Beyond the Bottom Line: How Running a Crawl Space Company Changed My Life
Introduction
Redefining Success
FOCUSING ON PEOPLE, QUALITY, AND LONG-TERM IMPACT
Most people think success in the crawl space business means hitting sales targets and earning big commission checks.
I know because I used to be that guy - a top producer for big corporate companies, chasing numbers and focusing on the bottom line.
But six years ago, I decided to build something different with Crawl Logic.
Not just another crawl space company, but a business that would let me measure success differently.
Today, I want to share what that really looks like, because it might surprise you.
The Freedom Factor
This morning, I'm not heading to a sales meeting or rushing to hit a quota. Instead, I'm chaperoning my daughter's field trip to a farm. Yesterday, I took the day off to help a friend move into his new house. That's what real freedom looks like when you build your business the right way.
Don't get me wrong - running your own company means long hours and plenty of stress. But it also means having the power to choose how you spend your time. When my kids have something important happening, I can be there. When a friend needs help, I can show up. That kind of freedom is worth more than any commission check.
The truth is, I didn't start Crawl Logic just to make more money. I started it to create something that would give me the freedom to live right. Because at the end of the day, being able to make that field trip with your kid matters more than having a fancy title or hitting a sales target.
Building a Different Kind of Company
When I say we do things differently at Crawl Logic, I mean it. We've stayed small on purpose. No corporate overhead, no endless chain of managers, just a focused team doing quality work. We pay every Friday - no excuses, no drama, no games. It's simple: do good work, get paid on time, be treated with respect.
Take Ozzie, for example. He's been with me for five years. In an industry where people jump from company to company chasing slightly better commission rates, that says something. When you treat people right, they stick around. It's not complicated, but it is rare in this business.
The Corporate Difference
Having worked for the big companies, I know exactly how they operate. They rush people through quick training programs, hand them a laptop full of pre-recorded videos, and send them out to sell. Now that I'm training my own crew, we do things differently.
Some of my new guys came from corporate backgrounds, and at first, I had to watch them closely. Not because they're bad workers, but because they were trained to prioritize speed over quality. We've worked together to raise their standards, and they're doing amazing work now. Because when you're not chasing commission checks, you can focus on doing the job right.
Family and Business Balance
Here's something they don't tell you when you're climbing the corporate ladder: success doesn't mean much if you're missing your kids' important moments. Running Crawl Logic isn't always easy - some weeks are long, and sometimes problems keep me up at night. But I get to decide what matters most.
Being a business owner means I can structure my day around what's important. Sometimes that's a crawl space inspection. Sometimes it's a school field trip. The key is having the freedom to choose. When people ask me about the challenges of running a business, I tell them straight up - yes, it's stressful, but the freedom to be there for my family makes it all worth it.
Building the Right Team
Finding good people isn't just about experience - it's about values. Sure, if you've got crawl space experience, especially from big corporate or similar businesses, we should talk. But what I'm really looking for are people who care about doing things right.
We pay well, and pay depends on experience. But more importantly, we pay consistently - every Friday, no exceptions. It might sound simple, but in this industry, reliable paychecks and respect aren't always guaranteed. That's why when good people join our team, they tend to stay.
The Bigger Picture
Running a small, focused company isn't about playing it safe - it's about maintaining quality and building real relationships. We're the highest-rated non-corporate crawl space company in Middle Tennessee because we've stayed true to our values. Each job gets our full attention, each customer gets honest work, and each team member gets treated right.
I could chase growth and try to become another big corporate outfit. But what would that cost? The freedom to make my daughter's field trip? The ability to ensure every job meets my standards? The personal relationships with customers and employees? Some things are worth more than rapid expansion.
Looking Forward
As we continue to grow, we're doing it our way.
We're adding carefully selected team members who share our values.
We're maintaining our standards while increasing our capacity.
And most importantly, we're keeping the freedom to do business the right way.
Because at the end of the day, success isn't just about what you earn - it's about how you earn it.
