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Week 49 – What My Family Thinks Now (After 11 Months of Hustle) It hit me this week how much has changed—not just for me, but for all of us. We were driving through a neighborhood when my kid pointed out the window and said, “Daddy, you inspected that house, right?” I laughed… then got a little quiet. Because yeah—I had. And the fact that they remembered? That meant something. My wife knows more about this business than I did in month two. She knows agent names. She recognizes the company lingo. She can tell when I’m prepped for a report debrief or when I’ve had a tough inspection day. She doesn’t just ask, “How was work?” anymore—she asks, “Was that a new Realtor or one of your regulars?” It’s wild to think how far we’ve come: This time last year, I was still working my corporate job. Punching a clock. Sitting in meetings. Wondering if I’d ever really get to build something of my own. Now, our family car has inspection gear in the trunk, our dinner table conversations include client stories, and our weekends sometimes include site visits. This isn’t just my journey—it’s become our lifestyle. My kids talk about inspections like it’s a normal part of life. My wife feels like a true partner in the business—not just a cheerleader. And me? I feel like the kind of role model I wanted to become. Why this means more than any revenue number: Building this franchise was about freedom—but also about impact. I didn’t want to just be gone all the time. I wanted to build something my family could see, touch, and be proud of. And now, when they talk about “our business,” I know I’ve done that. What I’ll keep doing: Sharing the wins and lessons. Letting them in. Showing them what commitment looks like. Because they’ve been in this with me since day one—even if they didn’t know the words for it yet. → Almost there: Week 50: What I Told a New Franchisee on Their First Day ← Want to know what my worst mistake was this year? Week 48: The Worst Decision I Made This Year If you want to build a home inspection franchise your whole family can be proud of—it starts with one brave decision.

Week 48 – The Worst Decision I Made This Year This post is a little humbling—but here goes. The worst decision I made all year? A full-page print ad in the local high school football program. Cost me over a thousand bucks. And brought in exactly… zero calls. Why did I do it? Honestly? Ego. I wanted to feel legit. I wanted to see my logo next to the “Go Panthers!” banner and think, “I’ve made it.” I imagined parents flipping through the program and saying, “Hey, we should call this guy.” But they didn’t. Because that’s not how marketing works anymore. Looking back, I can see it clearly: This wasn’t a strategic decision. It was emotional. I wanted to feel like I was “everywhere”—but I wasn’t thinking about where my actual clients were looking. And they weren’t flipping through print ads between halftime nachos. It didn’t just cost money—it cost momentum: Time I could’ve spent meeting agents Money I could’ve put into Google reviews or sponsored posts Headspace I burned on something that didn’t move the needle The turning point? Curt told me early on: “Stick to what works. Don’t fall for the shiny stuff.” I heard him. But I guess I had to learn it the expensive way. What I’ve learned since: Good marketing is repeatable, trackable, and client-focused. It’s not about seeing your face on a page—it’s about building relationships, providing value, and showing up where your ideal customer actually is. I’ve grown since then. And my decisions now come from data, not dopamine. What I’ll do differently moving forward: Run every idea through this filter: Does this serve my strategy, or my ego? If it’s the second one, it’s a no. → Up next: Week 49: What My Family Thinks Now (After 11 Months of Hustle) ← Want to know the best thing I did all year? Read: Week 47: The Best Advice I Got This Year Thinking about where to invest in a home inspection franchise? Skip the print ad. Start with strategy—and humility.

Week 47 – The Best Advice I Got This Year? Read This Book. The most impactful thing I did all year wasn’t an inspection. It was reading a book. A few months back, during one of our franchise calls, Curt said something simple: “If you haven’t read Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink, start there.” So I did. And I haven’t looked at leadership—or my own responsibility—the same way since. The core message? Own everything. No excuses. No passing the buck. That means if something doesn’t go right in the field, I don’t blame the weather, the tools, or the client. If something’s confusing in the process, I didn’t explain it clearly enough. If an agent is frustrated, I missed a chance to align expectations. If the schedule’s off, the CRM was wrong, or a teammate’s slipping—it’s on me to fix it. And it doesn’t stop at business: I started thinking about extreme ownership with my wife. My kids. The people who matter most. How I show up after a long day. How I communicate stress. How I balance ambition with presence. It’s all connected. And it’s all mine to own. Here’s what’s changed since I internalized it: More clarity: I give better directions. Set clearer expectations. Follow up more consistently. Less friction: When problems pop up, I don’t take them personally. I solve them. More trust: My team, my clients, and even my family see that I’m accountable. That builds belief. What Curt said that stuck: “If you take ownership of the mission, you’ll never wait to be rescued. You’ll lead from the front—even on the days you’re tired.” He was right. That book rewired my brain. Now I ask: “What could I have done better?” before I ever say, “That’s not my fault.” What I’ll keep doing: Leading with clarity. Listening without defensiveness. Owning results—good, bad, or messy. Because the moment I stopped blaming and started owning? Everything leveled up. → Next up: Week 48: The Worst Decision I Made This Year ← Need a reminder of how to grow others, not just yourself? Revisit: Week 46: Am I Ready to Add a Second Unit or License a Team Member? If you’re building a home inspection franchise, read the book. Then live the principle. Because nothing changes your business faster than taking full ownership of everything inside it.

Week 46 – Am I Ready to Add a Second Unit or License a Team Member? This week, the conversation shifted—and it wasn’t started by me. One of my inspectors pulled me aside after a job. We’d been working together for a few months, and he said something I didn’t expect: “Hey, I love what we’re building here. But I’ve been thinking… what would it take to lead a team? Or maybe even start my own franchise one day?” Honestly, I was flattered—and a little freaked out. This guy’s solid. He’s great with clients, sharp on the systems, and hungry to grow. But the idea of duplicating myself—of helping someone else step into ownership or leadership—felt like a whole new level. It made me realize that my business isn’t just a vehicle for my own growth. It might be a launchpad for others, too. This is what real scale starts to look like: Training leaders, not just assistants Thinking about territory expansion Exploring the idea of licensing internally And the best part? I’m not making it up from scratch. The Inspections Over Coffee franchise has a model for this. A roadmap for bringing team members into ownership, with guardrails, support, and win-win structure. Here’s what Curt reminded me: “If someone on your team wants to grow, that’s a sign you’re building something worth staying in. But make sure you’ve got the foundation, the systems, and the vision to support that growth. Leadership is about replication, not just delegation.” What I’m doing now: Having real conversations. Looking at the numbers. Thinking about what a second unit—or a licensed internal partner—would look like. And being honest about what I still need to learn to lead at that level. What I’ll keep doing: Investing in my people. Building systems that scale. And remembering: the business isn’t just about me anymore. It’s becoming something bigger. And that’s both thrilling—and a little scary—in the best way. → Next up: Week 47: The Best Advice I Got This Year ← See how I realized I’d built something valuable: Week 45: I’ve Built a Business. Not Just a Job. Want to build a home inspection franchise that creates leaders—not just jobs? This model shows you how.

Week 45 – I’ve Built a Business. Not Just a Job. This week, a casual happy hour turned into a massive mindset shift: I was having drinks with a friend I hadn’t seen in a while. We were catching up—talking life, family, business—and I mentioned I had just crossed six figures in revenue for the year. He paused. Then said, “You know you didn’t just build income, right? You built an asset.” That word hit different. I’ve been so deep in the day-to-day—marketing, inspections, calls, systems—that I hadn’t stopped to zoom out. I hadn’t realized what I was sitting on: a business that generates cash, has real branding, repeat clients, process documentation, and a local reputation. Something that could be valued. Something that could be sold. We started doing the napkin math: $100k+ in booked revenue. A growing Google review base and search ranking. Established systems and CRM data. Franchise-level support and branding. He said, “I bet your business is already worth $200,000—maybe more.” That blew me away. It wasn’t just a hustle anymore. This wasn’t a side gig. This was equity. This was wealth building. And I had built it from zero—with no prior industry experience—just by following the model and refusing to quit. This is what makes the franchise model so powerful: I didn’t have to guess. I didn’t have to make 100 mistakes to learn the ropes. The roadmap was already there. I just had to drive it with intention. The brand, the systems, the marketing—they did the heavy lifting. I just showed up every day and executed. What I’m thinking about now: This isn’t just about getting to $150k or $200k in annual income. This is about building something that has value. A company with processes, a reputation, and transferability. Something I could expand, license, or even exit someday. What I’ll keep doing: Act like the CEO, not just the operator. Think about systems, value creation, and long-term strategy. Because now that I know I’ve built a business—not just a job—I’m playing a much bigger game. → Next up: Week 46: Am I Ready to Add a Second Unit or License a Team Member? ← Want to know what this risk felt like? Week 44: Reflecting on Risk — Why This Still Feels Brave If you’re ready to build a home inspection franchise that actually becomes an asset, not just a paycheck—this is the blueprint.

Week 44 – Reflecting on Risk: Why This Still Feels Brave This week, I took a moment to slow down—and felt the weight of it all. I’ve been running hard. Inspections, Realtor meetings, late-night emails, reports, systems. It’s working. The reviews are rolling in. The schedule’s filling up. The numbers are trending up and to the right. But even with all that… I had a quiet moment this week that brought me back to center. It started with a conversation over dinner: My wife and I were sitting at the kitchen table. She asked how things were going, and for once, I didn’t just rattle off the metrics. I paused. Then said something I hadn’t admitted out loud yet: “This still feels like the bravest thing I’ve ever done.” She smiled. Then said something I’ll never forget: “It should. You walked away from certainty—and built something from scratch. But now look at it. You’re not just working. You’re becoming.” That hit hard. Because she’s right. This isn’t just about inspections. It’s about identity. About choosing to bet on myself, even when it felt terrifying. About showing our kids what it looks like to take a chance, work hard, and keep showing up. Some days I still wonder: Was this the right move? There are no guarantees. No steady paycheck. No “boss” to tell me what to do. But when I look at what I’ve built—the reputation, the referrals, the client relationships, the systems—I see the compound effect of courage. Not perfection. Just consistency and belief, stacked day after day. And this franchise gave me the blueprint: Curt’s mentorship when I felt lost. Templates, tools, and training so I didn’t have to start from zero. A community of people who get it—and want to grow too. What I know now, 44 weeks in: This business wasn’t just a career shift. It was a life decision. One I’d make again—even on the hard days. Because while fear still pops up, it’s no longer the driver. That seat’s taken—by purpose. → Next up: Week 45: I’ve Built a Business. Not Just a Job. ← Catch the week I realized the town already knew my name: Week 43: My Local Reputation is Doing the Talking Now Thinking about making a leap of your own? Learn more about the home inspection franchise that helped me do it with courage—and community.

Week 43 – My Local Reputation is Doing the Talking Now This week, I hit a milestone that stopped me in my tracks: 50 five-star Google reviews. It’s wild to type that out. I remember celebrating my first one like it was a standing ovation. Now, I’ve got a legit online reputation—and people are noticing. Here’s the moment that made it real: I walked into a real estate office for a quick drop-in. I introduced myself to an agent I’d never met, and before I could finish my sentence, she said: “Oh—I’ve heard of you. You’re the guy with the inspection videos, right?” I just stood there for a second. Because that sentence right there? That’s everything we’ve been building. The systems. The branding. The consistency. The reviews. All working quietly in the background to give me momentum I didn’t even realize I had. What the reviews are really doing: They’re shortening the trust timeline: Agents feel like they already know me. They’re opening doors: Brokers are more willing to let me speak at meetings. They’re lowering the marketing pressure: I don’t need to “sell” as hard. My online presence is doing half the work. But this didn’t happen by accident: Every review request is automated. Every report is consistent. Every follow-up includes a thank you. And every client gets the same experience—so they want to leave a review without being asked twice. This is the franchise difference: When Curt built this model, he made it review-friendly on purpose. From the tone we use in the reports to the built-in follow-up emails, it’s all designed to invite feedback—and make sure it’s positive. I just had to follow the system and trust the compound effect. What I’ll keep doing: More face time. More great inspections. More service that’s review-worthy. Because when people hear about you before they meet you? That’s when the real brand momentum starts to roll. → Next up: Week 44: Reflecting on Risk — Why This Still Feels Brave ← Missed how I started tracking the right numbers? Week 42: I Know My Numbers — And I Use Them Weekly Curious how to build a home inspection franchise that gets remembered before you even walk in the room? It starts with consistent service—and a system that supports it.

Week 42 – I Know My Numbers. And They Drive Everything Now. This week confirmed something wild: I don’t just check my metrics—I *crave* them. Back when I first started, the numbers felt like a mystery. Revenue goals, booking volume, lead sources… I was tracking, but mostly reacting. Now? I live by them. They tell the real story. And more than that—they tell me what to do next. My most important number? Realtor meetings per week. If I haven’t sat down with at least a couple of new agents by Thursday, I start to feel… itchy. Like something’s off. I’ll catch myself scanning name tags at the grocery store, watching for real estate logos on laptop stickers at coffee shops, even glancing too long at car magnets in parking lots. It’s not desperation—it’s drive. Because I know what each meeting means. Each new Realtor relationship is a shot at $1,000–$3,000 in annual inspection revenue. And I know, thanks to the system, that 42 agent conversations per month = a full calendar and real momentum. What I track weekly now: Revenue booked – not just done, but what’s ahead Realtor contacts added – real convos, not just business cards Review count – and what words clients are using Follow-up calls made – because one coffee isn’t enough Why this works: This franchise didn’t just give me tools—it gave me the math. I know what matters. I know what moves the needle. I’m not just “staying busy”—I’m staying focused. Every Monday, I pull up my spreadsheet. Every Friday, I check what got done. And every week, I see the proof: systems work when you work the system. How I’m evolving: Honestly, I’ve become a little obsessed—with the right things. Meeting agents. Tracking conversions. Watching which offices start sending more deals. It’s not about being a spreadsheet junkie. It’s about knowing I can control my future if I stay consistent. What I’ll keep doing: Chase the right numbers. Schedule the right meetings. And make sure I never have a week where I didn’t connect with someone new who could send me business for years. → Next up: Week 43: My Local Reputation is Driving Growth Without Ads ← Missed last week’s post on teaching real estate offices? Week 41: I’m Teaching Others Now — That’s Wild Want to run a home inspection franchise that’s data-driven and growth-smart? The numbers don’t lie.

Week 41 – I’m Teaching Others Now… That’s Wild This week, something happened that I didn’t expect at all: I was invited to speak at a local real estate office—a follow-up to a few recent referrals. I figured it’d be a quick Q&A. You know, “What’s an inspection include?” “How fast can you get us a report?” That kind of thing. But twenty minutes later, I was still talking—explaining inspection myths, how we use drones and thermal imaging, what a warranty really covers, how to frame findings to keep deals alive. And no one had tuned out. They were locked in. Then someone asked the question that made my heart skip: “Do you teach CE classes?” I paused. I’ve heard other inspectors do this. But me? I hadn’t considered it. But right then, I realized… why not? I know the material. I live it daily. And judging by their reactions, I’m explaining it in a way that clicks. They weren’t just listening—they were learning. And that felt amazing. Afterwards, I called my wife: I told her, “I think I just taught a class without meaning to.” And I couldn’t stop talking about how comfortable I felt. It wasn’t nerves or imposter syndrome—it was momentum. It was that feeling of, “I’ve actually got something to share now.” This franchise didn’t just give me tools—it gave me a platform: The systems gave me structure—so I’m not winging it anymore. The branding gave me presence—so people take me seriously before I even speak. The experience gave me stories—and that’s what people remember most. Why I’m leaning into this role now: Teaching is leadership. It’s trust. It’s how you become the go-to in a market. And frankly, it’s fun. Standing up and realizing, “Oh wow, I know this stuff—and I enjoy explaining it”—that’s a shift I didn’t see coming, but I’m embracing it now. Next steps: I’m looking into CE accreditation. Planning topics. Outlining slide decks. Because the more value I bring to agents, the more referrals I’ll earn—and the stronger our reputation gets. → Next up: Week 42: I Know My Numbers — And I Use Them Weekly ← Just catching up? Check how I turned clients into recurring referral sources: Week 40: Turning a One-Time Client Into a Lifelong Referral Source Want to build a home inspection franchise where you don’t just learn—you eventually lead? That journey starts here.

Week 40 – Turning a One-Time Client Into a Lifelong Referral Source This week, I realized something that changed how I think about growth: Homebuyers are customers. But real estate agents? They’re clients. The difference is huge. Buyers might use us once every seven years—if that. But agents? They might refer us 5, 10, even 20 times a year. Maybe more. That realization hit especially hard this week when a small connection turned into something big. It started with a round of golf: A few weeks ago, I met a Realtor at a charity golf event. We talked. I explained what we do at Inspections Over Coffee. No pitch—just a real conversation. I gave him a card and left it at that. A week later, he booked us for one of his buyers. A good inspection, clear report, happy client. Then came the unexpected invite: After that job, he emailed me: “Hey, my broker loved the report. Want to come speak at our next office meeting?” Uh, YES. That’s the kind of moment that starts the snowball. One good experience leads to a whole room of opportunities. That agent? He’s not a one-time win. He’s a relationship. Why this franchise model makes relationship building easier: We look the part: Branded polos. Consistent messaging. Clean, easy-to-understand reports. We serve the agents too: We explain things in their language. We protect the deal, not just list problems. We follow up: Automated emails, branded summaries, and that extra touch that shows we care beyond the invoice. The mindset shift that matters most: Every agent is worth more than a commission—they’re a pipeline. And if I treat them with care, education, and consistency? They’ll send more clients. And maybe even invite me into rooms I couldn’t get into on my own. What I’ll keep doing: Show up sharp. Speak clearly. Follow up fast. And always—always—treat agents as long-term relationships, not just conduits to a one-time sale. Because they’re the ones who keep the phone ringing year-round. → Ready for Phase 6? We’re shifting to mastery next: Week 41: I’m Teaching Others Now — That’s Wild ← Missed the ego-check story? Catch it here: Week 39: Confidence vs. Ego Want to build a home inspection franchise where clients turn into lifelong partners? That’s what this system was built for.