In a recent episode of The Diamond Podcast, host Alfredo Diamond sat down with Matt Amos, owner of Joe’s Gutter Service, for a powerful conversation about mentorship, work ethic, and what it really takes to shift from a career in education to entrepreneurship.
Matt’s journey is rooted in Richmond, Indiana — and it’s one that blends trade skills, teaching, and business leadership into a story that inspires anyone dreaming of starting their own company.
🔧 Early Interest in Trades & Education
Growing up in Richmond, Matt’s passion for hands-on work was sparked in Mr. Gordon Dick’s eighth-grade class at Test Middle School, where he was introduced to machining. That early exposure shaped his path through high school and into a co-op program with A. House, where he worked in the mornings and attended school in the afternoons.
After graduation, he continued his education through A. House’s tuition program, attending evening classes at Purdue while working full-time. He earned his journeyman’s card in tool and die making and appeared set for a career in engineering — until life opened another door.
📚 A Shift to Teaching at Age 22
When Matt’s former teacher, Martin Nagy, announced his departure from teaching, he saw something in Matt and encouraged him to apply. Though initially hesitant, Matt took the leap — and at just 22 years old, he began teaching high school students the very trade he had recently mastered.
With an Occupational Specialist license from the State of Indiana, Matt spent 17 years in the classroom, preparing future machinists with practical skills and industry insight.
🏗️ From Summer Jobs to Full Ownership
Matt’s connection to Joe’s Gutter Service goes back to his sophomore year in high school when he worked summer jobs for founder Joe Moore, who also became a mentor in education. That long-standing relationship proved pivotal in 2016 when Joe approached Matt about selling the company.
After careful negotiation — including acquiring the original phone number used since 1976 — Matt officially took over the business. At first, he continued teaching while running the company part-time, just as Joe had. But as Matt’s vision for growth became clear, he made the tough decision to leave education entirely in 2017, ensuring a smooth transition by staying until a qualified replacement was found.
📈 Strategic Growth with a Local Focus
Since taking over, Matt has grown Joe’s Gutter Service fourfold. The company now serves a broad region, including:
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Richmond
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Liberty
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Muncie
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Oxford, OH
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Other parts of Wayne County and Southwest Ohio
They’ve also expanded into a new location at 771 South Round Barn Road, which now houses a showroom and ample space for operations.
🧠 Core Values That Drive Joe’s Gutter
Matt credits the success of Joe’s Gutter Service to staying true to a few key principles:
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Staying in their lane: Following Joe’s advice, Matt has stayed focused on one thing — gutters — and doing them extremely well.
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Earning trust before asking for help: Whether in business or life, Matt believes in proving yourself before expecting others to support your vision.
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Employee longevity: With a team of 8 employees (some with 20+ years of service), Matt is committed to creating stable, long-term careers.
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Giving back to the community: Influenced by his family, Matt continues to support local organizations like the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and the Richmond Art Museum.
🚀 Looking Ahead: Stability Over Scale
Even with rapid growth, Matt’s focus remains steady: sustainability, employee well-being, and community involvement.
“I don’t need to double again in the next five years,” he says on the podcast. “But if I can have the same crew with me five years from now, that’s success.”
💬 Final Thoughts
Matt Amos’s journey from student to machinist, to teacher, and finally to business owner, is a reminder that success often comes from faithful steps, not giant leaps. His story is a model of how passion, mentorship, and community can shape a thriving local business.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on The Diamond Podcast for even more behind-the-scenes insights.
📞 Need Gutter Services?
Whether you’re in Richmond, Indiana or across Wayne County and Southwest Ohio, Joe’s Gutter Service is your trusted partner for:
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Gutter Installation
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Gutter Repairs
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Rx Screen Installation
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Seamless Gutters (5”, 6”, 7”)
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Free Estimates
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Financing Options
📱 Call Today: 765-962-8963 or 513-839-2080
🌐 Request an Estimate: joesgutter.com/request-a-free-estimate
💳 Financing Available: Apply Now