Jim Sloan retweeted
George and Lewis are relentless 💪🏽- excited for us to be partnering with them! Let’s go! 🚀
Announcing $40M in funding from @sequoia and @a16z.
I grew up pressure washing houses in upstate New York. Six summers in the truck, missing calls from the top of a ladder because I couldn't hear my phone ring. My co-founder Ben grew up plumbing with his dad in San Francisco.
We entered home services because we grew up in it. I spent a summer inside TR Miller, one of the best-run HVAC, plumbing and electrical shops in the country, and their workflows were still raw.
The first wave of AI in the trades was point solutions. One tool for voice, one for outbound, one for follow-up. Operators ended up with five vendors and more overhead.
Probook is the AI operating system that helps you add points to your EBITDA and run your entire customer experience as one connected system, built around dispatch.
Many of America’s largest home service brands run on Probook today. Summers Plumbing booked 2,542 jobs their first month with us, zero human intervention. Anthony PHCE ran 20% more revenue per job on a 50% leaner team. Del-Air more than doubled productivity from 10 to 22 techs per dispatcher.
To everyone who trusted us early: thank you.
Back to work. We're hiring.
Jim Sloan retweeted
Here are some good reasons to attend my "Breaking $5M" workshop next month...
ownedandoperated.com/upcomin…
Jim Sloan retweeted
Running a family business can be fun and challenging. However we are glad to be able to give our blood, sweet, and tears to the trades. Our great grandpa was in distribution selling furnaces during WW2, our grandpa carried that legacy. Our Dad jumped to the contracting side, and we are glad to carry that legacy. One day hoping our next generation will continue the legacy.
Jim Sloan retweeted
How much longer can this be ignored?
The chart below understates the problem (looks only at premiums) by ignoring the plan design changes that devalue coverage and shift costs to employees.
Healthcare continues to spiral out of control..
Jim Sloan retweeted
If your inventory looks like this. Do a deep clean. My dad taught me a valuable lesson: “if you haven’t used it in the last 1-2 years throw it away.” Space is a premium, your team doesn’t know what you have, and it’s a safety concern.
Jim Sloan retweeted
Replying to @WilsonCompanies
We’re currently removing all guarantees, receiving favorable rates, and multiple debt facilities. This can unlock a new potential. Note: Make sure you have a good handle on your financials and a good controller in the seat. Secondly need a strong EBIDTA to play in MM banking
Jim Sloan retweeted
Whatever you do, take @STLChrisH’s advice and don’t do HVAC work for big GC’s. No matter how big or flashy the profits & project may seem.
I can’t think of a bigger time/energy suck.
Unfortunately, I am currently learning the hard way.
Jim Sloan retweeted
“Can I work remote?”
Fair question. But for us, the answer is no.
Our field team shows up to 200+ homes a day.
We ask our office team to show up to one.
We’re not anti remote. We’re just pro together.
In person isn’t outdated.
For the right team, it’s a superpower.
Jim Sloan retweeted
Just saw a Forbes article on average earnings by age. Wild to think the average 25 to 34 year old is making around $53K a year
Meanwhile plenty of trade professionals are making $73K or more after just a few years of on the job training
No college debt No four year wait Just skills and hustle
Feels like one of the best times ever to be in the trades
Jim Sloan retweeted
In their final moments, this couple fought ferociously to repel terrorists who stormed their home.
They had barely enough time to hide their two newborn twins in a closet, before positioning themselves on the other end of the home to draw the terrorists their direction.
Some reports say they had killed as many as 6 Hamas fighters who entered their home that Sunday morning.
12 hours later, the twins were found by their grandfather.
Itai and Hadar Berdichevsky - their story sticks with me today.
As a parent with children their age, I can only imagine the intensity with which they made their final stand, and admire their quick action & heroism in the face of unbelievable evil.
Jim Sloan retweeted
Replying to @Will_Schryver
We ended Revenue about 15% from year prior. The Biggest lift was on our gross profit $ and %. Our team did an amazing job on GP
Jim Sloan retweeted
Replying to @shawngorham
I believe there is a place for this business model, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Based on what I’ve observed with smaller businesses in the trades that follow a similar approach, there are several common challenges:
•High bank debt
•Low margins for growth and/or low operating profits
•Owners often earn less than they would working for a larger partner—sometimes as little as $50,000 to $75,000 annually.
•The model is often unsustainable during economic downturns.
While this model may have its place, it carries significant risk. When the market softens, the question becomes: What will the tide reveal?
Jim Sloan retweeted
Leaders inspire people.
Managers are very effective at handling the affairs of an organization. They Manage things. Leaders inspire people
Jim Sloan retweeted
Is there publicly available default data on SBA loans over the last 12 months?
Particularly those funded in connection with an acquisition.
Jim Sloan retweeted
“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the last or present are certain to miss the future” JFK
Jim Sloan retweeted
If you’re a home services (HVAC, Plumbing, Roofing, Pest Control, etc) SMB business owner that is contemplating a sale or have already been approached by private equity, you need the following advisors.
M&A Advisor / Investment Banker
Legal counsel specializing in M&A
Quality of Earnings (QofE) provider
Cutting corners on any one of these advisors to “save a few $ on fees” will cost you multiples on the expense, even millions in lost value left on the table.
When private equity knows you’re out on an island by yourself trying to do everything and/or you don’t have the right team of advisors, they see it as a huge opportunity to take advantage of the situation. Like a shark with blood in the water.





















