HISTORIC TRIANGLE — “Ten Questions with” is a series that allows readers to get to know local business leaders, volunteers and community members in the Historic Triangle.
This week, meet Chuck Worley.
What is your job title and description?
Founder & CEO, Worley’s Home Services
Who do you interact with regularly?
My best friend and son, Chase Worley, and Assistant Jamie Lilley. I always walk around the office talking to employees; I love catching the guys in the warehouse loading their vans and prepping for their daily jobs.
What is something about your job that most people wouldn’t know about?
I am a busy, busy bee in my new role as brand ambassador at Worley’s Home Services.
Over the last couple of years, I have developed the idea of embracing the brand and becoming the face of the organization and taking this to the next level to become an icon of the most significant brand in 757.
I am asked and love to regularly speak at events like New Horizons Trade School, Lunch and Learns, etc. I am involved with several Chambers in the 757. I am a Trustee of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. I am on the Board of the Peninsula, York County, and Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce. I was involved in Business Networking International (BNI) for 20-plus years and still sub for members.
How do you define success?
I define success by the “grind.” There is no free lunch. Somebody is paying for it. You will have nothing if you do not grind for it. My dad taught me a great lesson when I was young. He would get home from working his Navy Chief job 40–50 hours a week, get changed into construction work clothes, then install siding on someone’s house. He would put on a roof, pull electrical wires, fix a neighbor’s plumbing, frame up an addition, etc. My dad could fix anything. He is one of my heroes. Watching this process taught me “that you can work half days and be successful; you just have to pick which 12 hours you are willing to grind/work.”
What is your most successful accomplishment to date?
I would say building a great business, “Worley’s Home Services,” with my best friend and son, Chase Worley. We have done a great job surrounding ourselves with some of the best employees in the industry. If you read our vision statement, we even have it stated, “to be a sought-after company by customers and more importantly by employees.” We know that if we have great people taking care of our clients, our clients will not leave us and refer us all the work we need. We have created a robust winning culture that employees are attracted to. We have quarterly employee appreciation or team-building events. Each month we provide a company breakfast where employees can meet and engage with one another.
What piece of advice would you give your younger self?
There will be ups and downs, but nothing can stop you but YOU, keep the hammer down and keep grinding. You will not outsmart anyone, so you must outwork everyone in the room.
How long have you lived in the Historic Triangle?
I graduated from Norfolk Catholic High School in 1987. The Newport News Apprentice School recruited me and I graduated in 1993 from there. Then I married a Newport News girl, and she was not moving to the southside. When we married in 1992 and started having children, we wanted to raise them in Yorktown, so we soon after bought a five-acre farm across the street from Tabb High School, which I still live on the farm today.
What is your favorite part of living here?
Growing up on the hustle and bustle side (southside) of the bridge-tunnel, I like the slower pace of the peninsula. It always makes me laugh when people talk about our traffic over here. My comment is, “Go to the southside! You will stop complaining!” It just feels like home over here and more like a family.
What do you do for downtime/to relax?
Camping. I am an Eagle Scout, but don’t let that fool you. My 50-plus-year-old back is not laying in a tent on the ground, so we go glamping in my RV.
I just built a stone area with a fire pit and outside seating in my backyard, so when there is no time to glamp, I invite friends to hang out at the farm around the fire pit.
What is the next step in your journey?
I am being prompted to do more in ministry. My heart is so grateful for all that Jesus has done for me. I want to honor and glorify God by my actions and words.
Since we started Worley’s, we have always been big on helping others, both ministries and charities. We have always given back 10% of our net profits annually to charities, ministries, and other local community organizations. I have been talking to some local foundation accounts companies to help us set up a Worley’s Cares Foundation to support our 757 area. One of my biggest goals is to impact the 757 serving the people in our area through ministry and or charities.
