What it Takes to Build Something from Nothing (E132)

Gene CaballeroCo-Founder of GreenPal Show Notes: 3 co-foundersStated in the spring of 2012Sent 125k on v1Did customer development to figure out customer demand2013 second launchFocused on Nashville areaMet vendors at Starbucks2017 all 3 co-founders full-timeThe Mom Test - https://www.amazon.com/Mom-Test-customers-business-everyone-ebook/dp/B01H4G2J1U/The 4 Step to Epiphany - Steve Blank - https://www.amazon.com/Four-Steps-Epiphany-Successful-Strategies/dp/1119690358 Sponsors: Drip – Get a free demo of Drip using this coupon code!Spark Shipping – eCommerce Automation Bio: Gene Caballero is a co-founder of GreenPal which has been described as Uber for lawn care. GreenPal started in one market and now has grown to be available in 46 states. Links: https://www.yourgreenpal.com/https://twitter.com/yourgreenpal Transcript: Charles (00:00): In this episode of the Business of eCommerce, I talked with Gene Caballero about what it takes to build something from nothing. This is a business of e-commerce episode 132 . Charles (00:16): Welcome to the Business of eCommerce. The show that helps eCommerce retailers start launch and grow their eCommerce business. I'm your host, Charles Palleschi I'm here with Gene Caballero. Jean is a cofounder of green pal, which is described as the Uber of lawn care. Greenhill started in one market. It has now grown to over 46 States. I, as you on the show today to have a, how he got his stash, some advice you can give to other retailers who are just starting off and his origin story. Super interesting. Watch the whole show. He gives some tips at the end that I highly recommend you check out. So now onto the show, Jean, how are you doing today? Gene (00:51): I'm doing fantastic. How are you Charles (00:52): Doing good, Austin, to have you on the show. I love chatting with retailers and kind of get into the origin story, kind of how you got your start and that's first where you are today or let's even back up. So you're the founder of GreenPower right? That is correct. Co-Founder so make sure some people get that. It's important thing. There's three of us total three total. Okay. So three founders, three co-founders that? Uber for lawn care. What exactly is that? Gene (01:22): Yeah, so I guess back a little bit back up a little bit, I've been in the landscaping industry, me and another, co-founder kind of in a landscape and industry your whole entire life, you know, did it in middle school, high school and college, just for beer money, you know? And when I graduated college, I actually got a job in tech sales. My territory was the West coast, so I was kind of privy to, you know, the new technologies, the Uber, the Lyft, the Airbnb, and kind of knew that if somebody was gonna, you know, someone, a stranger to come pick them up for dinner or, you know, stay on a stranger's couch that at some point they would do the same with lawn care. And so we launched green pal in the spring of 2012. And as of now, we're in 46 States and over 200 major markets. Charles (02:12): Okay. So it's something. So if I understand, let's say I want my lawn mowed or trimmed or whatever it is, right. Instead of having a call one random, like a couple different random, long companies, I use the app of the site and that kind of finds Harrison folks in my area kind of connects me with them. That sort of thing. Yeah. Gene (02:31): So you need your lawn mowed. You put the address the day that you want it done, that alerts all the pre-screened vendors in the area that there's a new lawn up for bid those vendors bid on it. All those bids go to the homeowner and the homeowner, or can see the vendors, writing reviews and price and decide who they want to work with. So our software basically just kind of connects and you know, is a kind of whole connection process. Charles (02:57): Got it. Okay. Anything for like snow removal Gene (03:00): Orders,