In this inspiring episode of The Kee To Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Michelle Jeppesen of Sendgym for a practical, down-to-earth conversation on marketing and mindset in the home services industry. Drawing from a decade in the trades, Michelle shares her journey from running a CSR call center to developing hyper-targeted marketing tools for home service pros, unraveling how psychology can transform both customer experience and marketing results. Together, Jen and Michelle explore the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, balance hard marketing tactics with authentic leadership, and address the real ways business owners can build sustainable growth through alignment rather than overnight gimmicks. Whether you're an owner scaling from $1 million to $10 million or just looking to strengthen your roots, this episode is packed with actionable ways to become "5-mile famous"—Michelle's approach for saturating your ideal local market and being unforgettable in your community. They highlight strategies from geofencing and hyper-targeted direct mail to social media branding, and connect every tactic back to real human behavior (hello, brain calories). You'll hear how consistency in marketing—texting, postcards, yard signs, and even thoughtful gifts—builds trust, fosters repeat business, and aligns your brand with what consumers actually need. The conversation takes a deeper dive into remarketing, explaining the difference between lead issues and sales issues, and how testing your offers is key to aligned growth. From best practices for digital ads and postcard ROI, to creative touches like lumpy mail and ringless voicemail, Michelle and Jen demystify how service businesses can stay relevant during longer buying cycles and build lasting relationships rather than quick wins. They also touch on the mental and emotional sides of entrepreneurship—how posting about your business on social media isn't "being annoying," it's fulfilling your responsibility as a business owner to be seen, trusted, and remembered. Jen wraps the episode by asking Michelle her signature question: What's the key to growth? Michelle's answer—consistent saturation—ties back to the foundation of branding, marketing, and nurturing both leads and customers. If you want to unlock the secrets behind operational efficiency, profit-first clarity, healthy intentional boundaries, and leveraging AI tools for modern marketing visibility, this conversation is a must-listen. You'll walk away with practical ideas, mindset shifts, and the encouragement to keep showing up authentically for yourself and your audience. Time stamps and topics discussed: 00:00 Welcome and introduction to The Kee To Growth Podcast and upcoming San Antonio event 02:30 Michelle Jeppesen's story in home services and transition from CSR training to marketing 04:45 The psychology behind customer service and how business is rooted in understanding why people buy 05:50 Sendgym marketing techniques: geofencing, hyper-targeting, and glitter marketing versus focused lead generation 06:44 What it means to become "5-mile famous" and best practices for neighborhood saturation 07:55 Practical ways to market locally: digital ads, yard signs, branded trucks, and automated postcards 08:35 ROI and lifespan of postcards, studies on touchpoints, and real-world results from neighbor mailings 12:45 Marketing trends: why consumers require more touchpoints and how the buying cycle is becoming longer 12:46 Remarketing and texting as powerful tools for nurturing leads and customers 14:26 Automating follow-up, leveraging broadcast texts, and the speed-to-lead culture 20:03 Lessons from millions of postcards: why the offer matters most, dollar-off vs. percentage-off, and creative A/B testing 24:18 Making offers clear, the importance of testing, and adapting creative for digital and print platforms 24:33 Ringless voicemail and lumpy mail—using gifts and thoughtful gestures to nurture leads and create loyalty 27:23 Identifying lead versus sales issues, mindset of constant marketing testing, and why personal branding truly matters 27:35 Michelle's key to growth: consistent saturation and being unforgettable Meet Your Host: Jen McKee Jen McKee is the founder of Kee Hart Marketing & Events, specializing in award-winning social media strategies for trade services. With expertise in content creation and personal branding, she helps businesses forge authentic connections with their audiences. As the host of the "Kee to Growth" podcast, Jen simplifies marketing strategies and empowers businesses to thrive. Tune in for actionable insights and inspiring stories to elevate your brand! Connect with Jen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.hartman.73/ or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-mckee-72114824/ Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Kee to Growth in your favorite podcast player. The Kee to Growth Podcast is Powered by: Kee Hart Marketing, the social media company for the trades. Learn more at www.keehartmarketing.com This episode was produced and brought to you by the Skilled Trades Syndicate @ServiceBusinessMasteryPodcast https://www.servicebusinessmastery.com/
