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!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.
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.When did your business start to feel truly professional?
A lot of service pros describe a clear turning point 👉 when their business started running more like a real operation and less like constant improvisation. Before: Chasing payments Re-explaining prices on every job Customers hesitating or shopping around After: Quotes get approved faster Customers trust you earlier in the process Your business feels organized, even on busy days If you’ve experienced that shift, what changed? Was it how you quoted, how customers booked, how you got paid, or something else entirely? And if you haven’t felt that shift yet, what do you think would make the biggest difference?What’s hardest to keep under control as your business grows?
As your business grows, whether you’re solo or leading a team, what’s been the hardest thing to keep on track? Have you built a system for it yet, or are you still figuring it out? In this episode of Masters of Home Service, ryaantuttle and WiringByron covers: Why getting busier without systems creates more chaos The importance of locking in cash flow, business plans, and org charts before growth Simple processes (like estimating and invoicing) that make scaling easier Want to put these tips into action? Download our free business scaling readiness checklist. Never miss an episode of Masters of Home Service. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
What gave you the courage to finally go “all in” on your business?
Looking back, what gave you the confidence to go all in? Was it a financial milestone, confidence in your craft, a mindset shift, or something else? In this episode of Masters of Home Service, Kevin Cook talks about: Starting a business while keeping a steady paycheck How survival-mode thinking hurts your sales and success The lessons and mindset shifts that helped him rebuild and start over Never miss an episode of Masters of Home Service. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Any advise on how to learn about Google Ads coming from knowing absolutely nothing??
I have been getting some very positive reviews on Google and want to start to leverage that by getting some Google Ads started up, but I know less than nothing about what that entails. I would like to try to manage it myself so I don't have to pay someone, but I have no idea where to start. Where to learn. I have tried YouTube but the videos I have found seem to be for someone with a little understanding, I have none! Has anyone had this problem and started from the ground to learn? Any advice on where to look to get that basic start?
