The FORT Podcast: Chris Hoffmann – CEO of Hoffmann Brothers – From $10M to $140M: Scaling a Home Services Giant – A Story of Family, Purpose, and Unprecedented Growth
Chris Hoffmann currently serves as the CEO at Deutschmann Lane Holdings (DLH), which operates a family of companies including Hoffmann Brothers, Ferguson Roofing & Exteriors, Deutschmann Lane Real Estate, and HBH Investment Company. Before joining DLH, Chris served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, leaving active duty in 2014.
On this episode, Chris and Chris Hoffman discuss:
- Chris’ experience in the Marine Corps
- Taking over the family business
- Scaling the business
- Retaining and training labor
- The future of the trades
- Scaling acquired businesses
Listen on:
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
Topics:
(00:00:00) – Intro
(00:03:19) – Chris’ time in the Marines
(00:10:17) – Taking over the family business
(00:14:41) – Scaling the business
(00:19:18) – The first year in the business
(00:23:04) – What metrics matter in your industry?
(00:25:25) – Scaling the business after $20mm ARR
(00:27:30) – Successfully retaining labor & Hoffmann Brothers University
(00:32:43) – The future of the trades
(00:34:06) – Purpose-driven ownership vs. PE
(00:41:09) – What questions should sellers be asking buyers?
(00:45:12) – Scaling acquired businesses
(00:48:01) – Call centers
(00:50:34) – The future of marketing is not paid search
(00:51:58) – The importance of Google reviews
(00:52:29) – Is B2C harder than B2B?
(00:54:13) – Recession resistance
(00:57:06) – Business ideas: House managers
(00:59:29) – What do the next 10 years look like for Hoffmann Brothers?
(01:02:40) – The family dynamic within the business
(01:06:19) – Do you have a succession plan?
(01:09:03) – Mistakes made
(01:12:23) – What do you see for the future of your industry?
Episode Summary
Hoffman shares insights from his experiences in the military and how they translated into his business career. He emphasizes the importance of honesty, commitment, and team dynamics in leadership roles, drawing parallels between military and corporate environments.
Transitioning to civilian life, Hoffman delves into his journey of pursuing an MBA and the challenges he faced. He highlights the value of teamwork and the influence of his military background on his academic and professional choices. Hoffman’s perspective on adapting to different environments offers valuable lessons for listeners in similar transitions.
A significant part of the conversation is dedicated to Hoffman’s experience in taking over his family business. He candidly discusses the complexities and challenges involved, including navigating previous partnerships and making strategic decisions with his brother. This segment provides an in-depth look at family business dynamics and the intricacies of managing such enterprises.
Hoffman then moves on to discuss the strategic growth of his family business. He talks about expansion plans, investing in employee benefits, and the importance of industry networks. Key to this discussion is the emphasis on reinvesting in the business and fostering a strong team culture, highlighting the balance between growth and maintaining core values.
In the concluding part of the podcast, Hoffman shares insights on business expansion, talent management, and maintaining company culture amid growth. He underlines the importance of managing a skilled workforce and implementing strategies for sustainable business development.
The FORT is produced by Johnny Podcasts