Author Archives: homesteadop
A Fresh Perspective for Small Contracting Companies
November 29, 2023Matt Hall, our newest salesperson, joined us in February. Previously Matt worked in the furniture industry, so he observes our industry with fresh eyes—often seeing what those of us building business veterans take for granted or do not notice. Matt’s Food for Thought 1. “There’s a lot more to decking, railing, and fencing than meets…
Plan for 2024 By Reviewing Performance in 2023
With 2024 just around the bend, now is the time to think about how you’ll move your business forward. One of the most effective ways to plan for the year ahead is to look back on the year behind. Assessing your performance in 2023 can give you valuable insight into what is—or is not—working for…
Build a Business That Works for You Using “Company of One” Concepts
Part 6: The Hidden Value of Relationships In this sixth and final article featuring the concepts from Paul Jarvis’s book Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing, we discuss the power of relationship building. You may have noticed a trend in marketing these days: big companies are trying to emulate smaller…
Product Spotlight—Wolf® Woodlands Collection: Edge and Center Bead
September 26, 2023Wolf’s new collection of low-maintenance, durable outdoor beadboards for porch ceilings and wainscoting has the look of real hardwood while offering the weather-resistance and durability of high-density PVC. Features and Benefit Highlights 1/2” x 6-1/8” x 18’ boards have tongue-and-groove design and hidden fastening. Does not absorb moisture. Won’t swell, rot, split, or delaminate. Requires…
Food for Thought: Solving Problems By Letting Wisdom Be Your Guide
Issues with suppliers and customers can—and do—happen. Material deliveries get delayed, or the wrong product arrives; some customers have unrealistic expectations or are uncooperative. It goes with the territory when you’re a contractor! When things don’t go according to plan, many people have a knee-jerk reaction. They express frustration and, based on what they feel…
Build a Business That Works for You Using “Company of One” Concepts
Part 5: The Power of Trust In this fifth article based on insight gleaned from the book Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing by Paul Jarvis, we talk about trust. As a contractor, your success depends on how much people trust you. Trust is about demonstrating competence, instilling confidence, and…
Product Spotlight: Promenade PVC Decking by Fiberon®
July 26, 2023Fiberon® Promenade PVC Decking features the aesthetic appeal of handcrafted wood decking and the superior performance of premium PVC. Promenade is quickly becoming a customer and contractor favorite! Why Customers Love It High-end look with low-maintenance needs: Looks like natural wood without the upkeep. No-slip safety: Its mold- and slip-resistant surface texture makes it an…
Three Tips to Avoid Unwelcome Surprises When Buying Decking or Railing
According to Bill Hursh, inside sales representative at Homestead Outdoor Products, attention to detail makes the difference between a project that goes smoothly and one that hits bumps in the road. Decking and railing jobs are no exception! A project’s trajectory is set in motion when contractors order the decking/railing material. Here are Bill’s top-three…
Build a Business That Works for You Using “Company of One” Concepts
Part 4: Leverage the Personal Touch The book Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing by Paul Jarvis shares how small businesses can stand out from larger companies. In this issue of The Homestead Post, we’ll share two tips (inspired by chapter 7 of the book) about how contractors can leverage…
Do you really need a business plan?
May 17, 2023Running a small business involves a lot of moving parts, and it’s important to make sure they’re all going in the right direction. That’s where a business plan—a document that captures a business’s objectives and provides a road map for achieving them—comes in. Three Big Benefits of Having a Business Plan 1. Helps you steer…