Andrew Riddle

If you’re trying to do the right thing, the right thing will always prevail. So, stick to your guns.

 

Some people are simply destined for greatness. Did it come from his parent’s example as small business owners, or perhaps the Saudi Arabian Prince who he worked for in his youth? There was also a businessman who taught him to sell, then sold the dealership to a huge auto-manufacturer. It is hard to say what exactly inspired this man to go from one success to another, ever climbing, ever raising his own bar. But there are a few things that are inspiring and very true in the life of Andrew Riddle, owner of 3 Day Remodeling LLC. His greatness comes from his drive, ambition, intelligence, fairness, and most definitely a positive outlook on life.

Andrew Riddle of 3 Day Remodeling LLC graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2005. He began his progression to success at the age of 21 in the lumber industry. He was sent to management training classes where he was taught all there was to know about lumber. He rose to a management position, and from there he was promoted to sales. He held the highest records in sales month after month for the next two consecutive years. When Andrew achieved all that he could and could grow no higher, it was time to search for new horizons.

In his following ventures, Andrew started out in sales learning how to do business by memorizing the 179-page manual on sales and delivery within the first two weeks. The owners were so impressed with his results that he was asked to train their sales staff and within no time, he became the Sales Manager. Andrew became recognized as the top sales trainer in the country. The company flourished under his watch, gaining recognition for top sales nationwide. He was simultaneously doing training for two companies, spending two weeks at a time at each location.

All of the knowledge and experience garnered through associations with each industry from lumber to windows, distributors to manufacturers were parlayed into establishing 3 Day Remodeling LLC. The company has become a multi-million-dollar organization and a major player in the industry. Their primary markets services Kentucky and Indiana.

The owners, Andrew Riddle and Aaron Goff are officers in 3 Day Remodeling LLC. The business has several locations, with one of them being Louisville, KY. Together, they are constantly looking for business opportunities and ventures to pursue in order to grow the business further and expand 3 Day Remodeling LLC even more so.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

We have a long history in sales as well as marketing and industry association, training and managing people. 3 Day Remodeling LLC was just a natural title for us. It came from the way we work.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

CRAZY! We start off with a morning meeting to check on the projects we have going on. To make sure that all of the managers are on point and the customers are happy. In the afternoons, I am sitting down with a checkbook paying people, or I am training new salespeople. Also, going out to customer sites to make sure everything is going smoothly, and people are satisfied.

How do you bring ideas to life?

If you say you’re going to do – do it. My son says, other people say they are going to do something and they don’t, but that’s not how I live as a person.

Surround yourself with good people. A good manager knows his strengths and his weaknesses. You have to hire the people who have the strength where you may have a weakness, you are likely to have the strength for their weakness. I have some very loyal people who work for me. We all get together and throw ideas up there until we figure out what would work for us.

What’s one trend that excites you?

What excites me is that the economy is good right now. My area is growing. People are spending money to remodel either their kitchens, bathrooms, or decks. Things are really moving for us right now.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I try to treat every situation individually. I want to make it a win-win situation for everyone, whether it is at home or at work.

Working at 3 Day Remodeling LLC is not a 9-5 job. You’ve got to stay on top of it all. If a lead comes in at 8:30 at night you’ve got to be on top of it because if you’re not, your competitor will be.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Be cautious in all personal partnerships. Keep away from people who might have negative influences. Always think ahead, and plan for tomorrow. Also, never let go of things that should be done today. Surround yourself with good people.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

If you’re trying to do the right thing, the right thing will always prevail. So, stick to your guns. Also, don’t pay contractors before the work is done. Nine out of ten times the contractor will have to come back to complete the job.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Work at your business every day. Don’t ever lose contact with your business. Even if you have it set up where it can run itself, you should still show up or at least phone in every day. Always be active in the financial end of the business.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.

We are constantly looking for leads. The three most important things are to find the leads, run the leads, and work the leads.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

I’ve lost money from time to time. But, I just go out and get some more! Don’t get scared, dig in and figure it out and move on. If a person owes me some money, I just go and get it. Don’t feel sorry for yourself.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

The best recommendation I would give is to go and flip houses. I know I have good suppliers and contractors, it would be easy to buy a home and remodel it within 30 days. I could make it look awesome, and someone would want to buy it.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I just spent less than a hundred dollars to have a booth at the county fair. We had pictures and advertising for 3 Day Remodeling LLC, and we were able to speak to people face to face. During the fair, I sold a deal for 16 thousand dollars.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

We have a kitchen design program. We plug in the dimensions for each room, and it creates a 3D print-out of the design. The owners can see it long before we order anything. After we get the owners approval on the design, we are good to go.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns: It is about a 14-year-old kid who reminds us that nothing is impossible. People often get beat down, and I don’t think that should happen. It reminds us always to be that 14-year-old kid. Always look for the joy in life. Find the kid inside of you.

What is your favorite quote?

Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness. I am kind to everyone, but when someone is unkind to me, weak is not what you are going to remember about me. By Al Capone.

Key learnings:

• In our business, leads are the most critical thing to learn
• Use all your tools to present and sell
• Install quickly and legally and properly
• With every project conquer and overcome

Connect: