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I wanted to build vertical SaaS for pest control, so I took a technician job

onhand.pro

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Re: I wanted to build vertical SaaS for pest control, so I took a technician job

#151

Post by DrewADesign »

mememememememo wrote: post #76
DrewADesign wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s far worse in the restaurant industry. We’re going to see a lot of really awkward concept restaurants and bars open and close in quick succession.

Yes. Although if we can get more robot sushi restaurants for a while I will not complain.

Yeah if software developers have anything to do with that, it’s providing the software or the money. Running a restaurant is extremely complex, specialized knowledge with a dizzying number of moving parts. Something like 40% of restaurants close their first year, and the large majority don’t make it 5.

Funding someone that knows how to run a restaurant and an engineer with food processing expertise, HAACP compliance and all that? Sure. But I was in that business in the Boston area and saw SO many tech geniuses blow through their funding before they even opened.

Re: I wanted to build vertical SaaS for pest control, so I took a technician job

#153

Post by guzfip »

seibelj wrote: post #89
tezclarke wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On "venture or nothing" - This will be my second company and this time round I have stripped right back to the problem, which is actually quite basic - pest control is a big, good business to be in and it's possible to build a very big, profitable business by doing the simple things right, consistently. It will compound over time if the basics are done right (which is harder to do than I thought before this experimen…

My neighbor is the best wallpaper guy in the city, which you’d think is extremely niche but wallpaper has come back in a big way. All sorts of businesses out there for those who identify needs and service wants. And the best way to know about a business is to work for an established one first

I’ve always wondered how the hell things like vacuum repair shops and other niche stores I still see around from time to time are still around.

It’s not that I don’t think anyone would choose to repair their vacuum. It’s more that I can’t imagine they get enough volume to pay the lease/rent/bills on whatever commercial property they’re on.

Re: I wanted to build vertical SaaS for pest control, so I took a technician job

#154

Post by tezclarke »

wouldbecouldbe wrote: post #146
btown wrote: post #63

> That’s why selling SaaS or AI to this kind of company isn’t for me - I’d rather focus my energy on building a company from my own principles, and hire people who share them from the beginning. > When I told my manager I was leaving, he said I should start my own company and give him a call when I do. So that's what I'm doing. I love hearing stories like this, because it shows a way to be a builder without the "vent…

Out of all things, you have to be a sadist to be passionate about pest control. Even though necessary at times, it's not a very clean job. Sounded more like he likes he is passionate about building a business.

It’s the business characteristics I like. Recurring and one off revenue, big market, growing, regulations. The exam barrier to entry rather than 4y apprenticeship like plumbing

Re: I wanted to build vertical SaaS for pest control, so I took a technician job

#155

Post by tezclarke »

guzfip wrote: post #153
seibelj wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My neighbor is the best wallpaper guy in the city, which you’d think is extremely niche but wallpaper has come back in a big way. All sorts of businesses out there for those who identify needs and service wants. And the best way to know about a business is to work for an established one first

I’ve always wondered how the hell things like vacuum repair shops and other niche stores I still see around from time to time are still around. It’s not that I don’t think anyone would choose to repair their vacuum. It’s more that I can’t imagine they get enough volume to pay the lease/rent/bills on whatever commercial property they’re on.

Tough as consumer goods are generally getting cheaper and better quality. Can’t remember the last time we had a problem with the TV. We have left them behind when moving apartments as they’re relatively cheap now

Re: I wanted to build vertical SaaS for pest control, so I took a technician job

#156

Post by skizm »

> We have an acquisition of a small residential operator lined up, which we'll build the tooling for and grow a platform around once we’ve proven the model works and can scale.

This is the exact process private equity tries to do at scale, right?

Re: I wanted to build vertical SaaS for pest control, so I took a technician job

#157

Post by tezclarke »

skizm wrote: post #156

> We have an acquisition of a small residential operator lined up, which we'll build the tooling for and grow a platform around once we’ve proven the model works and can scale. This is the exact process private equity tries to do at scale, right?

We plan to build more technology in house than PE does. We will start with this first small acquisition, learn and go from there. It might grow by more acquisitions, franchising or organically by attracting the right technicians over, or having a better training program to quickly train and get experience for new guys

Re: I wanted to build vertical SaaS for pest control, so I took a technician job

#158

Post by Lalabadie »

lotsofpulp wrote: post #132
tezclarke wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On "venture or nothing" - This will be my second company and this time round I have stripped right back to the problem, which is actually quite basic - pest control is a big, good business to be in and it's possible to build a very big, profitable business by doing the simple things right, consistently. It will compound over time if the basics are done right (which is harder to do than I thought before this experimen…

> which is actually quite basic - pest control is a big, good business to be in and it's possible to build a very big, profitable business by doing the simple things right, consistently. I would have thought the opposite because pest control is the easiest thing to DIY for most people. All the insecticides and traps and knowledge for what to use is available online, there is usually no emergency so research can be do…

I think you're assuming that there is no valuable/monetizable difference between a neophyte, and an experienced expert serving (and supported by) a solid organization.

Also, I don't know where you live, but the more powerful substances used by licensed pest control are regulated and aren't (legally) available to the general public. If you're willing to run a business model based on unlicensed use of controlled substances, there are more profitable options than pest control lol

Re: I wanted to build vertical SaaS for pest control, so I took a technician job

#159

Post by anoojb »

tezclarke wrote: post #98
anoojb wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is amazing. Thanks for sharing the story. > ...and noticed companies have become less likely to offer their time for ride-alongs and research calls. They get too many requests, and vibe coding is drawing their attention to self-build. Is this ACTUALLY happening? Are entrepreneurs who get into vibe-coders really eating up time a bunch of time for trades people?

Much more difficult to get attention from blue-collar decision makers than it was previously. Also bc there's a ton of investment in the sector now, so they're bombarded by inbound!

I see, you're statement is less about product research and more about customer acquisition.

Re: I wanted to build vertical SaaS for pest control, so I took a technician job

#160

Post by tezclarke »

anoojb wrote: post #159
tezclarke wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Much more difficult to get attention from blue-collar decision makers than it was previously. Also bc there's a ton of investment in the sector now, so they're bombarded by inbound!

I see, you're statement is less about product research and more about customer acquisition.

Getting the initial conversation even to research (not just to sell to) is more difficult than before for these reasons.
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