From Startup in a Recession to Community Staple: Service Plus Garage Doors

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, host Mark Lamberth sits down with Alan Ruttencutter of Service Plus Garage Doors in Seymour, Tennessee, to unpack how he built a thriving garage door company by doubling down on community, culture, and customer experience. Starting in 2009 at the height of the housing crisis with just himself and his wife, Alan has grown the business to a nine-person team serving a 50–60 mile radius around Knoxville, Gatlinburg, and the surrounding areas.​ Alan shares the simple systems and mindset shifts that turned Service Plus Garage Doors into a highly reviewed, referral-driven business, including how they collect Google reviews, why they invested in the largest garage door showroom in their market, and the community events that now function as local family traditions. If you’re a contractor or home service pro looking to stand out in your market without pushy sales tactics, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can swipe and deploy in your own company.​ Bullet Points (show notes / description bullets) How Alan launched a garage door company in 2009 during the housing crash and grew to a nine-person team.The “treat them like family” service philosophy that drives referrals without high-pressure sales.The exact review process they use with QR codes, tech business cards, and name recognition to consistently earn new Google reviews.Why they invested in the area’s largest garage door showroom and how it helps homeowners see, hear, and feel doors before buying.The community-first events (Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s, Mother’s and Father’s Day) that turned Service Plus into a local tradition.How involving employees’ families, company picnics, and Christmas outings has helped retain long-term team members.Simple mindset shifts contractors can use to build trust, earn referrals, and become a true staple in their community.