In Episode #76 of the Handyman Success Podcast, I sit down with Jason Call, founder of Handyman Marketing Pros — and someone who played a huge role behind the scenes in the growth of Honest Lee Handyman Services.

Jason was the driving force behind much of our marketing at Honest Lee Handyman. From generating leads and building our online presence to helping us create a consistent flow of work, I got to experience firsthand what Jason can do for a handyman business.

Today, Jason runs Handyman Marketing Pros, the #1 handyman-focused marketing agency in the world, helping handyman business owners generate more leads, build stronger brands, and grow profitable businesses.

In this episode, we talk about Jason's journey, what actually works when it comes to marketing a handyman business, the mistakes he sees contractors make, and what you should be focusing on if you want to consistently keep your schedule full.

Whether you're just starting out or trying to grow an established handyman company, this episode is packed with marketing knowledge you can put to work in your business.

Hosted by Jason Call, Founder of Handyman Marketing Pros, and Allen Lee, Founder of The Handyman Journey

Get a professional website, SEO, and advertising at https://HandymanMarketingPros.com

Get handyman-specific business coaching from Allen Lee at https://HandymanJourney.com

Sign up for our monthly Webinars and Training (FREE!) at https://HandymanSuccess.net

Coby McManaman built his handyman business to over $1 million in annual revenue... and then watched it all come crashing down.

In this powerful episode of the Handyman Success Podcast, Allen Lee and Jason Call sit down with Coby to unpack the entire journey—the decisions that fueled his incredible growth, the mistakes that led to bankruptcy, and the hard-earned lessons that every business owner needs to hear.

This isn't just another success story. It's an honest conversation about the realities of scaling too fast, managing cash flow, building the right systems, leading a team, and what happens when things don't go according to plan. Most importantly, Coby shares what he would do differently if he had the chance to start over.

Whether you're just getting started or already running a growing handyman business, this episode could save you from making some very expensive mistakes.

Hosted by Jason Call, Founder of Handyman Marketing Pros, and Allen Lee, Founder of The Handyman Journey

Get a professional website, SEO, and advertising at https://HandymanMarketingPros.com

Get handyman-specific business coaching from Allen Lee at https://HandymanJourney.com

Sign up for our monthly Webinars and Training (FREE!) at https://HandymanSuccess.net

After nearly a decade of building Honest Lee Handyman Services, the sale is complete. In this episode of the Handyman Success Podcast, Allen Lee and Jason Call sit down with the new owner, Eric Geier, to discuss the purchase side of the acquisition. Eric shares what attracted him to the business, what the buying process was really like, and his vision for the future of Honest Lee Handyman Services.

Whether you're thinking about buying a business, selling one someday, or simply want to build a company that's valuable beyond yourself, this episode offers practical insights and an honest look behind the scenes.

Hosted by Jason Call, Founder of Handyman Marketing Pros, and Allen Lee, Founder of The Handyman Journey

Get a professional website, SEO, and advertising at https://HandymanMarketingPros.com

Get handyman-specific business coaching from Allen Lee at https://HandymanJourney.com

Sign up for our monthly Webinars and Training (FREE!) at https://HandymanSuccess.net

🛠️ What does it really feel like to sell the handyman business you spent 10 years building?

In this episode of the Handyman Success Podcast, Jason Call sits down with Allen Lee to unpack the sale of Honestly Handyman Services in March 2026. Allen shares the emotional side of selling a business, the identity shift that came with stepping away, and the behind-the-scenes process of finding the right buyer.

They also dig into what made the business sellable: documented systems, strong processes, a trusted brand, clean operations, and a team that could keep running without Allen in the driver’s seat.

Whether you want to sell someday or simply build a stronger, more profitable handyman business, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. 💪

🔑 In this episode:

•  Why Allen decided to sell Honestly Handyman Services 
•  The emotional identity shift after selling a business 
•  How the buyer found the business through BizBuySell 
•  Why systems and documentation made the business more valuable 
•  What happened when SBA financing fell through 
•  Why Allen chose legacy and fit over simply chasing the highest sale price 
•  How to make a handyman business more sellable 
•  What Allen is doing now with Handyman Journey, coaching, AI tools, and the Handyman Roadshow 

👉 Learn more about Allen’s coaching and resources at:
 HandymanJourney.com

🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on growing, systemizing, marketing, and scaling a successful handyman business.

Based on the provided transcript from the Handyman Success Podcast episode featuring Jason Call and Allen Lee.

Hosted by Jason Call, Founder of Handyman Marketing Pros, and Allen Lee, Founder of The Handyman Journey

Get a professional website, SEO, and advertising at https://HandymanMarketingPros.com

Get handyman-specific business coaching from Allen Lee at https://HandymanJourney.com

Sign up for our monthly Webinars and Training (FREE!) at https://HandymanSuccess.net

Allen Lee started Honestly Handyman Services part-time in 2016 while working as an auto mechanic. Ten years later, he sold the business. 🚐💼

In this extended episode of the Handyman Success Podcast, Jason Call interviews Allen year by year through the real story behind building, growing, struggling through, systemizing, and eventually selling a handyman business.

They cover the good, the bad, and the ugly: first jobs, pricing lessons, hiring mistakes, 1099 contractors, building systems, hiring a CSR, surviving family medical challenges, growing a team, leadership lessons, revenue milestones, marketing budgets, and what it really takes to build a handyman business that can operate beyond the owner.

This episode is packed with honest lessons for handyman business owners who want more freedom, better systems, stronger teams, and a business that can grow without consuming their entire life. 🔧📈

Hosted by Jason Call, Founder of Handyman Marketing Pros, and Allen Lee, Founder of The Handyman Journey

Get a professional website, SEO, and advertising at https://HandymanMarketingPros.com

Get handyman-specific business coaching from Allen Lee at https://HandymanJourney.com

Sign up for our monthly Webinars and Training (FREE!) at https://HandymanSuccess.net

Still working out of a cramped SUV… and wondering when it’s time to upgrade?

This is Part 2 of our conversation with James from CMC Home Repairs—and we get real about the behind-the-scenes decisions that can make or break your handyman business.

👉 Should you go into debt for a work van?
 👉 How do you invest in tools without going broke?
 👉 What actually matters more—image or quality work?

If you’re in the early stages (or stuck trying to level up), this episode is full of hard-earned lessons you don’t want to learn the expensive way.

We cover:

•  The real cost of upgrading to a work van (and why most rush it) 
•  Smart vs. risky business investments early on 
•  Tool buying mistakes (and how to avoid “tool addiction”) 
•  Creative ways to operate without a full van setup 
•  Why trust, quality, and reliability beat “looking professional” 
•  Biggest wins (and painful mistakes) from year one 
•  The #1 habit that prevents losing money on jobs 
•  Why “just starting” is the biggest win most people avoid 

💡 If you're trying to grow without drowning in debt—this episode is for you.

Hosted by Jason Call, Founder of Handyman Marketing Pros, and Allen Lee, Founder of The Handyman Journey

Get a professional website, SEO, and advertising at https://HandymanMarketingPros.com

Get handyman-specific business coaching from Allen Lee at https://HandymanJourney.com

Sign up for our monthly Webinars and Training (FREE!) at https://HandymanSuccess.net

From actor to handyman business owner… this story hits different.

In this episode of the Handyman Success Podcast, we sit down with James from CMC Home Repairs, who made a bold career shift after 20 years in acting—and built a growing handyman business from scratch.

👉 If you’ve ever felt stuck in your career…
 👉 Wondered when to go full-time in your business…
 👉 Or struggled with pricing your services…

This episode is packed with real, honest insight from someone who’s been there.

We cover:

•  How James knew it was time to leave his career and start over 
•  The exact moment he went full-time in his handyman business 
•  What actually worked (and didn’t) for getting his first clients 
•  Angi leads vs. building your own marketing system 
•  Pricing mistakes (starting at $60/hr 😬) and how to fix them 
•  Why most handymen stay stuck—and how to break out 
•  The power of repeat customers and Google reviews 

Whether you're just starting out or trying to grow, this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes and move forward with confidence.

🎧 Listen now and take the next step in your handyman journey.

Hosted by Jason Call, Founder of Handyman Marketing Pros, and Allen Lee, Founder of The Handyman Journey

Get a professional website, SEO, and advertising at https://HandymanMarketingPros.com

Get handyman-specific business coaching from Allen Lee at https://HandymanJourney.com

Sign up for our monthly Webinars and Training (FREE!) at https://HandymanSuccess.net

Most new handymen struggle with one thing…

👉 Pricing their work.

Do you charge too much? Too little? Just guess and hope for the best?

In this episode, Tim breaks down how he went from guessing prices to confidently earning $600–$800 per day—even while working part-time.

We cover:

•  How to price jobs when you have no experience 
•  Why most handymen undercharge (and how to fix it) 
•  The “daily rate” method that simplifies everything 
•  How to use photos to quote jobs faster 
•  When to say NO (and why it actually makes you more money) 
•  Lessons from costly mistakes (like a job that took WAY too long) 

If you’re tired of second-guessing your prices or feeling like you’re leaving money on the table—this is your roadmap.

👉 Charge with confidence. Build a real business.

Hosted by Jason Call, Founder of Handyman Marketing Pros, and Allen Lee, Founder of The Handyman Journey

Get a professional website, SEO, and advertising at https://HandymanMarketingPros.com

Get handyman-specific business coaching from Allen Lee at https://HandymanJourney.com

Sign up for our monthly Webinars and Training (FREE!) at https://HandymanSuccess.net

Most people think you need years of experience to start a handyman business…

Tim didn’t.

With 6 kids, a full-time role in ministry, and zero formal training, he built a successful part-time handyman business from scratch.

In this episode, he breaks down exactly how he did it—and how you can too.

We cover:

•  How to start a handyman business with little experience 
•  Why working part-time can actually be an advantage 
•  The simple door-to-door strategy that landed his first jobs 
•  How to choose profitable services (and avoid time traps) 
•  The mindset shift that turns “side hustle” into real income 
•  How to build trust and get 5-star reviews fast 

If you’ve been thinking about starting a handyman business—but feel stuck, overwhelmed, or underqualified—this episode will change how you see it.

👉 You don’t need to know everything. You just need to start.

Hosted by Jason Call, Founder of Handyman Marketing Pros, and Allen Lee, Founder of The Handyman Journey

Get a professional website, SEO, and advertising at https://HandymanMarketingPros.com

Get handyman-specific business coaching from Allen Lee at https://HandymanJourney.com

Sign up for our monthly Webinars and Training (FREE!) at https://HandymanSuccess.net

Want to build a handyman business that people want to work for… and customers trust before they ever call?

In this segment of the Handyman Success Podcast, J.R. Crowell (Steady Home Maintenance – Jackson/Flowood, MS) breaks down the real systems that keep his team aligned, trained, and performing — plus what he’s learned about marketing and cracking the “subscription maintenance” code.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ The hiring catch-22: skilled techs vs. “green” employees (and why both have trade-offs)
✅ How they protect culture with open-book management (everyone sees the P&L) + performance pay
✅ Why they train every Friday (and why communication training is the real “cheat code”)
✅ Their Notion SOP system: a searchable internal database that tells techs:

• what to ask on the first call
• what tools to bring
• step-by-step job checklists (ex: door installs)
   ✅ Smart “make-it-easy” systems: standardized caulks, visual cheat sheets, QR code ordering, and job crates prepped in advance
   ✅ EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System): when it works best + how J.R. adapts it for smaller teams
   ✅ Marketing reality: what they tried, what they stopped, and what works now
• Realtors + punch lists
• EDDM direct mail
• Google reviews (why 25–30 reviews changes everything)
• Google LSA + PPC tweaks
• Why they’re going all-in on content marketing + YouTube as a long-term lever
  ✅ Subscription/membership programs: what failed, what worked, and how they’re restructuring it
  ✅ AI in the trades: why J.R. says to “lever AI quickly,” including a wearable tool that can help create SOPs fast

If you’re trying to scale past owner-operator mode, improve training, or build a subscription plan that actually makes money — this is one to steal notes from.

👉 Question for you: Are you building an owner-operator job… or a scalable business? Comment below.

#handyman #handymanbusiness #contractor #smallbusiness #homeservices

Hosted by Jason Call, Founder of Handyman Marketing Pros, and Allen Lee, Founder of The Handyman Journey

Get a professional website, SEO, and advertising at https://HandymanMarketingPros.com

Get handyman-specific business coaching from Allen Lee at https://HandymanJourney.com

Sign up for our monthly Webinars and Training (FREE!) at https://HandymanSuccess.net