Finalist Q&A: HomeSpot HQ

The HomeSpot HQ web application allows home and property owners to organize three key groups of information: routine maintenance tasks, projects and weekend to-do items, and historical facts about their property. Further, users of HomeSpot HQ will have access to special content and discounts from Home Improvement centers and local service providers. HomeSpot HQ is designed as a single, central repository for the critical information about one's home and property.

How did you come up with the idea for your business, and what, or who, is your main source of motivation?

The idea for HomeSpot HQ was born after repeatedly having a conversation with my wife about which projects needed to be done around the house. We never had a good, consolidated place to make the project list and then select and prioritize what we were going to work on over the weekend. Also, I found myself often forgetting little pieces of information about my house - such as what size light bulb went in the kitchen or what spark plug went in the lawn mower. I really wanted to have all these facts in one place rather than having to track down and find an owner's manual or part number. My primary motivation comes from my desire to add value to people, in this case homeowners.

What is a unique feature of your business?
One of the features I use the most is called the Weekend Planner. It allows me to see all of my home improvement projects and routine maintenance items on one page, then I can select which ones I want to focus on over the weekend. After I select them, it creates a printable to-do list that includes all the parts and materials I need to buy to get a project or task finished. Now I have one page to take to the home center, and I can mark off what I get done.

What are your thoughts on the connection between small business and the local community?
I have lived all over the country, and I think that support and endorsement of local small businesses are critical to the health of any community. While HomeSpot is a tool that can be used by any homeowner in the country, we are focusing a lot on working with local real estate companies and other businesses in the home and garden industry to develop partnerships that will benefit the users of the product. Further, we have plans to earmark a portion of our revenues for local community work with local chapters of groups like Habitat for Humanity and The Arbor Day Foundation to help reinvest in the lives of those around us.

Why should the Idea Cafe regulars vote for you?
HomeSpot focuses on the single largest investment most Americans possess - their homes. In maintaining and improving our homes, we not only improve our own quality of life, but I believe we have an opportunity to improve the quality of life of others as well. The Idea Cafe grant will help HomeSpot enable homeowners to collectively make a difference in their communities and across the country.