Beyond $1,000,000 Podcast

We're excited to have Tom Droste, co-founder of Estimate Rocket along with his wife Kathy, who took an unexpected leap from accounting into the world of software development. Prepare to be captivated by his fascinating journey, from his early interest in the burgeoning computer industry to developing his first estimating program for a humble plumber. Hear about the genesis of personal computers for use in estimating, the thrill of the early tech world, and how Tom honed his skills to create a software that caters to the unique needs of different trades.

Estimate Rocket was born from an understanding of the commonalities across trades and was designed to be flexible and adaptable. Tom shares how the power of word-of-mouth helped the growth of his company and how he identified the underserved trades sector. He takes us through the features of Estimate Rocket, from estimating to the allocation of projects, and how it exponentially improves ROI in marketing for contractors. A deep dive into the use of "tags," the importance of a reliable information repository, and the science behind determining project success makes this a must-listen for anyone in the trade and contracting field.

Wrapping up our chat, Tom talks about the company's supportive team, his innovative Collaborative Tuesdays program, and the dynamic changes in the contracting world. He discusses how virtual communication is revolutionizing the industry, particularly in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, and how Estimate Rocket can be a game-changer in the sales process. With his eye on the future of painting, Tom's insights are enlightening and inspire a sense of curiosity about the future of the trades industry. Join us on this exciting voyage with Tom Droste, a visionary who's transforming the world of contracting with his innovative software.


About Tom Droste:
Tom has a passion for developing great technology to solve real world problems and helping customers implement them successfully. Some of Tom’s hobbies include hiking, bike riding, and cooking. He’d like to travel to Spain and Alaska some day, his favorite color is red, and he has a rescue dog named Daisy.

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS ---------

(0:00:00) - Tom Droste's Journey to Estimate Rocket
(0:08:57) - Estimating Program for Painting Contractors
(0:14:43) - Estimate Rocket within the Painting Industry
(0:20:46) - Estimate Rocket Features
(0:27:14) - Tags and Estimating ROI in Marketing
(0:37:36) - Estimate Rocket Support Team, Collaborative Tuesdays, Changes
(0:43:34) - Wrap-up & Estimate Rocket for Sales and Painting


--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS WITH SHORT KEY POINTS ---------

(0:00:00) - Tom Droste's Journey to Estimate Rocket
Tom Droste's journey from accountant to co-founder of Estimate Rocket, early PCs, and his first estimating program for a plumber are discussed.

(0:08:57) - Estimating Program for Painting Contractors
Tom Droste shares his journey of developing cloud-based software for the trades, adapting it to fit their needs, and growing the company through word of mouth.

(0:14:43) - Estimate Rocket within the Painting Industry
Tom shares insight into overcoming the "long, slow, sass march of death" and Estimate Rocket's features for the painting industry.

(0:20:46) - Estimate Rocket Features
Estimating, sales, proposals, coordination, scheduling, knowing numbers, and Estimate Rocket are discussed.

(0:27:14) - Tags and Estimating ROI in Marketing
Tags, ROI, lead sources, closing ratio report, emotional decision-making, and cookbook for business are discussed to determine marketing success.

(0:37:36) - Estimate Rocket Support Team, Collaborative Tuesdays, Changes
Estimate Rocket's support team, Collaborative Tuesdays program, and sales process discussed, utilizing email and phone calls for leads, tags for defining status, and virtual communication for pre-qualifying leads.

(0:43:34) - Wrap-up & Estimate Rocket for Sales and Painting
Estimate Rocket's tools, hiring salespeople, robotic painting, and AI are discussed to make quoting and estimating easier and faster.


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