New Business Owner - best way to get first clients - build trust
Hi All, I have just launched my Estate Management business after 20 years of working with individual clients. I’m in the SF Bay Area with lots of potential to build the business. I’ve noticed many families now, would rather have a service than be responsible for payroll and hiring staff. The only challenge I’m facing now is.. how to build my clientele. Working in private homes takes so much trust, how do I relay this information and how can I get the clients to trust me immediately. Ultimately to build the business. Does anyone have any ideas? thank you in advance!Outside the Box Networking Tips
I'm a fairly active networker. I've tried BNI (I hate the politics and strictness of it but I will concede it works), I'm currently in a Le Tip group, I always wear something from my company around town, I've done NARPM. I haven't done chamber of commerce but I'm wondering for those of you that are really active in the networking space - what tips do you have for people to either get started or take their networking to the next level? I think mine actually is I drive a fully wrapped vehicle around ALL the time. This is a conversation starter and it's a little bit of a long play. All the places I go regularly, the people know what my business is at least and it helps get brand awareness in my circles. BUT I know there's other things out there. So what are the rest of you doing?
What’s Actually Working for Marketing in 2026? 🚜📈
Trying to figure out what actually works for marketing a small service business in 2026 feels like throwing darts blindfolded sometimes. 😅 Facebook boosts? Marketplace? Reels? Before & after photos? Community groups? Google Business? Word of mouth? Door hangers? I run a veteran-owned rural property management company in New Brunswick, Canada, and I’m curious what’s genuinely bringing people, real customers lately — not just likes and views. For the people actually getting calls and booked jobs: • What’s been your most successful marketing approach? • What gives the best ROI for a small budget? • What completely flopped for you? • Are you finding people respond more to personality/branding or straight-up service ads and pricing? Would love to hear real experiences from other small business owners and operators. 🚜🔥Sales Calls - How are You Stucturing Yours?
How do you all structure your sales calls when a lead comes in? Do you jump straight to a site visit, give ballpark pricing over the phone, or take a different approach? I'm curious how everyone handles that initial conversation before committing time to the property. Here's my process: my VA gathers information and photos first, and if it's a job that'll run longer than a day or two, I'll call them. I spend about sixty to seventy five percent of that call just discovering—how long they've been considering this, what they really need, the full picture. Then I give them a bracketed price and listen to their reaction. If it fits their budget, we move to scheduling a site visit. Now, some leads won't send pictures or details, and honestly, I'm not spending two to four hours wandering their house blind. So I charge a hundred and fifty dollar site visit fee in those cases. It filters for serious clients and respects my time. Curious to hear how you all approach this—what's working for you?Building My Cultural High Tea / High Coffee Business — What Lead Tactics Work Best
Hi everyone, I’m Desiree — I’m currently building Desire Treats, a mobile High Tea & High Coffee fusion service inspired by African, Caribbean, and Latin culture. I’m based in Edmonton and still in the early stages, but a recent win for me was finalizing my Passport Menu and getting my mobile setup ready for private events and office bookings, with plans to expand into yacht‑style experiences and warm‑climate markets in the future. One thing that really shaped my business direction is my Passport Menu concept — offering destination‑inspired desserts paired with curated tea and coffee flights. Customers can explore different cultural flavors and collect digital stamps to unlock rewards. I’ll be expanding the Passport Menu with dishes as the business grows, and I’m also exploring partnerships with existing commercial kitchens to help me get started operationally. Long‑term, my goal is to take Desire Treats into Florida and eventually expand across warmer countries like Mexico, Central America, and South America, where cultural fusion and outdoor experiences thrive. As I prepare to launch, I’d love to learn from others here: What lead tactics have brought you the highest‑quality clients for mobile or event‑based services (including higher‑end markets like corporate events or yachts)? Referrals, partnerships, ads, community groups, or something else? I’m also shaping my business model to stay accessible. Long‑term, I want to create options that support people facing financial barriers while still maintaining consistent pricing and a sustainable service. My goal is to build a business that grows while helping others grow too. Appreciate any insights as I get ready to roll things out.What information did you get from you Google Profile review?
First off thank you Jobber and Phil for doing this. What an amazing thing for you guys to do for us. For those of you who got a review, what did you learn about your profile to strengthen it? I hope we can all compile here and we can all read through and make our GBP that much stronger! I learned that I for sure need more photos on there and I need to link my social media pages.
