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 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.
Would you offer junk removal services after listening to this?
I just listened to Hunter Patrick (Dumpire) share how he turned an $80 couch pickup into a thriving, $1M junk removal business. In this episode of Masters of Home Service, he digs into: What it really takes to start a junk removal company (no fancy degree needed) Why the margins are so strong compared to other trades His mindset, marketing, and pricing tips for scalable growth Would you ever start a junk removal business—or add it as an extra service to what you already do? Never miss an episode of Masters of Home Service. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Are you personally ready for the holidays?
Running a business can be time consuming and keeping the balance with personal life can be challenging. Are you ready for the holidays? What tips can you share from entrepreneur to entrepreneur that worked for you to shut your business brain off and turn on your family/personal/hobby brain on?What do you focus on for end of year planning? What goals do you focus on?
We are wrapping up 2025 with our standard end of year planning. We just grew 45% over last year. A great year for the most part. What are some of you doing to grow in 2026? What are your goals? What is some of the most important data you are reviewing? How do you include your team?
💡 Deep Discussion
What core belief about running a home-service business did you have when you started that has since been completely overturned—and how has that single mindset shift reshaped the way you lead, hire, or serve customers today? Ill start give you my answer first: When I launched Mr. Backflow I was convinced that “if you’re the best technician in town, the phone will ring.” I poured every waking hour into mastering test gauges, pressure zones, and relief-valve anatomy—but assumed marketing, storytelling, and team culture were secondary noise. Spoiler: being a backflow Jedi means nothing if homeowners don’t know what a backflow preventer is, why it fails, or who to trust when it leaks. My once-sacred belief—“skill sells itself”—got obliterated in year one. Here’s how flipping that mindset rewired the whole company: Lead with clarity, not jargon • We turned boring reports into photo-rich “device health cards” that read like a mechanic’s inspection sheet. • Instagram reels now explain “Why that brass thing by your hose bib matters” in 15 seconds. Result: service calls doubled and we collect a 5-star review on 4 out of every 5 jobs. Hire for empathy first, wrenches second • New techs must role-play explaining a failed check valve to a curious grandma before they ever pick up a tester. • I can train the plumbing; I can’t fake patience and good vibes. Result: callbacks dropped 30 %, morale skyrocketed, and customers ask for techs by name. Systemize the story • Automated email/SMS drip educates clients on backflow law, seasonal tips, and what to expect on-site. • Team tablets generate on-the-spot quotes with “good / better / best” options—zero mystery pricing. Result: average job value is up 18 % because clients actually understand the upsell. Bottom line: the skill is still non-negotiable, but *communication* is the real differentiator. Once I stopped assuming expertise was enough—and started speaking human, hiring empathetic pros, and packaging our knowledge in bite-size ways—Mr. Backflow went from a one-man wrench show to the go-to clean-water problem solver in Carlsbad.How did you start your own service business after working for another company?
How many people started their own company after working for someone else and thinking they could do it better on their own? Or saw the flaws in a company and aligned themselves to not make those mistakes? I have worked in my industry for 12 years and saw the best and the worst. I learned from both, probably more from the bad! I adapted all of those into my own business and my customers love it. How many people thought they could easily take customers from their previous company? Did it go as planned? Was there hesitation from any of them? Obviously I am sure everyone respected their Non-Compete Clause if there was one signed, but I feel like a lot of us started their dream in the same way! I would love to hear these stories!Which moments make you smile as a business owner?
Yesterday as I was doing some exclusion work for a residential customer, I had a moment that just made me feel so happy and couldn't help smile. I finally took the leap and started my own company in a field that I am a true professional! I am finally doing this for myself. This is my business. I am my own boss. I am not working for the man anymore. I was swept away by this feeling of pride and joy knowing that I am doing something I have been dreaming of for 5 years. It filled me up with such a positive glow. I really and truly hope everyone gets these moments sometime during your day. It's small things like this that keep you going. It softens the blows when you have a bad day or letting the negative thoughts move in. We are all going to have those stressful times, scary times, hard times... but when you get these positive feelings, take it all in and enjoy that sense of pride.
