In a compelling episode of The Diamond Podcast, host Alfredo Diamond sits down with Matt Amos, owner of Joe’s Gutter Service, to discuss his remarkable journey from education to entrepreneurship. Matt’s story is a testament to the power of mentorship, hard work, and seizing opportunities when they arise.
Early Beginnings and Education
Born and raised in Richmond, Matt’s journey began in eighth grade when he discovered his passion for machining in Mr. Gordon Dick’s class at Test Middle School. This interest led him to pursue machining throughout high school and eventually join a co-op program at A. House, where he worked mornings while completing his high school education in the afternoons.
After graduation, Matt continued his education through A. House’s tuition program, attending Purdue extension in the evenings while working full-time. He earned his journeyman’s card in tool and die making and was on track for an engineering career when an unexpected opportunity arose.
The Transition to Teaching
When his former high school teacher, Martin Nagy, announced his departure, he suggested Matt take over his teaching position. Despite initial hesitation, Matt accepted the challenge and, at just 22 years old, began teaching high school students the very skills he had recently mastered. With an occupational specialist license from the state of Indiana, Matt spent 17 years educating the next generation of machinists.
The Path to Business Ownership
Matt’s connection to Joe’s Gutter Service began during his sophomore year of high school when he worked summer jobs for Joe Moore, who would later become his teaching mentor. This relationship proved pivotal when, in 2016, Joe decided to sell his business. After considerable negotiation—including securing the coveted phone number Joe had used since 1976—Matt purchased the company.
Initially, Matt attempted to balance teaching with running the business, following Joe’s model. However, as his vision for growing the company expanded, he made the difficult decision to leave education in 2017, ensuring a smooth transition by staying until a suitable replacement was found.
Growth and Success
Under Matt’s leadership, Joe’s Gutter Service has quadrupled in size over the past five years. The company now serves a wide area including Richmond, Liberty, Muncie, Oxford, and parts of Ohio. They’ve established a new location at 771 South Round Barn Road, complete with a showroom and ample storage space.
Keys to Success
Matt attributes his success to several key factors:
- Focus on Core Business: Following Joe’s advice, Matt has maintained the company’s focus solely on gutters, avoiding the temptation to diversify into other services.
- Building Strong Relationships: Matt emphasizes the importance of proving yourself worthy of others’ trust and support before seeking their help in business ventures.
- Employee Retention: With eight current employees, including some who have been with the company for over 20 years, Matt prioritizes creating stable, long-term careers for his team.
- Community Involvement: Through his family’s influence, Matt remains active in community service, including work with the Richmond Symphony and art museum.
Looking Forward
While the business has grown significantly, Matt maintains a pragmatic approach to future expansion. Rather than pursuing aggressive growth, he focuses on sustainability and employee retention, noting that having the same dedicated team five years from now would be his definition of success.
Matt’s journey from machinist to teacher to business owner showcases how following one’s passion, combined with hard work and strong relationships, can lead to entrepreneurial success. His story serves as an inspiration for others considering the leap from steady employment to business ownership.
For professional gutter services in the Richmond area and beyond, contact Joe’s Gutter Service at 765-962-8963 or 513-839-2080, or visit their website at https://joesgutter.com