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- Stuck at $2M? It's Time to Reach $5M
What’s up everyone,
$2M to $3M in revenue sounds like a dream come true. Right?
Shoot higher. The $5M revenue mark is important. It’s when you can really start to move the needle.
There are several ways to make the leap, all of which I share below, but before we get there, let it be known that acquiring other service businesses is a potential path. If that excites you, our now podcast series—JackQuisitions—will show you the way.
Another option? Invest your profits heavily in marketing and advertising. A lead generation agency like Service Scalers can manage your SEO, PPC, LSA, and GMB marketing—and that’s just the start.
Through the first part of the year, their partnership has helped us drive multiple six figures of revenue through our website. It’s worth a look if $5M (or more) is in your crosshairs.
How to Quickly Leap from $2M to $5M/Year
There’s a brutal stretch in the trades between $2M and $3M in revenue.
You’re doing good work. You’ve got a team. But something’s off.
You’re stuck.
Not big enough to scale. Not small enough to stay lean.
Most owners in this range are living in what we call owner’s hell—and if you're there, you feel it.
Here’s how to break out.
1. The Fastest Way Out? Acquire Small
You want to grow fast? You’ve got to go buy something.
And no, we’re not talking about big deals. We’re talking one- or two-person shops for $50K–$60K.
Here’s what you get:
2–3 techs
Customer list
A couple vans
You can go from $2M to $3.5M almost overnight by stringing a few of these together.
But heads up:
These only work when you're small
They’re messy
And yes, they’re a little chaotic
Still, it’s the quickest way to buy time and momentum.
2. Personal Sacrifice = Rocket Fuel
Most owners in this range pay themselves too much too early.
Not this guy.
He didn’t take home over six figures until the company crossed $15M in revenue.
Meanwhile, other owners — 90% smaller — were out buying:
Boats
Fancy cars
Bigger homes
You don’t want to look rich. You want to be rich.
Every dollar stayed in the business:
That boat? Could’ve been 2 hires
That new car? Could’ve funded marketing
That vacation? Could’ve bought another truck
When you’re small, every dollar counts. Don’t be a drag on your own company.
3. Pay People to Win With You
Want to scale? Hire killers—and pay them like it.
If someone’s helping you grow the business, their comp needs to grow with it.
Here’s how :
High commissions for sales
Flat rates for installers who care
Clear goals tied to real dollars
The mindset?
“How can I pay someone $200K a year and make $200K net off them?”
If you align comp with outcomes, you win when they win.
Final Word
Getting out of owner’s hell isn’t easy but it is doable.
Here’s the roadmap:
Buy small businesses to stack revenue fast
Delay your own payday and reinvest every dollar
Incentivize performance so growth is shared
It’s not glamorous. It’s not easy.
But if you play it right?
You’ll be out of the $2M mud and on your way to $5M+.
⚡ Shout Out to Quick Staffers ⚡
Looking to scale your business through acquisitions?
Jack Carr, my podcast co-host, recently launched Quick Staffers, designed to place overseas CSRs who are pre-trained with HVAC and plumbing knowledge.
They’re already running proven SOPs and scripts from both mine and Jack’s call center.
It’s a total game-changer for growing your team without blowing your budget. Right now, he’s offering a soft launch special—$500 off per placement!
That’s all for today, but if you’re available this weekend, carve out some time to watch our “How AI Is Transforming Lead Generation and Market Expansion” podcast episode. It’s must-see TV.
👊 John
Disclosure: This newsletter includes sponsored content. However, all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
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