me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
After a long journey working in many different construction businesses since childhood, my current trade is proudly serving Los Angeles homes with my handyman company, The Gaza Guy. It’s a joy to help homeowners/tenants identify and solve problems while also improving their home’s well-being and quality of life.
While my background allows me to do almost everything regarding repairs and saving homes, I specialize in concrete and masonry such as driveways, stone fencing, and cement plastering and decorating. I am most known for my quality concrete blocks made with precise mixtures and measurement ratios that are customized for each customer. Likewise, my smooth and intricate cement wall plastering and quick brick laying are another specialty.
I am most proud of my speed, precision, and creativity when it comes to my work. I utilize my intuition and integrity to always ensure that I can make all repairs safe and satisfying for every customer.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Perhaps the luckiest thing of all was growing up with my father who is a professional construction worker in all fields. As a child, I apprenticed under him as we built many houses together from the dirt foundation to the final three-story structure. Together as a family we completed many buildings and projects, so I was extremely lucky to receive such professional training my entire life.
I was also blessed to have many brothers, with whom I worked with on an assortment of structures, projects, and businesses. Due to the wars, Gaza always needed to be rebuilt, which in a sad way and unlucky for many of my people, allowed me the opportunity to train extensively on rebuilding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thegazaguy.com/
