We have all been there.

You need a plumber, a landscaper, or just a decent place to grab a burger on a Tuesday night. You pull out your phone, type it into Google, and what do you see?

Ad. Ad. Ad. Sponsored. Promoted.

The businesses at the top of the list aren’t necessarily the best; they are just the ones with the biggest marketing budgets. And don’t get me started on “review sites” where companies can pay to have negative reviews buried.

The Bartender & The Broker

Before I was in real estate, I spent years behind the bar at Buffalo Wild Wings and Prime. When you tend bar, you become a confessional. You hear everything.

I learned very quickly which contractors actually showed up on time (because their clients were bragging about them). I learned which mechanics were honest (and which ones were rip-offs).

Now, as a Licensed Realtor® working with the #1 Team in Minnesota, that knowledge is part of my job. I can’t afford to recommend a bad inspector or a flaky painter. If I send a client to someone who does a bad job, it reflects on me.

That word-of-mouth network is powerful. It’s honest. It’s raw. And it’s usually right.

Enter “The Black Book”

I created Jacob’s Black Book to digitize that network. This isn’t a directory where businesses pay me for a spot. You cannot buy your way onto this list.

This is a collection of the people, places, and professionals that I personally trust. These are the roofers I recommend to my mom. These are the restaurants where I take my own family.

Why This List Matters

As a professional navigating the North Metro housing market daily, I see the difference quality makes. A good contractor adds value to your home. A great local spot builds community.

If a business on this list starts slipping? They’re out. It’s that simple. My reputation as an agent with the Agent Referral Network and The Minnesota Real Estate Team is built on trust, and I’m not going to risk that.