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- 🗑️ Septic Services Business making $250k/yr!
🗑️ Septic Services Business making $250k/yr!
The Corporate Pivot
May 05, 2025
Welcome Back to The Corporate Pivot!
This week’s reminder: the biggest project you’re working on isn’t at your job — it’s you.
It’s easy to get stuck in the cycle: more emails, more deadlines, more days that blur together. But the real wins come when you invest in yourself — the skills, the habits, and the risks that actually move you forward.
At The Corporate Pivot, we’re here to help you break out of the routine and build something that puts you in control. Stay consistent, keep pushing, and you’ll be surprised how fast things can change.
Let’s get after it this week.📈
Here’s what we have for you today:
Pivot Perspectives: Sam talks about building smarter email tracking to prove automation results and maybe swapping tools to save money along the way. Tyler talks about why negotiating terms beyond price is critical and how transparency can set up a deal for smoother transitions and better outcomes. | Acquisition Alerts:
| Cool Business Idea: Ever wondered why your neighbor’s grass looks like Augusta and yours looks like a hayfield — even though you’re paying more?
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Confusing Corporate Sayings:
“Don’t be afraid to speak up — we value all perspectives!”
Professional Translation
“They want diverse input and fresh ideas.“
Corporate Pivot Translation
“If you speak up and it’s not what I was already thinking, you will be publicly Game of Thrones-style shamed.“
Sam’s Perspective (1st Time Buyer)
🆕 Status Update: On the automation front, I’m working on setting up email tracking for our client campaigns. I know there’s probably an easier way to do it, but I want something that specifically shows me which repeat clients are actually clicking the links in the emails.
Why does that matter? Because it helps prove that the automations are working and driving real results. For example:
If we send a recertification reminder and a client clicks the link to sign up, that’s money in the door.
If a client keeps ignoring the emails, we know who to follow up with more directly.
And if open or click rates drop over time, we can improve the messaging or timing.
Basically, it’s about showing value to the client, not just saying, “Hey, we automated things,” but proving we’re helping them retain and re-engage past customers.
On a side note, I might switch from Make to n8n, which is basically the same kind of automation tool but gives you more features in the free tier. And let’s be honest—why spend money if you don’t have to?
Tyler’s Perspective (Experienced Buyer)
🆕 Status Update: We haven’t touched on this much before, but when buying or investing in a small business, the negotiation table is where a lot of the real value is created or lost. While valuation gets all the attention, it’s often the other deal terms that can make or break a transaction.
Things like transition support, the transition team, seller responsibilities, inventory, payment structure, and non-compete clauses can be just as important as price. Right now, Sam and I are in the middle of negotiations on a deal where many of these points are on the table.
In my view, the best approach is one of transparency and professionalism. Being upfront often leads to better outcomes for both sides and lays the groundwork for a smoother transition. That said, don’t be afraid to walk away if red flags pop up—there’s always another deal down the road. Remember: negotiations don’t have to be cutthroat. Transparent and strategic discussions can set the tone for long-term success.
💰 Deals < $500k 💰
Business Name: Central Minnesota Land Surveying
Revenue: $517,233
Asking Price: $400,000
Profit: $215,540 (Profit Margin = 41.7%)
Location: Minnesota (Relocatable)
Established: 1979
✅ Pros:
• 45+ years of reputation and municipal, developer, and private clients
• Seller financing available; $98,000 down
⚠️ Cons:
• Requires licensed surveyor or qualified buyer to operate
📈 Growth Opportunities:
• Expand into renewable energy, mortgage, and new construction surveys
• Increase marketing to untapped regions
💰💰 Deals $500k - $1m 💰💰
Business Name: Established Septic Services Business
Revenue: $550,000
Asking Price: $975,000
Profit: $250,000 (Profit Margin = 45.5%)
Location: Grainger County, TN
Established: 2021
✅ Pros:
• Includes 2 mini excavators, dump truck, Ford F350, utility truck, trailers
• Strong residential client base; currently turning away jobs
⚠️ Cons:
• Limited team (2 employees), so growth requires hiring
📈 Growth Opportunities:
• Hire additional crew to meet excess demand
• Expand commercial services or neighboring counties
💰💰💰 Deals $1m+ 💰💰💰
Business Name: DFW-Based Airline Freight Logistics Company
Revenue: $920,969
Asking Price: $1,000,000
Profit: $320,929 (Profit Margin = 34.9%)
Location: Grapevine, TX
Established: 2005
✅ Pros:
• Dock-to-dock delivery for DFW Airport; long-term freight forwarding clients
• Includes 4 box trucks, 1 semi, and 6,500 SF leased warehouse
⚠️ Cons:
• Owner needs valid DOT license
• Customer base is concentrated among top five clients
📈 Growth Opportunities:
• Add sales team, expand service offerings
• Tap into new freight segments or expand beyond DFW
💡 Cool Business Idea: 🌱 LawnCareMatch — Compare Grass + Sprinkler Services Before You Commit
If you’ve ever tried to hire a lawn care service or sprinkler company, you know the pain:
No price transparency
No clue if they actually know what they’re doing
And half the time, you’re left with a dead lawn or a busted irrigation system.
This week’s idea:
LawnCareMatch — a simple app where homeowners can compare lawn care and sprinkler companies on price, reviews, before/after photos, and service guarantees.
It’s like Angie’s List — but hyper-focused on the lawn and irrigation niche that no one’s cracked yet.
🛠 Expenses + Tools Needed
Loveable Plan → $20–$50/month
Domain Name → $15/year
Logo + Branding → ~$100 (or DIY with Canva)
Photo Upload Feature → included in most no-code tools
Optional Stripe Integration → free setup, standard fees
Startup Cost Estimate:
DIY launch: $150–$300
With light design help: $1,000–$2,000
📈 Revenue Projections
Scenario | Users / Vendors | Monthly Revenue (ads, leads, premium listings) |
|---|---|---|
Bad | 10 companies, $50/mo featured | ~$500/month |
Good | 50 companies, $50–$100/mo | ~$2,500–$5,000/month |
Great | 200 companies, $100/mo + ad fees | $20,000+/month |
Monetization ideas:
Premium listings (top of search)
Lead generation fees
Targeted ads from suppliers (fertilizer, sprinkler parts, etc.)
🎯 Why This Is Cool + Worth Starting
There’s no good vertical marketplace yet for lawn and irrigation services,
and homeowners are desperate for help picking the right provider.
It’s a niche with recurring revenue, huge local variability, and zero polished tech solutions — meaning you can own your region before competitors catch up.
Corporate Memes: Click below to play the video on our Instagram account! |
Hope you enjoy this week's insights and happy deal hunting! Remember, if you find these updates helpful, share this newsletter with a friend!
🛠 USEFUL TOOLS 🛠
If you made it this far then your attention span is better than most. If you want some useful tools, tips, and tricks you can find them all on the website here!
