Hey, Life with Justin Stephens community! Justin here, checking in with a journal entry on what has been a wild ride in my life lately. This week marked my first full week as a house manager and handyman, and I'm thrilled to report it went really well—better than I expected. From reorganizing spaces to power washing driveways, yard work, and general housework, I handled whatever came up, and seeing the tangible results at the end of each day was incredibly satisfying. Let's dive into the highlights, my new venture "Justin's Handyman Services," a fresh job at WinCo, and how it's all part of a 3-year plan finally coming together. As always, I'll tie it to lessons in personal finance, business growth, and staying excited for what's ahead.

The First Week as Handyman: Hands-On Wins and Immediate Impact

Jumping into this role felt natural and rewarding right away. Tasks varied: One day, I reorganized a cluttered garage, sorting tools and creating labeled storage for easy access. Another, power washing the exterior to refresh the home's look, followed by yard work like mowing, trimming, and weeding. I even tackled some indoor housework, like deep cleaning and minor repairs. What I loved most was the direct feedback—my clients (starting with family) could see the transformation immediately, and that sense of accomplishment fueled me. Unlike desk work, where results can feel abstract, this is visible: A messy space turned efficient, a dull yard now vibrant. It went smoothly overall, with no major hiccups, and I'm already feeling the physical and mental benefits of working with my hands.

Launching Justin's Handyman Services: Unique Name, Big Vision

Yes, I know—"Justin's Handyman Services" is super unique (ha!), but it's straightforward and memorable. On the blog, I'm promoting it as a reliable service for all things home: Reorganizing, power washing, yard work, housework—you name it, we take care of it. I'm also highlighting affiliate companies that have supported me; when I refer business their way and they close deals, I earn commissions, which helps fund the blog.

All revenue from Justin's Handyman Services goes straight back into building my online presence and the blog. The goal? Create a marketing machine for handyman services—documenting processes, sharing tips, and attracting clients through value-driven content. Long-term, I envision getting acquired by a larger handyman firm. I chose this niche because it's service-based, always in demand (people need help with homes!), and scalable—we can hire skilled team members to expand. It's practical, recession-resistant, and aligns with helping people in everyday ways.

New Job at WinCo: A Foot in the Door for Stability

On top of the handyman hustle, I got hired at WinCo as a night stocker! It's a great entry point into a solid company, and I'm optimistic about moving up. My hope is to eventually work in sales or marketing at WinCo corporate, but for now, it's about learning the ropes and proving myself. This job meets my personal financial needs—steady income for bills and basics—allowing the blog and handyman services to focus on long-term value without pulling money out prematurely. It's all part of balancing short-term stability with entrepreneurial dreams.

The Bigger Picture: A 3-Year Plan Coming Together

This has been my vision for the last 3 years: Build a foundation with reliable income (WinCo), create a side hustle with growth potential (handyman services), and use it to fund a content platform (the blog) for marketing and value creation. It's finally starting to click, and I'm really excited for the direction my life is taking. The wild ride—wrecks, pivots, new roles—has taught me resilience, and seeing pieces fall into place is motivating.

Why This Matters for Your Journey

Whether in finance (reinvesting revenue wisely), business (scaling services with demand), or life (embracing hands-on fulfillment), this week shows how plans unfold with consistency. It's a reminder that success is multi-faceted—financial security, personal joy, and long-term vision.

At Life with Justin Stephens, we share raw Journal Entries like this, alongside Point of View stories, Life Strategy tips, Resources, and Great Causes to inspire your path in finance, business, sales, marketing, and beyond.

Call to Action: Subscribe at justindcstephens.com for daily motivation. If you're starting a hustle, share this post, and comment: What's your long-term plan looking like?

P.S. Tomorrow, a Point of View post from a WinCo veteran on climbing the corporate ladder. Stay tuned!

To your success,
Justin Stephens