The last month has been one of the most challenging I’ve had since starting this business. Right before Christmas, I was sitting in my truck wondering how I was going to make payroll that week. What I’ve learned over the years is that God has a way of showing up at exactly the right time. During a messy data transfer from Markate into HCP, we uncovered major invoicing issues—and in the process discovered a $9,000 deposit that had been lost in the mail on an active $25K project. The client immediately reissued the deposit check, and suddenly payroll was covered. The same thing happened again the week of New Year’s wondering where payroll would come from. We pushed hard, finished a large job three days early, and collected the final balance—covering payroll once more to close out the year. Despite the challenges, we still managed to close out 2025 with $885,103 in gross revenue. While our gross profit came in lower than it should have—around 30–35%—and net profit was a painful 4%, those numbers made one thing very clear: the business works, but the systems need to be better. Some may wonder how it’s possible to generate $885,000 in revenue and still struggle to make payroll. I can assure you—it’s absolutely possible, especially when funds aren’t being managed and guarded as intentionally as they should be. That experience was a wake-up call. We’ve implemented the Profit First method and opened multiple operating accounts. Now, every deposit into our income account has automatic allocated percentages into designated accounts—payroll, supplies, marketing, and others—before the money can be spent elsewhere in the general funds account. This system forces discipline, clarity, and accountability. It doesn’t magically create profit, but it does ensure that payroll, expenses, and priorities are protected—and that the business is finally working with a plan instead of hope. No matter how uncertain things look in the moment, God has always made a way for me. I’m heading into 2026 grateful, humbled, and focused on building better systems, stronger processes, healthier margins—and real growth as we turn the corner.

When you are by no means the cheapest option in town, and you are competing with people who are charging $50 an hour and doing this as a side hustle it feels impossible to get clients to understand the differentiation in value. A lot of this is due to how consumers have always perceived the Handyman trade, there’s nothing we can do about the past, but what we can do is educate homeowners on the reality of our industry and slowly make changes to how consumers buy from handymen and women. I am going to share the exact script that we use right before we present pricing to a client. Let me know if you guys use a similar script or if you plan to give this one a shot!

Two months ago I was hosting one of our weekly mastermind calls in this group. We share wins, struggles, best practices and really get to know one another personally and professionally. @Kyle Clifton was vulnerable enough to share that he was in a bad spot. He mentioned missing payroll for 3 weeks in a row, having to let go of his entire staff and everything he had built seemed to be caving in, and quickly. Because of his willingness to share, and his discipline to keep pushing forward facing adversity as well as his openness to learning Kyle was able to share this morning that after making a few key decisions in his business he went from not making payroll 2 months ago to closing out December with his best revenue month EVER!!!!! Over $70,000. This community was built for stories like this. It'll be the first of many, and I'm so excited for Kyle and what his future looks like in this industry!

Over 95% of our industry as I’ve stated before is a one person business. That mean doing all things from speaking with clients, providing estimates, handling marketing and doing the work. A major key that’s missing in these businesses is the data collection. If you don’t have clear data, and insight into your numbers it’s impossible to grow your business. You’re making decisions based on feelings, not facts. Along with giving you back your time, I firmly believe one of the greatest first hires is a virtual assistant. Handy’s made this hire on day 1, knowing the strength of their skills. From answering phones, collecting deposits, managing schedules, following up with past clients, keeping things organized they can also be efficient in data collection to give you clarity on the decisions you make when growing. This position you can find for $5-7USD/hr Who is currently using one in their business?

Over 95% of registered handyman businesses in the country are owned and operated by one person. They're often referred to in the industry as a "Chuck in a Truck." Typically highly skilled at their craft with decades of experience. Capable of fixing just about anything in your house. Arguably the most valuable trade a homeowner needs. Yet when they no longer can physically perform the tasks they once could, a lifetime of blood, sweat and tears... the truck with their last name on the side... their long lasting reputation slowly disappears. A legacy becomes nothing overnight. I've seen this happen first hand with family members, and too many other times to count. I believe firmly that what we are building at Handy's will be their solution. Giving the incredibly hardworking men and women a legacy that outlasts themselves, and a business that keeps paying them long after they put down the hammer. Our vision at Handy's is to unite the 95%, and create sustainability for all those people who work too hard for too little. I am so excited about what's next, and so proud to be leading this effort.