Tag: motivation

Global Property Inspections Franchisee Spotlight: Greg Mathias

March 26, 2018

Global Property Inspections’ Franchisee Spotlight recognizes our most innovative and successful GPI and NPI franchises. By sharing their stories, helpful tips and lessons learned, every franchisee can learn what it takes to grow their business. For our March spotlight, we’re proud to feature Greg Mathias of Lloydminster, AB. Greg bought his GPI franchise in 2009. He was the first inspector to be named a CCHI (Canadian Certified Home Inspector). In just three short years as a GPI franchisee, Greg earned the title as our GPI top producer for 2013. What was appealing to you about the inspection industry?Greg Mathias: I’m a people person. I really liked the idea that I would be helping someone make the biggest decision of their lives. What skills from your previous job have helped you grow an inspection franchise?GM: I have always been in the construction industry working on full home, commercial buildings and renovations. I use the skills I’ve amassed over 31 years in the trade to market my inspection services. Clients like to know that you have the skills and the expertise to do the job. Why did you decide on GPI?GM: I looked at many franchises before deciding on GPI. The reason

National Property Inspections Franchisee Spotlight: Doug and Margaret Versaw

February 20, 2018

National Property Inspections’ Franchisee Spotlight recognizes our most innovative and successful NPI franchises. By sharing their stories, helpful tips and lessons learned, every franchisee can learn what it takes to grow their business. For our February installment, we’re proud to feature Doug Versaw and Margaret Herrera of Golden, CO. Doug and Margaret started with NPI in February 2012. Doug previously worked as a critical situation manager in the high tech industry before joining the NPI family, while Margaret worked as a marketing professional. Since 2012, National Property Inspections, Inc. has awarded them the Pacesetter Award (2013), the Pinnacle Award (2014-2016) and the President’s Club Award (2017). We asked Doug and Margaret to share their insights on joining NPI and growing their franchise. What was appealing to you about the inspection industry?Doug & Margaret: Doug’s always been interested in homes and structures in general. During his time working in the high tech industry, he kept his sanity by providing remodels and basement build-out services on the side. In New Mexico, we lived in a new development that built custom homes. We befriended one of the builders and in the evenings, Doug would check out home mid-build to learn about the construction

National Property Inspections Franchisee Spotlight: Stephen Fotiades

January 29, 2018

National Property Inspections’ Franchisee Spotlight recognizes our most innovative and successful NPI franchises. By sharing their stories, helpful tips and lessons learned, every franchisee can learn what it takes to grow their business. For our first installment, we’re proud to feature Stephen Fotiades of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Stephen Fotiades first started with NPI in 2015 after purchasing an existing franchise. Stephen previously worked as a commercial real estate agent and business owner before joining the NPI family. He runs his franchise with his wife, Taylor, and also has two children, Hayden (age 4) and Callan (age 16 months) with another on the way this year. We asked Stephen to share his insights on joining National Property Inspections and growing his franchise. What was appealing to you about the inspection industry?Stephen Fotiades: Without knowing a whole lot about the inspection industry, the first two aspects that I found appealing were that I didn’t have to spend all day in an office, and I was able to constantly interact with and meet new people. I have always had an outgoing personality and enjoy being around people so making sure that I was not confined to an office all day was an absolute necessity

How to Handle Criticism

December 18, 2017

By Roland Bates, NPI, Inc.’s Founder & CEO Take a second and imagine the world’s best restaurant. It’s been voted on and they have their “World’s Best Restaurant” plaque proudly displayed for all to see. Guess what? Every day and without fail someone will say the potatoes are too salty, someone will say it’s too dark, too loud, too expensive, the wait was too long and there’s not enough parking. But they are the world’s best restaurant. What is a merely pretty darn good restaurant to expect? Roses are red, violets are blue–I overpaid for my steak and so did you! Okay, that was horrible but I’m trying to fill a blog. Every business and every professional gets some complaints, justified or not. At NPI/GPI our franchisees don’t get a lot of complaints. When the franchisee invites the client along for the inspection, the client can see firsthand how hard the franchisee works. That the franchisee is looking out for their best interest. The client can see that our franchisees have the training, tools and know how to do the job. And once the franchisee walks the client through the property, pointing out issues and explaining things of interest, their

Leverage Your Gifts and Talents to Stay Motivated

December 5, 2017

By Kimberly Stevens There’s a good chance that you have untapped potential and you may not even be aware of it. While most skills can be learned, most of us are given gifts that come easily and that we feel passionate about. Some gifts are innate; they come naturally. But you can learn skills that enhance these gifts and turn them into talents. For example, a musically gifted child may take years of piano or singing lessons to develop his or her talent. Many have gifts or talents never realized, nurtured or developed that could potentially evolve into unimaginable opportunities. What Do You Love to Do?One way to identify your gifts is to take the time to actually think about what it is you love to do, what sparks a passionate response deep inside. Journaling can be a great tool to help you find your interests, hidden gifts and talents. Writing helps you understand what you naturally gravitate toward and the patterns that emerge in your thoughts. What Do Friends and Family Admire about You?Another way to discover your gifts is to ask family and friends what they feel are your best qualities and talents—you may be surprised at what

5 Tips to Improve Public Speaking As a Small Business Owner

November 21, 2017

By Kimberly Stevens “I have three hints for becoming a good public speaker. You must know when to stand up, when to speak up and when to shut up.” – Charlie Brown Wouldn’t it be great if Charlie Brown’s three tips above were all we needed to become more confident public speakers? It takes time and perseverance to perfect the art, but I’ve put together a few pointers to get you started. Follow this simple guide to overcome fear, improve your ability to speak in front of a crowd and nail your next networking event. First, let’s consider the benefits of public speaking. Motivation is key when it comes to speaking in front of a crowd, and rest-assured, the reward is great. Public speaking can allow you to build relationships with your audience and be seen as an expert on the subject you are sharing. You can make a lasting impression with this type of face to face interaction, creating trust that is invaluable in personal and business relationships. Becoming even an average speaker can have a great and direct impact on your influence with others and overall business growth. Second, to help reduce the fear that comes with public

5 Reasons Military Veterans Make the Best NPI Franchise Owners

November 3, 2017

By Sammi Marcellus, NPI, Inc.’s Recruitment Coordinator As a veteran, you automatically possess the necessary strengths to become a thriving property inspection business owner. Many veterans return to civilian life with a strong desire to be their own boss, as you often have far greater leadership experience than your peers. However, finding an industry that requires a relevant skillset to that of military experience can be a challenge. The world of franchise ownership in the property inspection business is a smart and lucrative route of vets re-entering the workforce. Here’s how each of these military skills can spell big success (as your own boss!) with NPI: 1. Detail-OrientedIn the military world, attention to detail and accuracy is critical when it comes to things like operating artillery and firearms. You know that haphazard work just won’t cut it, no matter how big or small the job. One of the most important characteristics a property inspector must have is a meticulous mindset, and your ability to extensively analyze your surrounding perfectly translates to inspection. Whether you’re inspecting an attic for mold or putting together a list of your best references for future clients, you won’t miss a beat. 2. Team LeaderStarting at

6 Traits To Look For When Hiring A Marketer

November 21, 2023

By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing & Business Coach Entrepreneurs tend to start off their business solo, or if they’re lucky, they can tap into spouses or family members for help. Eventually, as business picks up and they begin to struggle to keep up with the demand, marketing efforts tend to be some of the first activities that begin to fall off. This situation isn’t all bad, of course! But once a business pulls back on marketing, that inevitably means that they’ll end up missing out on opportunities for further growth – leaving work either on the table for the competition, or leaving would-be clients’ needs unmet. Of course, business owners aren’t simply doomed to fall into this trap! They have options: first, to allow software to take marketing efforts off their hands, such as through scheduled social media posting, recurring email campaigns, or automated review gathering. Once these routes have been explored, though, it’s time to face the facts. It’s time for some extra help. Inviting a new voice into a small business can be incredibly exciting, and somewhat terrifying at the same time. After all, a bad hire could result in a time, effort, and money investment loss

5 Cost Effective Marketing Strategies For Small Businesses

November 14, 2023

By Sydney Bailey, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Director Seasoned business owners know that every industry experiences ebbs and flows. There are times when the phones are constantly ringing and the calendar is packed. On the flip side, there are stretches where work is more scarce. It’s often during the slow seasons where cutting back on expenditures is a natural impulse, but business owners should be careful not to handicap their marketing efforts. Marketing is critical for reaching new clients and keeping your business top-of-mind for your established referral sources, so you should be hesitant to cut your marketing spend when business is down. With that said, there are ways you can be more intentional with your marketing budget. If you find yourself limited on funds, here are a few cost-effective marketing strategies worth exploring. Refine Your Communication SkillsStanding out from your competition is critical when business slows down. For some owners, explaining to prospective clients exactly what sets their business apart can be difficult. While effective marketing and networking can make your phone ring, it won’t do much good if the person answering the call doesn’t conduct themselves with enough confidence to actually book the job. With this in mind, business

Key Steps For Managing Your Work Vehicle As A Home Inspector

November 7, 2023

By Jon McCreath, NPI, Inc.’s Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator When imagining life as a home inspector, naturally one’s mind jumps to the on-site experience of gathering photos of a house’s interior and landscape, as well as maybe climbing onto a roof or roaming through a crawl space. What people who haven’t actually been a home inspector may not realize is that a surprisingly large amount of our time is actually spent in the car, traveling between locations, especially if you’re an inspector that serves a larger or mostly rural region. Keeping your work vehicle looking sharp and in working order is crucial to running a professional, successful property inspection business. Although you may have a great system already in place, here are a few reminders about how to take care of your mobile property inspections headquarters! The Importance of Vehicle MaintenanceKeeping a consistent routine of vehicle maintenance and servicing appointments scheduled should be a normal piece of your business’s expenses each year. While it may seem obvious, if an inspector’s vehicle breaks down or is delayed on the way to a job, their entire day’s schedule could be thrown off. Emergencies happen, of course, but changing plans at the

Marketing Insights: The Importance of Finding Your Audience

October 31, 2023

By Zach Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Senior SEO & Marketing Strategist Any experienced marketer, when speaking about how to grow a business and reach long-term goals, will preach on how important it is for a business to find its audience. For many business owners, this might sound a little strange. After all, shouldn’t entrepreneurs be looking to find as many clients or customers as possible in order to convert on leads and maximize their sales? Of course this is true! But this doesn’t mean that the best marketing strategy is to speak to everyone all at once. Imagine you’re making a speech in a massive auditorium. For most people, the more people there, the more difficult it will be to capture everyone’s attention. If too many people are there, the audience further in the back will struggle to see you, and even the most expensive sound equipment will start to fail, leaving your message completely unheard to many. In the same way, marketing to a massive audience tends to be expensive, and a business that chooses to market in this manner can often see their message lost, becoming indiscernible as it competes with too many other businesses for attention. Instead of

Got Your Six: The Veteran’s Guide To Re-Entering The Workforce

October 24, 2023

By Sammi Marcellus, NPI, Inc.’s Recruitment Coordinator Enlisting in the military is a great opportunity for many to learn practical, real-world skills, all while serving their country. With that said, many struggle with making the move from the structure that military life provides, to the seemingly chaotic nature of being a civilian. Finding a career that’s fulfilling while also featuring these same benefits of a position in the military can be a tough ask, but that doesn’t mean veterans should be caught with application paralysis. Veterans looking to find a good job fit for themselves should recognize their strengths and the challenge ahead. To move forward with confidence, here are just a few notes to consider when pursuing the next chapter. Acclimate to Civilian LifeOne major struggle that Veterans experience upon transitioning away from the military is their daily schedule. In the military everyone has a specific job and their days are planned out extensively for them, which frees them up to focus solely on their duties rather and reduces the need for self-management. In the majority of civilian workplace settings, this strict schedule is gone, which can be jarring for many to adapt to. Veterans should decide early on

How Celebrating Holidays on Social Media Can Benefit Your Business

October 17, 2023

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Senior Marketing Communications Strategist As your business grows, building an audience online can quickly become a strong stream for new leads and an opportunity to set yourself apart from your competition. In our previous article discussing how to use pictures to boost engagement on social media, we talked about how varied content is important for businesses that want to improve their performance online. While this is a great goal in theory, coming up with a consistent stream of unique content is tough. That’s why if you haven’t jumped onto the holiday post train yet, now is the time to start! Holiday posts are a great way to capitalize on current events in a way that breaks up your regular social media schedule. For some extra inspiration before the holiday season really kicks into gear, here are some things to consider when it comes to posting during the holidays! Choose Which Holidays to HighlightCapitalizing on a holiday on social media isn’t as simple as looking at the next one on the calendar and making a graphic to accompany it. Ideally, owners and social media managers should take some time to think about why their business has

Tips for Delivering a Bad Inspection Report

October 10, 2023

By Jon McCreath, NPI, Inc.’s Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator There’s a reason why “don’t kill the messenger” is such a commonly repeated phrase. Delivering bad news is a tough position to be in, especially when someone is caught blind-sided by the message. Even though you may have not been the cause of the situation, you were the one that disrupted the status quo. Whether fair or not, the one that delivers bad news often becomes the villain, and no one wants to be the villain. Home inspectors are frequently caught in the awkward position of needing to deliver information that clients probably don’t want to hear. The truth of the matter is that issues and defects in homes would exist whether the inspector discovered them or not. It’s only through a thorough home inspection that buyers can make their biggest investment with confidence. For property inspectors, delivering bad news in a calm and courteous manner is a skill worth building. Start by setting the right expectations. Don’t Hide from the ReportMany negative reactions from clients can be curbed through establishing a proper understanding before the inspection even begins. Inspectors know very well that no home is perfect, but sellers

Getting the Most Out of Networking Events

October 3, 2023

By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing & Business Coach There’s a lot that goes into growing a small business, between learning the industry, making smart connections, and keeping up with the newest innovations. Naturally, this means that networking events can be a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs to get their foot in the door and truly elevate their business. Any time a business owner can get themselves into a room where they are surrounded by other like-minded industry professionals, they have a chance to learn new strategies and techniques that can take their business plan to the next level. Unfortunately, many find networking events to be lacking as they struggle to make meaningful connections. Whether spending time at a convention, giving a presentation, or attending some other industry event, sometimes it can be tough to see immediate returns on your time and energy. If you’re looking for some strategies on how to capitalize best on networking events, give this process a try! In so many ways, successful businesses are built on relationships. Here’s how you can more reliably make a good first impression. Take Some Time to PrepareAs with most things, good preparation is the best way to set yourself up

How to Prepare Your Business for Your Vacation

September 26, 2023

By Michael Trimble, NPI, Inc.’s Content Marketing Coordinator Small business owners take so much pride in their work, it can be hard to take even a short break. The risk of losing momentum, missing out on business, and potentially damaging valuable relationships keep small business owners from taking a vacation–some go years and years without a break. While these concerns are valid, many may not realize that they are missing out on a necessary reset by forgoing an extended holiday. The truth is everyone needs a physical and emotional break from their work. Plus, new experiences and a broader perspective can provide much-needed creative energy to entrepreneurs. If you’re nervous about how to handle an upcoming vacation, here are a few actions you can take to ensure your break goes off without a hitch! Notify Your Clients (and Share Your Experience!)If you are your only employee, vacations mean that your business can’t do much without you. To keep any consistent referral sources or clients from being surprised, it can be smart to send out a notification in advance. Whether through an email blast or a few phone calls to associates with established relationships, offering a heads up is sure to

What to Research Before Becoming a Home Inspector

September 19, 2023

By Celeste Black-Harr, NPI, Inc.’s Recruitment Coordinator There are plenty of attributes that draw those with an entrepreneurial spirit into the home inspection space. Whether it’s the opportunity to own a business, innovate within a market, or control a personal schedule, many look to the prospect of being a home inspector as the answer to their career goals. The only issue is that, with the wealth of information there is out on the internet about how to get started as a home inspector, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Owning a successful home inspection business begins with asking the right questions. How can I be sure that my business will be profitable? What business model should I choose? What hours should I list for my business? No two businesses are the same, and while there isn’t necessarily a cookie-cutter model for success, there are a few places worth starting before getting caught up in the minutiae. With this in mind, here are some important areas of research from which every prospective home inspector would benefit. Check Out Your State WebsiteThe first step of becoming a home inspector should always start with nailing down an area of operation and reviewing that state’s