Local Talent: Local Business - Episode 25

On this episode of Local Business, host Jason speaks to another local entrepreneur about what it takes to strike out on your own and start a successful business. Billy Cooper runs Industrial Air Services, a company providing maintenance and repairs for industrial air equipment, and more recently he also bought a car wash business that’s going from strength to strength. Join them for this great conversation about learning an industry, hiring and firing, and putting in the work to have the life you want.
Billy tells Jason about how he got started in the industrial air industry and what’s changed since he bought the business where he used to work. They discuss what it’s like to wear the boss hat and how Billy keeps his business going through building strong relationships and delivering great customer service. He shares some of the mistakes he made along the way and what his plans for the future are.
If you’re interested in learning about different business industries and the opportunities that come along when you’re a business owner, this is a great episode of Local Business to listen to. Stay tuned to the end to hear Billy’s advice for anyone who wants to be an entrepreneur and subscribe to the Local Business podcast to hear more episodes with business owners in the Selma and Cibolo area.

Timestamps
[0:41] Billy gives Jason the elevator pitch for his business Industrial Air Services
[2:40] What does it take to work in the industry?
[4:19] Billy’s work history and how he bought the company
[6:37] What’s changed in the industry?
[7:33] The typical customer profile of Industrial Air Services
[12:42] Industrial Air Services’ growth strategy and how it’s going to help Billy retire at 55
[16:12] “At first it was hard”: Billy on working with his son
[17:10] How Billy learned to run a business
[18:28] Lightning Roooouuunnnnnd!!
[21:15] Hiring and firing: What Billy got wrong running his business
[22:04] Billy’s favorite business tools
[23:04] What’s going to happen in the industrial air industry in the future?
[24:17] Crunching the numbers of running a service business
[28:20] What separates you from your competition, Billy?
[31:28] The role that marketing plays in driving Billy’s business forward
[39:27] How Billy bought a car wash
[43:38] The overlaps between Industrial Air Services and Cooper’s Car Wash
[45:28] The next car wash that Billy has his eyes on
[48:00] Some of the risks of running a car wash
[52:13] Billy’s parting words of wisdom for anyone looking to start their own business
[56:54] Where to find Billy online

Highlight Quote
“Our employees are what set us apart from the mindset of a lot of bigger competitors. A lot of our customers are not a number. Every one of our customers has built our business, so our employees know how to handle our customers”.
Billy Cooper, Local Business podcast, (28:50)


Links:
https://www.iastx.com/
https://www.cooperscarwash.com/

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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1tzUASELeq89GBm1yeHIkw/featured
https://open.spotify.com/show/7N1EFqBxTHi7oHUAWEqCOE