episode 0013- proving your past doesn’t define you: the journey of an hvac entrepreneur with justin dodson

"I can't get a job because of my background." "I can't afford to live off of $10/hour so I may as well take unemployment." "I don't know enough about entrepreneurship to start my own business." These are all excuses that Justin Dodson could have made that would have kept him in his situation. But rather than accept his life for what it was, he got to work. He took the only opportunity he was given with gratitude, got to work on his skills, and now runs a multimillion dollar HVAC company: Honest Home Services, LLC. He has not only created success for himself, but for several others who are making a career out of the HVAC profession at Justin's company.

This episode is a testament of hard work and sacrifice. You can sit back and make excuses for why life hasn't panned out for you. Or you can get off the couch and make your life happen. Tune in to see how Justin did that latter, and how you can follow in his footsteps.

Show Highlights:
1- How and why Justin got into the trades, and ultimately came up with the idea to launch his own HVAC company vs. working for someone else, including his stint in prison. (5:10)
2- How long were you in the trades before you gained the confidence to go out on your own? (13:20)
3- What was the moment you decided it was time to get serious about this “side hustle”? (16:40)
4- What did “taking the leap” look like practically speaking, once the decision was made to start your own business? (20:00)
5- Justin discusses making a business partnership work with a friend or family member. (21:30)
6- How long did it take for you to go “all in” to this side hustle, and how has it grown since then? (24:45)
7- Justin describes how it feels knowing he is now providing jobs for others and making them successful as well. (28:30)
8- Overcoming the fear of not knowing what you don’t know, and the steps Justin took to overcome those fears. (30:10)
9- When the business took a $60,000 hit, Justin discusses how they got through it, and the importance of listening to the right people. (36:25)
10- Learning asset management when nearly every transaction includes a large purchase. (37:50)
11- Not all growth is good growth, and the process of scaling. (40:10)
12- Partnering with suppliers to make business easier and more efficient. (42:00)
13- Where can we find more of Justin and his company, for HVAC services and/or business advice? (44:40)
14- Justin answers the question, “Do I need to go to college? (46:50)
15- Listener question: What is your advice for someone else with a troubled past and an entrepreneurial spirit? (48:55)

Follow us on Instagram: @witnessbusiness

Follow Justin's company on Facebook: Honest Home Services LLC

Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and make a purchase. This is no additional cost to you; it just helps us be able to run the best show possible. Thank you for your support!