Featured Contractor: Millennial Entrepreneur, Mike Barnard, Talks ServiceWhale

Just last week we had the opportunity to talk with Mike Barnard, owner and operator of MDB Construction. Mike’s company, founded while he was still in school, provides services in Central New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It was a pleasure to speak with such an ambitious entrepreneur to get some insight regarding his experience with ServiceWhale.

ServiceWhale: How did you get started as a contractor?

Mike Barnard: Wow, I it’s been so long that I don’t remember exactly. When I was younger I worked for a plumber for approximately three years and I also worked at Ace Hardware. I guess you could say that was how I got started.

SW: How did MDB Construction get started?

MB: I was still in high school when I started the company. After my employer sold his business, I decided to do my own thing. MDB Construction was incorporated in 1998, so I was a freshman in high school at that time.

SW: Mike, that’s amazing. There certainly are not a lot of people that can say they started a company while they were still in high school. What sort of construction work does your company do?

MB: No, I suppose that there aren’t too many kids starting a company at that age. At MDB Construction, we do a variety of jobs: kitchen remodeling, bathrooms, hardwood floors, electrical, plumbing, and tile work.

SW: How do you normally get leads/deals?

MB: Usually, it’s through word of mouth and I get some leads from the internet. I’ve used a few different lead generators too, although, I try not to use them often because they are just too expensive.
But like I said, a lot of my business comes from word of mouth. My past customers will recommend me to friends, neighbors and family members. I’ve also had some leads that have come from Facebook.

SW: How did you hear about ServiceWhale?

MB: It was either Dan or Nick , I can’t remember which, that called me and told me about your company. I really liked the platform and loved the idea that I wouldn’t have to pay anything unless I got work from ServiceWhale. That was what really got me. It’s a very different approach than the lead generators and services I had used in the past. There was no cost, no risk and no obligation to sign up so I had nothing to lose.

SW: How is ServiceWhale different from the other lead generators you’ve used in the past?

MB: The biggest difference is that there are no upfront costs. Another thing that sets ServiceWhale apart from the others is that the website generates a quote from me for the customer. If the customer answers the questions about their project correctly on the website, the prices are dead on. That saves me a lot of time.

SW: Can you us about a deal you that you have closed with ServiceWhale?
MB: I’ve closed three deals so far with ServiceWhale. They were all hot water heaters and pretty straight forward. The customers answered the questions on the website, got a quote and liked my price. I was able to order and install the water heaters for them.

SW: How can ServiceWhale improve in the future to help our contractors even more?

MB: I can’t think of anything off hand that you guys could do to improve on your service for contractors or homeowners. ServiceWhale is pretty great but if I think of anything I will be happy to let you know.

SW: Great, we definitely want to know if there is anything we can do to help both our contractors and the homeowners. Our goal is to make the process of home improvement shopping easy for everyone involved. Mike, thank you so much for taking time out of your day to speak with me and answer my questions.

If you’d like to sign your business up for ServiceWhale, visit our website or give us a call at 866-977-3897 to speak with a customer service representative.