Service Based Business with Mike Dingler
Firehouse Pressure Washing
Mike Dingler is a nationally registered and formally a full-time Firefighter/Paramedic. Now a volunteer as a Firefighter/Paramedic, Mike runs Firehouse Pressure Washing which is staffed entirely by Firefighters. Mike is an author of the book "Small Service Based Business Basics: How to run your business and not let your business run you". He is launching the FireTrack app in early 2020 to connect the public to Firefighters providing various home services on their days off.
In this episode of Websuasion Conversation, we discuss pressure washing, firefighting, and service based businesses.
Introduction
Mike tells us how a career change for his father started Mike on his own career path.
The Decision to Become a Firefighter
Mike tells us about going to college for computer science before deciding to be a firefighter.
Life of a Firefighter
Mike talks to us about starting pay for firefighters and their typical work schedule.
Pressure Washing as a Side Gig
Mike talks about maintaining pressure washing as a side gig while he was in college and once he was a firefighter.
Mike's Pressure Washing
Mike tells us about the beginning of his pressure washing business before he started to gain momentum.
Firehouse Pressure Washing
Mike talks about leaving firefighting to pressure wash full time and why he only hires firefighters.
A Family Atmosphere
Mike talks about the cycle of people leaving to do other things and the reasons people stay.
Running a Business
Mike talks about the difference between having a skill and knowing how to run a business using that skill.
Mentorship
Mike discusses the book he wrote to help others and the importance of leaving an industry better than you found it.
FireTrack App
Mike talks about the FireTrack app, a nationwide app for helping home and business owners find off-duty firefighters and paramedics to perform services such as painting, plumbing, and electrical work.
A Directory of Services
Mike discusses how the FireTrack app links homeowners with firefighters in their community.
343toNYC.org
Mike tells us about the 501c3 nonprofit organization supported by proceeds from the FireTrack app to send firefighters to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York.
Benefits of the FireTrack App
Mike talks about why he decided to launch the FireTrack app and the benefits of working with firefighters.
App Developer Checklist
You've been busy building your business, not learning all the ins and outs of application development. There's no reason you should know what it takes to develop a quality, maintainable application and bring it to market. But, before you contract with any firm (including ours), you should understand what is considered the standard. So, we've developed a handy two-page checklist. It will arm you the questions you need to ask before you move forward.
Subscribe On Your Favorite Podcast Network
https://websuasion.com/feed/podcast/
J. Ryan Williams is president and founder of The Websuasion Group LLC. He has over 20 years of application development experience. Ryan has experienced the challenges of changing technology and growing a business. Having benefited from mentors throughout his career, he now works to mentor others.