An Interview with ‘Rick Killingsworth’, Owner of Pride Garage Doors. 

by | Jun 27, 2025 | Contractor

Executive Summary

“Pride Garage Doors is a trusted name in garage door and opener repair and replacement, serving homeowners with dependable, high-quality service. With over 25 years of hands-on experience in the industry, we’ve built our reputation on professionalism, reliability, and customer-first values.

Our mission is simple: to deliver top-tier garage door solutions at a fair price while making customer satisfaction the cornerstone of every job. Whether it’s a simple repair or a full system replacement, our team approaches each project with care, precision, and pride.

In an industry where impersonal service and inflated pricing are all too common, Pride Garage Doors stands apart by combining deep technical knowledge with genuine respect for the homeowner’s time and budget. As the housing market continues to evolve and homeowners invest more in curb appeal and functionality, our services remain as relevant and essential as ever.

This feature offers insight into how our company is redefining local garage door service with integrity, craftsmanship, and a commitment to putting people first.”

Kindly give 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.

“At Pride Garage Doors, we specialize in garage door and opener repairs and replacements, proudly serving homeowners across the entire Phoenix metro area. Based right here in the Valley, we bring over 25 years of industry experience to every job — large or small.

Our mission is simple: provide excellent service at a fair price, and always put the customer first. We understand that your garage door is an essential part of your home’s security, convenience, and curb appeal — that’s why we approach every project with the care, professionalism, and pride it deserves.

Whether you’re dealing with a broken spring, a noisy opener, or need a full replacement, you can count on our team to deliver honest recommendations, quality workmanship, and reliable results — every time.

Thank you for considering Pride Garage Doors. We look forward to serving you and earning your trust as your go-to garage door experts in the Phoenix area.”

Give us a brief description about yourself

“Rick Killingsworth is the co-owner and co-founder of Pride Garage Doors, bringing over 25 years of hands-on experience in the garage door industry. A seasoned entrepreneur with a strong background in both service and operations, Rick has built his reputation on delivering honest, high-quality work with a focus on customer satisfaction.

Starting as a technician in the early stages of his career, Rick quickly developed the skills and business insight that would eventually lead him to launch Pride Garage Doors — a company built on integrity, professionalism, and a deep respect for the customer. Under his leadership, the company has grown to serve homeowners across the entire Phoenix metro area, offering reliable garage door and opener services at competitive prices.

Rick’s commitment to excellence, community values, and long-standing industry knowledge continues to set Pride Garage Doors apart in a competitive market.”

What inspired you to (start a new business venture)

“After spending over two decades in the garage door industry, I saw a growing need for a company that truly put customers first — not just in words, but in action. Too often, I witnessed homeowners being overcharged or underserved by companies more focused on volume than quality. I knew there was a better way to do business.

That’s what inspired me to start Pride Garage Doors — a company built on honesty, craftsmanship, and personal accountability. I wanted to create a service where homeowners could feel confident they were getting fair pricing, quality work, and a team that genuinely cares. Starting my own business gave me the freedom to do things the right way and to take real pride in every job we complete.”

How did the idea for your business come about?

“The idea for Pride Garage Doors came from years of working in the industry and seeing firsthand what was missing — genuine customer care, fair pricing, and consistent quality. I worked for several companies over the years and often felt frustrated by how rushed and impersonal the service could be. Homeowners were treated like numbers, and shortcuts were sometimes taken just to save time or increase profit.

I knew I could offer something better. I wanted to build a business where craftsmanship, integrity, and customer satisfaction weren’t just marketing terms — they were the foundation. That vision, combined with my experience and drive to do things the right way, is what led me to start Pride Garage Doors.”

Who has been your greatest inspiration?

“My greatest inspiration has been the everyday hardworking people I’ve met throughout my career — especially those who built something from the ground up with honesty, grit, and pride. I’ve learned the most from mentors and tradespeople who didn’t just talk about doing good work — they lived it. Watching how they treated customers, solved problems, and took ownership of every job really shaped how I approach my own business.

Their example showed me that success isn’t about cutting corners or chasing profits — it’s about showing up every day, doing the right thing, and taking pride in your name and your work. That mindset is what drives me to keep building Pride Garage Doors the right way.”

What makes you different from other businesses in your industry?

“What sets Pride Garage Doors apart is our commitment to doing honest work with real integrity — every single time. In an industry where upselling and rushed service are common, we take the time to listen to our customers, explain their options clearly, and deliver solutions that make sense for their home and budget.

We’re not a big box operation, and we don’t treat people like just another invoice. With over 25 years of hands-on experience, I personally stand behind every job we do. Our goal isn’t just to fix a door — it’s to build trust, earn repeat business, and become the company homeowners recommend to friends and family.

At the end of the day, we take pride in our name, our craftsmanship, and the relationships we build in the communities we serve.”

To what do you most attribute your success?

years of hard work perfecting the skills needed to do the job right

What do you think is the best way to achieve long-term success in business?

take good care of my customers. at the end of the day i wouldn’t have a business if it wasn’t for them putting their trust in me.

Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?

a crew of 5-10 technicians, 4-5 office staff, and 1-2 shop staff to ensure things run smoothly for our business and for the customers.

Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?

A-Authentic before it was sold. The owner Darrell was a truly stand up guy that knew the value of treating your customers as well as your employees with respect.

Who is your target demographic?

homeowners 18-100

Please list 3-5 talking points about your business that you feel are most relevant to your target audience.

“Price

Quality of workmanship

Quality of equipment

Warranty

Not being a pushy salesman”

What are your overall thoughts on your industry? Any advice you could give people about your industry?

Watch out for the bigger companies that charge to much. the truth is you can get the same quality of work with the same quality of parts for a lot less money

Is your business involved with any charitable organizations, social causes or non-profit work?

not yet but we will be donating time and money to chrysalis. its an organization that helps battered spouses to get on their feet and not feel stuck in abusive relationships.

How do you give back and support your community?

Once a year around the bigger holiday season we allow each technician to give a customer that really needs the help the work they need performed at no charge to them. We understand that things can happen in life to really set you back and having a trapped car doesn’t help you, especially when you’re in a major financial situation.

How important have good employees been to your success?

Good employees are the key to making customers feel confident in our workmanship and the value of the job once finished.

What motivates you?

My family is my main motivation

How do you generate new ideas?

i try to think outside of the box and use determination to figure out how to learn about new ways of doing things

How do you define success?

success is being able to do my best and go home to my family with my head held high about how my day went. not every day is successful but the ones that aren’t are motivation to do better the next day.

How do you build a successful customer base?

being upfront, honest, and doing good clean work

What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?

being able to make the decisions necessary to run the business how i want to to make the customer want to come back for the next repair or refer us to friends and family

What has been your most satisfying moment in business?

every time a job is complete and the customer is happy enogh with your work to leave a 5 star review

What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?

we are family friendly, easy going, and goal oriented

If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?

take the step to start my company sooner

What is your greatest fear in business, and how do you manage fear?

not being able to provide for my family is my greatest fear but i have always been good at not focusing on fear. i find that it distracts you from whats important in life.

How did you decide on the location for your business?

the location is merely a coincidence based off of where i live.

What book has inspired you the most (or what is your favorite book)?

The Bible, specifically the Book of Job. The man lost everything and kept his faith

What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

Determination, Leadership qualities, Patience

What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?

Ambition

For more information, visit us at https://www.pridegaragedoors.com/

Latest Articles

Categories

Archives