How to Grow a Stronger Inspection Business in 2026 — with Mark Hummel

Running an inspection business can feel busy without always feeling better.

In this episode of Spectora Spotlight, host Carla Heatherly sits down with Mark Hummel of Inspection Empire Builder to talk about what actually helps inspection businesses grow — sustainably, strategically, and without burning out.

Mark brings more than 20 years of leadership and team-building experience, plus a clear view of where inspection business owners tend to get stuck.

This conversation focuses on clarity, systems, leadership, and the habits that help inspectors build businesses that support their lives — not consume them.

• Why lack of clarity — and staying in a technician mindset — keeps inspection businesses stuck

• What a healthy inspection business really feels like day to day

• Why simplicity scales better than complexity

• The Service · Operations · Growth (SOG) model

• Why budgeting beats “bank account accounting”

• How to manage seasonality without panic

• Why business owners are always the bottleneck — and how to use that as leverage

• The role of accountability and community in long-term growth

• Who Not How — Dan Sullivan & Benjamin Hardy

• Service · Operations · Growth (SOG) model

• 1–3–5 Vision Framework

• Budgeting vs. bank account accounting

• Accountability research showing shared goals can increase success rates up to 95%

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-hummel-mba-83232672/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspectorEmpireBuilder

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_hummel_/

IEB Unite 2026 | March 4–6
A live, in-person event for inspection business owners focused on clarity, strategy, and real-world growth.

Speakers include Nick Gromicko (InterNACHI) and other leaders shaping the future of the inspection industry.
👉 https://events.iebcoaching.com/IEBUnite2026/

• Try Spectora free: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0

• Bundle Spectora + a custom site: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0

🎙️ Subscribe to Spectora Spotlight on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Don’t Do That! How Inspector Brent Fletcher Built His Business & 500K Followers

Brent Fletcher didn’t plan on becoming a home inspector—until one inspection changed everything. Five years later, he’s built a thriving business in Colorado and grown an audience of more than 500K across social media with his viral “Don’t Do That!” posts.

In this episode of Spectora Spotlight, Brent shares the highs, lows, and behind-the-scenes strategies that fueled both his business growth and his online presence:

• How an $8,000 check at closing launched his inspection career
• The toughest lessons from his first year in business
• Networking strategies that turned overflow jobs into loyal clients
• Why relationships and local reputation matter more than ads
• Building a backlog of 4,000+ videos and knowing what actually goes viral
• The tools and posting habits that fuel his growth (InShot, Canva, TikTok, FB, IG, YT)
• What inspectors can do right now to grow their own presence online

Whether you’re an inspector, a small business owner, or just curious how to turn authenitic content into clicks — this episode is packed with practical advice and some pretty fun stories. 

🔗 Links & Resources
Fletcher's Home Inspections: https://fletchershomeinspections.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FletchersHomeInspections

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Inspector_Fletch 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspector_fletch/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@inspector_fletch

🚀 Ready to grow your business?

• Try Spectora free: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0
  
  
• Bundle a year of Spectora + a custom site: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0
  
  
• Dive into Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90
  
  

🎙️ Subscribe so you don’t miss what's next!

We’re on Apple, Spotify, Google—wherever you pod.

Click follow or subscribe to stay in the loop.

🎙️ Guest: Lauren Hughes, Lighted Way Home Inspections (Hillsboro, TX)

🚀 Want more clients without working harder?

Lauren shares how she built a trusted brand just by showing the extras she already does every day—no extra effort required. From simple posts to smart use of AI tools, Lauren breaks down exactly how inspectors can:

• Create social content people actually want to see
• Mix education with personality to connect with clients + agentsUse AI for captions, ideas, and competitor research
• Build a brand that stands on its own (not just your name)
• Show up consistently without burning out

🔗 Links & Resources Lighted Way Home Inspections: https://www.lightedwayhomeinspections.com 

📲 Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today and get all the education and onboarding you need to hit the ground running:
https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0

🚀 Bundle a year of the app with a custom website:
https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0

🛠️ Growing your business? We’ve got your back. Check out our business tools:
https://hubs.la/Q02p9S0B0

👥 Learn more about the power of Spectora—visit Spectora Academy:
https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90

🚨 Not subscribed to the pod yet? You’re missing out. We’re on Apple, Google, and Spotify. Click follow or subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

🤓 Got topic ideas or wanna be a pod-star yourself? Send us a message through chat or email [email protected]

💬 Not using Spectora yet? See why the biggest and best inspection companies are:
https://hubs.la/Q02p9SRZ0

Want more referrals without extra marketing spend? Inspectors win clients by doing the little gestures that people remember.

In this episode, Lauren Hughes from Lighted Way Home Inspections sshares how small, thoughtful gestures can lead to more referrals, stronger agent relationships, and happier clients. These “extras” don’t take much time, but they deliver big results.

We cover:

• Why small gestures beat expensive marketing
  
  
• Real inspector examples that turned extras into reviews
  
  
• Easy ways to impress agents and build relationships
  
  
• Growing market share in rural areas (and when to take on the long drives)
  
  
• How to start building referral habits this week

🔗 Links & Resources

Lighted Way Home Inspections: https://www.lightedwayhomeinspections.com

🚀 Ready to grow your business?

• Try Spectora free: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0
  
  
• Bundle a year of Spectora + a custom site: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0
  
  
• Dive into Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90
  
  

🎙️ Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes!

We’re on Apple, Spotify, Google—wherever you pod.

Click follow or subscribe to stay in the loop.

Ep. 140: AI in Home Inspections, Part 2
Guest: Chris Skinner, Silk Inspections (Fayetteville, NC)

Let’s get nerdy! In Part 2, Chris Skinner shares how he’s gone beyond the basics to train custom GPTs, communicate faster with agents, and use AI to unlock serious focus in the field. 

We dig into:

• How to use AI when you’re not the owner

• The real potential of custom GPTs

• Communication hacks for agents + clients

• Where AI shines—and where to stay skeptical

Whether you’re AI-curious or already using ChatGPT daily, this episode gives you real-life inspector insights you can use now.

🔗 Links & Resources
Silk Inspections: silkinspections.com

🚀 Ready to grow your business?

• Try Spectora free: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0
• Bundle a year + custom site: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0
• Explore Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90

🎙️ Subscribe so you don’t miss our next episode!

We’re on Apple, Spotify, Google—wherever you pod.

Have an idea or want to be on the show? Email [email protected]

AI isn’t coming for your job—but it is here to help you work smarter. In this episode, Chris Skinner from Silk Inspections breaks down the automation and AI tools he’s using to save time, reduce mental load, and bring more consistency to his business.

We get into:

• Why he started automating—and what he’d never go back to
  
  
• The tools that have made the biggest difference
  
  
• How he’s using AI tools like ChatGPT today
  
  
• What he won’t automate (and why that line matters)
  
  
• Tips for inspectors who are curious but unsure where to start
  
  

This is Part 1 of a 2-part conversation that makes AI feel less intimidating and more practical. Because the real power? Still comes from you.

🔗 Links & Resources
Silk Inspections: https://www.silkinspections.com

🚀 Ready to grow your business?

• Try Spectora free: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0
  
  
• Bundle a year of Spectora + a custom site: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0
  
  
• Dive into Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90
  
  

🎙️ Subscribe so you don’t miss Part 2!

We’re on Apple, Spotify, Google—wherever you pod.

Click follow or subscribe to stay in the loop.

Join new host Carla Heatherly as she talks with inspectors and industry pros about growth, real-world strategies, and what’s next for the modern home inspector.

Yon and Brian grew up less than a mile apart. They played on the same sports teams as kids. Now, although they live across the country, they're both home inspectors. And they learn from each other every day.

In this episode, we get into:

- Growing a YouTube channel and why client education is so important

- Building home maintenance plans for clients post-inspection

- The difference between inspecting new builds and historic homes

- Different communication styles

- Why having industry friends/mentors is key to growth

You can find Yon and Brian's YouTube channel, Home Inspections Matter, at https://www.youtube.com/@UC3biUdnJzw1sMbWtPNfgSaA. You can find Yon at https://homegrowninspectionsc.com/ and Brian at https://workflowhome.com/.

📲 Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today and get all the education and onboarding you'll need to get up and running successfully: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0

🚀 Bundle a year of the app with a custom website: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0

🛠️ Growing your business? We got your back. Check out our business tools: https://hubs.la/Q02p9S0B0

👥 Learn more about the power of Spectora, visit Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90

🚨 Not subscribed to the pod yet? Shame! Go do it! We're on Apple & Google Podcasts & Spotify. Click follow or subscribe! This keeps us motivated to keep doing more of this.

🤓 Got ideas for guests? Send 'em our way through the chat bubble or email [email protected]

💬 Not using Spectora? See what the biggest and best companies are saying: https://hubs.la/Q02p9SRZ0

Thomas is BACK by popular demand. In the episode, we get into:

- Why collaboration is the key to leveling up the industry

- Raising your prices and adding/communicating value

- Taking ownership of issues clients run into vs learning when to say no this just isn’t our problem/fault

- Navigating contractor relationships, insurance woes, and how to give recommendations without being the upgrade police 

- Home health inspections and getting in the door with homeowners who aren't actively buying or selling

📲 Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today and get all the education and onboarding you'll need to get up and running successfully: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0

🚀 Bundle a year of the app with a custom website: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0 🛠️ Growing your business? We got your back. Check out our business tools: https://hubs.la/Q02p9S0B0

👥 Learn more about the power of Spectora, visit Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90

🚨 Not subscribed to the pod yet? Shame! Go do it! We're on Apple & Google Podcasts & Spotify. Click follow or subscribe! This keeps us motivated to keep doing more of this.

🤓 Got ideas for guests? Send 'em our way through the chat bubble or email [email protected]

💬 Not using Spectora? See what the biggest and best companies are saying: https://hubs.la/Q02p9SRZ0

Matt is a beacon of wisdom in this industry. This episode is a must-listen for any inspector thinking about becoming a business owner...or thinking about selling, for that matter. We get into:

- How Matt went from company employee to company owner

- Commitment and consistency over hustle culture

- The future of mergers & acquisitions in the inspection industry

- Why you need to KYN (Know Your Numbers)

- How he spent his life savings on his company in a down market...and why that was actually a great thing.

If you want to get in touch with Matt, you can find him at @acehomeny on Facebook or at https://acehomeny.com/.

📲 Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today and get all the education and onboarding you'll need to get up and running successfully: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0

🚀 Bundle a year of the app with a custom website: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0 🛠️ Growing your business? We got your back. Check out our business tools: https://hubs.la/Q02p9S0B0

👥 Learn more about the power of Spectora, visit Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90

🚨 Not subscribed to the pod yet? Shame! Go do it! We're on Apple & Google Podcasts & Spotify. Click follow or subscribe! This keeps us motivated to keep doing more of this.

🤓 Got ideas for guests? Send 'em our way through the chat bubble or email [email protected]

💬 Not using Spectora? See what the biggest and best companies are saying: https://hubs.la/Q02p9SRZ0

We're lucky to have not only an incredibly successful real estate broker, but a CEO, best-selling author, coach & keynote speaker on Spectora Spotlight.

Leigh Brown is a straight shooter and an advocate for serving customers and improving the real estate industry in any way we can.

Leigh and Kevin have a free flowing conversation around the NAR lawsuit and settlement and what it could mean for Realtors, home inspectors and homebuyers.

You can find Leigh at her website and the socials!

https://www.leighbrown.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC11stDD0nfFUYfhPB-E1nLg

https://www.facebook.com/LeighBrownSpeaker/

https://www.instagram.com/leighthomasbrown/

 Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0
 Bundle a year of the app with a custom website: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0
 Growing your business? We got your back. Check out our business tools: https://hubs.la/Q02p9S0B0
 Learn more about the power of Spectora, visit Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90
 Not subscribed to the pod yet? Shame! Go do it! We're on Apple & Google Podcasts & Spotify. Click follow or subscribe! This keeps us motivated to keep doing more of this.
 Got ideas for guests? Send 'em our way through the chat bubble or email [email protected]
 Not using Spectora? See what the biggest and best companies are saying - https://hubs.la/Q02p9SRZ0