Week 18 – The Day My Own Message Called Me Back

The phone rang—and they were already sold:

This week, I got my first *referral from a referral*. Not a friend-of-a-friend. Not someone I met at a networking event. A complete stranger who said, “I heard you’re the inspector that uses drones, videos in the report, and includes thermal imaging and warranties. Is that true?”

I just sat there smiling. Because yes—it’s true. And it’s exactly what I’ve been saying in every meeting, coffee, pitch, and follow-up. To hear it echoed back to me by someone I’ve never met? That hit different.

What made it even better:

I still treated them like any new client. I walked them through the process. I asked the right questions. I restated the value. But the tone was different. They already trusted me, because someone else had passed along not just my name, but *my message*. And that’s when it really clicked—these systems work. The messaging works. And the brand? It’s sticking.

Why “Inspections Over Coffee” might be my secret weapon:

Let’s be honest—there are a lot of inspection companies out there. But most of them don’t *sound* like anything. They blend together. “ABC Home Inspections.” “Tri-County Property Review.” Useful, but forgettable.

But “Inspections Over Coffee”? People remember it. They ask about it. They smile. It creates an emotional hook before I even show up. And when I back that up with a professional, friendly, thorough experience? Boom. Brand loyalty. Referral fuel.

What I’ve learned about compounding trust:

This moment didn’t come from a flashy ad or a big promo. It came from doing what I said I would do, again and again. From clear messaging. From a client who felt heard, seen, and supported—and told someone else.

The fancy tools help. But it’s the *experience* that sticks. The walk-through. The calm tone. The follow-up email. The video summary. Those little moments create the kind of reputation that spreads quietly—but powerfully.

The franchise system that made this possible:

None of this was an accident. The messaging wasn’t random. The follow-up cadence, the visual materials, the one-liners that highlight the unique value—all of that came from the Inspections Over Coffee playbook. I’ve just been repeating it, customizing it, living it. And now I’m watching it take root.

Next step: keep doing what works—and scale the results

Now that I know this works, I’m doubling down on consistent outreach, consistent messaging, and consistent follow-through. If I keep delivering the same quality to each new client, those referral loops will multiply. That’s not hype. That’s just math and trust in motion.

What I’ll absolutely keep doing:

Say the same message, every time. Trust that it lands. And focus on delivering a memorable experience—not just a clean report. Because when your message calls you back? That’s when you know you’re building something real.

→ Coming up next: Week 19: Why I’m Starting to Raise My Prices

← Missed how I became okay with “not much wrong”? Week 17: My Favorite Types of Homes to Inspect (and Which Ones Scare Me)

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