Building community partnerships
Has anyone here ever built a community partnership from the ground up? im not just curious about the end result. i want to know how it actually came together. What ìt was, and how did you approach people to get them on board, and keep it going? what were the mistakes, and what would you do different next time I’m trying to learn what makes a partnership actually work long term because just like my llc i want it to lastI stumbled upon this gem - Manus AI
I wanted to pass this along because I had never heard of this platform before. The problem I was trying to solve is making a usable catalog for our company SOPs. Right now they look like this. Not so bad BUT I'm onboarding a new VA and for them to know where to look for information was going to be really tough. I'm a member of Home Service Accelerator and the main guy kept talking about "putting it in manus and have it make a dashboard. I finally listened and what came out was unbelievable. An interactive website that has all the info they could ever need. Sure you have to pay for it but I how nice would that be to start a job and they have everything you could need to know be searchable?? This is a screen shot of what I came up with after working on it after 30 minutes. Definitely check it out if this is a pain point for you.Has Anyone Tried Using AI for Mock Jobs Scenarios/Simulations?
As a new entrepreneur without clients yet, I've been using AI to run mock business scenarios and simulations to build experience and sharpen my processes. I've used it for logistics coordination, compliance reporting, project management, administrative support, client communications, scheduling challenges, and document management. It's been a useful way to practice decision-making, identify gaps in my systems, and gain confidence before working with actual clients. Just thought I'd share the idea. If you haven't tried using AI for business simulations yet, it may be a useful exercise while you're building your company and preparing for future opportunities.
What Tech Tools and AI Are Contractors Actually Using to Run Their Business More Efficiently?
Over the last several years, the remodeling industry has undergone one of the biggest transformations in its history. What was once an industry driven almost entirely by paper contracts, tape measures, and word-of-mouth referrals is now being powered by technology. As remodeling professionals, we now have access to tools that can improve efficiency, reduce mistakes, increase close rates, and provide a better customer experience. For example: CRM platforms help manage leads, estimates, scheduling, customer communication, and follow-up. Digital estimating software allows contractors to create professional proposals in minutes instead of hours. Online reviews and Google Business Profiles have become the modern version of word-of-mouth marketing. Social media platforms allow contractors to showcase projects and reach thousands of potential customers at a fraction of traditional advertising costs. Virtual design tools and project visualizations help homeowners see the finished product before construction even begins. Perhaps the most exciting advancement is Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI can assist with marketing content, proposal writing, customer communication, project planning, website development, social media campaigns, and even training materials. Small remodeling companies can now leverage tools that were once only available to large corporations with dedicated marketing departments. Technology doesn’t replace craftsmanship, experience, or customer service. Instead, it allows us to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time serving our customers and growing our businesses. I’m curious how others in the remodeling and home service industries are utilizing technology today. What software, apps, AI tools, or digital systems have made the biggest impact on your business, and where do you see technology taking our industry over the next five years? Looking forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts and experiences. Louis Adney Southern Surface SolutionsHow are you using AI in your low-voltage or tech service business?
I run a network infrastructure and physical security company in Washington, DC, with structured cabling, wireless, IP cameras, and access control. I've been using Claude to help with scoping jobs, drafting contracts, writing proposals, and working through business decisions. Curious what others in the trades are doing with AI. Are you using it for estimates, client communication, scheduling, or something else entirely? Drop what's working for you below.What ai/automated workflows do you use for your home service business?
I want to better implement AI into my landscaping business out in Arizona. What workflows do you use to better help everything run smoothly or save time? Here's what I have going so far: Field crew uses ChatGPT or Claude to troubleshoot issues I use it for rough calculations of the material and time it will take for the job writing specific contracts for customers Handling mistakes on projects when it comes to client communication Training manuals and internal SOP creation Captions and storyboards for social media posts Ad copy for marketing Financial analyzation for profit and growth Finding gaps in my business for course correction
Zapier vs Make… what’s been your experience?
I’ve been building out more automations around Jobber lately and ran into something interesting. A lot of setups I see are using Zapier, but once workflows get more complex, the cost starts climbing pretty fast. I switched a few of them over to Make.com just to test it, and it’s handled everything I’ve thrown at it so far. Feels like you get a bit more control over the logic, and it’s easier to actually see what’s going on in the workflow. Pricing hasn’t ramped up nearly as fast either. Curious if anyone else has tried it, or if most people are still sticking with Zapier?Are you using AI in your business yet or still “just curious”?
Where are you at with AI right now? A) Not using it at all B) Using it for basic stuff (e.g., emails, replies) C) Using it for ops (e.g., estimating, training, reporting) D) “We run everything through AI” level—share below how you’re using it! In this episode of Masters of Home Service, PhilRisher and ryaantuttle share real-world ways home service pros are using AI to: Speed up estimating and hiring processes Create ready-to-use marketing content Prep for the shift from traditional SEO to AEO and GEO Want to put these tips into action? Download our free AI starter toolkit (includes scripts and pro tips). Never miss an episode of Masters of Home Service. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
How Are You Building Your Systems & Processes?
I’ve been diving into ways to build better systems and processes lately, and I’m curious to learn from the community. Whether it's managing workflows, tracking progress, or using flowcharts, there are so many tools and methods out there to explore. What are you using to stay organized, efficient, and productive? Are you a fan of tools like Lucidchart, Trello, or Asana? What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in building systems that actually work for you or your team? Personally, I’ve been experimenting with Chatgpt and Lucidchart, but I’m always looking for fresh ideas to improve. Let’s share what’s working (or not!) and inspire each other to level up our workflows. Looking forward to hearing about your tools, processes, and insights!
