From Handyman Franchise to $3M Remodeler: Amy Ecklund’s VIP Home Plan Playbook

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, Mark Lamberth sits down with Seattle remodeler and AmyWorks owner, Amy Ecklund, to unpack how she went from a science career and a shaky handyman franchise to building a women- and queer-owned remodeling company on track for $3M–$5M in revenue. Amy shares how she navigated the 2008 crash, pivoted from handyman work to high-value remodels, and is now systemizing her company so it can run without her as she prepares for retirement. You’ll also hear how Amy is launching a VIP home maintenance subscription that brings a licensed home inspector and quarterly maintenance visits into homeowners’ lives, preventing costly repairs before they happen. Along the way, Amy and Mark talk about awards, community work, and what it’s really like to be a woman in the trades while building trust with remodel clients. Bullet points How Amy went from science professional to handyman franchise owner to founder of AmyWorks in Seattle.The decision to shut down, pivot from handyman services to remodels, and rebuild into a multi‑million dollar company.Why systemizing operations and tracking KPIs is key to scaling toward $3M–$5M in revenue and an eventual exit.The origin story and structure of AmyWorks’ VIP Home Maintenance Plan and why prevention beats expensive emergency repairs.How being a women- and queer-owned remodeling company helps build instant trust with many homeowners.The role of community involvement, tiny home villages, and awards like Master Builders and Inc. 5000 in brand building.Amy’s take on marketing “by the numbers” and how coaching shifted her view of marketing from vague to data-driven.Why trusted vendor relationships (roofers, specialists, and more) are a powerful value-add for maintenance-plan clients