How a 3rd Generation Residential Electrician Business Continues To Grow

Bill Streb is the Owner of Streb Electric, an electrical services company headquartered in Eastlake, Ohio. Founded in 1975, Streb Electric has grown into a premier residential service and repair company, earning a reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction. A veteran entrepreneur and master electrician, Bill joined his father, company founder Bill Streb Sr., in 1989, leaving the corporate world to pursue hands-on service and customer satisfaction. His passion propels Streb Electric’s success, leading the company into its near half-century legacy, showcased by over 700 glowing reviews and a 4.9-star rating on Google.

Ryan Streb is the Service Manager at Streb Electric. He is also an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Specialist with the Army National Guard and a Police Auxiliary for the Eastlake Police Department. In 2006, Ryan started working with the family business while in high school. He joined Streb Electric full-time in 2010, took a break to serve in the Army as an EOD technician, and returned in 2017. Now, he is preparing to become the third-generation owner of Streb Electric.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• [1:30] The business ethos and origins of Streb Electric
• [3:18] The importance of positive customer feedback and how Streb Electric maintains its high ratings
• [4:40] Bill Streb’s impetus for joining the family business
• [9:30] How his Army experience provided Ryan Streb with transferable skills for the electrical services industry
•  [15:50] Team-building processes and fostering a positive work environment
•  [20:14] How Streb Electric overcame growth hurdles
•  [23:43] Navigating hiring challenges in the services industry 
• [27:36] How can business owners adapt leadership styles to various employee personalities?
• [38:05] Fundamental customer service principles to shape business success

In this episode…

Can legacy and adaptation coexist in today’s fast-moving services industry? How did a family-owned company stay afloat and thrive for half a century, and what can we learn from them?

Bill and Ryan Streb discuss the history of Streb Electric, a family-owned business approaching its 50th anniversary. Starting in a home garage by Bill’s father and now boasting a reputable establishment with a dedicated team, they attribute the company’s success to continuous adaptation, relentless customer focus, and a slight touch of military precision. To stay competitive, business owners must hire employees with excellent communication skills and a shared commitment to service excellence. Bill reflects on his father’s advice on treating others well, which continues to shape their business philosophy today. At the same time, Ryan brings a fresh perspective on managing a diverse team to create a harmonious work environment. 

In this episode of Alpha Bytes, Alex Zinni hosts Bill Streb, Owner of Streb Electric, and Ryan Streb, Service Manager at Streb Electric, to discuss evolving leadership and maintaining quality service in the electrical services industry. Bill and Ryan share Streb Electric’s rise to prominence, highlighting the value of customer service and teamwork and emphasizing hiring employees with excellent communication skills and a shared commitment to service excellence.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Alex Zinni on LinkedIn
• Alpha Key Digital
• Bill Streb on LinkedIn
• Ryan Streb on LinkedIn
• Streb Electric: Website | Phone number: 440-953-5819
• Dr. Jeremy Weisz on LinkedIn
• Rise25

Quotable Moments:

• “You’re going to meet so many different people that aren’t the same as you. You have to change what you got to do and kind of work around them.” 
• “Treat everybody how you want to be treated; you are going to meet some customers that are a little abrasive, and you just have to be very kind to them.”
• “Reviews lead to more business. Having that many reviews on Google, there’s different ways to see them, and people like taking leads off those reviews.”
• “You gotta be thinking about, okay, I gotta move forward, and let’s just do it.” 
• “Having the confidence and knowing that I wasn’t alone — allowing others to help because sometimes you gotta let people in.” 

Action Steps:

1. Embrace continuous adaptation: Businesses can remain competitive and thrive by constantly evolving strategies and seeking growth opportunities. 
2. Master customer communication: Developing excellent customer service skills is essential for fostering client trust and loyalty. 
3. Prioritize teamwork: Fostering a team environment leads to collective success and a supportive culture. 
4. Create a feedback loop: Encouraging customer reviews can help with business improvement and marketing. 
5. Stay true to core values: Upholding foundational principles such as treating people with respect can guide a company’s journey and public perception.

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Alpha Key Digital.

Located in the vibrant heart of Northeast Ohio, Alpha Key Digital delivers revenue-generating digital marketing solutions tailored to plastic surgeons and roofing companies.

From cutting-edge SEO and social media strategies to high-performing websites and PPC campaigns, our expert team is committed to driving measurable results that elevate your brand.

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To unlock your business’s full potential, visit our website at https://www.alphakeydigital.com/ or book a discovery session with Alex Zinni at https://calendly.com/alex-zinni/30-minute-google-meets-call.