Welcome back to More Than a Broker.
In this episode of ‘More Than a Broker’, Spot Co-Founder Andrew Elsener interviews Brian Schutt, an accidental entrepreneur who shares his journey from corporate America to starting a successful HVAC business, Homesense Heating and Cooling, and expanding to other business ventures.
The conversation explores the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of hiring the right people, and the lessons learned from building a business from scratch. Schutt emphasizes the significance of persistence and the realities of navigating a competitive market. The discussion also touches on the concept of working “on” versus “in” the business and the necessity of embracing constraints as a catalyst for creativity and growth.
The pair also discusses their journeys in building a brand centered on trust and integrity, the challenges of achieving a work-life balance as entrepreneurs, and the evolution of their business models. Elsener and Schutt share valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlight common pitfalls to avoid, and reflect on Schutt’s recent experiences navigating the sale process of his business.
About Brian Schutt
Brian is the Co-Founder of Homesense Heating and Cooling, a Co-Founder at Refinery 46, a Civic Renewal Fellow with the American Enterprise Institute, and a Board Member at Orr Fellowship and the StartedUP Foundation. Brian writes for the Indianapolis Business Journal and serves as the Innovation Advisor for the Wayfinders Impact Studio Cohort.
10 Reasons to Listen
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- Elsener and Schutt recount the early days of their businesses, describing how the journey of entrepreneurship often starts unexpectedly.
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- Building a business requires persistence and adaptability.
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- Hear how hiring the right people is crucial for long-term success.
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- Working on the business is as important as working in it.
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- Navigating a competitive market requires a unique strategy
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- As successful entrepreneurs, Elsener and Schutt explain how crucial the need to test ideas in the market is before going all in
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- The importance of building a brand on the foundation of trust
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- A brand’s first customer is its team with a focus on their well-being
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- Schutt stresses the need for follow-through over time in order to retain employees
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- The duo discusses how the sales process can be educational and should be approached with clarity