Tommy Mello’s story is one that every business owner can learn from. Today, he runs A1 Garage Door Service, a company generating over $200 million in revenue annually. But his journey started far from boardrooms and business strategies.

A Hustler from Day One

Tommy grew up in Detroit, Michigan, in a modest household. His parents divorced when he was just seven years old, and his mother worked tirelessly to keep the family afloat. Money was always tight, so Tommy learned early on that if he wanted something, he had to work for it. He started out shoveling snow and mowing lawns, gaining his first taste of entrepreneurship as a kid.

This work ethic carried into his adult years. When he moved to Arizona, he stumbled into the garage door industry. At the time, he was painting garage doors on the side for extra money while his roommate worked as a manager for a garage door company. Seeing the opportunity, Tommy and his roommate decided to start their own business in 2007.

Mistakes, Setbacks, and Hard Lessons

Starting a business is never easy, and Tommy quickly realized that entrepreneurship is a brutal teacher. In the early years, he made every mistake in the book:

• He didn’t understand finances and found himself in debt.
• He hired the wrong people, leading to poor work and customer complaints.
• His first business partner struggled with drug addiction, causing serious problems in the company.

By 2010, Tommy and his partner split. It was a tough moment, but it forced him to go all in. With his mother, he moved from Michigan to Phoenix and put everything into growing the business. No excuses. No plan B. Just relentless focus.

But it wasn’t just about hard work. Tommy realized that hustling alone wouldn’t scale his business. He had to learn how to:

• Become a great marketer to attract customers.
• Build a strong company culture to retain great employees.
• Find the right mentors who could guide him.

With a shift in strategy, things started changing. Tommy mastered Google marketing, found top-tier employees, and eventually grew his business beyond what he imagined.

The Breakthrough: Scaling to $200M+ and Beyond

Tommy didn’t just build a successful business—he built a machine. His focus on processes, marketing, and leadership helped A1 Garage Door Service scale to over 20 states with 800+ employees.

In the process, he achieved a milestone few entrepreneurs ever reach:

• He sold half his business, securing a $27 million EBITDA profit.
• He built a business with 25% profitability at scale.
• He expanded into multiple locations without losing service quality.

And the journey isn’t over. Tommy’s next goal? $300 million in revenue.

Actionable Insights for Business Owners

Tommy’s story isn’t just inspiring—it’s packed with lessons every business owner can apply. Here are his biggest takeaways:

1. Network Like a Pro

• Get comfortable talking to people and pitching your business.
• Start with local business groups like BNI or the Chamber of Commerce before aiming for high-level connections.
• Learn to give and ask for referrals—your network is your net worth.

2. Surround Yourself with the Right People

• If your five closest friends don’t inspire you, you’re in the wrong crowd.
• Find mentors who have achieved what you want and follow their guidance.
• Build a team of A-players—great businesses aren’t built alone.

3. Master Marketing (Especially Google)

• Don’t rely only on social media—Google dominates home services.
• Study your competition—success leaves clues.
• Attract top employees through marketing, not just customers.

4. Know When to Walk Away

• Not every business idea is a winner—be honest about what’s worth the effort.
• If you’re stuck with the wrong people or in a losing situation, cut your losses and move on.
• Focus on businesses with scalable, repeatable processes.

5. Find a Niche and Own It

• If starting over, Tommy would target a smaller market where he could dominate.
• Being the best in a small pond is better than being just another player in a big ocean.

Final Thoughts: Take Action Today

Tommy Mello’s story is proof that business success isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy, persistence, and continuous learning.

If you’re running a service business (or any business), ask yourself:

• Are you networking and surrounding yourself with winners?
• Are you leveraging marketing to attract both customers and employees?
• Are you willing to cut losses and pivot when necessary?

Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right focus and execution, you can build something amazing—just like Tommy did.

Now it’s your turn. What’s one lesson from Tommy’s journey that you can apply in your business today? Drop a comment and let’s discuss!

Tommy Mello Tells His Story

Watch the video of Tommy Mello telling the story of building A1 Garage Door Service.