285 - From Cabinet Painting to Design-Build: A 9-Year Journey to Scaling 3 Companies with Amy Hayes
Ever wondered how to transform a simple service business into a thriving design-build company? In this episode, Amy Hayes shares her remarkable 9-year journey from painting cabinets as a mother-daughter summer project to scaling three successful companies, including her $3.5M design-build firm. Her story proves that with determination and the right mindset, you can build something extraordinary without formal industry experience.
What You’ll Learn
How to transition from a service-based business to a design-build model
Why niching down can accelerate your growth and profitability
How to build and lead an all-female team in a male-dominated industry
Strategies for solving the proposal problem in design-build businesses
The importance of finding resources and support systems in the contracting world
Time Stamps
00:45 - Episode & Guest Intro
01:11 - About Bloom: The Business Overview
02:33 - Women-Owned and Operated
06:15 - Starting with Cabinet Painting
10:21 - Challenges and Growth in Cabinet Painting
22:02 - Transition to Design-Build
31:56 - Monetizing the Business
32:28 - Exploring the Venue as a Lead Generator
34:13 - Addressing the Proposal Problem
35:04 - Challenges in Pricing and Communication
39:54 - Lessons Learned and Future Strategies
Snippets from the Episode
"I think I had a pivotal moment there, saying, 'Am I really gonna let this stop something that is moving forward because of this one man and how he treated me?' And I decided, no, I'm not."- Amy Hayes
"You have to invest in your business in order to grow it. It was just a really good time for us to do that."- Amy Hayes
"A phrase that we used a lot, we would say we were building the plane as we're flying it, because that's what it felt like."- Amy Hayes
"Find your resources, find your support... Don't be afraid to ask for help."- Amy Hayes
Key Takeaways
Start where you are with what you have
Focus on serving clients exceptionally well before worrying about pricing
Learn to price appropriately by seeking industry guidance
Set clear budget expectations early in client relationships
Find peer support even among competitors
Surround yourself with people who complement your weaknesses
Resources
24 Things Construction Business Owners Need to Successfully Hire & Train an Executive Assistant
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