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Weekly virtual networking
We’re trying something new in the community! Starting March 17, we’re hosting a weekly 30-minute networking session for home service pros across all industries. Join one session or all four—no commitment. These will run once a week until April 7 while we pilot the idea. 👉 Link to join: https://meet.google.com/vmf-xjiw-iad 👈 The goal is simple: bring a challenge and get ideas from other pros. Format: • Quick intros • Everyone shares one challenge • Group feedback and ideas • Quick wrap-up 🕒 Tuesdays at 11:30 AM ET ⏱️ 30 minutes Interested? Comment below then we'll invite you and send you a reminder email with the link!Why Most Businesses Stay Broke (and How to Fix It)
That's a massive question and a huge promise! There are so many small businesses in the US and Canada. Why do so many fail? What's the solution? That is exactly the problem that Mike Michalowicz tries to tackle in the excellent book called Profit First. Here is a quick summery of his key ideas. Quick Take Revenue doesn’t equal profit. If you don’t take profit first, you’ll always spend what’s left. So flip the formula—take profit first, then run your business on the remainder. The Lie Most Business Owners Believe Most business owners operate on a simple formula: Sales – Expenses = Profit On paper, it makes sense. In reality, it almost never works. Why? Because expenses always expand to consume whatever is available. If your business brings in $50,000 this month, you’ll find a way to spend $49,500. If it brings in $100,000, suddenly your expenses “need” to be $95,000. More tools. More subscriptions. More hires. More overhead. And at the end of it all? Little to no profit. That’s the trap. The Core Idea: Flip the Equation Profit First introduces a simple but powerful shift: Sales – Profit = Expenses Instead of hoping there’s something left over… -You take your profit first. -Then you run your business on what remains. This forces discipline. It forces clarity. And most importantly— It forces you to build a business that actually works. Why This Works (Behavior > Math) This system isn’t about accounting—it’s about human behavior. Think about it like this: If you open your fridge and it’s packed → you eat more If it’s nearly empty → you become resourceful Your business works the same way. When you see a big bank balance, you relax your standards: “We can afford it” “Let’s just get it done” “We’ll make it up next month” But when money is tight (by design), you: Cut unnecessary expenses Negotiate better Focus on high-value work Say no to low-margin jobs Constraint creates clarity. How the System Actually Works Profit First uses a simple structure of separate accounts: Income Account – All revenue goes here first Profit Account – Your profit (non-negotiable) Owner’s Pay – What you actually take home Tax Account – So taxes never surprise you Operating Expenses – What’s left to run the business Every time money comes in, you allocate percentages to each account. Example: 5% Profit 50% Owner’s Pay 15% Taxes 30% Operating Expenses (Exact numbers vary depending on your stage.) What Happens When You Do This At first, it feels tight. Maybe even uncomfortable. That’s the point. You start asking better questions: “Do we actually need this?” “Is this job worth taking?” “Can we charge more?” “Can we do this more efficiently?” Instead of growing your business by doing more… You grow it by doing better. Real-World Application (Especially for Trades & Service Businesses) For a handyman or construction business like yours, this is where it gets powerful: You Stop Chasing Bad Jobs Low-margin work becomes obvious—and avoidable. You Price with Intention Instead of “what will they pay?” → it becomes “what do we need to be profitable?” You Build a Cash-Strong Business No more wondering where the money went. You Reduce Stress (Massively) Profit isn’t an afterthought—it’s guaranteed. The Big Shift: From Survival to Control Most businesses operate in survival mode: More jobs = more problems More revenue = more chaos More growth = less profit Profit First flips that. Now: Profit comes first Expenses are controlled Growth is intentional You’re no longer reacting… You’re running the business. Final Thoughts from the book Mike really brings home a truth that I can absolutely attest as true; “Your business will always spend what’s available.” This I find to be true even in personal finances. My wife and I have started emplamenting this by taking out what we want to save from each pay check FIRST before we do anything else. It has dramatically helped us. So, says Mike, take your profit first. Then build a business that can thrive on the rest.🔥 Entrepreneurs — What’s ONE lesson you wish you’d learned earlier?
I’ve noticed that everyone’s entrepreneurial journey looks wildly different. Some people jump in and figure it out as they go, others spend months planning before they take the first step. But every entrepreneur I meet has at least one “I wish someone had told me this sooner” moment.
Looking to connect with rental business owners
Hi everyone, I have decided to start my own party rental entertainment business. I have seen so many people asking for certain items for parties, or they are too tired to set up, so I decided this would be great for me. Hopefully, I can find others here with similar businesses for pointers.
New business owner in South Florida – best way to get consistent cleaning clients?
Hello everyone, My name is Robert, and I’m the owner of Island Express Auto & Cargo based in South Florida. I’m currently building out my service-based business, including residential cleaning, cargo/shipping, and notary services. Right now, my main focus is growing my cleaning side and getting consistent clients. I would appreciate any advice from experienced business owners here: What is the best way to get my first 5–10 consistent cleaning clients in South Florida? I’m open to all suggestions — marketing, partnerships, platforms, or strategies that actually work. Thank you in advance, I’m here to learn and grow.
From weekend side hustle to full-time: what would you start with?
Hey everyone We’re in NJ and exploring starting a weekend home service business that could eventually replace full-time income. My husband comes from road service and gas station inventory work—very hands-on, problem-solving, and customer-facing. The plan is to start on weekends, replace overtime first, and grow from there. For those who’ve done it: - What service did you start with on weekends? - What would you do differently if you were starting again? - Any service you wish you hadn’t tried? Would love to hear real stories and lessons learned.
