tezclarke

6 ms·

1.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
OP here - this was my first post on HN, loved it. Thanks for all the discussion, it helped challenge and solidify my thinking.
2.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
Where there's a consolidated critical asset like the concrete plant, they can monopolize the area. Different with PC when the work is being done by individual techs on their routes. Also I'm starting with the goal "Be the bes
3.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
It's only going to get easier, cheaper and faster to build these things for yourself. Thanks for sharing.
4.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
Yes, and the other way around is increasing now. Industry insiders building their own tools to solve specific problems.
5.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
On residential - lots of people don't want to get their hands dirty. For commercial - it's rarely worth doing in-house and in manufacturing / food industries getting it wrong can lead to fines / closure losing contracts,
6.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
For the d2d residential services, you're buying peace of mind and usually the provider will guartantee the service. E.g. if you see ants and you're not due a visit until next month, they'll drop in and sort it.
7.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
Getting the initial conversation even to research (not just to sell to) is more difficult than before for these reasons.
8.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
We plan to build more technology in house than PE does. We will start with this first small acquisition, learn and go from there. It might grow by more acquisitions, franchising or organically by attracting the right technicians over, or ha
9.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
Tough as consumer goods are generally getting cheaper and better quality. Can’t remember the last time we had a problem with the TV. We have left them behind when moving apartments as they’re relatively cheap now
10.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
It’s the business characteristics I like. Recurring and one off revenue, big market, growing, regulations. The exam barrier to entry rather than 4y apprenticeship like plumbing
11.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
Agree.
12.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
A lot of people have been sold a lie about uni education (and willingly bought it in a lot of cases).
13.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
AI slop - you've sent me the same message on linkedin and you vibe coded that two minutes ago.
14.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
They killed it. "A better way to rent"
15.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
I give this example as I previously worked at a big European REIT. My job was to implement renewable energy across the portfolio which on paper was a no-brainer due to legislation and grants / feed in tariffs etc. We got huge pushback
16.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
The best outcome is bespoke software for every company and small "ops heavy" (in startup context) startups have a window to grow like weeds. Imagine the culture shock and legal / procurement process for an established player
17.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
The regulations for pesticide use are really tightening up, especially in California. Today's treatments often don't kill the pest, rather they make them feel a bit sick and they move along to more welcoming environments like you
18.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
Pest control is about 60% consolidated, and I don't want to pick the fight of convincing the top 5-6 to buy more SaaS or AI. Realistically they're looking to Salesforce for leadership there. I see today's consolidation as fra
19.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
It'll go further - bespoke software for the specific company. The exam training is a good example - people have different learning preferences so why can't we cater to that automatically if we already have all the data and context
20.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
The training was basically to sit and read books all day, and it could be so much faster. Surprisingly there is no reliable test / quiz prep tool available online, just some free ones that contain errors. Given this company is basicall
21.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
Agree, and can't be skipped (can be accelerated though)
22.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
Ask for forgiveness, not permission!
23.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
Much more difficult to get attention from blue-collar decision makers than it was previously. Also bc there's a ton of investment in the sector now, so they're bombarded by inbound!
24.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
Cash flow and accounts receivable management is a headache for these guys
25.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
Love this one. You are selling people their time back with a service like wallpapering for sure.
26.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
I know exactly who you’re talking about
27.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
and not competing - we are looking at a different location and sector, not that I think they'd even consider us as competition anyway
28.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
No, and to be absolutely clear, you should not be dishonest or fabricate. I was up front that I was exploring getting back into blue-collar, coming off the closure of my startup, and that I wanted to get into sales but wasn't sure if t
29.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
I'm non-technical so I don't code, although I'm able to do a lot more myself than a year ago, with AI / claude cowork.
30.
by tezclarke 6mo ago
Absolutely not.

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