How He Was Able To Exit His Business
How He Was Able To Exit His Business
How can a sense of purpose evolve over time in entrepreneurship?
For me, entrepreneurship has always been in my DNA. From a young age, I knew my goal was to build and create things. I had a creative side, but I didn’t know how it would eventually play out. Like many others, I was a bit lost in high school, which led me to join the Army. My time there taught me leadership, and I quickly found that I loved leading people.
After leaving the Army, I knew business would be my path, though I wasn’t sure which field. I started in bodybuilding and opened a gym as my first venture. Being young and ambitious, I went all in, but I quickly realized it would be a tough road. That experience, however, led me toward entrepreneurship and, ultimately, into the contracting industry.
What are the benefits of using digital marketing and branding to grow a business?
In the eighties and nineties, we didn’t have the digital marketing world like we do today. Back then, it was all about getting listed in the Yellow Pages and figuring out how to afford a prominent ad. It was a different dynamic compared to now, where businesses can quickly scale online.
Around the mid-2000s, I realized I needed to learn more about digital marketing. My first experience was with a company called Service Magic (now HomeAdvisor), and I was one of the early adopters. I saw the potential of growing a business through digital means if I could understand online monetization and reputation building. I dove into SEO, website creation, and name recognition.
Initially, I thought my name on the company was everything, but I soon realized that approach wasn’t scalable. Once I decided to go all in on branding—combining SEO with a strong brand identity—I had a breakthrough. That was my “aha” moment, and it brought me to the next level of success.
How can business owners focus on strengths to avoid costly mistakes?
Know your lane and understand what you’re not good at. My biggest expense ever came from trying to handle something I wasn’t skilled in—specifically, not fully understanding hydraulic heating, which led to me flooding a multimillion-dollar wine cellar. It taught me the importance of sticking to what I’m good at and not trying to do it all.
I see each service my company provides as part of a stock portfolio. For example, water heaters are my “top stock,” so I heavily invest in advertising, training, and performing well in that area. Fixing toilets, on the other hand, is a “low stock” for us, so we don’t put much effort or resources into that.
In the service industry, there’s a tendency to try to help everyone, but this often leads to costly mistakes. Trying to perform services that aren’t profitable or aren’t in your area of expertise can hurt your business. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that saying “no” to certain jobs is sometimes the best decision for the business.
What are the benefits of staying calm and collaborative in business?
Now, I approach things with a sense of calm. I used to be high-strung, taking everything personally and feeling the need to tackle everything head-on. Now, I take a deep breath and remember: business isn’t personal; it’s just business. It helps to have people around who can solve problems with you. The more people you have helping solve issues, the fewer problems you have to tackle alone.
Why is investing in mentorship important for business growth?
The most important investment you can make in your business is in your knowledge. Investing in mentors who understand business better than you do is invaluable. For instance, I'm attending a show in Vegas and spending $5,000 on a ticket. I know that this investment will connect me with someone who can help me earn far more than the cost of that ticket. Don’t hesitate to spend money on people who can elevate you to the next level. Hiring a skilled consultant is an invaluable investment in your company. Invest what you can, even if you think you can't afford it, because it will lead you to the next level.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
