What does it take to grow a local service business into a multi-million dollar operation? In this episode of the Business Brains & BS Podcast, we sit down with Trevor Bass, owner of Five Star Painting of Tulsa.

Trevor shares his incredible journey from a 30-year career in electrical wholesale to launching a painting franchise in March 2020—right as the world shut down. We dive deep into the pros and cons of the franchise model, the reality of running a business with your spouse, and why "Best Known Beats Best" in the world of sales.

In this video, you’ll learn:

• The "Business in a Box" advantages of joining a franchise.
• How to balance professional and personal boundaries when working with a partner.
• The importance of systems, project management, and customer advocacy.
• Why scaling requires a "driver and a navigator" dynamic.

Connect with Trevor Bass:

• Website: Five Star Painting of Tulsa
• Instagram: @FSPTulsa

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Timestamps:

• 0:00 – Intro: Meet Trevor Bass of Five Star Painting.
• 1:10 – Launching a business at the start of the pandemic.
• 2:10 – The reality of business partnerships and marriage.
• 3:30 – Lessons from 30 years in electrical wholesale and customer service.
• 5:15 – Why Trevor chose a franchise over starting a home automation company.
• 6:50 – Franchise Benefits: The "Box of Tools" (CRM, Branding, and Marketing).
• 9:05 – The transition from a sales career to business ownership.
• 10:40 – What makes Five Star Painting different? (The Role of the Project Manager).
• 12:15 – Working with your spouse: The role of a business coach.
• 14:50 – Setting boundaries between business and personal life.
• 17:10 – The biggest mistake in scaling: Not having systems from day one.
• 19:25 – "Systems run the business, people run the systems."
• 20:45 – The "We" Trap: Assigning specific accountability.
• 22:00 – The Future of Five Star Painting: Commercial vs. Residential.
• 24:30 – The Rally Car Analogy: The Driver vs. The Navigator.
• 26:40 – Final Advice: "Best Known Beats Best."