Josh Melton on Growing into Service at Easy Lift Door Company - EP.295

Josh Melton joined his uncle's garage door business in 2008 during the recession with zero interest in garage doors. Eighteen years later, he's president of Easy Lift Door, overseeing three locations across California and Nevada. Alex Bridgeman and Josh Melton explore how the company has evolved from paper scheduling boards thumbtacked to cork walls to modern field service software, and how EasyLift is now building out a residential service arm after decades focused on new construction.

They discuss:

- Why the "pit crew" warehouse loading model failed and what replaced it

- How customer service training differs completely between new construction and residential service calls

- The pros and cons of service vans versus pickup trucks for residential garage door work

- What In-N-Out's opening playbook teaches about operational efficiency

- How AI-driven search is changing how homeowners find garage door companies

This episode offers a ground-level view of what it takes to professionalize a second-generation trades business while preparing for third-generation succession on Think Like an Owner.

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:00:53) - Getting into the garage door business

(00:02:42) - Joining during the 2008 recession