The Importance of Mentors, Sticking To Your Guns On Pricing, and the Power of Online Reviews

The Importance of Mentors, Sticking To Your Guns On Pricing, and the Power of Online Reviews

Author: Dan Perry: Handyman | Small Business Owner October 16, 2013 Duration: 43:00

It’s been a while since my last podcast, so I wanted to bring The Handyman Startup Podcast back with a bang!

In this episode, I interview Jim Copenhaver, a successful handyman business owner from Chicago, IL.

Jim has successfully built Punch List, a thriving handyman business that currently employs at least 4 full-time handymen.  But get this, he’s only been in business for a about a year and a half!

He obviously knows what he’s doing, that’s why I asked him to join me on the Handyman Startup Podcast so I could pick his brain and share his secrets with you.

Here are some of the things we cover in this episode:

  • Why finding a mentor can skyrocket your success.
  • The challenges of having employees.
  • How to hire and keep good employees.
  • Why milking the clock will actually lose you money in the long run.
  • Why Jim charges hourly for most of his services.
  • How to use the power of online reviews to grow your business faster than ever.
  • and much more.

Whether you are looking to go big and hire employees or just want to keep rollin’ solo, this interview is packed with golden nuggets of tips and advice that will propel you forward with your business.

After listening to the review, I’d love it if you’d do two things:

#1:  Leave a comment below telling me the most valuable thing you gained from this podcast.

#2:  Leave me a review on iTunes! (if you haven’t already)

The post The Importance of Mentors, Sticking To Your Guns On Pricing, and the Power of Online Reviews appeared first on Handyman Startup.


Dan Perry has spent years building his own successful handyman business from the ground up, and in The Handyman Startup Podcast, he shares that hard-won knowledge without the fluff. Each episode feels like a practical conversation with a seasoned pro who’s been in your shoes, tackling the real-world challenges of turning skilled labor into a sustainable enterprise. You’ll hear specific advice on navigating client pricing, managing a fluctuating schedule, and implementing marketing strategies that actually work for local service businesses. This isn't just theoretical business talk; it's a focused discussion on the operational details that make or break a trades-based venture, from your first truck and tools to hiring your first employee. Dan’s perspective as a working handyman and small business owner provides a unique blend of street-smart tactics and long-term planning. Whether you're just considering hanging your own shingle or you're several years in and hitting growth plateaus, this podcast delivers actionable insights to help you build something solid and profitable. Tune in for a straightforward guide through the nuts and bolts of entrepreneurship in the skilled trades.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

The Handyman Startup Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Interview with Will Lingard – Pro Handyman from the UK [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:44
In this episode, I had the opportunity to interview a handyman from across the pond – Will Lingard. Will is a great guy who shares helpful tips and insights based on his nine years in business as a professional handyman.…
The power of low expectations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:02
In “Same as Ever,” Morgan Housel shares how, for the last 150 years, on any given day, the stock market went up only 50% of the time. Yet, over any given year, it rose 68% of the time. And even better, over any 20-year s…
My top five least profitable handyman jobs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:54
As a professional handyman, I’ve completed many jobs that paid well over $200 per hour and some that paid less than $20. In this podcast episode, I share five of my least profitable jobs. Why? Because those are the ones…
Growing a business the easy way [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:42
How would you like to know an easy way to grow a business where… You don’t have to make sacrifices You don’t have to spend much time or make any big commitments. You don’t have to spend lots of money. You don’t have to m…
5 Indispensable Business Lessons From Mounting 100 TVs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:31
Mounting TVs can be a lucrative service for any handyman. It has a high perceived value relative to install time, so you can easily make $100-$200 per hour. It’s a great, low-risk way for a new customer to test your serv…
Pro Handyman Shares His Story After One Year In Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:27
Here’s an inspiring interview with a handyman who started his business just over a year ago. After receiving an ultimatum from his boss, Evaristo Gomez left his secure job as a finish carpenter’s apprentice to grow his h…
How To Quickly Gain Credibility [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:51
Credibility is essential to gaining new clients and growing a business. But, this topic is often misunderstood by people new to the home repair business. Pros tend to overvalue certain credibility boosters, like having a…