201. How to Start and Grow a Service Business to $1M+ a Month

Joseph Lambert was just 17 when a single four-hour junk removal job netted him $1,600 in cash. While his friends were focused on college applications, Joseph saw a different path—a simpler, more scalable business model that others overlooked. That one job was the spark that ignited a multi-million dollar enterprise, growing into a $1 million-a-month operation before he was old enough to legally drink.

In this episode, Joseph sits down with Ryan Atkinson to pull back the curtain on his rapid success. He reveals the exact marketing strategies and sales tactics he used to get his first customers and generate thousands of five-star reviews. You'll learn his non-negotiable hiring rules for building a trustworthy team, the secrets to creating an unforgettable customer experience that fuels repeat business, and the critical financial lesson he learned about the difference between revenue for vanity and profit for sanity.

If you're looking to start a home service business or scale your current operation, this interview is a masterclass in smart business growth. Joseph provides a practical blueprint on P&L management, leadership, and turning a simple, "unsexy" idea into a highly profitable empire. Tune in to discover the actionable advice you need to build your own successful business from the ground up!

Takeaways:

- The most important part of any service job is creating an exceptional customer experience that turns one client into five referrals through word-of-mouth.

- Make getting customer reviews a non-negotiable process by incentivizing your team with bonuses and monthly competitions; this is crucial for building social proof and trust.

- When starting out, build your marketing funnel from the bottom up, focusing first on high-intent channels like Google Ads before scaling to broader branding efforts.

- Your hiring standard should be simple: never hire someone you wouldn't feel comfortable sending to your mother's house. It's better to be understaffed than to compromise on quality.

- Prioritize profitability over revenue. "Top line is for vanity, bottom line is for sanity." Master your P&L management to ensure smart, sustainable growth.

- Track the KPIs you can control on a daily basis, such as labor and fuel costs. Give your team access to simplified financial reports to get their buy-in on hitting profit targets.

- For early business growth, leverage free marketing tactics relentlessly. Use your personal network, knock on doors, and be creative to acquire your first customers without a large budget.

- Find a mentor who is at least 20 years older than you. Their wisdom and experience are invaluable for avoiding common entrepreneurial mistakes.

- In the first few years of your business, pay yourself as little as possible and reinvest heavily—as much as 20-30% of revenue—back into marketing to accelerate growth.

- True fulfillment in entrepreneurship comes from a "bigger why" than just money, such as investing in your team and caring for customers. The dollars will follow if you do those things well.

Tags: Business Growth, Service & Consulting, Business Scaling, Hiring, Google Ads

Resources:

Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/45JBr1e

Connect with Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephcohenlambert/