Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Founded by my father, Robert Hauser, The Tub Doctors is a multi-generational family-owned bathroom restoration and refinishing company based in West Allis, Wisconsin. For nearly 40 years, we have specialized in repairing, restoring, and refinishing bathtubs, showers, tile, countertops, and other bathroom surfaces, helping homeowners and businesses achieve beautiful, functional spaces.
We proudly serve customers throughout southeastern Wisconsin and are committed to providing high-quality workmanship, exceptional customer service, and cost-effective solutions. In addition to restoration and refinishing services, we also offer accessibility solutions designed to help people stay safely and comfortably remain in their homes.
As a family-owned business, we take pride in building lasting relationships with our customers and communities. Our mission is simple: to deliver quality results, exceed customer expectations, and provide lasting value through every project we complete.
Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
I am the owner of The Tub Doctors, a bathroom restoration and refinishing company serving homeowners and businesses throughout the southeastern Wisconsin. My entrepreneurial background has been shaped by years of hands-on experience in business operations, customer service, sales, and leadership.
One of my greatest achievements has been successfully leading and growing the company while adapting to changing market needs and customer expectations. I am also proud to have earned my UDCP (Universal Design Certified Professional) certification, which has expanded our ability to help customers create safer and more accessible bathrooms. Additionally, obtaining Woman-Owned Business certification has opened new opportunities for growth and partnership.
I am passionate about continuous learning, building strong customer relationships, and creating a positive environment for both employees and customers. My focus has always been on delivering quality results, fostering innovation, and positioning the business for long-term success.
What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
What inspired me to make significant changes in the business was a desire to continue growing, learning, and finding new ways to better serve our customers. As the industry evolved, I recognized the importance of expanding our expertise and staying ahead of emerging trends.
One of the steps I took was earning my UDCP (Universal Design Certified Professional) certification from NARI, which deepened my understanding of creating safer, more accessible bathroom solutions for people of all ages and abilities. This knowledge has allowed us to better serve homeowners who want to age in place and improve the functionality of their bathrooms without sacrificing style.
I was also motivated to pursue Woman-Owned Business certification as a way to further strengthen our company’s position in the marketplace and create new opportunities for growth. Both initiatives reflect my commitment to continuous improvement, professional development, and ensuring that The Tub Doctors remains an innovative leader in the bathroom restoration industry.
What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Your reputation is one of your most valuable assets. Treat customers, employees, and business partners with respect, deliver on your promises, and always strive to exceed expectations. Strong relationships lead to repeat business, referrals, and long-term success.
No matter how much experience you have, there is always something new to learn. Industries evolve, customer expectations change, and new technologies emerge. Stay curious, be open to feedback, and don’t be afraid to adjust your approach when necessary.
Every entrepreneur faces setbacks and obstacles. Success isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about how you respond to them. Stay focused on your goals, remain resilient during difficult times, and remember that persistence and hard work often make the difference between giving up and moving forward.
- What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
These three skills—resilience, relationship building, and leadership have been instrumental in helping me lead a family-owned business, navigate challenges, and continue moving our company forward.
- How many hours do you work a day on average?
8-10
To what do you most attribute your success?
I attribute our success to a commitment to quality, exceptional customer service, and a willingness to continuously adapt and improve. We have built our reputation by delivering consistent results, standing behind our work, and treating every customer with honesty and respect.
I also believe our success comes from having a dedicated team that takes pride in what they do. When you combine skilled people with a customer-focused mindset, you create lasting relationships and earn the trust that drives long-term growth. Our customers know they can count on us, and that trust has been the foundation of our success.
How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Our marketing strategy is built around a combination of digital marketing, community involvement, customer referrals, and maintaining a strong online presence. We focus on educating customers about the benefits of our services and making it easy for them to find information, view our work, and connect with our team.
Without question, our most successful form of marketing has been word-of-mouth referrals and online reviews. When customers have a positive experience and share it with friends, family, neighbors, or online communities, it creates a level of trust that no advertisement can match. We are proud that a significant portion of our business comes from repeat customers and referrals, which speaks to the quality of our work and the relationships we’ve built over the years.
We also leverage Google Business Profiles, and social media to reach new customers, but our reputation and customer recommendations continue to be our most valuable marketing assets.
Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Unlike many startups, we didn’t require a significant amount of outside capital to get started. The business began as a refinishing franchise, which provided an established business model and allowed us to enter the market with relatively modest startup costs.
What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
I believe the best way to achieve long-term success is to remain committed to quality, continuously adapt to change, and never lose sight of your customers. Markets, technologies, and customer expectations will evolve over time, so businesses must be willing to learn, innovate, and improve.
Long-term success also requires consistency. It’s about showing up every day, doing what you say you’re going to do, and building trust through your actions. When you focus on delivering value, treating people well, and making decisions with a long-term perspective, you create a foundation that can withstand challenges and support sustainable growth for years to come.
Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Over the next 5 to 10 years, I see The Tub Doctors continuing to grow while remaining focused on what has always made us successful—quality workmanship, exceptional customer service, and innovative solutions for our customers.
As the demand for bathroom restoration, accessibility modifications, and aging-in-place solutions continues to increase, I see opportunities to expand our services, strengthen our market presence, and reach even more homeowners and commercial clients. I also want to continue investing in our team, technology, and training to ensure we remain leaders in our industry.
On a personal level, I hope to continue building a strong, sustainable business that creates opportunities for future generations. Having my daughter involved in the company is especially meaningful, and I look forward to seeing her contribute to the continued growth and success of The Tub Doctors eventually taking over. My goal is to ensure that the business remains a trusted resource in our communities while preserving the values and commitment to excellence that have defined us for nearly 40 years.
Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
One Wisconsin company I greatly admire is Kohler. They have built a world-class brand while remaining committed to quality, innovation, and craftsmanship. What I find most impressive is their ability to continually evolve and stay relevant while maintaining the high standards that customers have come to expect.
As someone in the bathroom industry, I appreciate their focus on product innovation and customer experience. Kohler’s long history of success demonstrates the value of investing in quality, adapting to changing market needs, and building a reputation that customers trust. Those are principles that I believe are essential for any business looking to achieve long-term success.
