Podcast Summary: The Everyday Millionaire - Episode 213 Guest: Tommy Mello
Release Date: February 18, 2025
Host: Patrick Francie
Title: TEDM – Tommy Mello – In it to Win It, Together

1. Introduction

In Episode 213 of The Everyday Millionaire podcast, host Patrick Francie welcomes entrepreneur Tommy Mello to discuss his journey from humble beginnings to building a multi-million dollar home service empire. The conversation delves into Tommy's strategies for business growth, personal discipline, and the philosophies that have driven his success.

2. Early Life and Entrepreneurship

Tommy Mello shares his origins, emphasizing his non-privileged upbringing and early work experiences. From busing tables and serving as a lifeguard to attempting to flip cars, Tommy's entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age.

Patrick Francie [03:15]: "When somebody meets Tommy and says, so, Tommy, what do you do? How do you answer that question?"
Tommy Mello [03:15]: "I guess I'm a serial entrepreneur. A lot more about life than just business is what I've realized over the last two decades."

Tommy recounts his initial venture into the garage door industry in 2006, highlighting his hands-on approach and willingness to make and learn from mistakes.

3. Building A1 Garage Door Service

Tommy discusses the inception and growth of A1 Garage Door Service, which evolved into a business generating over $200 million in revenue with more than 700 employees across 20 states.

Tommy Mello [04:41]: "I did sales and marketing, and that's kind of what I've stuck to in culture. And if there was a mistake that could be made in business, I guarantee you I made it."

He underscores the importance of shifting focus from revenue to profit, a pivotal change that enhanced the company's financial health.

Tommy Mello [06:59]: "Revenue is for vanity and profit is for sanity."

4. Entrepreneurial Philosophy and Culture

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Tommy's business philosophy. He emphasizes building a company culture based on mutual success, where "the freedom to do what I want with anybody I want any moment is different."

Tommy Mello [27:25]: "All I think about and every transaction now is what is my principal going to go to and how. What's the compound interest going to come out for that."

Tommy highlights the transition from being the "dumbest guy in the room" to surrounding himself with experts, thereby scaling his business effectively.

5. Personal Discipline and Values

Tommy delves into his personal routines and the discipline required to maintain peak performance. From strict scheduling and intentional time management to prioritizing faith, fitness, and family, his disciplined lifestyle is a cornerstone of his success.

Tommy Mello [19:45]: "Freedom and money are two different things. Money destroys people. But the freedom to do what I want with anybody I want any moment is different."

He also touches on the importance of distinguishing between dopamine-driven pleasure and serotonin-induced happiness, aligning with Patrick's upcoming podcast focus.

6. Lessons from Mistakes and Growth

Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Tommy shares insights from his mistakes and how they fueled his growth. He emphasizes the necessity of humility, continuous learning, and strategic delegation.

Tommy Mello [43:28]: "If you don't define and build your culture, it'll build itself. And when it builds itself, it's usually not a good one."

7. Vision for the Future and Legacy

Looking ahead, Tommy articulates his ambition to grow A1 Garage Door Service to $1 billion in revenue while maintaining a significant profit margin. He expresses a desire to delegate operational responsibilities, allowing him to focus on broader strategic goals and personal growth.

Tommy Mello [18:11]: "Yeah, so $1 billion of revenue. I'd like to be over 30% of the bottom line."

Tommy also discusses his thoughts on legacy, emphasizing the importance of philanthropy and ensuring his success benefits those around him without fostering dependency.

8. Views on Current Events

Tommy provides his perspective on global and political events, maintaining a focus on business resilience amidst uncertainty. He underscores his pro-business stance and cautious optimism regarding economic challenges.

Tommy Mello [73:18]: "I'm very pro-business, obviously, no entrepreneur. I don't really get into a lot of the, you know, guns and there's a lot of sides I take on things, but I don't really publicly, I just say, look, I tend to put my money into, like, I do give back to great causes."

9. Rapid-Fire Segment

Towards the end of the episode, Patrick engages Tommy in a rapid-fire segment, revealing personal preferences and lighter aspects of his personality.

• Android or Apple?

  Tommy Mello [76:12]: "Android."

• Favorite Music?

  Tommy Mello [76:31]: "If we go to concerts, it's usually country. Morgan Wallen, Bri loves country. I love EDM."

• Favorite Movie?

  Tommy Mello [76:48]: "Maverick, the second Top Gun."

• Wishes for the Afterlife:

  Tommy Mello [77:00]: "Welcome to eternity. And you're going to like this place."

• Favorite Book?

  Tommy Mello [77:38]: "Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People and Robert Cialdini's Influence or Pre-Suasion."

• What Are You Grateful For Today?

  Tommy Mello [78:13]: "I'm healthy, my family is healthy, and having a roof over my head."

10. Conclusion

Patrick Francie wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude for Tommy's insights and contributions. Tommy reciprocates the appreciation, highlighting the mutual respect and enjoyment derived from the conversation.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Revenue vs. Profit:

  Tommy Mello [06:34]: "Revenue is for vanity and profit is for sanity."

• On Delegation and Team Building:

  Tommy Mello [17:57]: "If I wanted a 10x, it means I got to go find more talent and more and more."

• On Personal Discipline:

  Patrick Francie [37:37]: "It's about systems and yes, it's about habits, but if you don't have the discipline to carry it on, it isn't like in 21 days you have a new habit."

• On Making Hard Decisions:

  Tommy Mello [51:02]: "I closed those markets that day and we started to print money."

• On Legacy and Philanthropy:

  Tommy Mello [77:56]: "I want to make sure they're ready for that because I don't think a lot of people are."

Key Takeaways

1. Shift from Revenue to Profit: Emphasizing profitability over mere revenue figures ensures long-term financial health and sustainability.
2. Strategic Delegation: Surrounding oneself with experts allows for scaling the business efficiently without getting bogged down by operational tasks.
3. Intentional Culture Building: Defining and nurturing a company culture based on mutual success and personal growth fosters a motivated and aligned team.
4. Personal Discipline: Maintaining strict personal routines and discipline translates into professional success and personal well-being.
5. Legacy Focused Growth: Striving for business growth that not only benefits the entrepreneur but also uplifts the team and community ensures lasting impact.
6. Adaptability and Learning from Mistakes: Embracing mistakes as learning opportunities and remaining adaptable is crucial for ongoing success.
7. Balancing Success with Personal Values: Prioritizing family, faith, and personal well-being alongside business ambitions leads to a more fulfilling and balanced life.

Final Thoughts:
Tommy Mello's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, strategic thinking, and disciplined execution in building a successful enterprise. His emphasis on profit over revenue, strategic delegation, and intentional culture offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs aiming to create enduring and impactful businesses.