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When did you realize your business needed systems, and what did you implement first?
At what point did you realize your business needed systems instead of just hard work, and what was the first system you put in place? For me, it was when things started slipping even though we were working harder than ever. Jobs were getting missed, communication wasn’t as tight, and everything still depended on me being involved. That’s when it clicked that effort wasn’t the problem, structure was. The first system I really put in place was around job flow. Clear process from estimate to scheduling to execution, so the crew wasn’t guessing and I wasn’t constantly putting out fires. Once that was in place, everything started to run smoother and it took a lot of pressure off me.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!
To Market or to Not
Hi all! This is my first post, so I would like to introduce myself before diving in. My name is James Benedetto, and I am an arborist and tree care company owner out of Columbus, Ohio. My company's name is Arborist Solutions, and we have been in business since May of 2019. We haven't quite eclipsed the $1 million mark yet, but we have come close. This post is not to tell you how to run your business; everyone's aspirations are different. In 2019, our dream was to become the best tree care company in the history of the world. By 2020, we realized that business isn't just about your own dream; it's about doing what clients and tree owners want. Then, around 2023, things clicked: we realized we can have our dream if we make it our clients' dream, too. So, how does this relate to marketing? Having a clear vision and picking your end goal will dictate what marketing, if any, you should do. If you are willing to do anything someone will pay for, you will want to market aggressively. But if you want to pick and choose the work you do, selective marketing, or even no marketing, might be the better route. As an arborist, winters get slow every year. However, this past winter, we kept a normal workload the entire season. It wasn't because of expensive Google Ads, flyers, or a lead machine. We stayed busy simply by using Jobber's Marketing Suite ($1,000/year) and relying on a strong clientele we've built trust with over the last few years. In fact, we haven't paid for any ads outside of Jobber since 2024. Right now, we are booking consultations (just the consultations, not even the work) into the first week of May. We help make our clients' dreams come true by aligning their goals with our own focus on tree preservation and health. This means we don't have to guess how our clients think because we educate them to think more like us. If you just do whatever a client tells you to do, how can they rely on you for professional, honest advice? If you meet with a client who wants to preserve their trees at any cost, and then their neighbor hires you to clear-cut their lot, what does that do to your image? You can't work for everyone, and honestly, realizing that is the absolute best thing you can do for your business. So, if you want to grow to be the next Asplundh, market hard and do whatever pays. But if you want to be the expert in your field, pick a specialty and fly!
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.No System = Great Stress. Great System = No Stress. "The E-Myth Revisited."
If you’ve ever felt like your business only works when you’re working, The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber, is going to hit you right between the eyes. Rarely have I read a business book that has captured me as totally as this one did. Below is a summery of the key lessons with a personal note at the end. I highly recommend you read the book for yourself. The core idea of this book is simple—and brutally honest: Most small businesses don’t fail because of bad ideas. They fail because the people running them are stuck working in the business instead of on it. Here’s the breakdown in plain English. The Big Lie: “If You Understand the Work, You Understand the Business” Most businesses are started by technicians. You’re good at something. We started by doing handyman work. You might be: Brewing coffee Cooking food Designing websites So naturally, you think: “I’ll start a business doing this.” That’s where the problem begins. Being good at the work does not mean you know how to build a business around that work. That’s the E-Myth (Entrepreneurial Myth)—and it’s one of the most game-changing truths in the book. The Three Roles Every Owner Must Balance Gerber says every business owner is actually three people: The Technician The doer. The one swinging the hammer, taking the calls, doing the work. The Manager The one who wants order, systems, schedules, and predictability. The Entrepreneur The visionary. Focused on growth, strategy, and the future. Most people are 80–90% technician. That’s why they get stuck. They build a job—not a business. Why Businesses Get Stuck Here’s what typically happens: You start strong. You get busy. You take on more work. You hire someone. Things get messy. Then one of two things happens: You shrink back down and jump back in to fix it Or you overhire, overspend, and create chaos until things break Now you’re buried—in work, debt, or both. The problem? You didn’t build a system. You built dependency on yourself. That’s the trap. The Shift That Changes Everything The turning point in the book is this idea: Build your business like you’re going to franchise it—even if you never do. That means: Every task is documented Every process is repeatable Every role is clearly defined Every outcome is predictable Instead of asking: “How do I get this job done?” You ask: “How do I make sure this job gets done the same way every time—by anyone?” That’s a completely different mindset. Systems Beat Talent Gerber makes a strong point: Great businesses are not built on great people. They’re built on great systems that average people can follow. Look at McDonald’s. They’re not winning because they hire world-class chefs. They win because everything is systemized: How the burger is made How long it cooks How it’s wrapped How it’s delivered Consistency scales. Chaos doesn’t. Working On the Business vs In It This is the line most owners never cross. Working in the business: Doing the jobs Answering every call Solving every problem Working on the business: Designing systems Improving processes Training people Building structure If you don’t make this shift, your business will always feel heavy. The Real Goal The goal is not just to make money. The goal is to build something that works without you. A business that: Delivers consistent results Can grow without breaking Doesn’t rely on your daily effort Because if it only works when you’re there, it’s not a business. It’s a job—with overhead. The Takeaway If you want one sentence that sums up the entire book: Stop scaling your effort. Start scaling your systems. That’s the difference between: Being busy vs. being profitable Hiring people vs. leading a company Owning a job vs. owning a business Personal Story I came into Radical Handyman with a background in organizational development. I spent a decade working in a large non-profit and then several years with a small tree service company. Early on, I became obsessed with systems. Two ideas stuck with me: Your system determines your outcome. If your outcomes are bad, your systems need to change. Those became something of a mantra. I applied that in my personal life first. You see, I've struggled with my weight nearly my whole life. I would crash diet and work out till I puked and still I wasn't getting the outcomes I wanted. No System=Great Stress So I set a goal, and I rebuilt my life like a system in order to hit that goal. I studied and used technology to track my progress. I got specific about what went into my body and what my body was doing. I built a diet and exercise system for myself—tracking everything, removing guesswork. The result? I hit my outcome. I lost 100 lbs. No kidding. The system provided the result. The best part is, once the system was in place, the mental load disappeared which helped me to stay consistent. I didn’t have to constantly think about what to do next—I just followed the system and tracked the results. Great System=No Stress. Does It Work in Business? In theory—100%. In practice—it’s harder. Our handyman company grew aggressively… and then stalled. We were on the edge of real problems. The issue? Systems. So the obvious answer is: “Just fix the systems.” But it’s not that simple. We have technicians who are electricians, carpenters, plumbers, and painters—all in one. They don’t just need to do great work. They also need to: Sell Communicate professionally Deliver a great customer experience How do you systemize that? How do you train that? Where We Are Now I don’t have all the answers. But I know those are the right questions. That’s the shift—from working in the business to working on it. As we’ve slowly built systems into our company, we’ve seen a real shift: More structure Less chaos Better performance We’re not at the point where the owners can walk away yet. But we’re moving in that direction. And the best part? Every system we implement: Reduces stress Increases consistency Grows the business—just a little more
Solo Roofer Rebuilding To Honor His Family
Solo roofer in Jasper TN. Fascia rebuilds, rafter fixes, and roofing work done right. I handle tile, metal, shingles, modified bit, TPO, or whatever the roof calls for. From a 200 dollar repair to a 90 square replacement, I build with pride. I’ve chose to reset in 2023, moved across the country, shifted everything to do right by my kids, and started fresh. It’s been a fight with hammer and flat bar, but I’m here. I’m building something known. Not big, but my own, and with pride. A legacy. To honor my family, and to offer something real to those like me.What’s the fastest way you’ve grown your business?
Some owners grow by adding more jobs. Others take over existing clients or even buy another business. What’s worked best for you? In this episode of Masters of Home Service, Savannah Revis talks about: What can go wrong (and right) when you buy a business How to spot red flags before taking over clients What helps customers stay after the handoff Never miss an episode of Masters of Home Service. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
What's your biggest struggle running your business?
My biggest struggle at times can be cash flow and not collecting fast enough, even with Jobber, because people will wait to pay. Jobber helps make things easier to track and easier for people to pay BUT once the job is done I get clients who take a long time to pay a time. What's your current business struggle?
