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Building a reputation as a Technician & Artist with Chad Quenneville

📅 August 23, 2021 ⏱️ 38:41 🎤 Alex Cadieux, Chad Quenneville

Chapters

Click to jump to section

  • 0:00
    Small Town Success
    Chad discusses running a successful landscape business in Cornwall, a town of 50-60,000 people.
  • 1:48
    From 'Good Enough' to 'Wow'
    Chad explains how he shifted his business mindset from simply getting paid to delivering 'wow' factor designs, significantly boosting profits.
  • 6:33
    Value of Artistic Freedom
    He details how embracing artistic freedom and unique designs helped attract higher-paying clients and move beyond square-foot pricing.
  • 10:40
    Marketing Through Quality
    Chad shares that his primary marketing strategy is delivering exceptional work, leading to referrals and eliminating the need for traditional advertising.
  • 17:36
    Balancing Growth & Satisfaction
    Chad discusses the challenges of scaling in a limited labor market and his focus on optimizing current projects for satisfaction and profit.
  • 28:15
    Navigating Client Demands
    He explains how larger, more complex projects introduce new stressors related to client hand-holding and subcontractor coordination.
  • 35:02
    Building Subcontractor Relationships
    Chad highlights the importance of fostering strong, organic relationships with other trades in a small market.
  • 40:39
    Interviewing the Client
    Chad describes his shift to pre-qualifying clients, choosing those who value his artistic input and allowing for creative freedom.
  • 47:49
    Referral Strategy
    He reveals his strategy of 'giving away' small extras and going the 'extra mile' to ensure client satisfaction and generate referrals.

Speakers

A
Alex Cadieux
Host — Taco Block
C
Chad Quenneville
Natural Design Landscapes

Key Takeaways

✦

Prioritize quality and 'wow' factor in your work to attract high-value clients and increase profit margins, rather than just focusing on square-foot pricing.

✦

Invest in building strong relationships with trusted subcontractors and other tradespeople; in smaller markets, these connections are crucial for project success and referrals.

✦

Don't be afraid to 'interview' potential clients. Focus on working with those who appreciate your artistic vision and allow for creative freedom, even if it means turning down less ideal projects.

✦

Reinvest a portion of your profit margin into 'free' extras or going the extra mile for clients; this exceptional service acts as powerful word-of-mouth marketing and generates high-quality referrals.

✦

Recognize that larger, more complex projects come with increased management responsibilities and potential stress. Price these projects accordingly to cover the additional overhead and coordination efforts.

✦

Embrace the 'starving artist' mentality early on by taking on challenging, creative projects, even if they initially require more time; this builds your skills and reputation for unique designs that eventually command higher prices.

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