From Humble Beginnings to a $4.4 Million Gutter Business

Taylor Shores, owner of High Point Gutter, shares his inspiring story of turning $500 and his weekends into a successful business. With no business background, Taylor started his side hustle in 2016, cleaning gutters in Woodenville, Washington, and eventually expanded to gutter installation.

Early Success and Lessons Learned

Taylor’s side hustle quickly took off, with average job costs of $3,400 and earnings of $1,200 to $1,600 in cash per day on weekends. He learned the importance of testing business ideas, considering factors like revenue and sales cycles. Taylor also emphasizes the value of having a strong “why” and a clear vision for the business.

Key Strategies for Success

• Start small and focus on delivering high-quality service to build a strong reputation
• Utilize online resources, such as Google reviews and social media, to establish a credible entity
• Invest in safety training and equipment to minimize risks and ensure a safe working environment
• Develop a pricing strategy based on percentages of labor and materials costs, aiming for a 54% gross profit margin

Scaling the Business and Overcoming Challenges

As the business grew, Taylor faced challenges such as determining profitable pricing, managing cash flow, and finding the right balance between growth and profitability. He overcame these challenges with the help of a mentor and by implementing the EOS system, which includes weekly 90-minute meetings to focus on key challenges.

Marketing and Customer Acquisition

• Allocate a significant budget for marketing, approximately 8% of total revenue
• Utilize various marketing platforms, including Google ads, SEO services, and social media
• Focus on delivering exceptional customer service to build a strong reputation and encourage referrals

Lessons from Experienced Entrepreneurs

Taylor shares valuable insights from his own experience and from other successful entrepreneurs, including the importance of:

• Having a strong “why” and a clear vision for the business
• Being intentional when connecting with mentors and seeking guidance
• Continuously learning and improving, both personally and professionally
• Being comfortable with discomfort and constantly expanding one’s comfort zone

Conclusion

Taylor’s story serves as a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and a clear vision. By following his example and learning from his experiences, aspiring entrepreneurs can overcome their own challenges and achieve success in their respective niches.

Key Vocabulary

Watch The Video

Vocabulary Quiz

1. What does the term “side hustle” refer to in the context of Taylor Shores’ story?

A) A full-time business venture
B) A type of gutter installation
C) A part-time business or job done in addition to one’s main occupation
D) A marketing strategy

2. Which of the following is NOT one of the key strategies for success mentioned in the article?

A) Start small and focus on delivering high-quality service
B) Utilize online resources to establish a credible entity
C) Invest heavily in physical storefronts
D) Develop a pricing strategy based on percentages of labor and materials costs

3. What is the primary purpose of implementing the EOS system in Taylor’s business, as mentioned in the article?

A) To reduce labor costs and increase profit margins
B) To manage cash flow and determine profitable pricing
C) To focus on key challenges through regular meetings
D) To expand the business into new markets

4. According to the article, what percentage of total revenue does Taylor allocate for marketing?

A) 2%
B) 5%
C) 8%
D) 12%

5. What is the significance of having a “strong why” in the context of entrepreneurship, as emphasized by Taylor?

A) It refers to the financial goals of the business
B) It is a marketing strategy to attract customers
C) It represents the purpose or motivation behind starting and running a business
D) It is a measure of the business’s success

Answer Key:

1. C
2. C
3. C
4. C
5. C

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: Using the Present Perfect Continuous Tense to Describe Ongoing Actions

Grammar Quiz:

Choose the correct form of the verb in parentheses to complete each sentence:

1. Taylor __________________ (start) his side hustle in 2016 and __________________ (run) it successfully ever since.
   1. A) started, has been running
   2. B) has started, runs
   3. C) was starting, is running
   4. D) had started, ran
2. By 2022, Taylor __________________ (expand) his business to include gutter installation and __________________ (serve) customers in several areas.
   1. A) had expanded, was serving
   2. B) has expanded, serves
   3. C) expanded, has been serving
   4. D) was expanding, had served
3. Taylor’s business __________________ (grow) rapidly since he __________________ (implement) the EOS system.
   1. A) has been growing, implemented
   2. B) grew, had implemented
   3. C) was growing, implements
   4. D) is growing, has implemented
4. Aspiring entrepreneurs __________________ (learn) from Taylor’s story and __________________ (apply) his strategies to their own businesses.
   1. A) have been learning, apply
   2. B) learn, have applied
   3. C) are learning, have been applying
   4. D) were learning, applied
5. Taylor __________________ (face) many challenges but __________________ (overcome) them with the help of his mentor.
   1. A) has faced, overcomes
   2. B) faced, has overcome
   3. C) was facing, had overcome
   4. D) is facing, has been overcoming

Answer Key:

1. A) started, has been running
2. C) expanded, has been serving
3. A) has been growing, implemented
4. C) are learning, have been applying
5. B) faced, has overcome