If I Can Build a Deck with Little Past Experience, Anyone Can Learn How to Sell

This text is from our consulting firm's latest 321 Biz Development episode found on 18 podcast platforms like Spotify, iTunes, Pandora and iHeart Radio. 321 Biz Dev has over 500 podcast episodes across multiple platforms. There is too much content to write for this article, so readers are referred to the podcast for the complete story. 321 Biz Dev supports supporting attorneys, CPAs, corporate dental franchisers, independent dentists, home health providers, homebuilders, medical groups, plastic surgeons, medical billers, insurance brokers, real estate brokers, restaurants, tattoo shops, boutique shops, indie artists, hair stylists, HVAC companies, and plumbers.

Deck Rick built in Walnut Grove California

Talk about doing something scary! I built this deck from scratch over a 3-month period. As a first-time deck builder, there is some good news and some bad news.

The bad news is there are some imperfections in the measurements. I was about 1.5 inches off vertically and horizontally in some areas which can be seen when the deck is seen in person.

The good news is I learned from my mistakes and got two additional deck jobs for about $8,000.

Other good news is I saved my good friend, a military veteran, and 321 Biz Dev client about $10,000 in labor.

But the best news of building this deck is I had little experience in building decks, but I attempted it even though I was so fearful. My friend allowed me to tear down the deck and attach a new deck structure to her newly purchased home. An existing deck was already attached to a home after my friend bought the property. The deck had significant dry rot. She spent a total of about $4,500 in wood and paid me about $3,500 for my labor.

Now, I am not a complete novice to construction. I do have some military related experience in rebuilding telecommunications centers as training exercises. I used a few tools before, but that was 25 years ago!

Here's the interesting story how I got the deck work.

My friend and I were going to rebuild the deck. My friend and fellow military veteran, Jason, has 15 years of handyman experience, but he wanted $9,500 to rebuild the deck. My friend, the new homeowner, could not afford $9,500. Plus there were wood expenses and expenses to haul the torn down wood to the dump. This was a 18ft x 20ft x .50, L-shaped deck with lots of underneath framing infrastructure.

The other good thing I had in my favor in rebuilding the deck was I also tore it down. I took lots of pictures of what the deck looked like before the teardown. Plus, I took a lot of measurements of the existing deck. I must have spent two weeks just looking at the pictures and reviewing the measurements before I even started the rebuild.

What does rebuilding this deck have to do with selling and business development?

A ton!

Using home improvement tools is not my strength. Like I mentioned, I have very little experience doing home repairs. But I saw a challenge and opened my mind to new things because my friend, fellow military veteran and 321 Biz Dev client needed help.

I have to admit I had periods of high anxiety rebuilding this deck. I spent countless hours in Home Depot asking questions about wood, nails, saws, and tools. Once the homeowner spent about $2,000 on the initial wood purchase, there was no way I could back out of rebuilding the deck. The homeowner purchased a few tons of wood and we rented the biggest U-Haul truck to deliver the wood about 30 miles from Home Depot to Walnut Grove, California, a small town along the Sacramento River.

A deck professional could have built this deck in 2-3 weeks but it took me about 10 weeks. I purposely stalled the rebuild for almost two weeks because I was unsure about putting up the railing along the upper portion of the deck.

I am proud to say that the deck is 99% completed with just the steps to add. Thanks to the Home Depot personnel and YouTube for guiding through a very fearful project. I learned a lot about of HILTI nail guns, jigsaws, MITRE saws, wood sizes and textures, nails, joists, cement etc.

The incentive to learn how to sell is huge for attorneys, CPAs, corporate dental franchisers, independent dentists, home health providers, homebuilders, medical groups, plastic surgeons, medical billers, insurance brokers, real estate brokers, restaurants, tattoo shops, boutique shops, indie artists, hair stylists, HVAC companies, and plumbers.

Becoming proficient in selling is something small business owners do not want to attempt even though sales mastery will increase their sales revenues.

When I train small business owners in 321 Biz Dev's 6 to 9 hour sales system training sessions, I will now have a better understanding and empathy for people introduced to professional selling for the first time.

If this article provoked some deep thought about improving your sales performance, please do not hesitate to contact me, Rick Nappier, at 726-999-0999.

Interested parties can also can click HERE to complete a 5-minute questionnaire so 321 Biz Dev can learn more about your current sales situation or learn about your current or past experiences with trying to improve sales performance.

Please complete the questionnaire and a 321 Biz Dev specialist will contact within two business days.

We hope your enjoyed today’s article and linked podcast episode.

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Rick, CEO