619 – Presentations That Close Deals with Dean Curtis

619 – Presentations That Close Deals with Dean Curtis

Author: Henry Lopez August 24, 2026 Duration: 39:27

Increase Close Rates with consistent, professional in-home sales presentations for home improvement and home services businesses, and Dean Curtis of Ingage shares the principles and tools that help small operators win more deals at the kitchen table.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/619-dean-curtis-presentarions-close-deals/

SPECIAL OFFER: 10% OFF the Ingage Pro when you use the code "HOWOFBUSINESS".

For home services businesses, the sale is often won or lost at the customer's kitchen table and Dean Curtis, CEO of Ingage, joins the show to explain how a more consistent, professional in-home presentation can dramatically improve close rates, with client case studies to back it up.

If you sell at the customer's home (roofing, windows, doors, siding, gutters, baths, etc.) then you're trying to convince a homeowner that you're the right person to solve their problem, and that process is highly educational. Too often the materials salespeople bring to present are off-brand, out of order, and different for every salesperson. That inconsistency costs deals. When the content is consistent, on-brand, and matched to a proven sales process, close rates go up.

In this episode of The How of Business, Henry Lopez is joined by Dean Curtis to explore why consistency, trust, and preparation drive home services sales and how the right content levels the playing field so even a one-person shop can look and perform like a 100-person company.

The discussion opens on consistency. In the replacement remodeling market, the same products are sold over and over, the objections are common, and the more consistent a rep's approach, the higher they close. But consistent doesn't mean rigid. Dean uses a bingo-board analogy to explain why the best sales reps move dynamically to answer whatever the customer raises. As he puts it, borrowing from Mike Tyson: "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face."

From there the conversation turns to trust, which Dean breaks into three drivers: brand (a homeowner judges you within a fraction of a second), personalization (put the customer's own house and name on the first screen), and education (be the guide who makes the homeowner the hero). "No one cares what you can sell, what you can install if they don't trust you," Dean explains.

Dean then shares what separates the teams that win: they train, they practice, and they coach. They don't hand sales teams content and wish them luck. Instead, they build a feedback loop, using analytics to see what's working and coaching reps without it feeling like Big Brother. He also cautions that content is a tool inside the conversation, not a replacement for it.

The episode closes with two grounding reminders for any small business owner: do the same thing every time so you can actually learn what works, and remember that technology is never a silver bullet — start with the problem, not the shiny object. Or as Dean sums up trust: little deposits in the trust bank go a long way.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com


Henry Lopez hosts The How of Business-How to start, run, grow and exit a small business. It’s a practical resource for anyone who wants to move beyond just the idea of entrepreneurship and into the actual work of building something. Each week, the focus is on the tangible steps and decisions involved in a business’s entire lifecycle, from that initial launch through to managing daily operations, scaling up, and even planning a future exit. You’ll hear straightforward conversations that dig into specific topics, breaking down complex challenges into manageable advice. Often, Henry sits down with a small business owner who shares their real-world experiences-the successes and the setbacks-offering a genuine look at what it takes. This podcast is built on the understanding that running a business is a series of learned skills, and it aims to provide those lessons without fluff. Whether you're sketching your first plan on a napkin or steering an established company toward growth, the discussions here are meant to be directly applicable to your own journey. Tune in for a regular dose of clarity and concrete strategies from someone who understands the day-to-day realities you face.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The How of Business - How to start, run, grow and exit a small business.
Podcast Episodes
R361 – Start and Grow Without Investors with Tyler King [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:44
How to start and grow a small business without investors. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r361-tyler-king-without-investors/ Bootstrapping a software business without venture capital or angel investors…
618 - Buyer Due Diligence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:34
Buying a Business? Do Your Due Diligence! Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/618-buyer-due-diligence/ Buyer due diligence is your primary protection when purchasing a small business, and on this episode He…
617 - Remote, Hybrid, or In-Office? with Claudia St. John [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:49
Deciding between remote, hybrid, and in-office work is one of the toughest calls small business owners face today, and HR expert Claudia St. John shares how to choose the model that fits your team while staying legally c…
616 - Parkinson's Law for Small Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:28
Why work expands to fill the time available, and how small business owners can use deadlines, time blocking, and clear outcomes to get more done in less time. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/616-parkins…
615 - AI and Cybersecurity for Small Business with Mordy Hackel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:33
Technology expert explains how small business owners can leverage AI as a force multiplier while protecting their data, systems, and intellectual property from emerging cybersecurity risks. Show Notes Page: https://www.t…
614 - Growing a Family Business with Kaiden Routh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:34
How he earned his way into leadership, developed a capable management team, and transformed a hands-on family equipment dealership into a scalable business that no longer depends on him for every decision. Show Notes Pag…
R346 - The 6 Traits of Entrepreneurs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:41
Do you possess the innate characteristics, the 6 essential traits, required to become a true entrepreneur? Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r346-6-traits-of-entrepreneurs/ How to honestly assess whether…
613 - Conflict Resolution Principles with Jeremy Pollack [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:03
How understanding the neuroscience behind conflict can help small business owners become more effective leaders, build healthier teams, and transform workplace conflict into collaboration. Show Notes Page: https://www.th…
612 - What a Waymo Ride Taught Us About Innovation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:46
A Waymo driverless vehicle ride sparks a discussion about AI, innovation, technology adoption, and why small business owners can't afford to wait for perfection before embracing emerging technologies like AI. Show Notes…
611 - From Psychiatrist to Practice Owner with Dr. Duncan Gill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:46
How psychiatrist Dr. Duncan Gill transitioned from employee to entrepreneur and built a thriving behavioral health practice serving children, teens, and families. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/611-dun…