121 - Kim and Buford Martin - Contractor to Coach

Kim and Buford Martin had been in the HVAC industry, not as contractors,
before they started Martin's Heating and Cooling in Fort Smith, Arkansas. They
went through the struggles of starting and growing a Home Service Business
before joining Service Nation Alliance and then building tremendous growth and
profitability. Eventually they sold the business and are now Service Nation
Premier coaches where they share their accumulated experience and wisdom. In
this episode, Kim and Buford tell the story of their formative years, what
they learned, how they grew, the process of selling their business, and they
provide powerful advice for contractors. You need to listen to this: there's
so much great information!

A few highlights:

How they started Martin's Heating and Cooling

Their reluctance to offer financing, and what happened when they offered
financing

Strategy and practice of offering financing
Back-office changes that helped them grow

Why they joined Service Nation Alliance, and the benefits they experienced

The process of selling their business
Using a third party to consult with during the sale of the business
What happens in the business audit
The emotional impact of selling your business
Involving employees in the sale of the business
The transition period
Their experience as coaches and the type of coaching they do
The fear of "knowing your numbers"
Why they enjoy coaching
Advice for contractors (don't miss this!)
Contact information for Kim and Buford