Professional Development Resources for Home Service Entrepreneurs
When you invest in yourself and your team, you invest in your business. That’s what professional development is all about – investing in yourself personally and professionally so you are ready to adapt, lead, and inspire.
Now that we’re putting on Jobber Professional Development Day, we put together this list of professional development books, podcasts and courses home service industry experts rely on to stay sharp.
Trust us — this is one to bookmark. Let’s dive in!
Professional development and ongoing education are vital to grow your business and increase your sales.
Clients are more comfortable working with somebody who is knowledgeable on their product and what they have to offer.
What is professional development?
Professional development means continuously leveling up your knowledge, skills, and education so that you can improve and grow your business.
It includes the resources, events, peer networking, or training sessions used to improve yourself as a home service professional and as a business leader.
For home service entrepreneurs, it’s about investing in yourself and in your team so you can improve and grow your business.
Professional Development Books for Home Service Experts
Each of these books was recommended by expert home service providers. You can read or listen to them in audiobook format.
Audiobooks are great. I listen to books on leadership, self-improvement, salesmanship, and financials, all while working in the field. Being in the green industry, there is so much to learn and keep up with
1. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
Fellow entrepreneurs said this was the single most important financial book they’ve read as business owners. It introduces the ‘profit first’ system to simplify accounts and gives readers step-by-step advice you can action, plus case studies and a good dose of humor.
Don’t miss out on this one.
2. Who, Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy
If you’ve ever felt like you have tons of great ideas, but not enough time to execute them, then this is the book for you. Who, Not How teaches you to start asking yourself “who can do this for me?” rather than “how can I do this?” It aims to help build your business while also gaining your personal freedom — it’s all about accelerating teamwork in your business.
3. Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty
If you’re looking for an empowering book about how to achieve your goals and clear the way for success in your life, Jay Shetty has some words of wisdom for you.
In simple language, this bestseller combines his own life experiences and ancient wisdom to teach readers how to overcome negative thoughts and habits, while accessing the calm within. Each lesson is packaged into an activity that you can apply to every aspect of your life.
Professional Development is an ongoing and never-ending process that we believe is extremely important for any team, company, or individual.
4. The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz
Another one by Mike Michalowicz, The Pumpkin Plan is a business-focused book loved by home service professionals. Mike gets his inspiration from a story he read about a local farmer who dedicated his life to growing giant pumpkins. That’s when the pumpkin plan was born: plant the right seeds, weed out the losers, and nurture the winners.
Get this book if you enjoy hearing stories from other successful entrepreneurs and learning unconventional strategies to grow a remarkable business.
5. Crushing It! by Gary Vaynerchuk
We’re big Gary Vee fans around here — that’s why he kicked off Jobber Professional Development Day 2021 (our free online event) with his keynote session!
New York Times bestselling author and entrepreneur shares lessons from other entrepreneurs who, like him, have taken an untraditional approach in building a thriving business. Gary offers theoretical and tactical advice that both new and veteran entrepreneurs will find useful. But don’t expect a basic how-to guide from Crushing It! — you’ll find an in-depth story that gets to the heart of what it takes to make it big in business.
6. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
Adored by Jobber team members and Jobber customers, Grit by author Angela Duckworth comes in highly recommended.
Have you ever wondered why some people succeed and others fail? Angela Duckworth argues that success isn’t dependent on how smart or naturally talented you are. Instead, she argues that success is all about grit: a unique combination of passion and long-term commitment.
You don’t need to be a genius to succeed in life, whether that’s as a business owner, administrator, or team member. Grit uses real-life stories, experiments, and takes a magnifying glass to history to show us that success is more than being smart and talented.
7. The Dream Manager: Achieve Results Beyond Your Dreams by Helping Your Employees Fulfill Theirs by Matthew Kelly
The lessons from The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly are presented as a simple fable about leadership. It centers around an unprofitable janitorial business with a high turnover rate and low employee morale. To fix their problems, they hire a “dream manager” and discover that they need to invest in their employees.
The Dream Manager talks to the employees to discover what their dreams are and how they can achieve them. This book shows readers the connection between the dreams we chase personally and the way we all engage at work. If we can work together to achieve our dreams, we can also reach our business objectives.
Podcasts for Home Service Businesses
Podcasts are your best bet for professional development if you’re always on the road.
You can download and listen to any of the suggestions on our list wherever you get your podcasts.
1. Built by You: A Podcast for Entrepreneurs by Jobber
We have to kick off this list with our very own podcast, Built By You.
In each episode, we chat with a real home service business owner and hear how they stay focused when entrepreneurship gets real. Hear inspiring true stories from serial entrepreneurs about the roadblocks they’ve encountered in their entrepreneurial journey and how they overcame them.
Expect to feel inspired, motivated, and moved. If you think you’re alone on this entrepreneurship ride, you’re not.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts
2. The Sweaty Startup with Nick Huber
Nick Huber’s The Sweaty Startup podcast tears away the fluff from entrepreneurship and gets straight to the point. Episodes can be anywhere between four to 40 minutes and as one reviewer says, Nick doesn’t sugar coat anything.
The Sweaty Startup gives entrepreneurs the principles, strategies, and methods needed to grow a successful company. If you need help figuring it all out, Nick’s got your back.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts
Reinvest in everything. That includes investing in yourself and your business
3. The Ed Mylett Show
Ed Mylett’s podcast is all about peak performance. In each episode, he interviews the greatest performers across all industries. From sports to entrepreneurship, Ed digs into the practical and inspirational advice entrepreneurs in every industry need to grow.
He’s interviewed Jay Shetty, Martin Luther King III, Alex Rodriguez, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Listen for the humble interviews but stay for the life-changing advice.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts
4. Unlocking Us with Brené Brown
You’ve probably seen Brene Brown before — whether on Netflix or maybe you’ve seen her TED Talk, The Power of Vulnerability, which raked in over 47 million views.
Brené is a New York Times bestselling author and a research professor at the University of Houston. Her podcast is all about unlocking the “deeply human part” of who we are so you can become a better entrepreneur and human. Listen to Unlocking Us when you need to calm your mind and center yourself.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts
5. The School of Greatness Podcast with Lewis Howes
Recommended by Dan Guest, owner of Guest Plumbing, Lewis Howes’ podcast is all about dreaming bigger, living better, and making an impact. What’s not to like?
The School of Greatness is a favorite among home service entrepreneurs, thanks to Lewis’ diversity of guests and intriguing interview style. Expect to be inspired and informed both by Lewis and his fascinating guests.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts
Bonus podcast suggestions:
- Building a Furniture Brand with Ethan Abramson
- The Home Service Expert Podcast with Tommy Mello
- The Down to Business Podcast with Alex Kirby
- Happier with Gretchen Rubin
- The GaryVee Audio Experience with Gary Vaynerchuk
- The Tim Ferriss Show with Tim Ferriss
- The ONE Thing with Geoff Woods
- Pool Chasers Podcast
- How I Built This by Guy Raz
- Fullerton Unfiltered with Brian Fullerton
Professional Development Courses
An online course may be the right option for you if you’re interested in more formal education. Let’s take a look at some professional development courses for home service professionals.
There is a big connection between gaining specific knowledge and the ability to achieve my goals
I attend at least two local and one national tradeshow a year for networking and to keep a pulse on new and exciting trends in the industry.
1. Breakthrough Academy
Breakthrough Academy (BTA) offers courses and webinars to help home service contractors become “balanced and thriving” entrepreneurs.
What’s especially great about Breakthrough Academy’s program is that it’s aimed at home service companies so you know that every bit of advice is tailored to your style of business. Based on years of experience running home service companies, the program starts with an assessment, then you’ll get a six week blueprint to follow, and finally, you’ll learn how to bring your goals to life through the implementation phase.
⚠️ WATCH NOW: Replay Breakthrough Academy’s free workshop on how to maximize profitability through effective organizational structure from Jobber Professional Development Day 2021.
2. Steel Toe University for Landscaping and Lawn Care
Landscaping and design expert Phil Sarros leads the team at Steel Toe University. They offer a selection of courses focusing on contracts and documents, estimating, sales, and more. While most courses are targeted to lawn care and landscaping experts, a lot of the lessons can also apply to home service contractors in other industries.
3. Home Service Business Course with Dave Moerman
Business coach and owner of pressure washing business Revive Washing, Dave Moerman is on a mission to help home service owners skyrocket their business. His home service course helps you structure your business the right way, systemize, perfect budgeting, and nail down your pricing.
With over 12 years of experience in various home service industries, Dave has grown his company’s revenue to over $400,000 in under four years. Students enjoy how practical the lessons are and how easy it is to apply them to your business right away. Learn more about Dave’s pressure washing business here.
BONUS: Dave also hosts a podcast to help you start working on your business, not in it. Subscribe and listen to The Home Service Business coach podcast here.
Plus: Learn about professional certifications for your industry