If you run a home service business—especially in the garage door industry—these 10 strategies from Torsion Talk will save you time, stress, and lost revenue.

Ryan Lucia, host of the Torsion Talk podcast, shares what’s worked best for building the strongest team he’s ever had—and how you can apply the same principles today.

1. Invest in Yourself First

“If you suck as a leader, you will not grow,” Ryan said. “And if you’ve hit a ceiling and you haven’t been able to break through—it’s probably you.”

He emphasized:

• Reading books
  
• Seeking out mentors
  
• Surrounding yourself with people who bring revelation
  

He credited Garage Door U (GDU) and his podcast network for helping him grow through constant exposure to strong leaders.

2. Sweat the Small Stuff

Ryan used football coaching as a parallel:

“Kirby Smart and Nick Saban make a big deal about kids tucking their shirts in.”

He applies the same discipline to his team:

• Clean trucks
  
• Pressed uniforms
  
• Tidy job notes
  
• Respecting gear like “honoring your helmet”
  

This attention to detail reinforces a culture of excellence.

3. Always Be Coaching

Ryan doesn’t rely solely on internal training.

“We utilize David Mount a lot for our field guys. We also utilize Power Selling Pros for our CSRs.”

He even rides along with new employees. Recently, he spent a day in the truck with a technician who had completed:

• A full year with the company
  
• Certifications
  
• Shadowing in multiple departments
  

“We talked about the things he could do better and the things he does really well.”

4. Core Values Aren’t Wall Art

Ryan built a system where all decisions go through the filter of core values.

“If someone comes to you with a situation, ask them: ‘How would you address this based on our core values?’ Don’t just answer the question.”

He uses values to guide:

• Hiring
  
• Promotions
  
• Team decisions
  

5. Daily Communication Builds Momentum

Two years ago, Ryan’s team started 15-minute daily huddles. It changed everything.

“They’ve been critical to the success of our business.”

During these huddles, they bring up real field events—for example:

“Let’s say Bobby does something in the field… We talk about it as a group and decide how we’d handle it—based on our core values.”

They also use Slack, with mobile and desktop access, to maintain constant team communication.

Looking to improve your internal communication? Check out The Ultimate Guide to Internal Communication for Garage Door Companies.

6. Handle Accountability Immediately

“If you do not create accountability and address things quickly, people will walk all over you.”

Ryan acknowledged it’s easy to delay tough conversations when stressed, but said it always costs more in the long run:

“A lack of accountability will make a good staff bad.”

7. Make SEO the Marketing Foundation

Ryan has worked with many door companies through his marketing agency and sees common mistakes firsthand.

He warns:

“You might not see results for three to six months. But that’s actually fast—especially in competitive markets.”

He also emphasized:

• Avoiding black-hat SEO (which can get you kicked out of Google)
  
• The rise of Performance Max campaigns on Google Ads
  
• Underrated potential in Bing Ads
  

“I’m blown away by how quick I can get results with a few settings changes.”

He also pushes reputation management:

“It’s like SEO—it compounds over time. And how you respond to reviews matters.”

For a solid foundation, read How to Start Marketing for Your Garage Door Company and Why Local SEO Is Vital to Your Home Service Company.

8. Build Your Brand Around Your Ideal Customer

Ryan says too many garage door companies create generic content.

“Everything you do—branding, marketing, uniforms—should ask: would this attract my ideal customer?”

He urges business owners to get clear on their customer avatar and build their messaging around that, not around what’s easy or general.

Need proof? See how J.A.G. & Sons Overhead Doors and Alpha Overhead Door scaled through hyper-targeted branding and messaging.

9. Know Your Numbers or Hire Someone Who Does

“I know this isn’t my strength. But I know how to read financial statements.”

He uses a team of advisors to spot:

• Overspending
  
• Strong-performing categories
  
• Underperforming areas
  

“Even people doing millions don’t know how to read a P&L. But it should be part of every decision you make.”

For help, study Financial Systems Every Garage Door Business Needs to Succeed.

10. Take Time Away to Think

“Every time I’ve gone on vacation, something great has happened. I come back with clarity.”

Ryan recommends both true vacations and “workcations”:

• “We’re going to Puerto Rico in March… You hang out with door guys, sit by the pool, and come back with a million ideas.”
  

He’s also done mission trips as a way to disconnect and gain perspective:

“It helps you appreciate your position.”

What’s Next?

If your business feels stuck, pick two or three of these to start.

These 10 strategies helped Ryan build a high-performance team. They can help you too—without burnout, chaos, or turnover. Need help applying any of this?
Explore how Markinuity helps garage door companies grow.