Jobber Summit is BACK for its 5th year! 🎉
Registration is open for Jobber Summit, the ultimate professional development event for home service pros on March 5, 2025! 👉 Claim your spot now! Here’s what you can expect: Proven advice from industry leaders Build connections with live networking Attend when it works best for you All online and completely free 👉 Claim your spot now! What are you most excited about for Jobber Summit!?Franchising Your Home Service Company
Playing in the 'major leagues' is not as hard you might think. Have you ever wondered how national brands grow & dominate their spaces? Franchising your home service company is a tremendous way to limit risk, add new revenue, grow with other people's money, give employees a REAL track of growth to dominate your space. I started using jobber in 2013 for my window cleaning company. I franchised it in 2020 and sold 13 locations in Ut, Az, Kansas & the midwest. (Now they all use Jobber) I'm obsessed with helping others do the same. Did you know that Home Service Franchises are the #1 most sought after franchise concept? It's true. I used to make fun of Fish Window Cleaning & other brands because their services were "sub-par" in my eyes. However - I realized, that just doesn't matter because the franchisor (Fish Corporate) has 350 locations & makes tens of millions, so who's really laughing? If you've ever thought about franchising your business this is the discussion for you!
Business books
Anyone care to share recommendations for good business books. I have a couple Markup and profit a contractor's guide - Mike Stone (without a doubt the best book on contractor financial math and lots of other good stuff) Profitable Sales a contractor's guide - same author as above: (really comprehensive books on construction and construction related sales) Playing to win - A.G. Lafley and Roger L. Martin: the best book on business strategy I've ever read, goes from high level concepts right down to nuts and bolts of creating a strategy with a team effectively. One of the authors is the CEO of Proctor and Gamble who oversaw their rise to the absolute market juggernaut it is today. Unfortunately most of the examples involve mega-corporations as this is the experience of the authors but the concepts are just as applicable to small business and everything in between The 7 Power contractor - Al Levy: also really great book with a lot of practical advise. Breaks down the 7-powers of an effective contractor, best practices within each of them and how to put it all into action. Clockwork - Mike Michalowicz: great book on the practical side of business operations, how to develop your business to be able to operate without you Essential reading for contractors, the order above is just how I wrote them down. In my opinion, the order of reading/study would be 1,4,2,5,3 at least that's what seems most logical to me from my experience with these books and contracting.This Book Has Been Foundational For Me!
Alright, listen up. If you’re runnin’ a small business and haven’t read Michael Gerber’s The E-Myth Revisited, you’re missin’ out big time. This book’s a game-changer, no two ways about it. Gerber breaks down why most small businesses fall flat and how to dodge that bullet. And here’s the kicker: it ain’t about how good you are at your repairing something; it’s about how well you run the business. Gerber’s got this idea that every business owner’s got three jobs: The Technician – the doer. This is the one out there grindin’ it out, doin’ the actual work. You’re a plumber? That’s you fixin’ leaks. The Manager – the one keepin’ things in line. Schedules, budgets, makin’ sure everything’s runnin’ smooth. The Entrepreneur – the big thinker. The one lookin’ down the road, dreamin’ up where this business can go next. Problem is, most folks are stuck bein’ just Technicians. They’re good at doin’ the work but not so good at runnin’ the show. That’s why they end up exhausted, overwhelmed, and still strapped for cash. If you wanna run a solid business, you gotta stop tryin’ to do everything yourself. You need systems & processes, you need to be able to hand stuff off so the whole thing doesn’t fall apart if you’re not there. That means you gotta step up as the Manager and Entrepreneur, not just the Technician. It’s the only way you’re gonna grow and get outta the daily grind. The eventual goal is to be in Entrepreneur mode full time! There’s even an E-Myth Contractor version, but don’t jump there just yet. Start with the original. The basics are the same no matter what kind of gig you’re runnin’, and once you get those down, then you can see how it fits for your trade. The E-Myth ain’t just a book; it’s a playbook for people like us running a business.What Podcasts Are You Hooked On Right Now?
Let’s be honest—when you’re driving between jobs, grinding away solo, or just trying to unwind after a long day, podcasts are clutch. I’ve been on the hunt for something new lately, and figured I’d throw it out there—what podcasts are you listening to that actually fire you up, teach you something, or just help you zone out and reset? Could be trades-related, mindset, money, business, or even total random entertainment. I don’t care if it’s about tools or true crime—if it’s good, drop it. Always looking to stack the playlist. What’s in your rotation?Entrepreneurs in #Chicago... let's connect!
Hey everyone! I live in the west suburbs of Chicago and run a handyman business. Would love to connect with others in the area that use Jobber for their businesses, perhaps share some best practices, build some referrals between one another, chat about business, etc. I'm also an Army veteran, so if there are other veterans and first responders outside of Chicago that want to connect and share some of our unique entrepreneurial challenges, I'm here for that as well! Drop a comment if you're interested in connecting... perhaps we can start a Slack/Discord channel or meet up for coffee if you're in the #Chicago area. Thanks! -Justin (Owner, Handy Miller Man, LLC dba Home Fixers)The Power of Distant Mentorship
In today’s world, some of the most impactful mentors are people we’ve never met. Through their content, they share their wisdom, experiences, and strategies, guiding us from afar. For me, one of those game-changing figures is Alex Hormozi. Alex’s straightforward advice and no-nonsense approach to business have completely reshaped how I think about growth, discipline, and strategy. His ability to break down complex ideas into simple, actionable steps has helped me make better decisions, even when things felt overwhelming. What makes distant mentorship so powerful is that it’s always there when you need it. On tough days, revisiting Alex’s videos or insights gives me the clarity and motivation to keep moving forward. It’s a reminder that even without meeting someone in person, their work can profoundly impact your path. Who’s been your distant mentor?1 more crew isn't going to build your Empire
Its a new year --- My guess is you're thinking about expanding by adding more crews... yes? It's a good goal but not the right one. This approach leads to increased headaches, higher costs, and more frustration. "If I could just find the perfect employee I'd be golden" - I hear it almost every day. If you're serious about winning without piling on loads of risk, franchising is the way. The Pitfalls of Adding More Crews Adding more crews means more equipment, more training, and more management. You're multiplying your responsibilities and expenses. Coordinating multiple teams can become a logistical nightmare, and maintaining consistent service quality across the board is a constant challenge. Plus, all the financial risk falls on you! Franchising: The Smarter Path to National Expansion Franchising lets you grow your brand by partnering with independent entrepreneurs who invest their own money to operate under your name. This strategy allows you to break into new markets without draining your own resources. Why Franchising Works Shared Risk: Franchisees put their own skin in the game, sharing the financial burden and reducing your exposure. Driven Operators: Franchisees are highly motivated to succeed because they own their slice of the business. This often leads to better performance compared to hired managers. Rapid Market Entry: Franchising enables you to enter multiple markets at once, leveraging local knowledge and connections for faster growth. Cost Efficiency: A larger franchise network can lead to bulk purchasing and shared marketing efforts, boosting profitability for everyone involved. Making Franchising Work for You To successfully franchise your business: Prove Your Model: Ensure your business is profitable and can be replicated. Train Thoroughly: Provide comprehensive training to maintain consistent quality across all locations. Offer Ongoing Support: Be there for your franchisees with marketing, operations, and management assistance. Protect Your Brand: Implement strict quality control to maintain your brand's reputation. In short, adding more crews might seem like a path to growth, but it's fraught with challenges and risks. Franchising offers a smarter, more efficient way to expand nationally without overextending yourself. By partnering with motivated franchisees, you can build a national presence and achieve the growth you're aiming for. Think bigger this year. Franchise your business to build an empire. I've done it myself. You can do it too!
