Author Archives: homesteadop

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…

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…

Wolf’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…

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…

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…

Fiberon® 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…

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…

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…

Running 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…

Cable railing—with its sleek profile—has become a popular choice among homeowners wanting durability and a minimalistic aesthetic. According to Mike Stoltzfus, outside sales representative at Homestead Outdoor Products, “Installing it can be challenging, though, because every manufacturer has their own unique cable railing system.” Inexperience and lack of unfamiliarity with a brand can ultimately lead…