When you talk to Jesse Grant and Ryan Smith of Generator Power Systems (GPS) in Minnesota, one thing becomes obvious right away: these guys didn’t just “get into” the generator business — they grew up in it.
This month on the Power Source Podcast, I sat down with the GPS team to talk about their journey from electrical apprentices to becoming one of Minnesota’s most reliable generator installation and service companies. We covered everything from their Y2K roots to their growth goals, team structure, and how their partnership has evolved over four decades of working together.
If you’re a generator dealer or thinking about becoming one this conversation is packed with insight.
GPS began as a natural extension of Jim’s Electric, the Grant family business founded in 1976. Back then, nobody predicted that generators would become a core part of the future. But everything changed in the late 90s leading into Y2K.
“One of the first generators we installed was for a woman who needed an oxygen machine,” Jesse recalls. “People started asking for them, and we realized this might become more than just a side service.”
By 2010, Jesse and Ryan made the bold decision to spin off their generator division and officially launch Generator Power Systems — a company dedicated solely to installation, maintenance, and commercial/industrial backup systems.
Jesse and Ryan’s working relationship spans almost 30 years. They came up in the trade together, they’ve built companies together, and they’ve navigated the harsh Minnesota seasons together.
Fun fact:
Ryan was Jesse’s journeyman for about a month.
Their skill sets complement each other perfectly:
Ryan leads the technical side — installs, commercial work, mechanical troubleshooting.
Jesse handles business operations — planning, finances, process-building, and managing the broader Jim’s Electric ecosystem.
This dual-track leadership is a big part of why GPS has grown steadily despite Minnesota’s seasonal challenges.
GPS is an authorized dealer for both major brands, but Kohler is their preferred residential line — and not for the reason most people assume.
“It’s the relationship,” they explained. “The factory support, the rep who visits regularly — that personal connection matters.”
For commercial units, they lean heavily on Blue Star Power Systems, a Minnesota-based manufacturer that has been a “perfect fit” for large apartments, water treatment plants, lift stations, and municipal facilities.
The GPS installation process has become something of a well-oiled machine:
Lead comes in
Brock, their dedicated sales consultant, performs a next-day site visit
Walkthrough: electrical loads, equipment evaluation, customer priorities
On-the-spot estimate
Install scheduled and completed within 1–2 days
GPS now handles their own gas piping, which dramatically shortens install timelines
Customer receives full training and orientation
This streamlined process is why GPS consistently hits high conversion rates and excellent customer satisfaction.
Minnesota cold means moisture + sub-zero temps = milky, contaminated oil.
Annual service is not optional — it’s essential for reliability.
Because that $6K price tag doesn’t include:
Cold weather kits
Battery heaters
Local code requirements
Tax
Concrete pad
Wiring, trenching, transfer switch
Labor
Commissioning
Warranty support
When GPS breaks down the quote line-by-line, homeowners immediately understand the real cost.
Midwest generator demand follows a very specific rhythm:
Summer: busy with cabin owners and lake homes
Fall: the “oh shoot, winter’s coming” rush
Early winter: installs + service calls, frozen ground, thawing equipment
Mid-late winter: heavy maintenance season
Spring: early planning, delayed projects
Year-round: commercial service contracts
The fall season, especially, creates a massive surge when homeowners realize winter is around the corner.
Before Brock joined GPS:
Sales appointments were often delayed 1–2 weeks
Many prospects went elsewhere
Quotes were slower to produce
Follow-up was inconsistent
Now:
Same-day or next-day consultations
Faster quoting via CRM + digital pricebook
Automated follow-ups through Power Source
Brock is spending more time with serious buyers instead of chasing ghost leads
“Even if we’re not getting more leads overall, they’re definitely better leads,” Jesse shared. “Our quality has gone way up.”
One of GPS’s clients had the ultimate generator experience:
A major storm tore through northern Minnesota overnight — trees everywhere, neighbors calling for help.
He had no idea the power was out.
The generator ran all night.
Silently. Automatically.
Exactly the way it’s supposed to.
Those are the installs that turn customers into lifelong fans.
Minnesota hasn’t seen the same surge of private-equity-backed generator giants that states like Texas or Florida have — but the GPS team still competes with large, high-overhead companies.
Their advantage?
Lower overhead
Local technicians
Faster response times
Personalized service
Strong community reputation
Better long-term value
As Jesse put it:
“We use our size to our advantage.”
They’re aiming to:
Double their team size
Expand year-round service capacity
Improve budgeting, forecasting, and KPIs
Grow both residential and commercial segments
Give their techs more opportunities to specialize
Strengthen their digital presence and lead flow
After decades in the field, they’re finally embracing the business-side systems that allow a trade company to scale without sacrificing quality.
Their message was crystal clear:
“Do a business plan. Know how you’re going to reach customers. What we see on the outside never reflects the years of work it took to get there.”
Most new dealers underestimate:
Lead management
Seasonality
Pricing strategy
Installation logistics
Cash flow swings
Long-term planning
Marketing
The value of customer experience
Start with a plan. Build systems. Then scale.
GPS represents exactly the kind of dealer story we love sharing at Power Source:
long-term craftsmanship, community reputation, smart growth, and a commitment to quality.
Their experience is a roadmap for any generator dealer trying to grow in today’s competitive market — especially as storms increase, the grid becomes more unreliable, and more homeowners seek peace of mind.
At Power Source, we help generator companies:
Rank higher on Google Maps
Appear in AI Overviews and ChatGPT searches
Build predictable year-round lead flow
Improve conversion rates
Automate follow-up
Grow installs + service contracts
📘 Get a free copy of my book:
Digital Marketing for Generator Dealers
https://go.generatormarketingsolutions.com/free-book
💼 Book a free strategy session:
https://go.generatormarketingsolutions.com/strategy-session
If you want a blog version optimized specifically for GPS’s own website as well, I can create that too — just say the word!