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Home Service Happy Hour

Author: Dan Platta

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🏠 Welcome to "Home Service Happy Hour," the ultimate rendezvous hosted by Dan Platta, the mastermind behind "Best Damn Bookkeeping"! 🍻



This show is your passport to candid conversations and practical insights, all while sipping on the expertise served by the best in bookkeeping.



As your host, Dan Platta brings a wealth of experience and a touch of humor to every episode. From the challenges of the home service industry to unleashing the secrets of badass bookkeeping, Dan keeps it real, relatable, and downright informative.



Join us for a virtual happy hour where no topic is off-limits. Whether you're a home service entrepreneur, a bookkeeping aficionado, or simply someone hungry for engaging discussions, this show is your front-row seat to an authentic, insightful, and entertaining experience.



"Home Service Happy Hour" is a community where industry insights meet real-world experiences. So, grab a seat, raise your virtual glass, and let's dive deep into the world of home service businesses!



🚀 Cheers to Happy Hours filled with knowledge, laughs, and a dash of business brilliance! 📚✨

130 Episodes
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Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, we dive into what it really means to get back in the weeds of your business. We're sharing the lessons that come with firing, rehiring, and rolling up your sleeves to reconnect with the work your team does every day. We talk leadership, accountability, and why sometimes the best move for a business owner is to jump back on the truck. Then we get into the money side — taxes, bookkeeping, and financial planning before the year ends. We break down how to know if you’ve got the right people handling your numbers and why “buying stuff to save on taxes” is a trap. Grab your drink, kick back, and let’s dig into what really drives smarter business growth.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, we dive into what it really means to live with purpose in a world full of noise, tech, and distractions. Curt Kempton joins me for a long talk about family, faith, and what business ownership looks like when you stop chasing and start enjoying. We go deep on ego, joy, and learning how to let go of control to make space for what actually matters. We’re also talking about AI, community, and the need to get back outside to reconnect with ourselves and each other. From hunting stories to “nothing boxes,” this one’s packed with laughs, honesty, and perspective. Grab your drink, settle in, and hang out with us as we figure out what it really means to work smarter, live better, and have a little more fun along the way.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, we dive into the real Q4 grind and what it takes to win the fall rush right now. I walk through weekend outbound calling, fast virtual estimates, and why a trained CSR can book circles around you while you stay in the revenue seat. We also hit profit lifters like cleaning up your P&L, trimming subscriptions, and using smart lines of credit to fuel marketing without sinking cash flow. Then we get spicy with unpopular opinions that actually make you money today. Stop rebuilding your website when optimization will outrank the big guys, stop abdicating ops to people who are not ready, and stop racing off the truck before the numbers say you can. Take care of your crew, create raving fans on the phone, and let’s stack the calendar while everyone else waits for the phone to ring.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, we dive into something special as my wife, Marti Marie, joins me for date night on Home Service Happy Hour. We talk about what it’s really like to build Best Damn Bookkeeping together, the lessons from leaving Blue Skies, and how we learned to grow without losing ourselves. From marriage challenges to business wins, we open up about how life and work actually blend in our world. We get honest about balance, parenting, stress, and learning to communicate when business never stops. Marty shares her side of what it’s like living with an entrepreneur, from long nights to big wins, and why she’s finally seeing me enjoy the ride. Grab your drink, join the chat, and hang out with us for this real and unfiltered conversation about marriage, business, and everything in between.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, we dive into what it really looks like to balance business, family, and everyday life as a home service entrepreneur. I’m sharing stories from bow hunting with my daughter, handling parenting chaos, and finding clarity between work and home. We also talk about house managers, mowing stripes, and why setting clear expectations matters for both business and family. We're breaking down how running a team and raising kids share the same principles of accountability, structure, and communication. You’ll also hear updates on Christmas light season, using AI for faster estimates, and building better habits that help you grow without burning out. Grab your drink, join the chat, and let’s talk about what it really takes to work smarter and live better.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, I’m breaking down how to actually read your profit and loss statement and what your numbers are really telling you. We’re talking about cost of goods sold (COGS), overhead, and how every dollar connects to your business decisions. If you’ve ever looked at your financials and felt lost, this one’s for you. I’m walking you through how I use real data from my business (Best Damn Bookkeeping) to make smarter calls in my business every month. You’ll see why understanding your COGS, marketing spend, and admin costs can completely change how you grow. Grab a drink, take some notes, and let’s make your numbers start working for you.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, I’m hanging out with Trevor, JC, and Angela for another round of Home Service Happy Hour, and we’re diving into real talk about rest, productivity, and staying sharp for busy season. I’m reminding everyone to stop “getting ready to get ready” and start hiring now before the holidays hit. Plus, JC shares his wild “bar-hop selling” story for Christmas lights—and yes, it actually works. We’re mixing laughs with business talk, from capacity planning to tattoos, tick bites, and a Vegas-style “Price Is Right” where we break down real small businesses for sale. I’m giving my take on when to invest, when to hold back, and how to balance risk with opportunity. Grab your drink, jump in the comments, and let’s keep working smarter and harder together.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, we dive into our weeklong Kentucky hunting trip and all the chaos that came with it. From flooded fields and hot weather to deer encounters and near misses, the crew breaks down everything that made this trip one for the books. You’ll hear about early mornings, long sits, and the kind of hunting lessons you only learn the hard way. We also swap stories about close calls with landowners, license mishaps at Bass Pro, and the unforgettable deer each of us tagged. Between laughs, lessons, and late-night camp antics, this episode captures the real side of public-land hunting. Grab a drink, settle in, and join us for the full Kentucky recap on Home Service Happy Hour.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, we dive deep into how social media shapes our thinking, how AI is transforming home service sales, and why real conversation still matters. We talk about using tools like LiveSwitch and virtual assistants to streamline business, and shares honest takes on immigration, labor, and politics from recent industry events. It’s raw, thoughtful, and packed with insight on where business owners go from here. We also open up about the importance of unplugging, finding peace outside the algorithm, and reconnecting with family, community, and purpose. Between business tech, cultural debates, and some classic Home Service Happy Hour humor, this episode captures what it means to be human in a digital world.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, James and I dig into the real conversations business owners need to have. We’re talking about AI, what it means for your team, and how to keep up when the world’s changing faster than ever. I’m laying out how documenting your processes and building redundancy in your business gives you the power to sell strong instead of fading out. We also get into the fun stuff—fantasy football, family, and even synchronized swimming with American flag speedos. But at the heart of it, this is about making sure you don’t leave money on the table when it’s time to exit your business. Stick around, grab a drink, and let’s figure out how to work smarter, adapt faster, and finish strong together. If you want to learn more about LiveSwitch, go to this link.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, I’m sharing stories from hunting trips, bow season wins, and the lessons business owners can pull from time in the woods. We also get into the ups and downs of seasonal business, from holiday light installs to navigating slow summers and rising ad costs. On top of that, I’m bringing in partners and friends from the field, giving you a look at how tools like LiveSwitch save truck rolls, boost ticket sizes, and change the sales game. And of course, family life keeps things interesting—between kids learning to drive, garage mishaps, and highway calls, there’s plenty of chaos to laugh about. Grab a drink and let’s roll.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, Angela and JC take over the podcast; they dive into what it really takes to crush the Christmas light season. I’m talking about why you shouldn’t be the one answering every phone call, how AI and admins free you up to make more money, and the real breakdown between vans, trailers, and box trucks when you’re running installs. They also share how smart rebooking, referral programs, and a few simple process shifts can unlock big revenue before the season even starts. Mix in some mastermind stories, live challenges, and even how they run their home life like a business, and you’ve got a conversation that’ll get you thinking differently about the busy season.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, we dive into the realities of business ownership with Teddy Slack from Modern Contractor TV and Rob Anderson of Clean Power Wash. Teddy shares his story of navigating family struggles, stepping away from the day-to-day, and scaling a business for a successful exit, while Rob brings his perspective from running a million-dollar operation and the challenges of staying consistent with content. We also get into the future of home services, where AI and automation are changing the game, and why old-school SEO no longer works while Google Business optimization is the real driver of leads. I’m bringing you an unfiltered conversation about partnerships, bookkeeping mistakes, and the kind of content and community that actually builds long-term growth in the home service industry.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, we dive into the hot topics of school safety, gun control debates, and why more parents are considering homeschooling. We share the challenges business owners face when weighing risks for their families, and how social media fuels division instead of solutions. From background checks to the culture around security in schools, we break down the issues in a way that matters to everyday leaders. We also dive deep into employee mental health in home service businesses and the role owners play in supporting their teams. You’ll hear real stories about handling crisis situations, creating space for honest conversations, and balancing compassion with client needs. This conversation is about leading with humanity while running a business in today’s complex world.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, we dive into a tough but important conversation around mental health after a tragic event in Minneapolis. We talk openly about the realities of running a business, the weight leaders carry, and the struggles that come with the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Our stories hit on how stress affects not just us, but our families, employees, and communities. We also share what we do personally to stay grounded and keep moving forward when things get heavy. From morning routines and gratitude practices to faith, fitness, and simply finding pride in hard work, we break down the habits that help us stay steady. This is a raw and real look at mental health from the perspective of business owners who know the grind firsthand.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, we dive into our Cedros Island fishing trip and bring you right into the action. From chasing yellowtail to hauling in a monster black sea bass, we share the highlights, the chaos, and the laughs that made this trip one to remember. We walk through the wins, the close calls, and the kind of moments that turn a simple fishing trip into legendary stories. We also talk about the food, the camaraderie, and the unexpected lessons that came out of it all. You’ll hear about dolphin pods, gaff fumbles, and even the business insights we pulled from coordinating a trip with twelve guys. This isn’t just about fishing, it’s about the experiences that fuel us in business and in life.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, we dive into Zig’s smart vending machine business and how he is growing it step by step. Zig breaks down prospecting strategies, breaking past gatekeepers, and why cashless machines are changing the game. He also shares the lessons he’s learned from handling sales tax mistakes and balancing vending with the slower season in power washing. We also dive into hunting prep as we gear up for the Kentucky trip, from setting trail cameras to tackling food plots and planning long sits in tough conditions. Zig shares how he weighs risk and reward in both business and the outdoors, and we even swap a wild salmonella story from a family camping trip. This one is full of lessons you can take straight into your own business and life.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, we dive into how we’re using LiveSwitch video estimates to save time, cut costs, and land more sales without sending trucks all over town. I’m also opening up a brand-new monthly CFO Q&A session for Best Damn Bookkeeping clients, giving you a chance to jump in, ask questions, and get clarity on your numbers. Plus, I’m sharing one of the biggest client wins we’ve had yet and why it fired me up to keep pushing. You’ll also hear how we’re thinking about pricing by scope instead of revenue so you can keep things fair and profitable as you grow. Chad and Trevor jump in with their own big sales stories, and we wrap things up with a fun hunting show and tell as we get ready for our Kentucky trip. Stick around because there is a lot in here you can use for your own business.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, we dive into what it really takes to scale a service business the right way with Jimmy Tomkins from Lights for Decorators. We’re talking about knowing your numbers, avoiding those profit-killing mistakes, and why chasing revenue without a plan can burn you out fast. From holiday and landscape lighting to the booming permanent lighting market, Jimmy and I break down where the industry’s heading and how to stay ahead of the curve. You’ll hear Jimmy’s story from starting a landscaping hustle at 14 to building a lighting brand that’s crushing it nationwide. We’re sharing the truth about market saturation, smart marketing during downturns, and how to keep clients coming back year after year. And of course, we’re swapping some laughs about sports, family life, and why competition runs deep in both business and backyard games.
Hey there, Home Service Homies! In this episode, we dive into the crazy process of getting my hacked Facebook account back and the exact steps that finally worked. From sending out government letters to cleaning out fake info the hackers dumped in, I’m sharing what it really took to recover it. We’re also swapping stories about lost bags on flights, standing desk upgrades, and a few lifestyle changes from the crew. Shawn Day jumps in with a big labor market update, and we get into why it’s tougher than ever to hire the right people. I’m showing you why now is the time to start recruiting for fall if you want to avoid being short-staffed. Plus, we’re covering strategies you can put to work today to compete with bigger companies and keep your best people around.
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