Every propane business owner knows that experience is one of the most valuable assets in the industry. Propane work requires technical knowledge, strong customer relationships, and an ability to adapt to changing conditions. While much of this can be learned over time, having an industry mentor can speed up the process and help you avoid… Continue reading Mentors Drive Growth and Success
Price changes are an unavoidable part of doing business, especially in industries that depend on global markets and seasonal demand. While customers may accept that prices can rise and fall, the way you manage these shifts can determine whether they remain loyal or start looking for other options. When handled poorly, even a small increase… Continue reading Keeping Customers When Prices Change
Propane cylinder refill stations are an essential part of many communities. From backyard grilling and camping to small business use, people depend on propane cylinders every day. Opening a refill station can be a smart move for entrepreneurs or propane companies looking to expand their services. It provides a steady stream of customers, builds long-term… Continue reading Propane Refill Stations: Steps for Safety and Success
On January 14, 2024, a devastating propane tank explosion rocked Wilderness Road in Copiah County, Mississippi, killing four people and injuring two others. The victims included 43-year-old Calvin “Benjy” Jordan, his son Houston “Bubba” Jordan, 18, his nephew Toler Jordan, 14, and family friend Jeremy Mitchell, 52. Survivors, Mitzi Jordan and Samantha Britt, suffered severe… Continue reading Copiah County Explosion – A Propane Industry Warning on Safety Failures (Part One)
Every decision you make as a propane business owner, from how you set your prices to how you handle safety concerns, shapes your reputation. In this industry, your name is tied to trust, and trust is built on ethics. Ethical business practices go beyond simply following the law. They are about acting in a way… Continue reading Ethical Practices Build Stronger Propane Businesses
Propane companies are always looking for ways to increase revenue while building stronger connections with their customers. Selling fuel is at the core of these businesses, but there are other opportunities that often go untapped. One of these is equipment rentals. From heaters and grills to generators and construction tools, propane-powered equipment is in high… Continue reading Equipment Rentals Create Steady Growth for Propane Businesses
As energy demands grow and costs continue to rise, many businesses and individuals are searching for smarter ways to power their equipment and vehicles. Propane has become a popular choice because it is dependable, cleaner-burning than many traditional fuels, and often more affordable. One of the key tools that makes switching to propane possible is… Continue reading Businesses Gain Greater Flexibility With Propane Conversion Kits
Negative online reviews can feel like a punch in the gut, especially when you’ve worked hard to provide excellent service. In the propane industry, where trust, safety, and reliability are essential, a single poor review can feel like it overshadows dozens of positive ones. But the truth is, a negative review doesn’t have to harm… Continue reading Handling Negative Online Reviews With Professionalism
Most people feel there are never enough hours in the day. You might start the morning with a list of things to do, but by the afternoon, unexpected calls, small tasks, and urgent requests can take over. Before you know it, the day is nearly over, yet the most important work remains unfinished. This isn’t… Continue reading Better Time Management Boosts Business Success
Missed calls can mean missed opportunities. Every time a customer’s call goes unanswered, there’s a chance they will turn to a competitor instead. Whether it’s because the office was busy, it was after hours, or the line was tied up, those calls still represent people who had a need and possibly a purchase waiting to… Continue reading How a Call-Back System Can Save Missed Sales
Energy markets always move up and down, and the propane industry is no exception. When prices trend higher, both businesses and households feel the impact on their budgets. But when propane prices move into a downtrend, the picture changes. Buyers often envision more room to plan, purchase, and invest with confidence. These time periods of… Continue reading Propane Buyers Gain More in a Market Downtrend
Every propane business owner knows that numbers tell a story. Sales totals, delivery costs, and payroll are all part of the fiscal picture, but financial ratios bring these details together in a way that shows the overall health of your company. The challenge is that not every ratio is equally useful. Some can create noise,… Continue reading The Financial Ratios That Drive Propane Companies
Delivery fees can be a sensitive topic for customers. While most people understand that delivering products and services costs money, the way you set and explain those fees can greatly affect how they feel about your business. If customers believe they’re paying too much or that the charges are unclear, trust can erode quickly. On… Continue reading Setting Delivery Fees That Keep Customers Happy
Adding a new service to your business can seem like an exciting way to attract more customers, boost revenue, and stand out from competitors. But every new service comes with its own costs, demands, and risks. While it may feel tempting to move on this type of venture rather quickly, it’s worth slowing down to… Continue reading Questions to Ask Before Adding a New Service
Running a propane business takes more than keeping tanks filled and trucks on the road. Behind the scenes, your financial records tell the full story of how strong your company really is. And, one of the best tools you have is your balance sheet. A balance sheet isn’t just something for the accountant to review… Continue reading Behind the Numbers: What Your Balance Sheet Reveals
Keeping your propane buyers customers coming back year after year involves more than just delivering fuel on time. It’s about creating a connection, solving problems before they grow, and being the kind of service-oriented company people trust. When you work to establish client loyalty, you not only keep more customers – you also grow by… Continue reading Beyond the Refill: Turning Propane Buyers Into Lifelong Clients
When the harsh weather turns rough, propane companies don’t just face delays; they face serious risks. Severe storms, floods, high winds, and extreme heat can cause damage, delay deliveries, and interrupt service to customers who count on propane for heating, cooking, and power. In tough conditions, having the right people and resources in place beforehand… Continue reading Fighting Harsh Weather With the Right Partnerships
Running a propane business means staying ahead of the seasons, your customers’ needs, and your competition. But without a clear monthly marketing plan, your message can get lost. You may find yourself scrambling to come up with ideas or reacting to slow sales, rather than staying on offense. The good news is that building a… Continue reading Plan Your Propane Marketing One Month at a Time
If you’re like many propane business owners, you’ve worked hard to build your company the traditional way – earning every customer and stretching every dollar. Because of this, taking on debt may not feel natural to you. After all, you’ve likely been taught to avoid owing money and to keep things stable and simple. However,… Continue reading Growing with Loans: A Guide for Business Owners
Hiring the next generation can be a challenge, especially in the Propane Company, where the work is hands-on and the pace is steady. Gen Z, a demographic made up of the people born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, is now entering the workforce in large numbers. They grew up with smartphones/ tablets, fast… Continue reading Gen Z Is Looking for Purpose – Can Your Propane Company Offer It?
If you’re like most propane business owners, your time is split between service calls, deliveries, and day-to-day challenges. With everything on your plate, it’s easy to wonder if something like a digital newsletter is still worth your time. But the truth is, e-newsletters continue to be one of the best ways to stay connected with… Continue reading From Quiet to Top-of-Mind: The Power of Newsletters
When you’re running a propane company, one of the hardest things to let go of is dispatching. It’s the brain of the operation, controlling where trucks go, when deliveries happen, and how problems get solved in the field. If you’ve been making most of those decisions yourself – or checking up behind everyone – it’s… Continue reading Turning Your Dispatchers Into Confident Decision-Makers
No propane business wants to talk about delivery mistakes, but almost every company has had them. A tank gets skipped. A driver ends up at the wrong address. A customer runs out of gas because something was overlooked. It’s easy to feel frustrated or even embarrassed when unfortunate things happen, but these moments are more… Continue reading When Propane Deliveries Go Wrong – And What You Can Do About It
Running a propane business means more than just delivering fuel. Your commercial clients rely on you to help keep their operations safe, steady, and ready for every season. That’s where a seasonal maintenance check program can make a big difference. This simple investment of time will give your clients peace of mind and helps you… Continue reading Keep Tanks Trouble-Free All Year with Seasonal Maintenance
As your propane business grows, one of the most significant risks isn’t poor logistics or stretched resources – it’s losing the personal connection that made your company successful in the first place. Customers trust you not just for propane but because you’re a familiar name, a local face, and someone who shows up when they… Continue reading Scaling Up the Right Way: Stay Rooted, Stay Trusted – Propane
Great customer service doesn’t stop when the propane tank is full or the paperwork is signed. If you’re like most propane business owners, your drivers drop off the fuel, wave goodbye, and head to the next stop. But what if you could turn that moment into something more? What if asking one simple question after… Continue reading Small Question, Big Impact: How to Keep Customers Coming Back
Most propane business owners take pride in the service they provide. You work hard, you care about your customers, and you build your reputation on being dependable. But how often do you stop to ask what your customers really think about you? Not what you hope they think, but what they’re actually saying, feeling, and… Continue reading Behind the Tank – What Customers Really Experience
Running a propane business often means doing more than just filling tanks. You are also working to build long-term relationships with customers, especially in small towns and rural areas. One way to add value and grow those relationships is by offering an equipment loan program. Whether it involves tank sets, heaters, or cooking units, loaning… Continue reading Smarter Equipment Loans That Keep Your Propane Business Growing
Running a propane business can feel like a lonely road at times. You’re juggling deliveries, service calls, hiring, safety checks, and customer concerns. The pressure to keep things moving while staying profitable can leave you with more questions than answers. That’s why having someone to talk to – someone who’s been there and truly gets… Continue reading Every Propane Leader Needs a Trusted Voice Behind the Scenes
Price is one of the most sensitive parts of your propane business. Set it too low, and you might stay busy but barely cover your costs. Set it too high, and customers may walk away or never reach out. Most propane business owners don’t adjust pricing often enough. And when they do, they sometimes guess… Continue reading Strategic Pricing Starts with Knowing Your Real Costs
