Service Business Mastery
Posts
Tommy Mello doesn't use vendors like the rest of us

Tommy Mello doesn't use vendors like the rest of us

And they give him better deals because of it.

December 27, 2024

Picture this: Tommy Mello is in his garage, staring at a door opener that refuses to budge. It's 2008, he's just starting out, and his vendor relationships consist mainly of pleading with suppliers to extend his credit.

Fast forward to today, and that same guy runs A1 Garage Door Service, an empire built not just on technical skills, but on something most contractors overlook – the art of turning vendors into allies.

"Everyone wants to talk about marketing and sales," Tommy laughs, "but nobody talks about how that one supplier who believed in you early on might be the difference between making it and going broke."

He tells a story about a parts supplier who once called him at midnight because a shipment meant for another customer could solve Tommy's emergency job. The supplier rerouted the delivery to Tommy's site, potentially irritating their other customer, but saving Tommy's reputation with a major client. Why? Because Tommy had spent years building a relationship based on reciprocity, not just transactions.

Today on Service Business Mastery…

YOUR VENDORS ARE MORE THAN JUST SUPPLIERS

They're your secret weapon for scaling efficiently.

Tommy Mello reveals how strong vendor partnerships and a giving mindset create compounding returns in the service industry.

Watch the interview here (or listen here):

You can also read the show notes here.

In this issue of the Service Business Mastery newsletter, you’ll discover:

📈 3 Tactics To Implement Right Away

🧠 2 Big Ideas To Think About

🧐 1 Question To Ask Yourself

Let’s achieve mastery:

In partnership with:

This issue of 3-2-1 by Service Business Mastery is thanks to our partners at UpFrog.

Everyone hires a marketing company for phone calls, leads and appointments. Right?

Then why do other marketing companies charge for anything else?

So, that’s ALL UpFrog charges for. You win, we win. It’s that simple.

Learn more »

Take these, implement them right away:

1️⃣ Build vendor relationships through reciprocity - help others without expecting immediate returns to foster long-term trust and collaboration.

2️⃣ Use vendor-focused events to find innovative tools that improve operations - don't limit yourself to traditional contractor-only gatherings.

3️⃣ Leverage rebate programs strategically - these incentives strengthen partnerships while improving your bottom line.

The trades are gaining new respect and recognition - what was once seen as "just a job" is now attracting serious investment and talent.
Success isn't just about tools and processes - your health, sleep, and personal discipline create a ripple effect through your entire organization.

Are you treating vendors like transactions or true partners in your company's growth?

3 Ways To Experience The Full Episode:

▶️ YouTube

📝 The Show Notes