Show Information

Episode Number: 83

Title: New Ventures: Partnerships and Growth with Joe Strittmatter

Date: April 14, 2025

Duration: 41:58

Host: Justin Deese

Website: www.JustinDeese.com

Contact: [email protected]

Guest: Joe Strittmatter

Contact: [email protected]

Summary

In this episode of the Freedom Blueprint Podcast, host Justin Deese interviews Joe Strittmatter, who shares his journey from growing up in the plumbing and HVAC industry to successfully transitioning his business through various challenges, including the 2009 housing crisis. Joe discusses the importance of profitability over revenue, the role of mentorship, and the necessity of effective leadership and systems in scaling a business. He emphasizes the hard work required to succeed and the lessons learned from his experiences in the service industry. In this conversation, Justin Deese and Joe Strittmatter discuss the evolution of leadership, the challenges of transitioning from business ownership to retirement, and the importance of finding purpose and setting goals. They explore new ventures in the home services industry, the significance of partnerships, and the preparation required for launching a new business. The discussion also touches on the anticipated challenges in the market and the need for strategic planning in the face of potential economic downturns.

Takeaways

• Joe Strittmatter's journey began as a second-generation owner in the plumbing and HVAC industry.
• He transitioned from construction to service due to the 2009 housing crisis.
• Profitability is more important than revenue; focus on net profits.
• Mentorship played a crucial role in Joe's business success.
• There is no 'silver bullet' for success; hard work is essential.
• Developing systems and processes is key to business growth.
• Leadership skills must evolve as the business scales.
• Allowing employees to make decisions is vital for their growth.
• Failure is a part of learning; it should be embraced.
• Traditional methods can still be used to achieve effective marketing. You have to manage the outcome, not the minutia.
• Trust your team to handle tasks effectively.
• Finding better people to hire is crucial for growth.
• Transitioning to retirement can be challenging without goals.
• Boredom can lead to unhealthy habits post-retirement.
• Helping others grow is a fulfilling aspect of business.
• A bored entrepreneur can struggle with motivation.
• Partnerships can expedite business growth and success.
• The home services market may face challenges in the coming years.
• Running lean is essential for navigating economic downturns.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Joe Strittmatter's Journey

02:52 Transitioning from Construction to Service

06:11 Navigating the 2009 Housing Crisis

08:53 Growth and Profitability in Business

12:04 The Importance of Leadership and Systems

14:53 Lessons Learned from Mentorship

18:02 Scaling and Managing Growth

22:07 Leadership and Trust in Business

23:05 Navigating Life After Business

27:01 The Importance of Purpose and Goals

30:07 New Ventures and Partnerships

34:35 Preparing for Market Launch

38:57 Future Challenges in Home Services

Keywords

plumbing, HVAC, business growth, entrepreneurship, leadership, service industry, profitability, mentorship, marketing, construction, leadership, business growth, retirement, entrepreneurship, partnerships, market launch, home services, purpose, goals, challenges, Justin Deese, Freedom Blueprint Podcast, When Your Business Partner is Your Spouse, Kristen Deese

Mentioned in this episode:

Power Profit Workshop 2025- PowerProfitWorkshop.com