The Handyman Startup Podcast

In this episode of the Handyman Startup Podcast I’ve got a special guest – Chuck Solomon.  Chuck is a former handyman business owner, an author of multiple books, and a business consultant.

He’s literally written the book on how to start and grow a handyman business.  (See resources below for a link.)  He’s also just an all around nice guy who’s looking to help tradesmen like you grow your business.

Just like most handymen, Chuck kind of fell into the business and before he knew it had a list of customers asking him to do all kinds of work.  He capitalized on the opportunity, offered excellent service, and soon enough he was running a successful biz.

After 10 years, Chuck decided to hang his hat and sell his business and became a consultant.  He’s now using the valuable knowledge he gained during his own journey to help others.

Back in episode #10, Jim Copenhaver talks about the importance of mentors.  Chuck was one of the mentor’s he was speaking of who helped him build his business.

Talking to Chuck in this episode is very humbling as it makes me realize that there is still a lot I can learn about this business.

Here are a few things we cover in this episode:

Resources mentioned in the podcast:

Thanks for listening!  And if you get a chance, be sure to leave a written review on iTunes.  It helps me tremendously and you may even get a shout-out on the next episode.

The post HS017 – Grow Your Handyman Business With Chuck Solomon appeared first on Handyman Startup.

In this episode of the Handyman Startup Podcast I share 7 of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in the last 3 years in business.  These are lessons that have changed my mindset and the way I view business, people, and the world in general.

Today marks exactly three years since I quit my engineering job and decided to venture out on my own in an attempt to control my own destiny and design a better life for myself.

Deciding to quit on that day was the best (and hardest) decision I’ve ever made for myself.  Because of that decision I was able to start a successful handyman business, create this website, and enjoy the entire experience (well, most of it).

That’s pretty cool considering that while working as an engineer I was depressed, out of shape, and really unhappy.  Things have pretty much made a 180 degree turn for the better.

While quitting my job was a great decision, it wasn’t always easy.  There were a lot of struggles over the last three years and many times where I wanted to give up and just go get another job.  There’s a steep learning curve as a beginning entrepreneur.  But, with the support of my readers, friends, and family I was able to stick it out.

Through those struggles I learned a LOT, often times things that I didn’t even know I needed to learn.  That’s what this latest podcast is all about – those major lessons I’ve learned along the way.

I’m excited to share these with you today because they are things I think about all the time.  It’s great to share my story with the hope that it may help you along your journey to dominate life and start a successful handyman business.

Here is a sneak peak of what you can expect in this episode:

Related Resources:

Thanks for listening and if you get a chance, please leave a written review on iTunes.  It helps the show gain more exposure and you may even get featured on the next podcast.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since starting your business?  Or, if you haven’t started yet, which one of my lessons hit home the most?  Let me know in the comments below!

The post HS 016 – 7 Lessons Learned From 3 Years In Business appeared first on Handyman Startup.

In this episode of the Handyman Startup Podcast, I’ve got something special for all you landscaping contractors out there.

I bring on Christy Webber of Christy Webber Landscapes in Chicago, IL and uncover her story and how she went from a small town lady mowing lawns, to running one of the largest Landscaping companies in Chicago.

I know this isn’t the typical type of guest I bring on the show and Christy isn’t a handyman, but the lessons she shares are applicable to all trades.

Christy’s story is incredible, especially considering that she didn’t graduate with a business degree.  In fact, her education was in physical education.  She knew nothing about operating a business and just got started mowing lawns.  And that’s the key to her success, she just got started.

Her determined attitude and love for her job helped her build a business that currently employs roughly 400 people!  Listen in to find out how.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

Links and Resources

As always, thanks for listening!  And a special thanks to Christy Webber for joining me on the podcast and sharing her story to help others succeed.

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

Did you find Christy’s story inspiring?  If so, let me know in the comments below.  Then, sign up for my e-mail newsletter to get updates when future episodes are released.

The post HS 015 – How To Go From Mowing Lawns to $32 Million In Revenue With Christy Webber appeared first on Handyman Startup.

Looking for an easy way to increase your profitability?  Consider limiting your service area.  That’s what Michael Rodriguez (a.k.a MROD) of BelleCreak Handyman & Remodeling did.

In fact, he built his business while focusing primarily on a single subdivision.  Listen in to this episode of the Handyman Startup Podcast to learn all about it.

I’m fascinated with what Michael and his partner Alex were able to achieve.  It really goes to show how in demand a good handyman service can be.

Now, I understand that is may sound counterintuitive that limiting your service area can actually be more profitable, but it actually makes a lot of sense.  Here are some of the benefits of limiting your service area.

In this episode of the Handyman Startup Podcast, I sit down with Michael Rodriguez and discuss exactly how he built his business with a very limited service area.

That’s not all we cover, either.  MROD was generous enough to share his best practices and what he’s learned while building his business.  

Here’s what to expect in this episode:

Links & Resources

Thanks for listening!  And thanks to Michael Rodriguez for sharing what he’s learned to help others.  I definitely appreciate him taking the time out of his busy schedule.

I always enjoy connecting with other handymen and hearing their stories andI hope you enjoy it, too!

Know anybody else who would like the podcast?  If so, do them and me a favor and share it!

Do you limit your service area?  If so, how has it effected your business?  Let me know in the comments below!

The post HS 014 – How To SERIOUSLY Limit Your Service Area appeared first on Handyman Startup.

Hire artists for contracting?

That’s what Nick May, founder of Walls By Design, did.

He’s a successful interior painting contractor with over 14 years of experience and get this, he only hires artists!  Surprised?  Be sure to listen to this episode to find out why.

Here are some other topics we cover in this interview:

While Nick isn’t a handyman, his knowledge and ideas can be applied to any home service business.  He has a ton of great marketing info to share and you can hear is passion while he talks about how to get more customers.  Here is my favorite quote from the interview:

“Almost all marketing methods will work for somebody.  You’ve got to find what works for you.”

Wise words for sure.

Are you looking to get the phone to ring with quality customers?  I’ve got your back.  I’m currently preparing to launch the Handyman Web Academy in January, and it’s going to be better than ever.  I’m using the feedback I’ve received from those who signed up in October to make a great product even better.

In the mean time, how would you like some FREE video training on how to get your phone to ring?  I’m working on it right now and it will be ready soon, sign up here to get access when it’s ready (it won’t be posted on the blog).

As always, if you enjoy the podcast, please show me some support and give me a review on iTunes!  I’d really appreciate it.

The post Interview With Successful Painting Contractor Nick May appeared first on Handyman Startup.

In this episode of the Handyman Startup Podcast, I bring on Chris Maxwell-Gaines, co-founder of Innovative Water Solutions in Austin, TX.

Chris started his home service business back in 2004 and has since grown it to the point of having 14 employees and over a million dollars in revenue.  He’s got a lot to share from his 10 years of experience.  So, I brought him onto the show so you can benefit from his knowledge and grow your business.

I love Chris’s story because he started his business without a plan and was literally wingin’ it in the beginning.  He had his first customer sold before he even had a service to offer!  10 years later he’s reaping the benefits of his courage.  A great example of why you should just get started.

Here are a few highlights from the interview:

Chris doesn’t provide handyman services, instead he installs and maintains water caching systems, among various other services.  However, his insights and tips can be applied to any home service business.

For those of you interested in water conservation systems, Chris is your man.  Not only can he install them for you but he is offering a comprehensive training program for contractor’s looking to add water conservation services to their businesses.  If you’re looking to add another revenue stream, be sure to contact Chris and he’ll get you set on the right path.

The post Crafting A Sales Story, Strategic Partnerships, and The Power of Wingin’ It. appeared first on Handyman Startup.

It’s been a while since my last podcast, so I wanted to bring The Handyman Startup Podcast back with a bang!

In this episode, I interview Jim Copenhaver, a successful handyman business owner from Chicago, IL.

Jim has successfully built Punch List, a thriving handyman business that currently employs at least 4 full-time handymen.  But get this, he’s only been in business for a about a year and a half!

He obviously knows what he’s doing, that’s why I asked him to join me on the Handyman Startup Podcast so I could pick his brain and share his secrets with you.

Here are some of the things we cover in this episode:

Whether you are looking to go big and hire employees or just want to keep rollin’ solo, this interview is packed with golden nuggets of tips and advice that will propel you forward with your business.

After listening to the review, I’d love it if you’d do two things:

#1:  Leave a comment below telling me the most valuable thing you gained from this podcast.

#2:  Leave me a review on iTunes! (if you haven’t already)

The post The Importance of Mentors, Sticking To Your Guns On Pricing, and the Power of Online Reviews appeared first on Handyman Startup.

In this session of the Handyman Startup Podcast, I share five of my most valuable time saving tips that I use every day in my business.

As a handyman or other home service provider, you get paid for your time.  Time is a form of currency, with one major difference from other currencies – you can never get more time.

That being said, it’s obvious why saving a few seconds, minutes, or even hours each day is extremely valuable – in fact, it’s priceless!

That’s why I’ve decided to share these 5 tips with you so you can enjoy the many benefits of more time.  Who doesn’t want more time?

Here are some of the highlights of this podcast:

Mentioned in this podcast:

The post 5 Time Saving Tips That Will Shave Hours Off Your Work Week appeared first on Handyman Startup.

As a home service professional, developing new skills to keep up with the competition is necessary.  For handymen, learning new skills is basically our job description.

Not only is learning new skills important, but learning how to learn new skills efficiently is getting ever more important.  We are now in what is commonly known as the information age.  That means it is easier than ever to get starting with your business, but it also means that more people have access to quality information.  That means more competition.

This tells me that in order to get ahead and pull away from the pack, developing a system for learning rapidly could mean the difference between success and failure.

In this podcast, I discuss:

This podcast was designed to help you develop your home repair skills, but the methods described are applicable to any skill.

Enjoy!

The post How To Learn Any Skill And Get Paid To Do It appeared first on Handyman Startup.

I’m taking the entire week off from my handyman services to celebrate Independence Day, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity.

This excitement about the ability to control my schedule and take time off at will has my brain turning with all of the benefits of owning a small business, specifically, a handyman business.

You see, two years ago, I was still working at an office job that I, for lack of a better word, hated. I don’t mean to be negative, but it’s true. I had been working at this desk job for the previous three and a half years, and every day seemed like a little bit more of my soul was draining away.

I sat at my desk feeling imprisoned from 8 am to 6 pm every. Single. Day. I was 28, unhappy, unhealthy, and clawing desperately to gain the courage to turn things around and improve my life.

Finally, I mustered up the courage to say, “screw a good paycheck and full benefits, I’m unhappy, and something needs to change.”

So on Monday, May 3rd of 2011, I put in my notice, and two weeks later, I was free! On that day, I decided I would never live a life suppressed by “the man.”

Quitting my job and starting my handyman business was one of the best decisions.

So in this podcast episode, I discuss the many benefits of owning a handyman business and some of the disadvantages.

This podcast is meant to help you decide if the handyman business is right for you. And if you’ve already started a home repair business, it will make you happy you did!

Here are some of the key points:

It took me a long time and some deep soul searching before I finally decided to start a handyman business. I had so many questions before getting started. Like…

How much does a handyman make?

What skills do you need?

Is there too much competition already?

Are there better business opportunities out there?

But ultimately, when I stepped back to analyze what I wanted from a career, the decision became clear.

Instead of trying to compare the infinite options of careers available, I defined the things that were most important to me in a career. I started with a lifestyle design approach.

You may have heard of lifestyle design before, but maybe not. Either way, I believe deliberately designing your life is one of the keys to being happy.

Unfortunately, most of us spend our time submitting to society and letting the masses force their values upon us. We constantly think that we “need” to do something based on whatever influences we’ve had along the way.

It’s important to break away from this thought process and figure out what you want and what makes you happy on a day-to-day basis. Otherwise, your only chance at satisfaction is to get lucky.

The practice of lifestyle design starts with one simple question.

Pretend for a minute that you have Bill Gates’s bankroll and zero responsibilities.

How would you fill your time?

Seriously, take two minutes to think about this.

You could travel the world on your own yacht, buy the Laker’s franchise, and own every sports car you can get your hands on. But I seriously doubt this will provide you with long-term fulfillment.

So, think for a while about what you really want in life. What makes you happy? When do you feel best? At what point in your life were you the happiest, and why? Hopefully, these questions will give you insight into whether a handyman business is right for you.

If you are like me, you’ll realize that it’s not about the end goal. It’s about enjoying yourself as much as possible along the way. I can honestly say that if I didn’t have to work, I would still want to be help people. It just makes me feel good.

When I asked myself the questions above, I came up with a list of benefits that I wanted from a career. Some of these benefits are absolute must-haves, and others would be nice but unnecessary.

Here’s the list I came up with.

When I considered everything else, I finally decided that a handyman business was one of the few careers that fit the bill. And it turns out I was right.

Starting a handyman business has allowed me to choose when I work, what I work on, and how hard I work. I get to work with my hands every day instead of sitting behind a desk. I get to be challenged both mentally and physically to keep my mind a body strong. And I have a sense of purpose because I’m providing a necessary service that customers thank me for as they pay me (the pay is nice, too).

There are several other careers or service businesses that could potentially provide the same fulfillment, but other factors pushed me toward a handyman service. The fact that it’s low-cost to get started was a big factor. It’s also very low-risk. Plus, I already had many of the skills required and didn’t need to go back to school to get started.

Of course, there are some downsides to running a handyman business. One is that it can be hard work, and If I’m not working, I’m not making any money.

Another con is that the handyman business is difficult to scale. Employees need to be well-rounded, very knowledgeable, reliable, and willing to work hard. So if you want to hire employees and build a big business, I think there are better business opportunities (like picking a specialty).

Another disadvantage is that you have to do everything and make all the tough decisions yourself. This often means tedious paperwork and slightly higher stress levels while making bigger business decisions.

So yes, there are cons, but there are disadvantages to everything. If you choose your career based on avoiding the bad, you’ll never find interesting work that you enjoy. Everything sucks part of the time.

I hope you’ve found this helpful, and it has illuminated some of the benefits that being a pro handyman can bring. If you want to learn more, I recommend listening to the podcast episode further up the page or on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.

The post Why You Should (or Shouldn’t) Start a Handyman Business appeared first on Handyman Startup.