From Our Garage to 65 Employees: Building a Multi-Trade Service Empire

What does it truly take to build a multi-million dollar service business from scratch? Pete and Alicia Green's journey from operating a one-truck plumbing company out of their garage to managing a 65-employee multi-trade powerhouse offers profound insights for entrepreneurs at any stage.

The husband-wife team behind Go Green Plumbing Heating Air and Electrical reveals the strategic decisions that fueled their growth since 2015. Their commitment to flat-rate pricing—providing customers upfront costs while rewarding technician efficiency—created a foundation for sustainable expansion. But their most valuable lessons came from mistakes, particularly when adding HVAC services without proper systems in place.

"Most people in leadership roles tend not to be leaders; they tend to be managers," Pete explains, drawing a crucial distinction that many business owners miss. "Managers manage things like warehouses and products. Leaders lead people." This perspective transformed how they built their team and company culture.

The Greens candidly address the misconceptions surrounding business ownership. From customers assuming owners are "playing golf" when unavailable to employees believing owners pocket most of the revenue, these assumptions create unnecessary friction. Their solution? Radical transparency—spending hours educating every new hire about business finances and creating clear boundaries between their own roles as co-owners.

For couples considering business partnership, their advice is refreshingly straightforward: "Know your lane and stay in it." Through formal operating agreements and weekly leadership meetings, they've created a framework that minimizes conflict while maximizing their complementary strengths.

Whether you're contemplating starting a business or looking to scale your existing operation, this conversation offers practical wisdom about leadership, systems development, and maintaining perspective through the inevitable challenges of entrepreneurship. As Pete wisely notes, "No decision is worse than a bad decision"—a powerful reminder that action, even imperfect action, moves businesses forward.

Ready to transform your business thinking? Listen now and discover how intentional planning and leadership development can create extraordinary growth opportunities in any industry.

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All the best!
Bill

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All the best!

Bill