Phil Brandolini considers himself a savvy businessman who has set himself up for a comfortable future using a couple digital tricks that he has learnt during his time working in marketing.

In spite of being mostly a one-man team with a single trailer, Phil has tripled the annual revenue of the Northern Rivers business since taking it over from the previous owner in June of 2020.

Every Gutter-Vac franchisee has their own different ways to generate their own success, usually boiling down to the relationships they build within their communities. Phil has played to his strengths in using his digital knowledge to expand his business.

“I don’t think you can sit back and just think it is going to happen. You need to put yourself out there,” said Phil.

Phil’s way of ‘putting himself out there’ has been to revamp his online Google Ads, verify his business online, use SEO to increase traffic and being as responsive as he can to his customers.

“A simple templated text is sometimes all I can manage when I am up on a roof, but it covers off the bases and 90% of the time I get a new job from it without even talking to people,” Phil said.

“Of course, how you keep a job depends on keeping a good relationship, and that is when I will give them a call or drop them an email.

“Taking the time to have a quick chat before the job is a great way to build trust and make sure that the customer feels comfortable.”

Phil has made a name for himself and his business, and he thanks his use of digital ads and automations which are now generating a lot of buzz around his work. There’s always work to be done, it’s about making sure your business is visible to those who need it.

Now Phil is at the point where he’s even having to turn away some jobs because he has that much work coming in.

While keeping him on his toes, what Phil values most about his business is the flexibility that it offers.

“For a lifestyle business, you can work as much or as little as you want,” said Phil.

“As far as lifestyle businesses go, my partner and I had looked at a heap before buying our Gutter-Vac franchise.

“One business claimed to be the busiest hairdresser in New South Wales, but was really only taking $30,000 at the end of the year after products, expenses and wages.

“If I wanted to make $50,000, I could do that in my sleep with my Gutter-Vac franchise working only one day a week.”

Currently, he works three to four days a week, so he has time for things that are important to him. One of these things is playing guitar in his band, The Billy Gudeon Band.

“There is no stress in this work. It is so flexible, and you only have to work two or three days a week to be raking it in,” said Phil.