The Service Standard

Cory Adams
  • 5.0 (7)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Service Standard — for home service business owners who want to build profitable, professional companies in the trades. Hosted by Cory Adams, a real home service entrepreneur, this channel is about what it actually takes to grow a service business. We talk about: • Home service business growth • Pricing and profit strategies • Hiring and building a strong team • Leadership in the trades • Systems and operations • Seasonal revenue • Scaling from technician to owner • Faith, integrity, and long-term success If you own or want to start a landscaping company, lighting company,

  1. Letting an Employee Use a Company Vehicle Cost Me Thousands

    FEB 20

    Letting an Employee Use a Company Vehicle Cost Me Thousands

    In this episode of The Service Standard, Cory Adams shares a hard lesson about liability in a home service business. After allowing an employee to use a company vehicle, a minor accident turned into a much bigger financial and insurance issue than expected. This episode breaks down: • Company vehicle liability risks• Insurance exposure in service businesses• Employee driving policies• Protecting your business from avoidable risk• Balancing generosity with responsibility as a business owner If you run a landscaping, lighting, HVAC, plumbing, roofing, or other home service company, this conversation is critical. Small decisions can carry major financial consequences. Leadership isn’t just about helping people — it’s about protecting the business that supports everyone.

    16 min
  2. Most Men Don’t Need a Pastor — They Need Someone to Go First

    FEB 11

    Most Men Don’t Need a Pastor — They Need Someone to Go First

    Leading men at work is one thing.Leading them spiritually? That scared me. This week I started an optional Bible study with my employees — and honestly, I didn’t feel qualified to lead it. In this episode, I talk about:• Feeling unqualified but responsible• Why most men don’t need a pastor — they need someone to go first• Why I made it optional• What leadership really looks like as a dad and business owner If you’re a man trying to lead better — at home, at work, or spiritually — this conversation is for you. Subscribe for weekly conversations on faith, fatherhood, leadership, and becoming a better man without pretending to be perfect.

    16 min
  3. Inconsistent in Business? Here’s What It’s Really Costing You

    FEB 8

    Inconsistent in Business? Here’s What It’s Really Costing You

    In this episode of The Service Standard, Cory Adams talks about the real cost of inconsistency in a home service business. If you run a service-based company — landscaping, lighting, HVAC, roofing, plumbing, pressure washing — this episode is a direct conversation about discipline, systems, and execution. We break down how inconsistent marketing, inconsistent leadership, and inconsistent follow-through quietly destroy growth in small businesses. You’ll learn: • Why inconsistent marketing stalls revenue• The hidden cost of inconsistent leadership• How discipline builds momentum• Why systems matter more than motivation• How to raise the standard in your service business Growth doesn’t come from bursts of effort.It comes from consistent execution. If you’re building a home service company and want to grow profitably, this episode is for you.

    20 min
  4. How to Build Trust in a Competitive Market | Lauren Maxwell of CrossCountry Mortgage

    09/16/2025

    How to Build Trust in a Competitive Market | Lauren Maxwell of CrossCountry Mortgage

    In this episode of The Service Standard, Cory Adams sits down with Lauren Maxwell of CrossCountry Mortgage to talk about building trust in a competitive industry. Mortgage is relationship-driven — just like home services. Lauren shares what it takes to grow a career through consistency, credibility, and long-term client relationships. For home service business owners, this episode covers: • Building trust before the sale• Growing through referrals• Staying competitive in crowded markets• Career growth through discipline• Leading with service over pressure Strong businesses are built on relationships. And trust compounds. Subscribe to The Service Standard for real conversations about leadership, growth, and building profitable service companies the right way.

    45 min
  5. Starting a Movement from Nothing | Zach & Anajah Bakker on Leadership & Community

    09/03/2025

    Starting a Movement from Nothing | Zach & Anajah Bakker on Leadership & Community

    In this episode of The Service Standard, Cory Adams sits down with Zach and Anajah Bakker to talk about starting something from nothing. What began as a simple beach Bible study turned into a growing community — built through courage, consistency, and conviction. For home service business owners, this episode is about: • Taking initiative before you feel ready• Leading without a formal title• Building community from zero• Staying consistent when growth is slow• Conviction in public spaces Every strong business starts with someone willing to go first. Leadership isn’t about size. It’s about responsibility. Subscribe to The Service Standard for real conversations about leadership, growth, and raising the standard in the trades.

    53 min
  6. From Kansas to Building Paradise Lights | Why I Created The Service Standard

    08/29/2025

    From Kansas to Building Paradise Lights | Why I Created The Service Standard

    In this episode of The Service Standard, Cory Adams shares his journey from Kansas to building Paradise Lights in Naples, Florida — and why he decided to create this podcast. This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s the real story of starting over, building a home service company, navigating risk, and learning leadership through experience. We talk about: • Leaving comfort to pursue opportunity• Starting and growing a home service business• Lessons learned in seasonal revenue• Mistakes, risks, and hard decisions• Why raising the standard matters in the trades The Service Standard was created for contractors and home service owners who want to build profitable businesses the right way. If you’re building in the trades, this is where it starts. Subscribe for real conversations about leadership, growth, and building strong service companies.

    24 min
  7. Building Thor Guard: How Bob Dugan Created a Life-Saving Innovation

    08/15/2025

    Building Thor Guard: How Bob Dugan Created a Life-Saving Innovation

    In this episode of The Service Standard, Cory Adams sits down with Bob Dugan, founder of Thor Guard, to talk about building a company around innovation and responsibility. Thor Guard is known for its lightning detection systems that protect lives in high-risk environments. But behind the product is a story of leadership, conviction, and long-term thinking. For home service business owners, this episode is about: • Building solutions that actually matter• Innovation in risk-heavy industries• Leading with responsibility• Long-term vision over short-term profit• Faith as a foundation without compromising business standards Strong companies solve real problems. And the best leaders build with purpose. Subscribe to The Service Standard for real conversations about leadership, growth, and raising the standard in the trades. 🎯 Connect with Bob Duggan & Thor Guard: Website: https://thorguard.com Book: “All I Am” (available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble)

    1h 6m
  8. Wrongfully Incarcerated to Rebuilt Leader | Cornell Bunting on Resilience & Responsibility

    08/08/2025

    Wrongfully Incarcerated to Rebuilt Leader | Cornell Bunting on Resilience & Responsibility

    In this episode of The Service Standard, Cory Adams sits down with Cornell Bunting to talk about resilience, redemption, and rebuilding after being wrongfully incarcerated. This isn’t just a testimony — it’s a conversation about responsibility, character, and becoming stronger through adversity. For home service business owners, leadership is tested in pressure. This episode covers: • Rebuilding your life after injustice• Developing resilience under extreme pressure• Taking ownership when you could stay bitter• Leadership rooted in character• Why adversity can refine you instead of define you Before you raise the standard in business, you have to raise it in your life. Subscribe to The Service Standard for real conversations about leadership, growth, and building strong service companies the right way.

    1h 2m
See All (19)

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Service Standard — for home service business owners who want to build profitable, professional companies in the trades. Hosted by Cory Adams, a real home service entrepreneur, this channel is about what it actually takes to grow a service business. We talk about: • Home service business growth • Pricing and profit strategies • Hiring and building a strong team • Leadership in the trades • Systems and operations • Seasonal revenue • Scaling from technician to owner • Faith, integrity, and long-term success If you own or want to start a landscaping company, lighting company,

Information

  • Creator
    Cory Adams
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Cory Adams
  • Show Website
    The Service Standard