Heshy Van Messel has always been hardworking. Raised in Monsey, he spent years in Israel where he served in the IDF and discovered his calling in handiwork. Today, he’s the founder of two businesses — Handy Heshy and SSP (Sheetrock, Spackle & Paint) — both built on a simple promise: honest work, fair prices and quality results. Whether it’s assembling furniture, repairing a leak, or giving your walls a brand-new look, Van Messel brings experience, reliability, and a personal touch to every project he takes on.

After serving in the army, Van Messel remained in Israel and began working for a construction company, where he immersed himself in the full range of renovation work. Although he started with little formal experience, he learned on the job, tackling everything from demolitions to full apartment remodels. Through this hands-on training, he developed skills in plumbing, painting, installation and general construction.

“That’s where it all started for me,” Van Messel shared with The Jewish Link. “I didn’t just learn how to use tools — I learned how to solve problems. I found I was good at the work and decided to keep going with it.”

When Heshy eventually returned to the United States with his wife and growing family, he brought those skills, and that passion, with him. Settling back in Monsey, he took a position as a site manager for a construction company in Borough Park. There, he gained experience managing crews, overseeing jobs, and ensuring that projects ran smoothly and professionally from start to finish. But Van Messel always had an entrepreneurial spirit.

“People knew me as a good worker, but always under someone else’s name,” he shared. “I realized that if I wanted to build something of my own, I had to step out and start branding myself.”

In 2022, he launched Handy Heshy, offering local handyman services with a personal touch. His goal was simple: to help people with the everyday home tasks that often fall through the cracks. From appliance installations and furniture assembly to small plumbing and electrical fixes, Handy Heshy quickly became known for being the guy who could get anything done.

“Most of my calls are for odds and ends,” Van Messel continued. “Someone needs a dresser built, a closet shelf installed, a light fixture replaced. I’m the one they call.”

With jobs ranging from simple repairs to more involved home improvements, Handy Heshy fills a crucial niche in the Monsey area. He brings not just tools and materials, but a commitment to customer satisfaction.

As business picked up, Van Messel noticed a consistent theme in his calls: damaged walls, holes that needed patching, and rooms that needed a clean, professional coat of paint. That demand led to his second business: SSP (Sheetrock, Spackle & Paint). Where Handy Heshy covers general handyman work, SSP is a focused solution for drywall and wall repair.

“With SSP, I wanted to offer something more specialized,” Van Messel continued. “Walls are something people see every day, and they need to look perfect. So for this work, I bring in experienced pros to make sure it’s done right. It’s not something I rush. A clean, smooth wall makes a big difference in a home.”

The SSP team handles sheetrock installation, spackling, sanding, and full paint jobs with attention to detail and a professional finish. Clients appreciate the seamless results — especially when they’re preparing to sell their home, move in or just want to refresh their space.

Despite launching both businesses in the past few years, Van Messel’s reputation has grown steadily. Word-of-mouth referrals and repeat clients have fueled his success. But getting to this point wasn’t without challenges. “There were a lot of ups and downs at the beginning,” he recalled. “I had to learn everything — how to price jobs, how to talk to clients, how to build a schedule. But I kept showing up, and people noticed. You do what you say you’ll do and that’s what people remember.”

As Van Messel continues to grow both Handy Heshy and SSP, his focus remains the same: to provide reliable, honest service to the community he grew up in.

“I’m not trying to be the biggest,” Van Messel went on to say. “I just want to be the one people know they can count on.”

Need something done around the house? Call or text Handy Heshy at (845) 587-3505.

Adam Samuel is a journalist from Teaneck. He blogs at www.adamssoapbox.com.