What led you into your trade, and what made you decide to work for yourself?
Leaving college wasn’t an easy call for Jacob Palmer. But an apprenticeship with a local electrician helped him learn the trade and eventually start his own business. “There’s nothing stopping you. Just get started." - Jacob Palmer, Palmer Electrical 👇 Comment below: What was the turning point that brought you into your trade—and when did you know you wanted to work for yourself? In this Masters of Home Service episode, Jacob shares how an apprenticeship prepared him for business ownership, how he found his first customers, and what he’s learned about charging what his work is worth. Never miss an episode of Masters of Home Service. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
“We didn't have time to train. We had no systems in place.”
Beau Batcheller (Five Stones Landscape) learned this when his business grew from $1M to $7M in under a year. He kept hiring, but without time to train people or a clear way to get things done, more hands didn’t make the work easier. 🌱 What’s been the biggest challenge as your business grew? Vote in the poll below. If there’s something you weren’t prepared for, share it in the comments. In this Masters of Home Service episode, Beau shares how he went from a borrowed mower to a $7M business, what he learned about pricing and hiring, and how better systems and marketing helped him keep up with growth. Never miss an episode of Masters of Home Service. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.To Everyone Who Didnt Win The Jobber Grant
I jus got the email of the winners... I know I’m not the only one who was hoping to hear our name called. Being told you didn’t make the cut can definitely sting, especially when you’ve put your heart, time, and energy into building your business. But not being selected doesn’t mean your business isn’t worthy. It doesn’t erase the work you’ve already put in, the customers you’ve helped, or the dreams you’re chasing. Congratulations to the 9 who were selected you earned it. 👏 And to everyone who didn’t, keep going. Our story doesn’t end with one “no.” Sometimes the setback is just another chapter before the breakthrough. Keep building. Keep learning. Keep showing up. We may not have won the grant, but we’re not done winning. 💪🚀Looking to Connect With California-Based Contractors & Businesses Needing Window Film Installation
I’m the owner/operator of Structured Film, a licensed and insured window film installation business serving Mendocino County and surrounding areas. I specialize in commercial, residential, and flat-glass window film installations, including storefronts, offices, schools, and other commercial properties. I’m currently looking to connect with: General contractors Glass & glazing companies Commercial property managers Construction companies Other home-service businesses Businesses that need a reliable window film subcontractor I’m willing to travel for the right projects and am interested in building long-term contractor relationships, not just one-off jobs. If you regularly come across projects where window film is needed, I’d be happy to connect and discuss subcontracting or referral opportunities. Structured Film Commercial & Residential Window Film Licensed • Insured • W-9 Available
July Community Spotlight: A Little Recognition Goes a Long Way
Every trade is different. Every business is at a different stage. But the members in this month's spotlight have one thing in common: they showed up, shared what they know, and made this community more useful for everyone who comes across their posts and replies. 🌟 Mims01 — has a talent for asking questions that make others want to share. His What inspired you to start your own business? post drew 27 replies, and Would you fire a difficult customer even if they spend a lot? pulled in honest takes from members who'd been in the exact same spot. 🌟 Windowwizardusa — shared how a local BNI group alone accounted for a third of their first year revenue in a thread on slow season marketing, then took the conversation further by asking what marketing gets you the biggest return. 🌟 TPSD — replies with the kind of honesty that moves a conversation forward. Their take on getting your spouse involved in the business is the kind of reply that makes you rethink your approach, and their reply in the AI and kids career thread brings the perspective of someone actually living it with four kids and a business on the side. 🌟 Sophiera — asked a genuinely useful question about what networking actually looks like day-to-day and brought the same curiosity to a thread about when you stopped thinking like a tradesperson and started thinking like a business owner, where she shared her own perspective as a solopreneur and kept coming back to engage with every reply. 🌟 ChuckHireExpert — shows up in hiring threads with answers that go beyond the usual job board suggestions. Their reply on finding part-time workers without expensive postings and breakdown of vetting new hires with automated screening are worth reading if hiring is on your radar. Know someone who helped you out this month? Tag them below, or better yet, start a post of your own. 👇
