Troubleshooter
Troubleshooter Network, Inc. operates ReferralList.com, a Colorado-focused subscription directory of pre-screened service providers across 20+ categories, monetized through membership fees paid by vetted contractors, attorneys, and other professionals to consumers seeking trusted providers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Troubleshooter does
Troubleshooter Network, Inc. (Troubleshooter) is a privately held Colorado corporation founded by consumer advocate Tom Martino that operates ReferralList.com, a curated directory of pre-screened and monitored professionals, contractors, and service providers in Colorado. The platform lists members across more than 20 service categories including attorneys, plumbing, HVAC, electricians, roofing, auto repair, real estate, financial advisors, healthcare, and charities. All listed providers must agree to a membership contract and Code of Ethics administered by TSN, with TSN acting as a neutral third party for dispute resolution; TSN retains the right to terminate members immediately for contract violations.
The platform is built on third-party eDirectory software, providing category-based search, listing management, review features, and member dashboards, with mobile apps available via Google Play and Apple App Store. The technology stack is commodity directory infrastructure rather than proprietary IP; the company's defensible assets are its brand IP (Tom Martino likeness, trademarks, logos, slogans) and its vetted provider ecosystem rather than its technology.
The business operates a B2B2C subscription model: service providers pay recurring membership fees to be listed (pricing not publicly disclosed, with a 60-day initial term and 30-day termination thereafter), while consumers access the directory free of charge. Customer acquisition leverages Tom Martino's consumer advocacy brand recognition, directory SEO, and a YouTube channel (@TroubleshooterNetwork) for video content. Operations are concentrated in the Denver metro area and Colorado Front Range with a small staff of 8 employees. No external funding, M&A activity, or institutional ownership has been disclosed.
Troubleshooter firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Troubleshooter
- Legal name
- Troubleshooter Network, Inc.
- Website
- https://troubleshooter.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Troubleshooter Network, Inc. operates ReferralList.com, a Colorado-focused subscription directory of pre-screened service providers across 20+ categories, monetized through membership fees paid by vetted contractors, attorneys, and other professionals to consumers seeking trusted providers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Troubleshooter industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Service Directory
- NAICS
- Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Payroll, HR & Benefits Referral Networks (FSAEAMAJ)
Keywords
Where Troubleshooter is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Troubleshooter business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations
Revenue model
- Membership Fees from Service Providers: Service providers (contractors, professionals, businesses) pay membership fees to be listed on the ReferralList.com directory. Membership terms require 30-day notice after 60 days of membership, with TSN able to terminate immediately for contract violations.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Troubleshooter product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ReferralList.com is an online directory platform that lists pre-screened, monitored, and approved merchants, contractors, and professional service providers across categories including plumbing, HVAC, attorneys, auto repair, roofing, real estate, financial advisory, and healthcare. Service providers apply, agree to a membership contract and Code of Ethics, and are approved before being listed; consumers in Colorado search the directory to find vetted providers. The platform is powered by eDirectory software and is operated by Troubleshooter Network, Inc.
Product overview
ReferralList.com is a single-platform directory service operated by Troubleshooter Network, Inc. (TSN), founded by Tom Martino. The platform provides a curated directory of pre-screened, monitored, and approved merchants, contractors, and professional service providers who have agreed to a membership contract including a code of ethics. Members span multiple service categories including public adjusting, appliance service, attorneys, lending, gutters, auto repair, computers/electronics, construction, plumbing, HVAC, financial advisory, handyman, real estate, health/beauty/fitness, charities, roofing, tile installation, and electrical services. The platform is designed to connect consumers with trustworthy service providers in the Colorado area.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ReferralList.com Directory Platform An online directory of pre-screened, monitored, and approved merchants, contractors, and professional service providers serving Colorado consumers. Categories include plumbing, HVAC, attorneys, auto repair, roofing, electricians, real estate, financial advisors, healthcare, and more. Service providers pay membership fees to be listed after pre-screening and Code of Ethics agreement; consumers search and contact providers free of charge.
Quantifiable outcome
- All listed providers must maintain licensing, insurance, and bonds as required by governmental authorities.
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Troubleshooter
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Troubleshooter technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Troubleshooter partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- eDirectorycoreReferralList.com is powered by eDirectory Cloud Service, which provides the directory platform infrastructure including listing management, search functionality, and member dashboards.
- Sheridan Auto TechminorAuto repair provider and member of ReferralList.com since the platform's inception, providing automotive services to consumers referred through the directory.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves3 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Troubleshooter competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Angi (Angie's List): National subscription and pay-per-lead home services marketplace connecting consumers with pre-screened contractors and service professionals. Most direct comparable to ReferralList.com, but at vastly greater scale and geographic breadth.
- Porch: Home services platform connecting homeowners with local contractors and home improvement professionals. Comparable in target market (homeowners seeking vetted pros) and category focus, though operating nationally.
- Thumbtack: Online marketplace connecting consumers with local professionals across more than 1,000 categories of services. Operates a similar referral/lead model but at national digital scale rather than regional/local.
- HomeAdvisor: National home services marketplace that matches homeowners with prescreened local service professionals across categories including plumbing, HVAC, roofing, and electrical. Directly comparable business model with broader scale.
Emerging players
- Houzz: Home design and remodeling platform with a directory of professionals including contractors, architects, and interior designers. Partial overlap with ReferralList's home services categories at larger scale.
- Bark.com: Online services marketplace connecting consumers with local professionals across categories from home services to professional services. Operates a similar referral marketplace model with global ambitions.
Regional players
- Nextdoor: Hyperlocal neighborhood social network frequently used by consumers to solicit recommendations for local service providers. Competes for the same referral-intent consumer search but via community trust rather than paid directory listings.
Broad incumbents
- Yelp: National crowd-sourced local business review platform spanning home services, legal, auto, healthcare, and more. Competes for the same consumer search intent but uses open reviews rather than paid-membership vetting.
- Better Business Bureau: Non-profit organization providing accredited business ratings and dispute resolution services. Comparable trust and vetting framework with national scope, serving a similar consumer need for vetted service providers.
- Google Business Profile: Free business listing and discovery platform integrated into Google Search and Maps. The dominant free alternative to paid directories for local service provider discovery.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Troubleshooter social profiles
Digital presenceTroubleshooter financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Troubleshooter leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Troubleshooter funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Troubleshooter M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Troubleshooter
What does Troubleshooter do?
ReferralList.com is an online directory platform that lists pre-screened, monitored, and approved merchants, contractors, and professional service providers across categories including plumbing, HVAC, attorneys, auto repair, roofing, real estate, financial advisory, and healthcare. Service providers apply, agree to a membership contract and Code of Ethics, and are approved before being listed; consumers in Colorado search the directory to find vetted providers. The platform is powered by eDirectory software and is operated by Troubleshooter Network, Inc.
Is Troubleshooter a public or private company?
Troubleshooter is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Troubleshooter founded?
Troubleshooter was founded in 1989. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Troubleshooter based?
Troubleshooter is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
How does Troubleshooter make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Fees from Service Providers.
Who are Troubleshooter's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Angi (Angie's List), Porch, Thumbtack and HomeAdvisor. Emerging players are Houzz and Bark.com. Nextdoor is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Yelp, Better Business Bureau and Google Business Profile.
Does Troubleshooter have an API?
No public API is recorded for Troubleshooter.
What industry is Troubleshooter in?
Troubleshooter's product category is Online Service Directory. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEAMAJ, Payroll, HR & Benefits Referral Networks. Its NAICS code is 5192 and its SIC code is 8600.