Toolbox for the Trades: Recent Episodes
ServiceTitan
Toolbox for the Trades is a podcast where top service professionals share the tips, tricks, and tactics they use to succeed in their industry. This podcast is brought to you by ServiceTitan—the leading home and commercial field service software. Episodes will feature stories and strategies to help contractors grow and scale their service business.
Chad Colony, CEO at TrussPoint Roofing & Exteriors, joins the podcast to unpack the operational leverage points that turn regional roofing contractors into national platforms. Drawing on his extensive background across 13 states and multiple trades, Chad details TrussPoint’s disciplined growth strategy across organic expansion, greenfield locations, and selective acquisitions. He shares why his team prioritizes retail-focused businesses with strong, active leadership over simple financial roll-ups when making an acquisition. Chad also breaks down takeaways from TrussPoint's L40 Leadership Summit, stressing the critical need for mid-level management training and transparent “Day One” communication after an acquisition.
Join us as we discuss:
- [3:47] The three pathways to achieving business growth: organic, greenfield, and acquisition
- [12:07] What role a company’s tech stack should play in evaluating a potential acquisition
- [17:42] The key to gaining employees’ trust after acquiring a new business
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Growing a commercial landscaping business is one thing. Building a company that can scale without consuming your life requires a strategy. In this episode, Tony Lisa, CEO of CAM Partner Holdings, joins the show to discuss how he transformed a traditional landscaping company into a diversified property services business serving commercial real estate across New England. Tony shares how listening to customers led to new service offerings, why investing in people was the key to sustainable growth, and what business owners should know before pursuing acquisitions or expanding into new markets.
Join us as we discuss:
- [5:01] Why you’re only as good as the job you’re doing right now
- [14:52] Why a functional business partnership is like a marriage
- [21:59] When you lose a customer’s trust and first steps to recovery
- [27:16] Inside CAM Partners' acquisition strategy and advice for owners scaling from $5M to $10M
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aspire
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
High season is heating up and this summer we're bringing you some of the best episodes from both our shows on the ServiceTitan Podcast Network.
Between new episodes, ones from the past you might have missed, and conversations and checkins from over 5 years and 280 episodes - there's so much to learn about running your trades business better than ever.
Originally Aired 1/20/2026
What if helping other contractors grow could earn you real rewards? In this episode, we’re joined by ServiceTitan leaders Naomi Menzer and Ellen Rohr to break down two powerful ways contractors can engage with the ServiceTitan community: the referral program and the brand ambassador program. From cash bonuses and cars to brand-building opportunities and industry visibility, Naomi and Ellen explain how these programs work, who they’re for, and why community-driven contractors tend to benefit the most.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:06] The ins and outs of ServiceTitan’s referral program
- [7:24] Why the referral race to win a new truck is closer than you think
- [13:01] What makes a great ServiceTitan brand ambassador
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- ServiceTitan Referral Program
- Aspire Referral Program
- FieldRoutes Referral Program
- ServiceTitan’s Referral Winner 2025
- Become a ServiceTitan Brand Ambassador
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
High season is heating up and this summer we're bringing you some of the best episodes from both our shows on the ServiceTitan Podcast Network.
Between new episodes, ones from the past you might have missed, and conversations and checkins from over 5 years and 280 episodes - there's so much to learn about running your trades business better than ever.
Original Air Date 05/20/2025
In this episode, we sit down with Eduard Mirzoian, Owner of Restorez Emergency Services, the first emergency restoration services company to join the show! Eduard shares his incredible journey from family business beginnings to scaling a multimillion-dollar operation across multiple locations. He dives deep into the lessons he’s learned stepping into the CEO role, including why building repeatable processes is essential, how simplifying creates room for growth, and why culture and systems go hand in hand. Eduard also offers candid thoughts on "guru disease," software overwhelm, and what it really takes to make technology work for your business.
Join us as we discuss:
- [8:15] How Restorez responded to the LA wildfires
- [20:23] Eduard’s take on “guru disease” and avoiding information overload
- [26:12] Why software alone won’t save your business
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Pantheon 2025
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Jon Gohl, Director of Client Experience at Aspire Software, and Travis Wills, Aspire’s Sr. Director of Client Success, join host Amanda Salvatore for a high-impact session on surviving and thriving during the mid-season grind. Broadcasting live, the trio addresses the immediate macroeconomic pressures landscape contractors are facing, from unexpected fuel and fertilizer volatility to late visa worker shortfalls. Jon and Travis explain why waiting until December to check your financial numbers is a fatal error, urging business owners to conduct a thorough mid-season audit right now. They unpack tactical strategies to protect shrinking margins, including building strict purchasing processes, optimizing route density, and shifting away from strict mentorship toward active operational sponsorship of your crew leaders. Finally, they address the growing soft-skills gap, showing how face-to-face communication, role-playing, and being “steady in the storm” will ultimately separate thriving landscape operations from the rest.
Join us as we discuss:
- [3:22] The logistical and labor struggles of landscaping businesses in 2026
- [10:57] Ongoing recruitment challenges and work visa hurdles
- [19:04] Why landscapers need to start appealing to younger talent
- [26:31] Why waiting till end of year to review your margins is a mistake
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
High season is heating up and this summer we're bringing you some of the best episodes from both our shows on the ServiceTitan Podcast Network.
Between new episodes, ones from the past you might have missed, and conversations and checkins from over 5 years and 280 episodes - there's so much to learn about running your trades business better than ever.
Original Air Date 11/12/2024
Alan O'Neill truly has what many would say is “the luck of the Irish.”
Alan started his career in Dublin as an apprentice plumber and worked his way up in the trades. He then moved to America with his family and founded a plumbing service company with his mentor, which he later sold to private equity.
He truly believes in building solid relationships and taking care of his team and that the trades have the power to positively impact lives.
The consultant with The Wrench Group stops by to discuss his professional and entrepreneurial journey, the importance of loyalty, and some practical advice for business owners thinking of selling or partnering with private equity firms.
Join us as we discuss:
- [7:13] Alan’s incredible testament to the American Dream
- [20:41] The importance of loyalty in a business
- [26:57] Why you should take control of your own destiny
- [38:05] Advice for business owners planning to sell or partner with private equity firms
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- The Wrench Group
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Property data is becoming one of the most powerful tools in the trades, but many contractors are only scratching the surface of what's possible. Brady Campbell, Vice President of Business Development at EagleView, discusses how contractors are using property intelligence to find better leads, target smarter markets, and make more informed business decisions. Brady shares how EagleView evolved from an aerial imagery company into a data powerhouse, why the best contractors focus on the structure as much as the homeowner, and how property data can improve everything from lead qualification to expansion planning.
Join us as we discuss:
- [3:06] How the smartest contractors use property data to find better opportunities
- [8:56] Why Eagleview changed the direction of their product strategy
- [13:59] Specific use cases of lead enrichment and market targeting
- [19:32] How property data helps other exterior trades like landscaping
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
High season is heating up and this summer we're bringing you some of the best episodes from both our shows on the ServiceTitan Podcast Network.
Between new episodes, ones from the past you might have missed, and conversations and checkins from over 5 years and 280 episodes - there's so much to learn about running your trades business better than ever.
Original Air Date 3/18/2025
How do you create a high-performance environment in the trades? Kathryn Howard, Head of Mergers and Acquisitions at Lee's Air, Plumbing, Heating, & Roofing in Fresno, CA, tells us how, while sharing her journey from direct sales to leading a growing service business.
She discusses the importance of developing high-performing teams, how she built an international call center in Armenia, and why understanding customer purchasing behavior is key to sales success. Kathryn also dives into her leadership philosophy, her unique experiences in network marketing, and how she helped scale Lee’s Air with structured processes and strategic growth initiatives.
Tune in for an insightful conversation on building culture, driving business success, and unlocking peak performance in the trades.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:12] Teaching technicians not to sell within their own budgets
- [13:40] How to create a high-performance environment for your team
- [22:19] Why personal development is critical to your team’s success
- [28:38] Creating pathways for underrepresented groups in the trades
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- From Prospecting to Closing: Tips to Improve Your Sales Performance
- Register today for our inaugural World of Titans event in Sydney, Australia on Thursday-Friday, April 3-4, 2025!
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
What does it take to break through the $4-5 million ceiling that many landscaping companies face? In this episode, we talk with Emily Nickel, Director of Business Applications at Perennial Services Group, to discuss how technology and data can help companies scale smarter, improve profitability, and make better business decisions. Emily shares lessons from her career in landscaping and software, including how one company uncovered $40,000 in missed revenue through better reporting, why delegation matters for growth, and how tools like AI cameras, GPS tracking, mobile apps, and analytics are shaping the future of the industry.
Join us as we discuss:
- [10:11] Why so many landscaping companies stall at the $4-5 million mark
- [16:18] How clean data uncovered $40,000 in missed revenue
- [22:19] The future of AI, analytics, virtual reality, and drones
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
High season is heating up and this summer we're bringing you some of the best episodes from both our shows on the ServiceTitan Podcast Network.
Between new episodes, ones from the past you might have missed, and conversations and checkins from over 5 years and 280 episodes - there's so much to learn about running your trades business better than ever.
Original Air Date - 7/24/2025
Job costing is essential for sustainable business growth, and no one explains it better than Tim McGuire, Owner of High Winds Success. With decades of experience across ServiceTitan and large multi-location contractors, Tim breaks down the fundamentals of job costing and how to implement it inside ServiceTitan. From the importance of burdened labor rates to starting with generic Pricebook items, Tim shares a pragmatic path to more profitable operations. He also discusses how tools like Pricebook Pro and dynamic pricing can elevate your costing accuracy over time.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:14] Job costing basics and finding opportunities for improvement
- [12:14] Calculating tech labor costs beyond hourly rates
- [19:54] Linked materials in dynamic pricing and inventory tracking
- [27:06] Change management issues with job-related purchasing
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Pricebook Pro
- Dynamic Pricing Overview
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Mastering ServiceTitan on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Mastering ServiceTitan in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
High season is heating up and this summer we're bringing you some of the best episodes from both our shows on the ServiceTitan Podcast Network.
Between new episodes, ones from the past you might have missed, and conversations and checkins from over 5 years and 280 episodes - there's so much to learn about running your trades business better than ever.
Episode originally Aired 3/26/2026.
In this episode, James Beyer, Owner of Beyer Plumbing, returns to share the story behind moving his construction operations into ServiceTitan and helping test the platform’s new construction workflows. He discusses work breakdown structures, cost codes, and real time reporting, along with the challenges of implementing new workflows across an entire company. James also talks about lessons learned and how better reporting can help teams improve efficiency and profitability.
Join us as we discuss:
- [6:01] How to use cost codes and cost types for financial reporting
- ]14:22] Why real time reporting and labor tracking impacts profitability
- [26:29] Implementation challenges, lessons learned, and getting buy-in
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- ServiceTitan Pantheon
- ServiceTitan Torch Network
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Mastering ServiceTitan on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Mastering ServiceTitan in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
What does SEO look like in a world where AI is answering questions before customers ever click a website? In this episode, Amanda Salvatore sits down with William Haddad, SVP of Product and Optimization at Scorpion, to unpack how AI search is reshaping online visibility for home service businesses. They explore the shift from traditional SEO to AI-driven search experiences, why brand authority and customer sentiment matter more than ever, and how contractors can improve visibility without getting overwhelmed by constant change.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:18] How AI search is changing online marketing
- [10:08] The three core mechanics of SEO in the age of AI
- [22:36] The “teach everything” video content strategy
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode, John Wilson returns to Toolbox for the Trades five years after his first appearance to share what it really took to scale the Wilson Companies from under $5 million to more than $40 million in revenue in under five years. John walks through the messy middle of rapid growth, from tripling his team in a single year to realizing they did not yet have the systems, leadership, or structure to support it. What followed was a multi year reset focused on operations, hiring, and building a repeatable playbook. We also talk about what makes a good acquisition, why leadership is the true bottleneck to scaling, and how an internal leadership program became one of the company’s most important growth levers.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:38] When to pause acquisitions to focus on operations
- [11:00] How to build a leadership development program in-house
- [20:20] What makes a good acquisition versus a bad one
- [31:07] Why a podcast is a great marketing tool and the revenue vs EBITDA mindset shift
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Toolbox for the Trades Episode 46
- Owned and Operated Podcast
- Nexstar
- CertainPath
- Sage Intact
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode, we sit down with Caren Bueno, Service Division Coordinator, Corbett Irrigation, to talk about what it looks like to build a life and a business from the ground up. Caren shares her journey from arriving in the U.S. as an au pair to leading a service division, building systems, and turning day-to-day chaos into something that actually works. She talks about learning in real time, creating structure where none exists, and why the right team matters more than any process or playbook.
Join us as we discuss:
- [2:59] An unlikely journey through the trades to leading a service division
- [15:42] How to use Aspire to track costs and get beyond “one big bucket”
- [25:36] How Green Gap reduces calls and improves technician confidence
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aspire
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Mike Brewner (CEO), Sydney Biancardi (COO), and Clint Hodge (CFO) of Iceberg Home Services join the show to reveal how their distinct leadership styles created a high-performing trifecta. Mike, a trades veteran, started the business in a 12-by-12 shed and transformed it into a dominant force in Central Florida. He is joined by Clint, a non-industry hire from the gaming and finance sectors, and Sydney, a fresh business graduate who climbed the ranks from CSR to COO in just five years. Utilizing the Rocket Fuel framework, the trio explains how they divide responsibilities into the “What” (visionary), the “Why” (financial logic), and the “How” (operational execution). This episode is a masterclass in building a data-driven culture that prioritizes community, healthy conflict, and scaling big.
Join us as we discuss:
- [13:36] How learning resources and mentorship helped define Iceberg’s leadership
- [20:27] Defining visionary and integrator roles and knowing your lane
- [25:54] Conflict resolution and interpreting company values
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mack C. Winters
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Amanda Portinari, Director of Industry Transformation at Ambition Theory, joins the show to discuss a critical leadership shift that is transforming the construction and trades industries. Amanda breaks down the fundamental differences between transactional leadership, which relies on top-down delegation, and transformational leadership, which inspires collaboration and innovation. A core focus of the episode is the distinction between mentorship (giving advice) and sponsorship (creating opportunities). Amanda explains that while women are often over-mentored, they are sponsored half as often as their male colleagues, leading to significant talent loss in the leadership pipeline. Tune in to hear how agencies like Ambition Theory are helping companies build more inclusive, high-capacity teams that retain top talent across all generations.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:04] How transformational leadership can positively impact your retention
- [17:07] The key differences between employee mentorship and sponsorship
- [25:43] Why sponsors need to have skin in the game to influence real development
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Yi Wei, System Analyst at Southern Botanical, joins the show to discuss her unique role as the “cardiologist” for the heartbeat of her company's operations. She details Southern Botanical's massive shift from a heavy construction division to focusing exclusively on maintenance and how she helped build the bridge between their business and their software. Yi breaks down her approach to transforming raw data into strategy , including the implementation of 30 vital metrics and the creation of “gate checks” to catch simple errors before they snowball into major financial discrepancies. This episode is a masterclass in operational due diligence and proactive leadership.
Join us as we discuss:
- [3:40] Conducting “health checks” on your data to protect margins and forecast potential issues
- [11:43] Why “second opinions” are critical to confirming new SOPs
- ]17:07] How worksite audits can be an effective leadership tool
- [23:12]The importance of prioritizing personal career growth for your employees
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aspire
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Carrie Kelsch, Founder and CEO of A-Plus Garage Doors in Utah, joins the show to discuss her journey from clandestine business owner to the leader of a $48 million enterprise. Carrie shares the specific tactics her team used to jump from $36 million to $48 million in a single year, including a unique “revenue bell” system that gamifies success for the entire office. She opens up about battling negative belief systems and imposter syndrome, explaining how she finally leaned into her identity as a woman leader in a male-dominated field. From professionalizing the garage door industry to successfully partnering with private equity through Guild Garage Group, Carrie provides a masterclass on balancing high-growth profitability with a thriving company culture.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:36] How A-Plus accelerated their growth through business-wide revenue goals
- [12:41] Imposter syndrome and embracing the uncomfortable
- [16:24] Carrie’s personal mission to give the garage door business a glow up
- [22:36] The family business dynamic and making tough decisions
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Guild Garage Group
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Stephanie Allen, CEO of Airworks Solutions, and Jennifer Bagley, CEO of CI Web Group, join the show to discuss their collaborative mission: JustStart AI. This online community helps contractors move past the doomsday fear of artificial intelligence and into a world of massive operational leverage. Stephanie shares how she transformed her business after a difficult 2025 by cutting marketing spend by 50% and achieving an unprecedented 25% net profit through AI-enabled processes. Jennifer breaks down the technical math game of the modern web, explaining how AI agents can architect content for visibility in a shifting search landscape. From custom bedtime stories to high-level vibe coding, this episode serves as a roadmap for contractors ready to treat AI as their new superhero cape.
Join us as we discuss:
- [1:35] Confronting the hesitancy to engage with AI tools and leverage them for your business needs
- [14:09] Why the early AI adopters are positioned to win the long game
- [25:26] Curating marketing content for AI bots alongside human consumers
- [35:45] How to future-proof your trades business for an AI-infused workforce
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- JustStart AI.io
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Mark Pyrah, President and Director of Client Care at Peak Landscape, shares a deeply personal account of transforming anxiety into a leadership tool. After 20 years in the industry, Mark discusses how he moved from being a “task master” focused on checkmarks to a leader driven by purpose and SOPs. He breaks down the financial shift that saved his sanity, moving focus from top-line revenue to free cash flow, and reveals how Peak Landscape is currently building custom AI assistants to decentralize decision-making and put the company’s collective brain into the hands of field technicians.
Join us as we discuss:
- [6:01] How Mark shaped his anxiety into a leadership strength
- [13:32] Why understanding your finances is critical to mental health
- [20:52] How Peak Landscape is using custom AI assistants to empower their team
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aspire
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Brett Voccola, the Manager of Apprenticeship at Encon Heating & AC, joins the show to share how one Connecticut-based HVAC company is solving the labor shortage by growing its own talent. With 350 employees and a legacy dating back to 1969, Encon recognized that relying on a small, competitive labor pool was no longer sustainable. Brett discusses the development of Encon University, an in-house apprenticeship program that recruits high school students through a work-based learning pipeline. By engaging with students early and often, Encon provides a clear path to becoming a licensed technician by age 19, often making these young pros the highest earners in their households. Brett explains the importance of layering mentorship and support for new hires to help them transition from the structure of high school to the freedom of the field.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:42] Pitching opportunities for personal growth and stability over career choices
- [11:52] Building a talent pipeline through work-based learning programs
- [19:02] Why it’s important to start the trades recruitment pitch early and often
- [27:12] Encon University’s training timeline and initial challenges
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Encon University
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Abhishek Mathur, the newly appointed Chief Technology & Product Officer (CTPO) at ServiceTitan, joins the show to discuss the transformative power of AI in the trades. With an impressive background at Microsoft, Meta, and Figma, Abhishek explains how AI serves as a force multiplier, automating mundane tasks so contractors can focus on their craft. The conversation focuses on real-world examples of AI efficiency, from voice agents handling 7,000 calls during a winter storm to intelligent routing and automated invoicing. Abhishek outlines his vision for ServiceTitan as an “AI operating system” that provides deeper business insights and acts as a digital chief of staff. Whether you are a tech enthusiast or nervous about automation, this episode offers a pragmatic look at why AI adoption is essential for staying competitive in the modern service economy.
Join us as we discuss:
- [5:48] Why AI is an accelerant for people in the trades, not a replacement
- [19:11] Four pillars of the AI-assisted operations funnel in the trades
- [29:35] How AI will transform the work economy and why now is the best time to adopt it
- [33:17] Goals for AI implementation in ServiceTitan’s core product
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- ServiceTitan AI Voice Agents
- JustStartAI Playbook
- 2026 State of AI in the Trades Report
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Keenan Baird, owner of GreenRoots and one of the few Board Certified Master Arborists in the country, dives into the “missing middle market” and the urgent need for modernizing the tree care industry. Keenan shares his journey from dragging branches in the Arizona heat to running a tech-forward operation in Nashville. He reveals how investing in a CRM and building a custom, transparent estimating formula allowed him to process a year’s worth of revenue in a single week following a devastating ice storm. This episode is a masterclass in differentiation, speed-to-lead, and why understanding your indirect and fixed costs is the only way to avoid drowning in a competitive market.
Join us as we discuss:
- [1:49] Key differences between general landscaping and arboreal services
- [8:13] Why tech and professionalization is so far behind in the tree care industry
- [12:17] Breaking into the arboreal “middle market” and finding your community
- [20:43]How Aspire helped Keenan drive a year’s worth of revenue in one week
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aspire
- AP Story on Keenan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode, Chris and Joe Hoffmann, the CEO and COO of Hoffmann Brothers, reveal the strategy behind building a service empire. They detail their journey of scaling a $9 million family business into a $160 million powerhouse. The brothers discuss the transition from independent careers in the Marines and engineering to taking over their father’s company, emphasizing the importance of humility and “three-hat” framework for managing family dynamics. They share raw insights into their biggest change management mistakes, their “building blocks” approach to granular budgeting, and how they successfully replicated their St. Louis playbook in the Nashville market.
Join us as we discuss:
- [5:29] How a process playbook helped the Hoffmanns nearly 20x their business
- [10:30] Getting everyone in the family business to row in the same direction
- [21:58] Other tools and strategies that complemented Hoffman Brothers’ rapid growth
- [29:05] Leaning on a private equity-like approach to building a service empire
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Nexstar Network
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Yocelin Reynoso-Prado, Branch Manager of the L.A. Division at SouthWest Landscape and a 2025 Lawn & Landscape Employee of the Year finalist, joins the show to discuss her rapid rise in the industry and her focus on operational due diligence in landscaping. Coming from a background in medical billing and finance, Yocelin brings a unique perspective to field operations, emphasizing proactive communication and the power of being a “partner” rather than just a vendor to property managers. She details her journey with AI, from initial skepticism to using it as a “teammate” for reporting and sales analysis, and offers profound advice for women looking to claim their authority and lead with compassion in the trades.
Join us as we discuss:
- [3:08] What separates great landscaping leaders from the rest of the field
- [7:29] How Southwest is using AI in their day-to-day workflows
- [12:22] Why transparent communication is the key to long-term success
- [16:20] Advice to women seeking leadership roles in the landscaping industry
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Lawn & Landscape 2025 Employee of the Year Winners
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
What if helping other contractors grow could earn you real rewards? In this episode, we’re joined by ServiceTitan leaders Naomi Menzer and Ellen Rohr to break down two powerful ways contractors can engage with the ServiceTitan community: the referral program and the brand ambassador program. From cash bonuses and cars to brand-building opportunities and industry visibility, Naomi and Ellen explain how these programs work, who they’re for, and why community-driven contractors tend to benefit the most.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:06] The ins and outs of ServiceTitan’s referral program
- [7:24] Why the referral race to win a new truck is closer than you think
- [13:01] What makes a great ServiceTitan brand ambassador
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- ServiceTitan Referral Program
- Aspire Referral Program
- FieldRoutes Referral Program
- ServiceTitan’s Referral Winner 2025
- Become a ServiceTitan Brand Ambassador
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Brooke and Allie Riley, Co-owners of Riley Plumbing, Heating & Air, join the show to discuss leveraging AI in the trades to transform a 25-year-old business. Brooke, who started the company at age 19 in 1999, shares the “whiplash” experience of moving from paper maps to running a fully AI-powered remote location in Reno with zero office staff. Allie explains how she optimized operational workflows by introducing ServiceTitan and using AI voice agents to automate 100% of their inbound call taking. The Rileys provide a masterclass in change management, revealing how they use AI to give their team “superpowers” and why fighting automation is no longer an option for contractors who want to thrive.
Join us as we discuss:
- [3:17] Riley’s multi-decade evolution and adapting new innovational workflows
- [12:07] How Dispatch Pro and Contact Center Pro get you your time back
- [20:45] Launching one of the first office-free AI-augmented trades hubs
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Dispatch Pro
- Contact Center Pro
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode, we sit down with Travis Wills, Sr. Director of Client Success at Aspire Software, to explore what it takes to grow without chaos. From starting in landscaping as a teenager to becoming employee #19 at Aspire, Travis has seen firsthand how systems, mindset, and people shape success. We dig into why keeping it simple is often the fastest path to scaling, why change management matters more than software features, and how emotional attachment to old processes can quietly slow growth.
Join us as we discuss:
- [5:26] How keeping it simple matters for scaling
- [9:50] Taking the emotions out of big changes in your business
- [17:21] How Aspire to Greatness is elevating the industry
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Sign up for Aspire to Greatness here!
- From Paper Trails to Digital Portals: Scaling a Landscaping Business With Intention with Tiffany Martin Peters
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Justin Blaine, Co-owner of Carter Services in Torrance, CA, provides a unique perspective on banking on the resilience of the trades by detailing his transition from a professional M&A advisor to an owner-operator. Drawing on lessons from his three years in minor league baseball, Justin discusses the necessity of humility, work ethic, and managing failure when entering a new industry. He shares the fascinating story of how he went from being a customer to the owner of a 50-year-old family business that specializes in multiple home service trades. Justin reveals how he navigated a challenging first year of ownership by leveraging technology to learn the business quickly and implementing a “hospitality first” mindset to drive a 45% revenue increase in year two.
Join us as we discuss:
- [1:42] Justin’s pivot from minor league baseball to M&A and the trades
- [14:58] Transitioning from customer to owner of a home services business
- [25:23] Cultivating a growth mindset with your team and “unreasonable hospitality”
- [37:25] The future of private equity and why the trades is accessible to everyone
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- AthletesTouch
- Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
- Setting the Table by Danny Meyer
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
John Conway, COO at Redwood Services in Memphis, shares his blueprint for de-seasonalizing your business for year-round stability and growth. Drawing on his experience as a former contractor and Nexstar coach, John details how to mitigate slow seasons by strategically adjusting marketing spend, adding complementary year-round trades (like plumbing), and aggressively nurturing your maintenance base. He also reveals the powerful 350:1 KPI for a healthy agreement base and explains how consistent training during slow times is critical for long-term people retention, which he calls the biggest growth challenge after conquering seasonality.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:44] A private equity firm that comes alongside your business as a partner
- [9:12] The biggest risk factors of owning a purely seasonal trades business
- [17:56] Benchmarking KPIs for a strong customer membership base
- [23:14] Why marketing needs to be top-of-mind for contractors year-round
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Nexstar Network
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Contractors are drowning in tech clutter. Between AI tools and endless “must-have” software subscriptions, it’s easy to get lost chasing the next shiny object. In this episode, Powerhouse Consulting’s Jenny Benbrook and Pam Duffy join the show to share a five-step plan for cutting through the noise, eliminating redundant tools, and building a smart, scalable tech strategy that actually drives profit. From budgeting like a marketer to running a “Goldilocks check” on your tech, this conversation will help you stop chasing shiny objects and start getting ROI from the software you already own.
Join us as we discuss:
- [5:24] The rise of tech FOMO and the problem with over-adoption
- [19:06] A five-step plan to technology strategy success
- [38:23] The importance of regularly evaluating your tech spend
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
What happens when curiosity turns a landscape professional into the tech driver behind an entire organization? In this episode, we talk with Taylor Anderson, Systems Development and Growth Manager at Sunline Landscapes, to explore how a passion for learning, curiosity, and a little patience can transform both a career and an organization. Taylor talks about stepping into a brand new role, refining processes across departments, gaining support from the top, and why patience is the real secret behind meaningful change.
Join us as we discuss:
- [6:49] How to identify an Aspire super user inside your company
- [11:43] Why using Aspire data improves outcomes across departments
- [17:53] The cornerstone of a strong SOP and Aspire in the classroom
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aspire
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Recording live at Pantheon, Kristen Deese, CFO at The Virtual CFO for the Trades, explains her fractional CFO strategy for helping trades business owners master their finances. Drawing on her experience selling her own home services business to private equity, Kristen discusses the crucial steps to ensure financial health, including properly departmentalizing financials and calculating gross profit margin. She shares the one "hot take" she would megaphone to the entire industry — why net profit trumps revenue — and details the KPIs she immediately zeroes in on when auditing a client's ServiceTitan to QuickBooks workflow.
Join us as we discuss:
- [3:48] How a fractional CFO can help contractors with their financials and training
- [7:15] Common issues Kristen sees in the books of struggling businesses
- [14:30] Prepping companies for a private equity sale
- [18:03] How contractors should factor new tech into their financial planning
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- ServiceTitan Atlas
- Freedom Blueprint for Home Services with Justin Deese
- Contact Kristen at kristen@kristendeece.com
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Live from Pantheon, Chris Gist, Regional VP of the Gulf at Leap Service Partners, shares his incredible journey of rapid trades growth. Starting his plumbing company, Paradise Plumbing, in 2019, Chris quickly partnered with a mentor and executed an ambitious plan, selling the business in just three years to LEAP. He discusses the critical role of a distinctive brand and culture (including tiki hut vans and Hawaiian shirts) in attracting customers and private equity interest, the intense commitment required for doubling revenue annually, and how he uses ServiceTitan reports daily to manage gross profit margin in real time.
Join us as we discuss:
- [6:11] Why private equity cares about your company’s culture and branding
- [11:48] Why higher marketing spend is the key to rapid growth
- [17:54] Chris’s go-to ServiceTitan reports for gauging a company’s fiscal health
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Zachary Perge, VP of Distribution Strategy at HARDI, breaks down the critical HVAC profitability strategy for today's challenging “repair market.” He reveals key data points, including how financing adoption can increase average ticket prices by over $6,800. Zachary argues that the most resilient contractors are those who stop chasing pure volume and instead focus on controlling what they can control: identifying and duplicating their most profitable jobs, teams, and product lines. He also offers essential advice on how to successfully integrate financing into the sales process to turn repair opportunities into full replacement jobs.
Join us as we discuss:
- [6:16] Numbers every contractor needs to understand to make better decisions
- [18:26] Why owners should focus on profitability over volume
- [28:45] Advice for contractors who want to integrate financing into their operations
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Women in HVACR
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this packed episode of Toolbox for the Trades, Justin White, CEO of K&D Landscaping and host of the Trades Talk podcast, returns with a clear message for 2026: raise the bar or get left behind. He and host Amanda dive into the Commercial Landscape Industry Report and pull apart the biggest shifts shaping the year ahead, including client retention battles, pricing pressures, the tech surge sweeping the industry, the power of experimentation, and the generational handoff transforming the trades. Justin brings the receipts, sharing how K&D hit an 84 percent client retention slump, where hiring went sideways, and how his team fought their way back with sharper systems, smarter tech, and a renewed commitment to excellence. If you are ready to elevate your business and outpace the competition, this episode will light a fire under you.
Join us as we discuss:
- [7:15] The 3 biggest reasons clients leave their landscaping partners
- [15:23] The biggest hiring mistake Justin made… twice
- [27:03] Why technology is a competitive edge, but only if you use it right
- [37:54] The 30-minute exercise that sparks innovation
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aspire's 2026 Commercial Landscape Industry Report
- Trades Talk podcast
- Aspire
- Elevate
- Fans First by Jesse Cole
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Live from Pantheon, Scorpion CRO Jamie Adams dives into the biggest challenges and opportunities in trades digital marketing. Jamie explains why the rise in competition and advertising costs requires a more sophisticated, data-driven approach. He shares how the ServiceTitan and Scorpion partnership allows contractors to view their business through an e-commerce lens, tracking marketing spend all the way to revenue. Jamie also details new consumer trends, like impatience and the demand for information, and how ServiceTitan's Marketing Pro, combined with Scorpion's expertise, acts as a competitive weapon to generate massive ROI from existing customer data.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:31] Contractors’ biggest marketing challenges and AI’s influence on consumer trends
- [9:57] Taking the e-commerce approach to enhancing the customer experience
- [13:01] The competitive advantages of adding Scorpion to your Marketing Pro stack
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Marketing Pro
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode, Christina Criniti-Dear, Director of Operations at Zoom Drain and owner of two Florida franchises, shares how she went from answering phones to running the show. She explains why every great leader should start at the bottom, how empathy isn’t innate but learned through experience, and what it really takes to build a thriving franchise from the ground up. Christina opens up about the lessons that shaped her leadership style: from owning every mistake to leading with clarity and purpose. She also pulls back the curtain on the franchise model, showing how it gives entrepreneurs the freedom to build something of their own with a proven roadmap.
Join us as we discuss:
- [6:38] How to learn empathy and communication as a young leader
- [14:27] The GROW values of a successful entrepreneur
- [21:36] What new franchisees struggle with most
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Tim Johnson, President of Tim Johnson Landscaping in Statesville, NC, shares his blueprint for sustainable business growth, detailing his company's journey from a childhood mowing operation to a multimillion-dollar enterprise. After a period of rapid expansion, Tim made the strategic decision to “pump the brakes” for two years to restructure. He discusses the critical importance of building a management team, defining core processes (like implementing EOS), and shifting from “order taker” to a more tactical sales focus. Tim also explains how leveraging technology has allowed the company to scale without dramatically increasing non-revenue-producing headcount.
Join us as we discuss:
- [5:11] When Tim realized he needed a proper org chart for sustainable growth
- [10:23] Rebuilding momentum after a two-year pause in rapid growth to implement scalable systems
- [17:30] Leveraging tools like Aspire to build frameworks for problem-solving and data visibility
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aspire
- Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this live episode from #Pantheon2025, Chris Petros, ServiceTitan COO, and Martha Hill Harvey, SVP of Platform Strategy at Synchrony, discuss how contractors can leverage the latest consumer trends in the trades to grow their businesses. They break down key insights from the ServiceTitan-Synchrony 2025 Consumer Report, including the importance of providing a seamless web and mobile experience, offering flexible payment options like financing, and building a strong brand that resonates with a new generation of homeowners.
Join us as we discuss:
- [11:11] Financing and payment insights from the ServiceTitan-Synchrony 2025 Consumer Report
- [19:45] Trending consumer preferences in digital options and shifting demographics
- [25:14] Why brand reputation and core values are more important than ever
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- 2025 Consumer Trends in the Trades
- ServiceTitan Marketing Pro
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
How do you turn a kitchen table startup into a thriving HVAC business with five trucks? In this episode, Miranda Deschamps, Office Manager at ServicePlus Heating and Cooling (Ontario, Canada), shares how she and her team use ServiceTitan and AI to drive growth. From surviving a two-week email crash to negotiating smarter with suppliers and building AI-powered inventory systems, Miranda shows how resilience, curiosity, and the right tools can turn everyday challenges into business wins.
Join us as we discuss:
- [7:22] The two-week email crash that became her best leadership lesson
- [11:59] How to leverage ServiceTitan and ChatGPT to solve inventory headaches
- [18:28] How using your ServiceTitan data can save you money
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- ServiceTitan Torch Network
- EGIA
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
What makes a landscaping business truly valuable? In this episode, Amanda talks with Tom Heaviland, CEO of Verde Property Services, about what buyers really look for when acquiring a company. Tom shares his journey from running a family business for 35 years to selling it to BrightView and joining their acquisition team. He explains why strong teams and loyal customers matter most, how to handle the emotional side of selling, and why technology and AI are shaping the future of the industry.
Join us as we discuss:
- [6:06] The differences between public and private equity acquisitions
- [10:40] What buyers look for in a thriving business and common misconceptions
- [18:56] The role of technology in valuation and operations
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aspire
- BrightView
- Boss
- LMN
- Elevate 2025
- Lawn & Landscape Technology Conference 2026
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this live episode from Pantheon 2025, Mitch Boerner, Director at Legendary Plumbers, shares his unique story of going from the music industry and professional kitchens to scaling a trades business in Victoria, Australia. Mitch discusses how he and his brother, a plumber, grew their company from a garage operation to a multi-service business by focusing on repeatable work and having the foresight to put the right processes in place early. He also shares his vision for the future, including a hub-and-spoke model and a commitment to perpetual optimism.
Join us as we discuss:
- [11:02] Focusing on scalable service niches and the importance of good financial housekeeping
- [18:13] Saying no to nonscalable work and pricing yourself for the future
- [23:56] Upcoming ServiceTitan Pro product offerings and how they can help your business scale
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Dispatch Pro
- Field Pro
- Scheduling Pro
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Jessica Short, GM of Priority Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing, serving the Kitchener and Waterloo, Ontario area, joins us to share her unique journey to finding her career passion in the trades. Jessica reveals how she applied empathy lessons from her time in social work to her current leadership role, helping grow her family’s business from 25 employees to a team of 84. She shares the crucial values and processes that enable her company to scale while maintaining a strong culture and a great reputation. Jessica also explains the difference between dreams and goals and how she uses this distinction to mentor and guide her team members.
Join us as we discuss:
- [2:55] Steady growth from 25 to 84 employees and adding a service division
- [8:43] Applying leadership lessons from social work and understanding your team’s real-life struggles
- [26:24] Building trust with your customers and working alongside family
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Chris Hunter: What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this special bonus episode, ServiceTitan Co-founder and CEO Ara Mahdessian celebrates the monumental success of the trades in his presentation at Pantheon 2025, highlighted by customer stories of multi-million dollar revenue and major acquisitions. Ara reflects on ServiceTitan's journey, declaring the company's commitment to its customers is the bedrock of its business. He then details a critical vision for the industry's future: the necessity of embracing AI and automation to ensure continued prosperity. Ara explains that while the core work of the trades is safe from automation, the surrounding cognitive workflows are not. He outlines how new ServiceTitan products are designed to help businesses double revenue and boost profits by automating these back-office functions, ensuring the trades not only survive, but thrive in the face of rapid technological change.
Join us as Ara addresses:
- [1:21] Customer success stories and a promise to ServiceTitan users
- [20:25] Four takeaways from the inevitable disruptions that AI will cause in the trades
- [35:25] The exciting launch of ServiceTitan’s all-inclusive Max Program
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Two brothers turned a high school project into Stephens Landscaping Professionals, a $22 million business in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. How did they scale while keeping their client relationships strong? In this episode, COO Mark Stephens shares how he and his team balance cutting-edge technology with high-touch service. From data-driven job costing to custom trucks and GPS-guided excavators, Mark explains how innovation fuels efficiency. He also reveals the structures and systems that ensure every client gets a personal connection, proving that growth does not have to come at the expense of relationships.
Join us as we discuss:
- [6:14] Why 99% of business decisions should be data-driven
- [10:44] How to attract talent through technology and innovation
- [23:56] The toughest challenge: how to scale without losing your DNA
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aspire
- Trimble
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this live episode from Pantheon, Karen Edwards, COO of Roofers Coffee Shop, shares her insights on technology adoption in roofing. Karen explains the common pitfalls and success stories she's witnessed, and provides practical advice for contractors who are hesitant to embrace new tech like AI. She also discusses the growing trends in metal roofing and restoration and highlights the importance of industry communities and trusted resources like Roofers Coffee Shop for navigating change and achieving success.
Join us as we discuss:
- [8:57] Common pitfalls roofers can stumble into when adopting new technology
- [13:35] How outside experts and internal champions can help you streamline tech adoption
- [20:55] Bringing international roofing innovation to American contractors
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Roofing Road Trips
- MetalCast
- La Voz de los Ruferos
- RT3 Roofing Technology Think Tank
- VILPE Sense
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode, Rob Parker, managing director of residential and commercial services investment banking at Piper Sandler, shares tips for partnering with private equity. A former entrepreneur himself, Rob explains how market forces and technological advancements have made the trades an attractive investment for private equity firms. He breaks down the importance of maximizing EBITDA, shares his experience with a successful client partnership, and offers advice for owner-operators preparing to sell their businesses or take them to the next level.
Join us as we discuss:
- [6:56] The COVID private equity boom and how partnerships have since evolved
- [16:58] Why trades company IPOs may become common in the not-to-distant future
- [23:39] The most important metric that PE firms look at when considering a partnership
- [31:18] How owners can prep their team for a company merger or buyout
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Email Rob at Rob.Parker@PSC.com
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Aspire is leveling up, and so are the landscapers who depend on it. In this episode, we explore what the platform's next chapter means for the industry’s fastest-growing businesses. General Manager Eli Zevin shares how Aspire is evolving to meet the moment, with bold plans to scale smarter, serve better, and bring cutting-edge tech to the field. We dig into how Aspire is restructuring its teams to better support businesses at every stage of growth, from scrappy up-and-comers to multimillion-dollar operations. Eli also gives us a glimpse into the not-so-distant future, where AI moves from helpful to hands-on.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:42] Aspire’s goals for industry-wide growth and scalability
- [12:17] Advice for businesses nervous about making the switch
- [16:22] How Eli’s experience as a camp director influenced his leadership style
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Doug Greenhaw, President and CEO, and Justin Guinnip, COO, at Summit Roofing & Restoration in Atoka, Tennessee, share their journey of scaling a roofing business from modest beginnings to a projected $30 million this year. They dive into how they leveraged a devastating tornado in their hometown into a catalyst for growth, meticulously planning to replicate an $18 million revenue year without another natural disaster. Doug and Justin also candidly discuss their challenging but ultimately successful experience as early ServiceTitan adopters in the roofing industry, offering invaluable advice for other contractors considering significant tech investments.
Join us as we discuss:
- [6:49] Transitioning from whiteboards to tech and embracing outside help
- [17:58] Helping a community rebuild after tragedy strikes
- [24:19] ServiceTitan implementation for roofers and process mapping
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Home Service Freedom
- Contact Center Pro
- Pantheon 2025
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
How do you take a third-generation family business and triple its revenue without losing its soul? In this episode, Brad Barron, CEO of Barron Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical and Plumbing, shares how he led his team through explosive growth: from $15 million to a projected $45 million, all without private equity, mergers, or compromising on culture. Brad talks about building systems that actually scale, leading with clarity and humility, and making hard decisions when growth moves faster than process.
Join us as we discuss:
- [3:01] Family business succession planning that actually works
- [15:32] Tripling revenue: scalable process vs tribal knowledge
- [26:00] Omni-channel marketing and acquiring a media company
- [34:23] The mistake Brad regrets most: waiting too long
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Pantheon 2025
- EGIA
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Predictive analytics isn't just for data nerds. Robert Clinkenbeard, CEO at Wilson360 and host of the Commercial Landscaper Podcast, explains how landscaping businesses can leverage predictive analytics to streamline operations, optimize talent, and enhance efficiency. Drawing from his experience scaling his landscaping business from zero to $20 million, Robert shares insights on how owners can effectively utilize data to navigate rapid growth. He emphasizes the importance of embracing AI, recruiting proactively, and constantly adapting strategies to stay ahead in the industry.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:18] Why companies shouldn’t overrely on legacy practices and recruiting from outside the industry
- [12:53] How predictive analytics and AI tools can help you scale efficiently
- [16:12] The future of landscaping technology and effectively leveraging your team
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- The Commercial Landscaper
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In her first year running True Pros in Layton, Utah, Katy Higgins turned her sales skills into a multimillion-dollar HVAC business. Along the way, she faced tough lessons, unexpected challenges, and learned how to celebrate wins no matter what came her way. Katy shares what it takes to lead through chaos, embrace new tools like Sales Pro, and create a workplace where victories are celebrated and challenges are met head-on. She also explains how she kept her team motivated during setbacks, why recording sales calls transformed her approach, and how a simple bell in the hallway became a symbol of resilience and progress.
Join us as we discuss:
- [8:07] Why contractors need to focus on solving problems, not push products
- [13:29] How True Pros went from garage startup to $6M in the first year
- [19:43] Scrapbooks, celebrations, and staying focused on the positives
- [30:22] Falling in love with Sales Pro and quadrupling closure rates
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Pantheon 2025
- Sales Pro
- Service Nation
- Lennox Premier
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
What’s really holding your commercial service department back? In this episode, Jennifer Shooshanian, Senior Service Coach at Business Development Resources (BDR), reveals how she transformed an underperforming team into a profitable, high-performing commercial service operation. She also shares the hard-won strategies and lessons she’s learned from over 20 years of managing and coaching teams so you can build your own foundation for sustainable growth.
Join us as we discuss:
- [2:48] Why documenting your organization’s processes is crucial
- [16:01] How to build a strong commercial service department
- [20:14] Fix sales first: Why pricing comes before everything else
- [29:29] The power of commercial maintenance agreements
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Pantheon 2025
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode of Toolbox for the Trades, we sit down with Mike Lowrance, IT Director at LMC Landscape Partners, to explore what it really takes to bring technology into a boots-on-the-ground industry. Starting his career in horticulture and now leading tech strategy across multiple landscape companies, Mike offers a rare insider perspective on how to make digital tools actually work in the trades. We unpack some hard truths of tech adoption: why even the best systems fail without clear goals, thoughtful training, and real buy-in.
Join us as we discuss:
- [7:12] How to build internal tech leadership with super users
- [12:54] How to create buy-in and deal with tech resistance
- [18:43] What sets Aspire apart from other landscaping CRMs
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aspire
- Ignite
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Vertical integration can transform your business without expanding geographically. Branden Dickey, CEO at LocalRoofs and Owner of Conejo Heating, Air, Plumbing, and Electrical, mastered strategic growth by identifying multiple opportunities in every home serviced. From rebranding interior fixtures as household billboards to carefully choosing integration pathways, Branden boosted Conejo's revenue from $1.2 million to a projected $40 million within a 30-mile radius. In this episode, he discusses maintaining efficiency at scale, leveraging community trust, and why precise measurement drives exceptional growth and profitability.
Join us as we discuss:
- [10:08] How every new vertical in your business acts as an “interior billboard” in your customers’ homes
- [18:33] Bringing a new level of professionalism to the roofing industry
- [28:13] Why contractors need to adopt an efficiency mindset and measure everything
- [39:28] How ServiceTitan streamlines workflows in multiple business verticals
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Are your job applicants ghosting you? Can anything be done to stop it? In this episode, we talk with Carlos del Pozo, Co-founder of Team Engine, about what is really holding companies back from building strong, reliable teams in the trades. Drawing on his experience as both an Army officer and entrepreneur, Carlos shares practical strategies to streamline the recruiting process, reduce turnover, and build a more competitive workforce.
Join us as we discuss:
- [5:39] The #1 hiring bottleneck of failing to follow up fast
- [13:01] Why your job description is a marketing tool
- [20:25] The future of recruiting and hiring in the age of AI
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Strategic partnerships can make the difference between stagnation and explosive growth. Joe Delaney, Jordan Dubin, and Sean Slazyk, Cofounders of Guild Garage Group and Galaxy Service Partners, join us to reveal how collaboration and strategic alignment transformed their residential and commercial garage door businesses. Learn how data transparency, shared best practices, and clearly defined roles empower local businesses to reach new heights. Discover how partnerships provide not just short-term wins but lasting generational wealth, deep industry expertise, and robust support systems that sustain continuous growth.
Join us as we discuss:
- [3:14] Why industry diversity in the trades is so attractive to outside partners
- [18:22] The integration process in a strategic partnership and operational responsibilities
- [35:00] Standardizing CRMs for data tracking and KPI benchmarking
- [43:02] How the Guild and Guardian partnership model helps owners build generational wealth
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Are you staying ahead of the trends shaping the trades? In this episode, we talk with Alec Stevanovski, Editor at Homepros, the digital media outlet bringing sharp, real-time reporting to home services professionals. We dig into rising equipment costs, supply chain pressures, and how 2025’s tariff landscape is hitting the contractor’s bottom line. Plus, Alec offers a refreshingly grounded take on private equity in the industry and explains why so many contractors are tuning out the noise and doubling down on the fundamentals.
Join us as we discuss:
- [6:38] The economy: HVAC price hikes, tariffs, and refrigerant costs
- [11:47] Rising material costs and the data behind consumer sentiment
- [17:46] Private equity in the trades: trends, timelines, and what’s next
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- ServiceTitan Pantheon 2025
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Operational excellence is a key focus for Steven Harper, President and CEO at Spectrum Building Services of America. It's a philosophy that fuels his leadership style, his approach to customer service, and his strategic vision for long-term business success. Steven joins us for our final Green and Clean episode to share how lessons from powerhouse brands like Disney and FedEx shaped his leadership journey, why building a people-first company culture is non-negotiable, and why cash flow management is the true lifeline for any service business.
Join us as we discuss:
- [3:25] How 25-plus years of experience have influenced Steven’s customer service philosophy
- [10:53] Cash management strategies for struggling business owners
- [15:50] Culture building and scaling within the commercial cleaning industry
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aspire
- CEO Life Lessons
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Family business transformation takes on a whole new meaning when Tiffany Martin Peters joins us for another episode of our Green and Clean series. As President at North by Northwest Lawns in Austin, Texas, Tiffany walks us through her unexpected path into the family landscaping company, starting with a rocky internship and a firm "no" to working with family — but life had other plans. When Tiffany returned in 2014, she found herself building office operations from scratch, armed with only a QuickBooks tutorial from her dad and her own determination. She shares the uphill journey of implementing software, overcoming a steep learning curve, and evolving the business beyond Excel spreadsheets and paper files.
Join us as we discuss:
- [5:33] Transitioning the office from old-school paper to modern processes
- [8:26] Navigating family dynamics while implementing new procedures
- [13:56] Adopting new software during the peak seasonal months
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aspire
- Tiffany’s Aspire Journey
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Process improvement is more than a buzzword to Andrew Craft — it’s a growth engine. In this second episode of our special series, Green and Clean, the CFO at Site Landscape Development in the Dallas-Fort Worth area shares how his team doubled revenue by investing in efficient systems, adopting Aspire, and implementing the EOS framework. Andrew brings his tech-forward thinking and financial discipline to the landscaping space, showing how automation, data, and scalable tools can transform operations. From building a high-functioning scheduling system to upgrading AP workflows with AI, he reveals how efficiency isn’t just about saving time — it’s about preparing for serious growth.
Join us as we discuss:
- [1:49] Why process improvements are critical for scaling your small business
- [6:21] How a CRM and EOS implementations helped Site double their revenue
- [15:31] Advice to small business owners trying to hurdle their scaling challenges
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aspire
- EOS
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Mentorship in the trades can drive lasting impact across careers, teams, and entire industries. In the first episode of our Green and Clean series, Jon Gohl, Director of Client Experience at Aspire Software, shares how early lessons in leadership and the mentorship of industry icons like Kevin Kehoe shaped his career trajectory. From recruiting international teammates to advancing software adoption in the field, Jon reflects on how empathy, trust, and bold action have fueled Aspire’s mission — and his own. This conversation explores the powerful ripple effect of mentorship and what it takes to inspire the next generation of trades professionals.
Join us as we discuss:
- [11:21] Leadership lessons Jon took from some of the industry’s legends
- [17:46] Bringing technology to schools for the next generation of landscapers
- [24:30] Framing software platforms as an approachable tool
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aspire
- academy.youraspire.com
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Join hosts Jackie Aubel and Amanda Salvatore as they talk to top service professionals to find out the best tips, tricks, and tactics to succeed in the home services industry.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Sample, longtime construction technologist and host of The ConTech Crew podcast, to talk about the challenges construction professionals face when adopting new tech. From the disconnect between flashy software and field usability, to the power of data-driven decision-making, Jeff shares hard-earned insights from a career spent bridging the gap between jobsite and back office. You’ll learn why "show me, don’t tell me" should be your mantra when evaluating tech, how to map processes before buying tools, and why trust in technology starts with solving real problems, not chasing the next shiny object.
Join us as we discuss:
- [3:29] Why early construction software failed in the field
- [19:18] How to vet software: “Show me, don’t tell me”
- [23:24] Why IT leaders need to learn to “speak business”
- [31:47] Building tech with field outcomes in mind
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Pantheon 2025
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode, we sit down with Eduard Mirzoian, Owner of Restorez Emergency Services, the first emergency restoration services company to join the show! Eduard shares his incredible journey from family business beginnings to scaling a multimillion-dollar operation across multiple locations. He dives deep into the lessons he’s learned stepping into the CEO role, including why building repeatable processes is essential, how simplifying creates room for growth, and why culture and systems go hand in hand. Eduard also offers candid thoughts on "guru disease," software overwhelm, and what it really takes to make technology work for your business.
Join us as we discuss:
- [8:15] How Restorez responded to the LA wildfires
- [20:23] Eduard’s take on “guru disease” and avoiding information overload
- [26:12] Why software alone won’t save your business
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Pantheon 2025
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
What does it take to scale a roofing business and sell it to private equity in under 16 months?
In this episode, Jackie sits down with Kelly Mesaris, VP of Special Operations at LB Capital, to unpack the fast-paced, no-nonsense model that’s turning trades companies into multimillion-dollar exits. Kelly shares her journey from HVAC business owner to leading special ops across seven roofing brands, breaks down the personal qualities LB Capital looks for in partners, and explains why private equity cares about a lot more than just revenue.
If you're building to sell or want to tighten your systems and scale, this episode is for you.
Join us as we discuss:
- [6:21] From $1.5M to $24.5M — the Mons Roofing case study
- [11:31] Why private equity is all in on roofing right now
- [21:23] Misconceptions about private equity and why it's not just about EBITDA
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Mastering ServiceTitan: Mastering Roofing Success with ServiceTitan
- ServiceTitan Pro
- LB Capital Shop Tour
- LB Capital Mastermind
- Roofing Process Conference
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Family business succession is never easy, but Karly Rolls has done it with heart, hustle, and a big dose of humility.
As Vice President of Rolls Mechanical, a Michigan-based contractor with 200-plus employees, Karly shares how she scaled the service department from 3 to 80 techs, implemented new processes, and kept “old school” values alive in a modern operation. She discusses her journey from shop hand to VP, the importance of technical training for leadership credibility, and how the company continues to scale without sacrificing quality or culture.
Whether you’re growing your family business or navigating generational leadership, Karly’s story is packed with lessons on grit, growth, and leading by example.
Join us as we discuss:
- [5:54] Why having a technical background is important as a leader in the trades
- [10:38] Getting out of the business to make time to work on the business
- [16:41] Setting up a marketing budget and installing a branding campaign
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode, we sit down with Courtney Greeley, COO of Chesapeake Electric in Annapolis, MD, to explore the intersections of leadership, workplace culture, and cybersecurity. From her experience in the Air Force, NSA, and cybersecurity startups to leading a fast-growing trade business, Courtney brings her expertise on building a resilient team and protecting your business from digital threats.
We’ll dive deep into the hard lessons learned from toxic work environments, the importance of strong leadership in fostering a positive company culture, and why cybersecurity is no longer optional for business owners.
Join us as we discuss:
- [8:19] How to lead with values and create a no-toxicity workplace
- [14:39] Why letting go of high-performing employees might be necessary
- [25:32] Why cybersecurity is non-negotiable, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Vigilant Sec
- Courtney’s Tips for Cybersecurity in Home Services
- ServiceTitan Live Events
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Running a family business isn’t always smooth sailing — especially in the trades. Morgan Chapman, VP at Friend's Plumbing in Tampa, Florida, has navigated the challenges of leadership, company culture, and family dynamics in a way that has helped propel the business forward.
Morgan shares her journey from working in sales to stepping into a leadership role at her family’s plumbing company. She unpacks some of the challenges she’s faced in hiring the right people, improving customer service, and balancing relationships with her father and brother, both of whom are integral parts of the business.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:46] Breaking into the family business and retooling the culture
- [9:56] Setting clear boundaries and the evolution of family dynamics
- [17:18] Why neglecting your self-care does your employees a disservice
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- LadyTitans
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Jay and Amanda Mahaffey didn’t just step into ownership when they purchased Tuck & Howell Plumbing in Greenville, SC, from Jay’s uncle — they transformed it. In less than two years, they scaled the business from $4M to $11M by making tough decisions, rebranding, and streamlining operations.
Jay and Amanda share their journey from employees to owners, the challenges of modernizing a 55-year-old business, and how they handled team transitions, rapid growth, and technology adoption.
Tune in to hear how their fast decision-making, financial acumen, and leadership strategies helped them rebuild Tuck & Howell into a powerhouse.
Join us as we discuss:
- [1:54] The importance of implementing new systems quickly
- [11:37] Treating employee retention as a rehiring process
- [18:00] Opening a new service division and leveraging KPIs
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Branded Not Blanded: KickCharge Your Home Service Brand by Dan Antonelli
- WhoHire
- Clover
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Adrian Fadini, Founder of TradesFormation, knows firsthand how challenging it can be to build a successful trades business. After starting as a plumber, he faced financial struggles that forced him to sell his family home. But instead of giving up, he used the experience to transform his approach — learning from experts, refining his business model, and ultimately selling his plumbing company in 2012 to become a coach.
Now, through TradesFormation, Adrian coaches other trades professionals on how to avoid common pitfalls and build profitable, resilient businesses. He shares his journey from tradesman to business coach, why data-driven decision-making is essential, and how staying the course (without repeating mistakes) leads to long-term success.
Join us as we discuss:
- [2:08] Why your willingness to evolve matters more than experience
- [15:02] Balancing empathy for your team with data-driven decisions
- [26:49] Quality questions you should be asking during every sale
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Register today for our inaugural World of Titans event in Sydney, Australia on Thursday-Friday, April 3-4, 2025!
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
We’re heading to “the land down under” to chat with Scott and Vicky Irwin, co-owners of Network Plumbing in Sydney, Australia, about their nearly 40-year journey of building a thriving plumbing business.
They discuss how they navigated the 2008 financial crisis, the importance of hiring the right people, and the unique challenges of working as a married couple in business. Scott and Vicky bring their signature humor and optimism as they break down the lessons learned from decades in the industry.
Tune in to hear how Network Plumbing pivoted from commercial to residential work, why company culture and mindset matter, and how they keep things fun while running a successful business.
Join us as we discuss:
- [2:54] Overcoming a financial crisis and the power of optimism
- [9:54] Why profit is secondary to the health of your company culture
- [16:29] The challenges that come with adding new residential services
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Register today for our inaugural World of Titans event in Sydney, Australia on Thursday-Friday, April 3-4, 2025!
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
How do you create a high-performance environment in the trades? Kathryn Howard, Head of Mergers and Acquisitions at Lee's Air, Plumbing, Heating, & Roofing in Fresno, CA, tells us how, while sharing her journey from direct sales to leading a growing service business.
She discusses the importance of developing high-performing teams, how she built an international call center in Armenia, and why understanding customer purchasing behavior is key to sales success. Kathryn also dives into her leadership philosophy, her unique experiences in network marketing, and how she helped scale Lee’s Air with structured processes and strategic growth initiatives.
Tune in for an insightful conversation on building culture, driving business success, and unlocking peak performance in the trades.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:12] Teaching technicians not to sell within their own budgets
- [13:40] How to create a high-performance environment for your team
- [22:19] Why personal development is critical to your team’s success
- [28:38] Creating pathways for underrepresented groups in the trades
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- From Prospecting to Closing: Tips to Improve Your Sales Performance
- Register today for our inaugural World of Titans event in Sydney, Australia on Thursday-Friday, April 3-4, 2025!
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Continuous growth is a goal for many home service businesses, but it’s no easy feat. In this special episode recorded live at Pantheon, we welcome back Matt LaMartina, President and Owner of Tony LaMartina Plumbing in St. Louis. Matt returns to share the strategies that helped his company achieve rapid success, including growing 45% year over year.
From overcoming cramped office space to opening new divisions like drain services, Matt dives into the practical and leadership lessons that made it possible. He discusses the importance of training across all roles, the power of delegation, and his approach to balancing innovation with core operational fundamentals.
Tune in for a candid conversation packed with insights to help your trades business scale sustainably.
Join us as we discuss:
- [2:35] Coaching partnerships and the importance of continuous learning
- [8:34] An update from the St. Louis apprenticeship legal battle
- [14:08] The importance of personal care and making space to decompress
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Check out our previous interview with Matt LaMartina here!
- Nexstar Network
- Register now for Pantheon 2025 in Anaheim, CA here!
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Chris Ramsay has seen it all — growing up in a successful family business, navigating exits, and starting anew in the trades. Now the Operations Manager at ICE Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing in Las Vegas, NV, Chris joins us on our Pantheon set to share his incredible journey, from sweeping floors in his teens to scaling a 40-employee company.
Chris reveals the lessons learned from simplifying processes, adopting scalable technology, and prioritizing company culture to retain top talent. He also explains why he returned to ServiceTitan to grow his business sustainably and efficiently.
Whether you’re in HVAC, plumbing, or another service trade, Chris’s insights will inspire you to rethink your processes and focus on scalable growth.
Join us as we discuss:
- [1:50] Rocky exits and failed business partnerships
- [7:20] Implementing new tech stacks and preventing future hiccups
- [16:39] Game-changing software that’s driving efficiency
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- ServiceTitan
- Dispatch Pro
- Facebook Torch Network
- Facebook ServiceTitan Masterminds
- Register now for Pantheon 2025 in Anaheim, CA here!
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Elliot Palmer, Chief Technology Officer at The Eco Plumbers out of Columbus, OH, brings a wealth of experience from retail to the trades.
Elliot shares how data-driven decision-making is transforming the trades industry. From IT crisis management and reporting to fostering a transparent culture, he details actionable strategies that empower teams to optimize performance. Elliot also highlights the importance of preparation for emergencies and how similar metrics can drive success in both retail and trades.
Don’t miss this insightful conversation — straight from the floor of Pantheon — with a tech leader driving growth in the service sector.
Join us as we discuss:
- [2:33] Bringing skills from outside the service industry to the trades
- [9:47] Taking action on data trends and the importance of transparency
- [14:23] Why the service industry is ripe for IT job opportunities
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Register now for Pantheon 2025 in Anaheim, CA here!
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Matt DiBara comes from a long line of professionals in the construction industry, taking over DiBara Masonry family business from his father.
Matt identified a significant challenge a few years ago that he has turned into an opportunity with his new company The Contractor Consultants — find and retain qualified people for construction companies.
He stopped by to discuss his professional and entrepreneurial journey and provided some expert tips on generating candidate demand, the hiring process, how to vet people quickly, and retaining the best talent.
Join us as we discuss:
- [09:28] What inspired Matt to start The Contractor Consultants
- [12:43] Matt’s tips for hiring good and qualified people
- [20:49] Speed to lead - treating candidates like customers
- [28:37] The importance of talent retention
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- DiBara Masonry
- The Contractor Consultants
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Jordan Martin worked with his father as a young boy and gradually joined the family’s landscaping business, North By Northwest Lawns, LLC.
He eventually convinced his brother and sister to join the company as well, and they made some disruptive changes that enabled the business to experience phenomenal growth. Today, they’re one of the largest landscaping services in Austin, Texas.
Jordan stopped by to discuss his professional and entrepreneurial journey, how they made the difficult yet highly profitable decision to focus on commercial work, and the importance of bringing a fresh vision of hope to families in need.
Join us as we discuss:
- [06:29] The challenging decision to focus only on commercial work
- [13:34] The changes that the family had to make for the business to grow
- [21:28] Navigating family dynamics and charitable projects
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- North By Northwest Lawns, LLC
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Cris Dutelle is a fourth-generation plumber who grew up in the trades and went on to start his own plumbing business, Service Plumbing.
When faced with incredible adversity, Cris’s perseverance and a visit to Pantheon completely changed everything for him and his business.
Cris stopped by to discuss his professional and entrepreneurial journey, how he found a very lucrative niche, and the importance of continuous improvement and knowing when to ask for help.
Join us as we discuss:
- [05:18] How Cris found his niche in the hospitals and medical gas space
- [11:08] How a major life event changed the way Cris viewed his business
- [14:29] How Pantheon helped change Cris’s perspective on work and life
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Service Plumbing
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode, we dive into an inspiring conversation with Stephanie Allen, CEO of Airworks Solutions, a unique player in the trades. Stephanie takes us on her journey — from law school to leading a thriving family-run business that’s redefining plumbing and HVAC.
You’ll learn how Airworks’ community-first mindset, flexible workplace culture, and mom-approved branding create a lasting impact in the industry. We also spotlight Airworks’ charitable ventures, including a remarkable collaboration with ServiceTitan’s Power the Nation program, proving that giving back is at the core of their success.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about a positive culture, family, and making a difference.
Join us as we discuss:
- [16:16] The story behind a family-run, Mom-approved brand
- [24:46] Why Airworks is in the people development business
- [27:57] The impact your business can have on community initiatives
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- ChatGPT
- Masterclass on ChatGPT
- Toolbox for the Trades Episode 87, featuring Dan Antonelli
- ServiceTitan’s Power the Nation
- 4 Kids 2 Kids
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Dan Lizette, Director of Process Improvement at Mattioni Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in Downington, PA, joins us to share his strategies for scaling businesses in the trades.
From rebuilding a call center team from scratch to implementing robust documentation and training systems, Dan offers actionable insights for business owners looking to optimize their operations.
Learn how process improvement can drive growth, why documentation matters, and how to create career paths that motivate and retain top talent.
Join us as we discuss:
- [8:07] Tackling the internal documentation process
- [18:05] Process improvements and creating a career development hierarchy
- [25:17] Call center KPIs and a performance bonus program
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Microsoft OneNote
- Trainual
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Gilbert Ayala, President, and Victor Ayala, GM, of Five or Free Electrical Services in Sacramento, CA, join us to share their inspirational journey of transformation and perseverance.
With roots in chimney sweeping and window cleaning, the Ayala brothers built a thriving electrical business dedicated to helping others. They discuss the challenges of overcoming a tumultuous upbringing, their entrepreneurial spirit, and their commitment to giving second chances to those rebuilding their lives.
Tune in to hear how family, faith, and a passion for the trades can lead to remarkable growth — both personally and professionally.
Join us as we discuss:
- [3:39] How customer reviews impacted a service business’s branding
- [10:20] Breaking into the trades and redemption stories
- [18:52] Supporting company team members’ self-improvement
- [24:40] Why everyone deserves a second chance
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
HVAC techs, how many times have you serviced an outdated unit with no manual to be found — anywhere? Bluon is changing that.
Peter Capuciati, CEO of Bluon, shares how his company built the world’s largest HVAC database to provide technicians with the technical data and support they need. From wiring diagrams to troubleshooting tips, Bluon’s platform saves time, reduces frustration, and empowers techs in the field.
Discover the story behind how Bluon’s data-driven approach has transformed the HVAC service industry by helping professionals work smarter, not harder.
Join us as we discuss:
- [2:36] How Bluon realized the need for their HVAC diagnostic platform
- [9:46] Getting your team on board during serious change management
- [20:07] Building and supporting a massive software database
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Ring in the New Year with a crossover from one of our other fantastic shows, Pest in Class.
Hosted by Amanda Salvatore, even if your day to day doesn't involve squashing bugs, there's tons to be learned about running a service business from these interview.
We'll be back next week with brand new chats for 2025 with business owners from across the industry, and thanks for spending a great 2024 with us.
Originally Aired 12/3/2024:
Aaron Curtis, CXO of Alta Pest Control, has helped propel the company to remarkable growth by centering on customer experience (CX) and fostering a strong, unified company culture.
Aaron discusses Alta’s mission to create a “better experience by becoming better people” and explains how customer retention is directly influenced by employee engagement.
Whether you're looking to improve customer service or inspire company-wide accountability, Aaron shares actionable steps to make CX a driving force in your business.
Join us as we discuss:
- [8:00] Creating value by elevating the customer experience
- [15:08] Why customer satisfaction is everyone’s job
- [20:53] The symbiotic relationship between customer and employee retention
- [31:21] Relieving customer friction through notification updates
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Top 6 Automation Hacks to Get Your Time Back
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Happy Holidays from all of us at the ServiceTitan Podcast Network.
We've been planning quite a 2025 for you, dear listener, and as part of that we want to make sure you know about the other great resources and shows we have for your service business.
This episode is hand selected to make for a great learning experience, especially if you work with commercial accounts.
Originally aired 11/21/2024 and recorded LIVE at Pantheon 2024:
In this episode of Mastering ServiceTitan, we’re joined by Kyle Urquhart, Director of Account Management at Pierce Property Services.
Kyle explains how they've leveraged ServiceTitan to fuel success in the building envelope maintenance industry. He also reveals how his company transformed its operations by creating a dedicated account management department, restructuring service agreements for maximum efficiency, and empowering technicians with the ServiceTitan mobile app.
Whether you're looking to streamline your processes or get inspired by cutting-edge strategies, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you elevate your service business with ServiceTitan.
Join us as we discuss:
- [3:44] How to structure ServiceTitan for account management
- [19:57] Using ServiceTitan to stand out among competitors
- [26:17] Getting into ServiceTitanBetas for early access to new features
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- ServiceTitan Beta Waitlist
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Mastering ServiceTitan on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Mastering ServiceTitan in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Paul Olsen, CEO, and Kyle Sattler, COO, of Koala Cooling (Round Rock, TX), share how their complementary leadership styles have driven their HVAC and plumbing business to impressive growth.
From overhauling operational efficiencies to executing a strategic marketing approach with just a 3% spend, the duo has propelled Koala Cooling to exceed $3.3 million in annual revenue.
Paul discusses the importance of operational checklists, while Kyle dives into brand-building strategies that connect with customers. Discover how their partnership inspires innovation and fosters a dynamic culture of success in the trades.
Join us as we discuss:
- [7:32] Planting the seeds for a dynamic business partnership
- [11:21] “Never misses” and driving business efficiencies
- [16:21] A marketing focus on brand-building and SEO map packs
- [26:52] Resolving disagreements and the private equity question
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Email Kyle at kyle@koalacooling.com for a copy of his marketing E-book or download it directly here.
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
It’s possible that your company is performing well and is profitable, but a ceiling is preventing it from taking the next step. The evolution from a healthy business to one that’s thriving, bringing in eight figures in yearly revenue, can meet a lot of invisible barriers.
Justin White joins us to discuss how to take the next step with your company. Since becoming CEO of K&D Landscaping in 2015, Justin has grown the business into a multi-million dollar company.
He’s joined us to talk about the importance of adjusting and communicating your company’s vision, creating a robust leadership team, and how to avoid falling into slumps of growth.
Join us as we discuss:
- [9:43] The importance of self-trust for company leaders
- [20:03] Why many companies stagnate in yearly revenue
- [27:31] How to communicate, cultivate, and modify your company’s vision
- [35:00] Finding and exploiting “unfair advantages” for your company
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Disruptors Community
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Lincoln Walpole, Chief Business Officer atAny Hour Group, joins us to unpack the importance of KPI tracking in scaling operations and boosting profitability.
He recounts his journey from helping run a $10 million service business to overseeing over 2,000 employees as part of a private equity group spanning 30 locations.
Lincoln shares the key metrics that drive his business, from lead funnel efficiency to retention benchmarks, and explains how tracking KPIs daily can transform your service business.
Join us as we discuss:
- [5:15] The top KPIs for tracking a service business’s success
- [14:51] Benchmarking your KPIs to maximize your gross profit margins
- [20:31] Why you should closely track your employee retention
- [26:37] Day-to-day efficiencies and managing big investments
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Any Hour Services (Orem, Utah)
- ServiceTitan Dispatch Pro
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Earlier this fall, we recorded a ton of great conversations at Pantheon 2024, and we’re back with a pair of industry experts to extend another piece of the community present at Pantheon to our listeners.
Aizik Zimerman, the CEO and owner of J. Blanton Plumbing, tells his story of how he bought a plumbing company with no experience in the industry and tripled the size of his business by cultivating a winning company culture.
But that's not all! Joe Papa, the founder of TruVersity, gives advice to business owners who are unsure of how their company can use AI tools to help their business run more efficiently.
Join us as we discuss:
- [6:49] The how and why of hiring internationally
- [17:52] How business leaders can cultivate a healthy, learning mindset
- [28:05] How AI can improve your employees' capabilities.
- [31:38] Smoothly introducing AI tools into your team's workflow
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- ChatGPT
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Lacey Coleman truly has a talent for moving past negative experiences and turning adversities into opportunities.
Beginning her career in the trades at an early age, she had to prove herself to her customers and colleagues.
Now the CEO at Coastal Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning in Salisbury, MD, Lacey joined us to discuss her professional and entrepreneurial journey, how she defied gender stereotypes to create and scale her thriving HVAC business and foster a collaborative work culture where her team can grow and build a successful career.
Join us as we discuss:
- [07:44] The biases that Lacey encountered and how she dealt with them
- [12:13] The importance of turning negative experiences into positive opportunities
- [21:13] How building a strong work culture can lead to success
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Alan O'Neill truly has what many would say is “the luck of the Irish.”
Alan started his career in Dublin as an apprentice plumber and worked his way up in the trades. He then moved to America with his family and founded a plumbing service company with his mentor, which he later sold to private equity.
He truly believes in building solid relationships and taking care of his team and that the trades have the power to positively impact lives.
The consultant with The Wrench Group stops by to discuss his professional and entrepreneurial journey, the importance of loyalty, and some practical advice for business owners thinking of selling or partnering with private equity firms.
Join us as we discuss:
- [7:13] Alan’s incredible testament to the American Dream
- [20:41] The importance of loyalty in a business
- [26:57] Why you should take control of your own destiny
- [38:05] Advice for business owners planning to sell or partner with private equity firms
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- The Wrench Group
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
*Did you know the ServiceTitan Podcast network has other shows that can really help you not only grow your business but learn more about and use ServiceTitan even better?
We've come out with additional shows to help folks all over your organization get the most out of your time working with us and our platforms.*
Today we have a guest episode from our sister show "Mastering ServiceTitan", designed to help the folks at your HQ learn to use the ServiceTitan platform better from day one.
Originally Aired 8/20/2024
ServiceTitan is a powerful tool, but just like any major piece of equipment in your shop, you have to know how to use it to get the most out of it.
Lorenzo Plaath, a Certified ServiceTitan Coach with Go Time Success Group, brings his experience to the table to help new users who are implementing ServiceTitan.
Lorenzo shares his top tips on how to take it from a new and unfamiliar system to something that changes the very fabric of your business year after year.
Join us as we discuss:
- [6:39] Setting up a mock “go live” in ServiceTitan for your team
- [19:00] The benefits of using both an implementation manager and a coach
- [31:10] Keeping your team happy during major transitions
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Mastering ServiceTitan on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Mastering ServiceTitan in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
David and Natascha Manley, co-owners of ProLift Garage Doors in Amarillo, Texas, share their inspiring journey from retail careers to franchise ownership and how they have built philanthropy into the core of their business.
Through their small business, the Manleys have made a substantial impact on their community by supporting organizations like Fill with Hope, which addresses food insecurity in local schools.
Tune in to hear their practical tips on how they integrated giving back into business culture and how even small teams can make a big difference in their communities.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:34] How an entrepreneur coach helped the Manleys start a business
- [8:09] Business philanthropy and giving back to the community
- [20:11] Advice for contractors wanting to integrate giving into their culture
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Titans for Change Prometheus Award
- Fill With Hope
- The Entrepreneur’s Source - Amarillo Chamber of Commerce
- Innova
- If you’d like to help fight food insecurity in Texas schools, check out David and Natascha’s donation wishlist here.
- The Prometheus Award
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Marcia Barnes feels the way companies have been buying marketing and the way agencies sell marketing is broken.
She identified an opportunity to reorient this challenge by getting customers to look at the math before investing in marketing. With a solid data-driven foundation, people can see the results, know they’re growing profitably, and have the power of their marketing dollar back.
The CEO and Founder of Valve+Meter Performance Marketing stops by to talk about her entrepreneurial journey, shares some great marketing tips, and highlights the importance of understanding your target audience and having a good website.
Join us as we discuss:
- [04:28] The marketing activities of successful home service companies
- [07:47] Why having a good website is important
- [17:52] Three marketing KPIs to see the health of a business
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Valve+Meter Performance Marketing
- Here We Grow: The Marketing Formula to 10x Your Business and Transform Your Future
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Phillip Filaski believes leading by example is the key to being successful in sales. You need to be good at listening to prospects, ask the right questions, provide a consultative approach, and know how to handle objections professionally.
He also believes in working hard, having a disciplined lifestyle, and having the right mindset that prepares you for success and enables you to bounce back from adversities.
The Sales Supervisor at Lee’s Air stops by to talk about how he supports and coaches his team, his winning sales methodology, how he handles objections, and how he stays motivated when facing rejections.
Join us as we discuss:
- [05:00] Phil’s secret to success in closing sales
- [13:13] How Phil trains his team and his sales methodology
- [23:16] The most common sales objections and how to handle them
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Lee’s Air
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Join us as we chat with some of the “Titans of the Trades” at Pantheon 2024!
For companies in the trades to be successful and grow, it’s important to have good leadership in place that leads the charge. They need to lead by example, push themselves out of their comfort zones, and do things that are scary in order to scale their business.
It starts by having the right mindset, having the right people, instilling a winning culture amongst team members, and getting everyone on board with your vision.
Our guests stop by the ServiceTitan booth to chat with us about what keeps them coming back to Pantheon and how they help lead the charge in their businesses.
Join us as we discuss:
- [3:46] A first-time presenter’s experience at Pantheon
- [12:32] Implementing ServiceTitan in recently acquired companies
- [25:12] Why personal growth is as important as scaling your business
- [33:57] Why you should always have an exit strategy for your company
Connect with our guests:
- James Perry Beyer, President at Beyer Plumbing
- Kristy Druding, Director of IT Services & Operations at Ace Home Services
- Michelle Myers, Founder of Pink Callers
- Gary Lightfoot, Owner of Copilot Coaching
- Mike Agugliaro, CEO & Founder of FuDog Group LLC
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Hunter Ballew, the founder of Roofing.com, RoofCon, and the Revolt Mastermind Group, joins us to share his incredible journey from firefighter and US Marine to building a multi-million dollar business empire in the roofing industry.
Hunter breaks down his 8-Figure Checklist, a step-by-step process for growing a successful company, and why leadership and culture are crucial for scaling any business.
Whether you’re looking to build for legacy, exit, or cash flow, Hunter’s insights offer a roadmap for business owners aiming for long-term success.
Join us as we discuss:
- [10:44] Hunter’s Eight-Figure Checklist for business success
- [20:29] Why you should be able to answer “What do you stand for?”
- [27:05] Profitability and overcoming the fear of numbers
- [24:57] Transparent recruiting and a training blueprint
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Reserve your tickets for RoofCon here (October 23 - 25, 2024)
- Make It Count: Ensuring When Life Expires Your Legacy Lives On by Hunter Ballew
- Click Funnels
- 16Personalities
- Krutr
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Jeff Plant has built a successful career across different facets of the trades while working his way up to key managerial positions. It was here where he realized an untapped potential and opportunity to equip leaders and their teams with the necessary skills needed to grow.
Identifying this opportunity motivated Jeff to get into coaching to help businesses implement procedures to build empowered teams.
The team leader and trainer at Business Development Resources (BDR) stops by to talk about his professional journey, how he got into coaching, and shares some of the key components that leaders and their teams need to succeed.
Join us as we discuss:
- [08:15] The five levels of successful leadership
- [13:05] Giving teams permission to make mistakes
- [22:54] The eight core connectors
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Business Development Resources
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Nathan Shafer reached a point in his professional journey years ago where he knew that change was needed in order to grow. This change had to come through implementing new systems and processes and building up a team to help scale the business effectively.
He also had to get out of the business to work on it, and this motivated him to go down the business coaching path.
The owner of Shafer Heating and Cooling stops by to talk about how the barriers he had to overcome to grow his business, what new skills he had to master, and some of the core lessons he imparts to his coaching clients.
Join us as we discuss:
- [04:03] When Nathan hit a breaking point and what he did to change things
- [07:36] Barriers that Nathan had to overcome to make changes
- [18:13] Core lessons that Nathan imparts to coaching clients
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Shafer Heating and Cooling
- Phenomenal Business Coaching by Howard Partridge
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
When it comes to building a legacy brand in the trades, Tucker Yarbrough truly believes that success comes through steady and consistent growth. This growth is achieved through the trust and collaboration between team members and the community built around the business.
In his role, he endeavors to take the family business to new levels of growth, to experiment with new ways of building awareness in the market, and to get the team involved in scaling the business.
The CFO at Yarbrough & Sons stops by to talk about how they kickstarted their marketing through social media, how they share success with the team, and how they implement what they learn to ensure consistent growth.
Join us as we discuss:
- [11:06] How Yarbrough & Sons kickstarted their marketing on social media
- [21:14] How success is shared with the rest of the team
- [28:21] How Tucker and family implement what they learned to ensure consistent growth
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Yarbrough & Sons
- Blue Collar Broughs Podcast
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Zack Kays has a wealth of technical knowledge that enabled him to improve internal systems and processes within his organization. He also has extensive customer service experience, which allowed him to excel in his other role as an emergency call dispatcher.
In this role, he must ensure that the relationship between the client and the technicians is seamless and that everything is treated with a sense of urgency. For things to run smoothly, open communication and crisis management skills are paramount.
As the Software Administrator at Intelligent Design Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Solar, & Electric, Zack and his team deliver professional home services to homeowners in the Tucson area. He stops by to talk about how to prepare dispatchers for emergency calls, how he supports technicians, and why he feels it’s important to treat them like clients.
Join us as we discuss:
- [8:22] Maintaining the technician and on-call dispatcher relationship
- [17:53] Preparing CSRs and dispatchers for emergency calls
- [24:47] Why techs should be treated like clients
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Intelligent Design Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Solar, & Electric
- Mastering ServiceTitan
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Lydia Brewster works in her family business, but she’ll also be the first one to tell you that they don’t operate as a family, but rather as a team. This mindset has served her well and motivated her to come up with some unconventional yet extremely effective strategies for hiring and retaining some of the top technicians in the country.
Her success lies in her very pragmatic and “no nonsense” approach to vetting qualified candidates and her unwavering commitment to help her team to continuously improve their skills through regular training.
As the General Manager at Aqua Clear Water Systems, Lydia and her team work hard to deliver fresh, clean water to homeowners in Tennessee. She stops by to chat with us about her professional experience and how she interviews and onboards candidates for her company.
Join us as we discuss:
- [4:56] The challenges of hiring the right people
- [8:40] Lydia’s successful interview process
- [29:04] The importance of having a good training and onboarding process
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aqua Clear Water Systems
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Customer satisfaction is typically a top priority for inbound service calls, but what about after the technician has left the premises?
Chelle Allen, the owner of iconnectu, joins us to discuss the concept of “happy calls” — customer experience follow-ups made after a service is performed. Chelle explains how these calls not only offer gratitude but also collect valuable feedback to improve services.
Tune in to hear how happy calls help identify minor issues like technician behavior, create opportunities for additional sales, and strengthen customer loyalty.
Join us as we discuss:
- [3:33] The importance of following up on the little things
- [10:50] Following miscommunication crumbs
- [19:17] Eliminating in-house bias by outsourcing calls
- [29:21] Using “happy calls” for cross-promotional sales
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- ServiceTitan Thank You Report Guide
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
CSRs are the frontline employees of most home service businesses.
That’s why Ralph Johnson, VP of Client Solutions at CallPoint, believes that owner-operators should make a concerted effort to give them the tools they need to succeed.
You’re already spending marketing dollars to bring in calls — shouldn’t you equip and train your people to handle them?
Tune in as Ralph shares his thoughts on must-need tech in modern call centers, why you should incentivize your CSRs, and how to scale your CSR team with company growth.
Join us as we discuss:
- [8:00] Implementing new tech for inbound calls
- [12:33] Training, tracking, and incentivizing CSRs
- [22:07] Scaling your call center with your company
- [27:28] Telltale signs of an underperforming call center
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- ServiceTitan Phones Pro
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode of Toolbox for the Trades, we speak with Darrell Whiteaker and Lindsay Ramsey, the dynamic founders of Inception Plumbing in Kansas City, Missouri.
Together, the couple explore the transformative journey of shifting from a reactive to a proactive business strategy and the power of crafting a "Vivid Vision" for their company’s future.
Tune in to discover valuable insights on organizing your thoughts, setting clear objectives, and striking the perfect balance between managing daily operations and pursuing long-term visionary goals.
Join us as we discuss:
- [10:40] The concept of “Vivid Vision”
- [26:43] Balancing day-to-day operations with a long-term vision
- [33:51] Challenges and dynamics of running a business as a couple
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Inception Plumbing’s Vivid Vision
- The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber
- Vivid Vision by Cameron Herold
- The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
- Fix This Next by Mike Michalowicz
- EOS rocks
- Audible
- The Second in Command by Cameron Herold
- Get a Grip by Mike Paton and Gino Wickman
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Sebastian Jimenez started out as a stand-up comedian. This experience armed him with the resilience and unconventional thinking that helped him co-found a startup company that is now at the forefront of the trades.
Much of this success can be attributed to technology and artificial intelligence that enables companies to analyze data faster and better than ever before.
As the Founder & CEO at Rilla, Sebastian and his team are on a mission to help companies in the trades coach their sales reps with virtual ridealongs to increase their sales. He stops by to talk to us about his entrepreneurial journey, what prompted him to start his own business, and why he believes AI will positively disrupt the trades.
Join us as we discuss:
- [05:58] The correlation between stand-up comedy and tech products
- [11:58] The market opportunities Sebastian saw that inspired him to co-found Rilla
- [28:57] How AI is creating opportunities for companies in the trades
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Rilla
- Rilla Reports
- NVIDIA
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Hey Toolbox listeners, today we're adding a bonus episode to your feed from our newest show on the ServiceTitan Podcast Network — Mastering ServiceTitan.
This new show airs on Thursdays and we're bringing it to you here to put more great information about running your business in your ears.
In this episode of Mastering Service Titan, we talk with Steve Cossette, the Head of IT at NICE Home Services and a prominent figure in the ServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook group.
Dive into the nitty-gritty of inventory management as Steve explains why he’s passionate about the topic and the critical role it plays in business operations. Learn how proper inventory management can lead to a better knowledge of your business and, ultimately, a more profitable one.
Steve provides practical tips for both small and large companies, emphasizing the importance of tracking materials and the human factor in inventory management.
Whether you’re a seasoned ServiceTitan user or just getting started, this episode offers valuable insights into enhancing your business efficiency.
Join us as we discuss:
- [1:48] What exactly is inventory management?
- [10:22] Why inventory counts are like haircuts
- [23:34] If it’s not 100% accurate, what’s the point?
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- My HVAC Tools
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Mastering ServiceTitan on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or our website, or search for Mastering ServiceTitan in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Ellen Rohr is definitely not your typical financial planner. Besides presenting on stage at industry events like Pantheon, she has another incredible superpower that she loves to share with everyone in the trades: the power of networking with intent.
Her success in networking lies in her ability to build relationships with people, her aptitude for making meaningful connections, and her strategic approach to getting the most out of conferences.
As the Brand & Marketing Industry Lead at ServiceTitan, Ellen and her team are on a mission to help people in the trades to connect, be inspired, and learn from each other.
To prepare for ServiceTitan’s annual conference, Pantheon, she stops by to chat with us about her secrets to networking success and to discuss the importance of asking good questions. Ellen also shares some best practices for Pantheon and explains why you need a follow-up plan once your time at the event ends.
Join us as we discuss:
- [12:32] Why it’s important to bring your team to a conference like Pantheon
- [22:16] The secrets to networking success at a Pantheon
- [38:05] How to successfully implement what you’ve learned at conferences
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Zoom Drain
- Pantheon 2024
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Brian Ruffner and Charlie Warren are on a mission to help companies in the trades realize their full potential and scale effectively. They do this through a combination of systems, processes, technology, and the right talent.
They believe success boils down to having a growth mindset and the right internal culture that encourages growth, accountability, and collaboration. This helps to set the stage for teams to succeed beyond expectations.
They both stopped by to share their professional journeys with us and to discuss how companies can grow their commercial contracting division. During our conversation, they discussed the common barriers contractors must overcome, how to find the right talent, and how a growth culture can be implemented successfully.
Join us as we discuss:
- [10:20] Common barriers that contractors must overcome to scale their commercial division
- [14:25] How to find the right talent to build your commercial division
- [26:42] How a growth culture can be successfully implemented to keep your team engaged and exceeding expectations
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- No Limit Performance
- Convex
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Christian Rattin not only believes that using creative methods like gamification can increase employee performance and engagement, but he also believes in giving back. He knows that many people in long-term recovery have the ability and talent to pursue a profession in the trades.
It comes down to having the right systems and processes in place and a program that supports and provides these individuals with an opportunity to learn and go on to build a career.
As the CEO of Five Star Home Services, Christian is on a mission to deliver professional heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical services to homeowners in Ohio. He stops by to talk to us about how he got into the trades, how he increased employee engagement, and why he believes in the power of giving back and giving people a second chance.
Join us as we discuss:
- [08:01] How gamification can improve performance and engagement
- [18:54] How Profit on Purpose gives back
- [22:36] The importance of second-chance employment
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Five Star Home Services
- Profit on Purpose Podcast
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Jamie Adams is on a mission to take the guesswork out of digital marketing for businesses in the trades. He encourages customers to move away from outdated advertising methods to online channels and helps them maximize their marketing dollars with technology.
As the Chief Revenue Officer at Scorpion, Jamie and his team endeavor to help local service businesses drive more clients, revenue, and profit. He stops by to talk to us about how he got into marketing for the trades, explains how to maximize your marketing ROI, and elaborates on what makes a good marketing plan.
Join us as we discuss:
- [06:33] Tips to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your marketing budget
- [18:58] What makes a good marketing plan
- [26:03] How to make incremental changes to your marketing funnel
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Scorpion
- ServiceTitan Marketing Pro Tool
- The Franchise Edge Podcast
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
After spending over 25 years working with industry legends like Jim Abrams and Leyland Smith of Service Champions, Lawrence Castillo felt he was ready for his next challenge.
So in 2020, he accepted the role of president at Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning, which has been proudly serving the greater Los Angeles area since 1945. Since taking the reins, Lawrence has helped supercharge their business strategy, seeing revenue growth from $7 million to $40 million in just three years.
We’ll learn the steps Lawrence took to strengthen the Brody Pennell brand into a 5-star-rated business, start an HVAC school, and prioritize world-class customer service.
Join us as we discuss:
- [18:32] What to do when you get pushback from the old guard
- [22:44] The first thing to do to help your business grow
- [30:41] How building an HVAC school leads to a winning talent pipeline
- [37:44] How to create your own urgency
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Service Champions
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Brigham Dickinson is on a mission to help trades companies with low conversion rates, poor customer experience, and a lack of team alignment. He knows that if companies can tackle these problems, they can book more jobs and generate more referred customers for their businesses.
It all comes down to having the right mindset and creating an environment of safety, comfort, and fun for the customer. This ultimately helps to create a buying environment where customers can make informed decisions.
As the President and Founder of Power Selling Pros, Brigham and his team strive to help companies in the trades increase their bookings and customer service excellence. He stops by to talk to us about how he got into the trades, his entrepreneurial journey, and what it takes for CSRs to book more jobs.
Join us as we discuss:
- [17:01] How companies can increase their call conversions
- [27:01] How CSRs can master the pattern of excellence
- [35:36] Why technicians need to have soft skills training
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Power Selling Pros
- Dispatch Pro
- Second Chance Leads
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
As the costs of goods and materials continue to rise, consumer confidence is low, inflation is high, and business expenses are increasing. So what’s an HVAC business owner to do?
Today we’re talking to two experts in the industry — ServiceTitan’s Chris Hunter, Director of Customer Relations, and Deanna Kawasaki, Senior Director of Product Management.
We discuss ways to keep your HVAC customers happy, offer more financing options, and keep profits rolling in. We talk about benchmarks and how to know if you’re doing well. Plus — tools and technology you can use to maximize your business.
Summer is coming. Are you ready?
Join us as we discuss:
- [18:33] The Consumer Confidence Index and what it means for you
- [25:15] Why financing is an advantage for homeowners and businesses
- [37:53] Being ready to profit during the first heat wave of the summer
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Look up your state’s energy office
- How Do You Stack Up When Compared to Other Service Businesses Like Yours?
- ServiceTitan blog
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Juan Lopez has always embraced change and views it as an opportunity for growth and continuous improvement. His professional journey is a testament to how you can achieve anything you put your mind to.
Everyone in the trades constantly looks to improve and find ways to grow more efficiently and effectively. With the introduction of new technologies, automation, and enhanced workflows, you can turn inconvenient and time-consuming situations and tasks into more manageable experiences both internally and externally.
As a Business Analyst at Franklin Electric, Juan is on a mission to scale the company’s operations and support his team through technology. Juan stops by to share his professional experiences with us and highlight the importance of leveraging technology to help a company run better and faster and provide massive value at scale.
Join us as we discuss:
- [05:56] Juan’s best pieces of sales advice
- [15:13] How Juan optimized technology to support his team
- [24:25] The most critical workflows for business success
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Franklin Electric
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Patrick Boldt and Craig Childress are extremely passionate professionals in HVAC and plumbing. Both hail from humble beginnings and thrived in the trades despite facing many adversities.
They decided to take their passion for the trades to the next level and participated in a quiz. Little did they realize that this would take them to Florida, where they would compete with the best in the Elite Trades Competition Series. They both hold championship titles in their respective categories and are now ranked among the country's top HVAC and plumbing professionals.
Patrick and Craig stopped by to share their professional journeys with us. They talked to us about how they got into the trades, what they wish more people knew about their profession, and even provided some tips about the right mindset and skills to have when joining a competition.
Join us as we discuss:
- [9:42] The importance of vocational schools in training new techs
- [24:53] What people should know about the work technicians do
- [33:27] What skills come in handy during the competition
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-
Elite Trades Competition Series
- HVAC Round 1 Quiz
- Plumbing Round 1 Quiz
- Electrical Round 1 Quiz
- Auto Tech Round 1 Quiz
- Trane
- Pro Press
- RLS for HVAC
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Ian Jacoby is a rare breed in every sense of the word. He grew up in the business his father had built, where they would help companies in the trades to obtain the respective permits.
By outsourcing this process to Ian and his team, contractors are able to focus on their true areas of expertise and grow their businesses more effectively.
As the president of iPermit, Ian is on a mission to help businesses across the U.S. with permit expediting, final inspections, as well as HERS testing. He stops by to share his professional journey with us and talks about the advantages of outsourcing the permit process.
Join us as we discuss:
- [11:04] The consequences of skipping the permit process
- [13:40] Advice for contractors who aren’t pulling permits
- [18:33] The advantages of outsourcing
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- iPermit
- Arcxis
- Service Champions
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Michelle Myers is a bit of a pioneer and a “Renaissance Woman” of sorts. She went from being a commercial interior designer to an entrepreneur in the trades and ran remote teams before that term even became a buzzword.
Her passion lies in identifying peoples’ true potential, proactively finding solutions to address customer challenges, and continuously improving systems and processes to scale her business.
As the Founder and CEO of Pink Callers, Michelle is on a mission to take care of the front office solutions for home service businesses across North America. She stops by to share her entrepreneurial journey with us and talks about running an effective remote team in the trades.
Join us as we discuss:
- [04:51]: How to run an effective remote team
- [27:13]: How managers can quality check the calls of their remote employees
- [31:31]: How to get employee buy-in for a company that works remotely
- [35:44]: Advice for owners to ensure they’re optimizing every call
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Pink Callers
- EOS Worldwide
- Powerselling Pros
- Bamboo HR
- Tommy Mello
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Raffi Elchemmas and Jennifer Massey are dedicated individuals with an important mission — to help normalize talking about and raising awareness for mental health in the construction industry.
There are about 5,000 deaths by suicide a year in construction in the U.S. There are several challenges to consider, such as the job being physically demanding, the high probability of injury in the workplace, environmental factors, the long hours, and the traveling required. But there are resources and support in place to help people in the trades to deal with mental health issues.
As senior members of the MCAA and the United Association, respectively, Raffi and Jennifer stop by to share their professional experiences with us and highlight the importance of addressing mental health in construction.
Join us as we discuss:
- [10:54] The importance of mental health in the construction industry
- [35:01] Warning signs that someone may be having mental health challenges
- [49:01] Available resources and support for those struggling with mental health
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- MCAA
- United Association
- OSHA
- CIASP
- MCAA’s Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Video
- MCAA’s Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Video (Spanish)
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- ServiceTitan for Commercial Contractors
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Kelsey Whittenberg fell in love with being an electrician. She loves to understand how everything works and how to use both her technical expertise and tools to help solve problems in the field.
She also posted videos on social media as a creative outlet while she was at job sites, and that quickly burgeoned into a great passion.
As an industrial Electrician at Weifield Group Contracting, Kelsey provides professional electrical solutions across different industry sectors and also actively promotes her company on social media. She stops by to share her professional journey with us and talks about the challenges and opportunities she sees as a female technician. She also explains what motivated her to become active on social media and how her content has helped build a great community online.
Join us as we discuss:
- [6:56]: Kelsey’s experience as a female technician
- [20:58] What inspired her to build a social media presence
- [34:30]: Advice to people who want to become influencers on social media
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Weifield Group Contracting
- Thespicysparkykelsey (TikTok)
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Sheena Palacios was truly built into the trades in every aspect since her father, brother, husband, and other family members are electricians by profession. For her, the trades are a passion and an opportunity for her to return that appreciation for something she didn’t have before.
She is also a strong believer in data transformation and how data is a treasure trove that can be leveraged by teams to make impactful decisions. It also comes down to understanding, setting up, and streamlining your processes and workflows for greater success.
As the owner and ServiceTitan Solutionist at NIFT Business Solutions, Sheena is on a mission to empower teams in the trades to make smart, data-driven decisions. She stops by to share her entrepreneurial journey with us and talks to us about how she found her niche in the trades.
Join us as we discuss:
- 07:41: How to ensure a successful onboarding process
- 20:56: Why IKEA's showroom is a perfect analogy for ServiceTitan workflows
- 24:09: Advice for customers struggling with their ServiceTitan accounts
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- NIFT Business Solutions
- Connect With Sheena
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Jackie Sorensen knows a thing or two about working in a family business and dealing with gender stereotypes in the trades. She’s passionate about making the trades more attractive and accessible to young women and is actively involved in local activities within her community.
As the President of Thorson Heating, Jackie and her team endeavor to deliver exceptional heating and air conditioning services to customers in the Sioux Falls area.
She stops by to share her entrepreneurial journey with us and talks about the challenges as well as opportunities running a family business. She also tells us how she promotes the HVAC profession to young women and provides some valuable advice for other female business owners.
Join us as we discuss:
- [10:56]: Why Jackie decided to buy her family business
- [27:06]: How Jackie makes the trades more attractive for young women
- [38:27]: Jackie’s advice for other female business owners
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Thorson Heating
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Richard Lewis truly believes that building genuine connections with people in the trades is the key to long-term sustainable growth.
His experience in the finance industry has also helped him to identify opportunities for growth across different sectors in the trades.
He’s also enabled business owners to take a different approach to partnering with investors to grow their service business.
As the Founder and CEO of Redwood Services, Richard is on a mission to build a robust ecosystem of partners in the trades across the United States that focuses on collaboration, operational excellence, and a people-first culture. He stops by to share his entrepreneurial journey with us. He highlights examples from his experience that motivated him to do things differently and explains why he believes in investing in partnerships.
Join us as we discuss:
- 05:24: What makes Redwood different from other private equity firms
- 12:00: Why Richard felt the partnership process could be done differently
- 22:19: What an ideal investor partnership looks like
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Redwood Services
- ServiceMaster
- Rite Way
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Ken Midgett is extremely passionate about continuous learning and believes that training is a critical component to the long-term growth of businesses in the trades.
As a professional plumbing service entrepreneur, Ken successfully ran two businesses and helped make the plumbing program at a high school in eastern Pennsylvania one of the most sought-after for students joining the workforce.
As the Plumbing Market Director at Interplay Learning, Ken is on a mission to help service-based businesses build a robust training culture. He stops by to share his entrepreneurial journey with us. He also talks about the importance of investing in training so that it not only turns businesses into profit generators but also helps to build employee confidence and reduce turnover.
Join us as we discuss:
- 05:26: How Ken got students interested in the plumbing program
- 19:16: The importance of implementing a training culture
- 22:09: Why leadership needs to be involved in training
- 28:00: How organizations can incentivize employees with training
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Interplay Learning
- Association for Career and Technical Education (CTE)
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Devynn Thompson entered the trades with her husband after he decided to establish his own plumbing business.
They faced many challenges along the way and realized they had to learn from their mistakes and embrace constructive criticism from their employees.
By connecting with people in the trades, going through training, having a coach who keeps them accountable, and learning how to delegate tasks, they managed to grow and transform their business into the success story it is today.
As the Operations Manager of Thompson Family Plumbing & Drain, Devynn is on a mission to deliver professional plumbing services to customers in California and Arizona. She stops by to share her entrepreneurial journey with us and how she learned to become a better leader. Devynn also shares her thoughts on comparison anxiety and elaborates on the importance of adopting a thriving mindset.
Join us as we discuss:
- 05:06: How Devynn went from apprentice to business owner
- 17:00: How to address comparison anxiety
- 31:46: Devynn’s delegation process
- 35:28: The importance of having a thriving mindset
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Thompson Family Plumbing & Drain
- Nexstar Network
- MasterClass
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Rebekah Hatcher entered the trades with her husband after he decided to set up his own business.
They faced many adversities in the beginning as they tried to grow, and they even hit a plateau.
They then decided to become an Aire Serv franchisee, and with the right training, systems, processes, and a lot of hard work, they managed to scale their business successfully.
As the owner of Aire Serv of Aggieland, Rebekah strives to deliver professional HVAC repair and maintenance services to homeowners and businesses in the Brazos Valley in Texas.
She stops by to share her entrepreneurial journey with us, how becoming a franchisee has positively impacted her business, and some of her most memorable marketing campaigns.
Join us as we discuss:
- [08:57] How becoming a franchisee impacted growth
- [15:34] How the internal culture has changed and a key takeaway
- [27:10] Rebekah’s most memorable and successful marketing campaign
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aire Serv of Aggieland
- MarketingProfs
- Canva
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Many family business owners eventually pass the leadership torch down to their children. Oftentimes, those transitions work out smoothly.
But what about when they don’t?
Mike Prencavage, Jr., Owner of The Family Plumber, dreamed of taking the reins of the family business after college, but he had to “fight like hell” with his father to see his vision come true. Now, he’s leveraging technology and networking to elevate his family’s legacy for future generations.
Mike gives us a candid look back at his tumultuous shift into his current ownership role and how he’s bringing a new-school mindset to old-school values.
Join us as we discuss:
- [7:31] Navigating a rocky family business takeover
- [23:25] How to show future generations value in trades businesses
- [40:10] Bridging innovation and new ideas with tradition
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association
- Nexstar Network
- Interplay Learning
- Contractor Magazine
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Lance Bachmann had a tough childhood and had to work his way up.
After spending several decades in advertising, he decided to start his own full-service digital marketing agency. He learned from his past mistakes, sold the business, shifted his mindset, and seized on different opportunities as he added different companies in the trades to his growing portfolio group.
Over time, he not only became a great leader but also someone who had an innate talent to help companies scale and become incredibly profitable.
As the owner of LB Capital Group, Lance is on a mission to change the roofing industry to make it more of a demand and retail business for greater success. He stops by to share his entrepreneurial journey with us, his take on technology, and what his golden business principles are.
Join us as we discuss:
- [06:47] The “Why me?” versus the “Why not me?” mindset
- [10:44] How Lance decided he was going to change the roofing industry
- [16:27] Lance’s take on technology
- [18:41] Lance’s top golden business principles
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- LB Capital Group
- Tommy Mello
- Ismael Valdez
- 1SEO
- ServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook Group
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Many companies in the trades may view acquisitions with trepidation, but they can also provide businesses with incredible growth opportunities. To achieve that growth, you need to start by building trust and having the right plan in place.
Angela Millerknows that there’s always an opportunity that you don’t anticipate. Together with her team, Angela helps to ensure that transitions are smooth and “business as usual.”
As the VP of Integrations at Goettl Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Angela leverages her extensive experience to ensure that businesses that are acquired by her company are seamlessly integrated into their ecosystem. She stops by to share her professional journey with us, how she got into the trades, and what owners looking to sell their businesses or grow via acquisition should think about.
Join us as we discuss:
- [08:05] Angela’s role and how her team is structured
- [19:14] Advice for businesses looking to grow via acquisitions
- [23:44] Angela’s most memorable acquisition
- [34:13] Theory vs. experience: The perks of an MBA
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Goettl Air Conditioning & Plumbing
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Ryan Kettering believes that if service businesses want to truly stand out in their market, they need to look beyond the visual aspects of their logo and website. They need to dive deeper and find something authentic to them that will resonate with their customers and employees.
He helps customers achieve this by using the fractal brand identity framework, which consists of developing their core belief, brand personality archetype, and brand story.
As the owner of Prolific Brand Design, Ryan uses his experience and know-how to deliver brand design solutions to service businesses nationwide. He stops by to share his entrepreneurial journey with us, how he got into the trades, and how he helps customers create brands that are clear, authentic, and uniquely differentiated in a crowded marketplace.
Join us as we discuss:
- [04:35] How Ryan got into graphic design and branding
- [08:53] What a good brand looks like
- [14:07] How Ryan works with clients to create a brand
- [25:09] How service entrepreneurs should think about branding
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Prolific Brand Design
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Jennifer Rose-Caudill really “hit the ground running” when she was asked to help out in her family’s plumbing business. Originally trained as a real estate appraiser, she proactively identified areas of improvement within the company and tried to find the right solutions.
Over time, she learned from her mistakes, continuously learned about the trades, and with her two brothers, managed to grow the company and make it profitable.
As the Owner of Emergency Plumbing Heating & Air, Jennifer leverages her experience and expertise to deliver professional HVAC and plumbing services to customers in the Greater Delaware, Ohio area. She stops by to share her adventurous entrepreneurial journey with us. Jennifer also talks about how she got into the trades and how she managed to turn her father’s company into an efficient, customer-centric operation.
Join us as we discuss:
- [02:42] How Jennifer got into the trades
- [16:12] How the business started to grow
- [21:07] Some of the challenges that Jennifer faced along the way
- [24:42] Adding a new service line to the business
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Emergency Plumbing Heating & Air
- The E Myth HVAC Contractor by Michael E. Gerber and Ken Goodrich
- ServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook Group
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Krista Landen knows about change all too well. She has witnessed the company she works for growing exponentially over the years, and a big part of that is linked to continuous improvement.
Over time, she has learned that embracing and adapting to change is key to being successful in the trades. To get ahead, you need to be able to learn new things as well as improve current systems and processes.
As the Marketing & IT Manager at Gulfshore Air Conditioning and Heating, Krista utilizes her experience as well as her exceptional people skills to implement the changes necessary for her organization to scale effectively. She stops by to share her professional journey with us, how she got into the trades, and provides practical advice on how companies can navigate change seamlessly.
Join us as we discuss:
- [07:34] How Gulfshore has grown during Krista’s tenure
- [11:25] Some big changes that Krista went through and how she managed them
- [23:15] How Krista manages her colleagues and gets output from them
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Gulfshore Air Conditioning and Heating
- Titan Advisor
- ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Lance Ball believes that if you don’t challenge yourself, you will never grow. His professional career is a testament to how someone can persevere, reinvent themselves, and seize untapped opportunities.
He likes to assure customers that he has their best interests at heart and wants to give them control over their choices.
As the owner of Aspen Mountain Plumbing, Lance uses his solid industry knowledge and experience to deliver professional plumbing solutions to customers in rural Wyoming. During our conversation, Lance shared how he got into the trades due to a tragedy and how he worked his way up and decided to start his own plumbing business.
Join us as we discuss:
- [01:50] How Lance got into the trades
- [11:48] How the desire to deliver good customer service accelerated growth
- [17:41] Challenges that Lance faced and how he overcame them
- [28:56] Key lessons for business owners
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aspen Mountain Plumbing
- ServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook Group
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Katie Biddle believes that when an organization’s leadership shows that they care about their employees, they will be better motivated to provide excellent service to their customers.
She proactively encourages her team to put themselves in their customer's shoes to anticipate their questions and understand their challenges or pain points.
As the Head of Customer Experience at Call Dad AC & Heating, Katie leverages her experience and expertise in the trades to provide professional customer service and support to homeowners across North Carolina. During our discussion, Katie talked about how she got into the trades, managed a brand rollout, and what makes her so passionate about her work.
Join us as we discuss:
- [04:37] What makes Katie so passionate
- [16:28] What virtual assistants are and how to integrate them into your workflow
- [27:03] What differentiates a successful company from a stagnant one
- [29:02] An overview of D.A.D. University
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Call Dad AC & Heating
- D.A.D. University
- Torch Network
- ServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook Group
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Ismael Valdez is a “Renaissance Man” in every sense of the word. Not only has he built a successful contracting business from scratch, but he’s also about to launch another business that will be a game changer for the trades.
He has a simple yet very profound approach to running his businesses: know your numbers, pay your people well, take care of them, and always be one step ahead of your competitors.
As Owner and CEO of Nexgen Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing, Ismael capitalizes on his experience and industry know-how to provide a comprehensive range of professional heating, cooling, and plumbing services to customers across southern California. During our discussion, Ismael talks about what business owners should do when they’re struggling, how to scale effectively, and what the key elements are to running a successful business.
Join us as we discuss:
- [03:47] Ismael’s advice to contractors who are struggling
- [05:44] The importance of knowing your numbers
- [12:19] The BASIC plan and what it entails
- [20:51] How to manage your labor costs
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Nexgen Airconditioning, Heating, and Plumbing
- Nuve
- Service Avengers Facebook Group
- ServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook Group
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Kristian Protic learned about running a business the hard way. He started his career in the trades as a salesman for a home service business. He then started two ventures before founding his current company, which focuses on providing heating, cooling, and plumbing services to customers.
Over time, he learned to trust in his abilities, have more confidence, not over-rely on partners, and have the right team in place that would propel his business forward.
As President and Co-Owner of 365 Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing, Kristian leverages his expertise to deliver professional HVAC and plumbing services to homeowners in southwestern Ontario, Canada. He stops by to share his entrepreneurial journey with us, how he got into the trades, and how he took his company from its humble beginnings to the success story it is today.
Join us as we discuss:
- [02:14] Takeaways from Kristian’s past two businesses
- [15:44] How to hire the right people
- [24:05] The importance of asking others for help
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- 365 Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing
- Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
- The E Myth HVAC Contractor by Michael E. Gerber and Ken Goodrich
- Home Service Millionaire by Tommy Mello
- Victor Rancour
- ServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook Group
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Samuel Petrie began his career in the trades by working in his father’s business. He then went on to start his own company that focused on delivering technology and solutions that benefit the rural communities that he serves.
It was through his business that he identified an underserved market needing urgent help - homeowners looking for someone to complete multiple simple tasks.
As the General Manager at Red Barn Service LLC, Samuel leverages his experience and know-how to deliver HVAC and electrical services to homeowners in rural Wisconsin. He stops by to share his entrepreneurial journey with us, shares his thoughts about the trades, and reveals how he continues to educate himself to stay at the top of his game.
Join us as we discuss:
-
[02:15] Getting started in the trades
-
[14:41] Filling the gaps in a business education
-
[16:40] How Samuel disrupted and improved his business
-
[27:40] The importance of networking and building connections
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Red Barn Service LLC
- Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
- The E Myth HVAC Contractor by Michael E. Gerber and Ken Goodrich
- Elevate: Build a Business Where Everybody Wins by Tommy Mello
- Small Business Leaders Community Group
- ServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook Group
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Paige Knowles, or “Plumber Paige,” has loved the trades since she first saw the construction wing of a tech school during a junior high tour. But she was dismayed by the stigma that surrounded her passion for blue-collar careers.
So she took on the mantle of a trades advocate, spreading the word to boys and girls across the country that the trades are cool — and lucrative.
The children’s author and social media darling shares why she fell in love with the trades and how old-school contractors can get the next generation into their shops.
Join us as we discuss:
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[7:47] The blue-collar narrative in today’s schools
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[18:09] How contractors can connect with young people
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[29:08] A forward-thinking construction camp for girls
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[37:40] Children’s books focused on the trades
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Plumber Paige Instagram
- Plumber Paige: Let’s Fix a Running Toilet
-
Plumber Paige: Let’s Replace a Shower Head
-
SkillsUSA
-
Let’s Build Construction Camp for Girls
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Jawad Olabi was riding high in a lucrative corporate finance career. But after COVID forced devastating layoffs at his global firm, he started searching for new opportunities.
That’s when he found an underserved market that was ripe for much-needed accounting services — the trades.
Now a Managing Partner at ServicePro CFO, Jawad uses his expertise to help contractors get their books in order so they can negotiate their services from a healthy financial position. He stops by to share his thoughts on accounting, private equity, and economic trends heading into 2024 and beyond.
Join us as we discuss:
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[11:35] The good, the bad, and the ugly of private equity
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[22:06] Economic projections for the 2024 market
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[29:07] How contractors can get ahead of financial trends
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[36:00] If private equity will still be viable in the near future
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-
3 Strategies to Unlock Success During Shoulder Months
-
50X Podcast (TransDigm)
-
ServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook Group
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Facilities management often isn’t top of mind in the day-to-day bustle of contractors and business owners. But Sid Shetty, Chief Business Development Officer at ServiceChannel, believes it’s a pillar of the customer experience.
Not only does proactive facilities management delight customers, but it can take your company’s workflows to the next level.
Sid shares how he’s been using his breakout podcast, Elevating Brick & Mortar, to empower managers, contractors, and technicians to get proactive and maximize their assets.
Join us as we discuss:
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(2:40) Using podcasts to spread awareness around the trades
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(9:04) Challenging the brick-and-mortar industry narrative
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(20:20) Elevating the customer experience in facilities management
-
(33:57) How commercial contractors can better serve facilities managers
*Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Elevating Brick & Mortar* Podcast
-
ServiceTitan x ServiceChannel Integration
-
ConnexFM
-
SmartAC.com
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Depending on the municipality, inspections and permits can be the bane of contractors. While construction giants often have the luxury of an engineering firm on-site, small to mid-sized owner-operators usually have to wait for a local inspector to certify their work. And time is money.
It was a constant struggle for Anthony Perera, Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Air Pros USA, and his team. So they set out to solve the problem.
Tune in to hear the practical solutions Anthony and his colleagues created for speeding up the inspection and permit process, all while driving incredible growth for his business.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(7:22) Retaining equity by raising debt capital to accelerate growth
-
(17:59) Smoothing out the home inspection and permit process
-
(29:00) Why new entrepreneurs shouldn’t be afraid to work in the business
*Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-* Inspected.com
-
Permit Hub
-
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
-
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins
-
The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Contractors used to have to scout the competition in person if they wanted a sense of how they were stacking up with the rest of the field. But now, business owners can just check the data — if they know where to look.
Great news, listeners! Angie Snow and Chris Hunter, two of ServiceTitan’s star Principal Industry Advisors, join the show to break down our latest Residential Contract Report.
You won’t want to miss out on the surprising finds from our latest poll of hundreds of contractors nationwide across over a dozen trades, from HVAC to pest control.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(5:59) How ServiceTitan compiled the Residential Contract Report
-
(11:56) Using data to make people-based decisions
-
(18:27) Surprising findings around word-of-mouth referrals
-
(30:33) Why membership programs are far from obsolete
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Residential Contractor Report - Unlock the Power Webinar Registration Link (Nov 30th)
- Thrive Analytics
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Siblings Khadija J. Head and Odari Head, Co-Owners of Head’s Plumbing Sales and Service, are proud to succeed their parents in running the oldest black-owned plumbing company in Atlanta, Georgia.
So when the time came to kick off a rebrand for the third-generation business, they wanted to honor their family’s legacy while keeping an open mind.
Khadija and Odari share their family’s story of resilience and talk about the lack of minority representation in an industry that is starving for talent.
Join us as we discuss:
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(8:51) The burden of entrepreneurship and their company’s origin story
-
(17:40) Why they pride themselves as “the plumber’s plumbers”
-
(25:19) Making the bold decision to rebrand the family business logo
-
(33:08) How owners can attract more young people to the trades
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
ServiceTitan is loaded with solutions for contractors’ pain points. But a common hurdle to maximizing its potential is these entrepreneurs are spending most of their day… well, trying to run a business.
Time is money, and it takes time to learn everything the platform has to offer.
But it takes a hell of a lot less time if you’ve got a ServiceTitan Professional Service Partner (PSP) helping you through it.
ServiceTitan’s PSPs and Cofounders of Powerhouse Consulting Group, Jenny Benbrook and Pam Duffy, talk about how these certified partners can help you utilize ServiceTitan to the fullest.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(19:47) 3 types of contractors who need Professional Service Partners
-
(27:00) What sets PSPs apart from other ServiceTitan consultants
-
(41:31) How PSPs can help you discover missed opportunities
-
(51:16) Key indicators that your data sets are broken
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
- ServiceTitan Professional Service Partners: Powerhouse Consulting Group
- Nexstar Super Meeting 2023
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
For many contractors experiencing growth, inventory management is often the elephant in the room. No one likes dealing with it, but as Jeremy Wickenhauser, Certified ServiceTitan Coach with Go Time Success Group, said, it’s an integral part of every technician’s workflow.
We caught up with Jeremy at Pantheon 2023 so he could tell us how he and his fellow coaches are helping contractors and their teams implement ServiceTitan’s integrations smoother and faster.
Jeremy also demystifies some common inventory issues and explains why part-hunting is one of the trades’ biggest money sinks.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(4:22) Why coaching is an important part of customer implementation
-
(11:41) How poor inventory management erodes trust in a business
-
(18:46) Advice for contractors considering a coaching collaboration
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- ServiceTitan Professional Service Partners
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Brothers David and Michael Katz came to America in 2015 with only a killer work ethic and a dream. In July 2021, they figured they would try their hands at HVAC.
Their hard work certainly paid off. In 2023, their business, TRIO Heating and Air Conditioning, will clear $10 million in revenue.
David and Michael spared some of their time at Pantheon 2023 to talk about what they’ve learned about implementing new business processes, employee relations, and why environmental care is a staple of their brand.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(6:24) Unpacking and implementing new practices from Pantheon
-
(16:10) How an internal survey spurred a dramatic rebrand
-
(23:27) Why shop tours are worth every second of your time
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
Home Service Millionaire by Tommy Mello
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan?Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Everyone in the trades knows we’ve needed a spotlight on the need to grow the next generation of technicians, plumbers, and other vital services.
That’s why Scott Caron is proud to be an analyst and technical advisor for the 7th Annual Elite Trades Championship Series. He thinks a nationally televised competition like the ETCS, where the finest in their fields compete for clout and cash, is just the shot in the arm our industries need.
In the second half of our conversation with Scott, we chatted about attracting younger workers into the trades through “edutainment,” school partnerships… and, of course, the 7th ETCS, which begins airing Fridays on CBS Sports starting December 8th.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(2:46) Designing balanced competitions with impartial outcomes
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(17:34) Why “edutainment” is vital to attracting new talent to the trades
-
(35:25) Educating people about niche trade opportunities
-
(51:22) Setting the table for Round One of the ETCS
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Elite Trades Championship Series
- Scott Caron
- When Hard Work Pays Off: The ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship 2022 with Mack Shwert
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
As a New England native, Scott Caron, Owner of Caron Electric in Lexington, Massachusetts, grew up a fan of the local home improvement TV show This Old House. So when his sister called him about an opportunity with its spinoff, Ask This Old House, he jumped at the chance.
Little did he know his on-air talents would take him to the 2023 Elite Trades Championship Series, airing on CBS Sports this December!
In our exclusive interview, Scott tells us how his childhood fascination with tinkering grew into a media career in multiple trades-focused productions, including color commentator for the ETCS.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(3:18) How a love for hands-on projects blossomed into a trades career
-
(17:56) Mentorship and what to look for in good tech candidates
-
(28:53) Pivoting from fan to cast member on Ask This Old House
-
(40:03) Why it’s important to show up authentically, on and off-camera
*Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-* Elite Trades Championship Series
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
When Spencer Tippetts, Director of Business Development at Rainforest Plumbing & Air, joined the family business in 2019 to help expand their residential unit, he knew they had opportunities for improvement.
Employee turnover, mismanagement, and outdated processes were all pain points that were impacting their bottom line… not to mention the company’s culture. So Spencer got to work on helping his dad and brother turn things around with some tricks he learned from his corporate days.
Spencer gives the inside scoop on bringing commercial and residential services together in a family business by building them around the customers they serve.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(6:58) Encouraging dissenting opinions during family “rumbles”
-
(12:46) The cashflow advantage to operating multiple services
-
(21:01) Scaling a new division with universal business practices
-
(27:32) The cultural impact of giving your employees a voice
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Let’s Rumble by Brene Brown
- Tony Robbins Results Coaching
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Contractors across the country continue to struggle with putting technicians in their trucks.
But Ryan Englin, CEO of Core Matters, believes those entrepreneurs don’t have a hiring problem. They have a retention problem. And it’s because too many employers focus on showmanship over substance in job postings and interviews.
Drop in to hear Ryan dish out some hard-hitting truth about why owner-operators need to be more authentic in their recruitment processes if they want to hire better people faster.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(5:07) The marketing issue behind recruitment and retention
-
(10:31) How authenticity can make or break working relationships
-
(19:14) Intangibles you actually should be looking for in new candidates
-
(30:45) Proof of concept mistakes to avoid during interviews
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Talent Tackle Box
- PDP Global ProScan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan?Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
If you couldn’t make it to the incredible Pantheon 2023 conference in Orlando, then don’t worry — we’re bringing the party to your ears!
We sat down with over a half dozen incredible men and women in the trades, who each gave us a little taste of their experience at this year’s event. From networking tips to new tech teasers, you won’t want to miss these insights from some of the finest minds in the industry.
Join us as we sit down with:
-
(1:35) Mary Anglen, Executive Director at Lightfoot Mechanical Services
-
(9:51) Rick Vines, Master Plumber at Vines Plumbing and Water Restoration
-
(16:44) Lincoln Walpole, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Office Operations at Any Hour Services
-
(23:41) Justin Tarr, President of Daffy Ducts
-
(33:08) Aizik Zimmerman, CEO of J. Blanton Plumbing
-
(41:18) David Brewster, Owner of Aqua Clear Water Systems, and Lydia Brewster, Warehouse and Marketing Manager at Aqua Clear Water Systems
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan?Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
It takes hard work and resolve to succeed in the trades. That’s why the theme for this year’s Pantheon conference is “Journey to the Top.” And to help celebrate this sold-out extravaganza, we’re bringing on some of the top-tier talent at this year’s event!
To kick us off, Brianna Skiffington, Chief Product Officer of Ad Leverage, and Amanda Triolo, CEO of Grasshopper Heating & Cooling, join the show in sunny Orlando, Florida. We talk about the challenges with pivoting to residential services, ChatGPT, and we give a sneak peek into ServiceTitan’s new ad optimization platform.
Join us as we discuss:
-
Pivoting from commercial services and financial hurdles (1:45)
-
The secret to a well-oiled trades and marketing marriage (10:51)
-
Taking in the full Pantheon 2023 experience (15:28)
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-
CXC.ai
-
Marketing Pro Ads Optimizer
-
Craig Groschel Leadership Podcast
- Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan?Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
“Is There a Killer in Your Basement?”
A lot’s changed since Bill Heffernan, President of Master Chimney Sweepers, led one of his customer mailers with that dubious line in the 1990s. But his passion for educating customers on the dangers of neglecting their fireplace chimneys and other vents has never wavered.
Bill and his son and Sales Director, Tom Heffernan, give us a peek into the modern-day chimney sweep industry and how much it’s evolved since Bill founded his business in 1977.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(3:42) How the ‘70s energy crisis influenced the chimney sweep industry
-
(16:36) Incorporating outside industry tactics into your sales strategy
-
(23:47) Why direct mail is still a bona fide marketing tactic
-
(31:55) The power of collaboration in a small family business
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
It’s time for contractors to face a harsh reality.
The trades thrived during Covid while many people were trapped in their homes, but now the free ride is over. And home service providers everywhere are starting to feel the impact on their bottom lines.
But Tommy Mello, Owner of A1 Garage Door Service, and Al Levi, Founder of The 7-Power Contractor, think this is a chance for owner-operators to grab growth by the horns.
Tommy and Al hold nothing back as they explain why now is the time for contractors to improve efficiencies, double down on marketing, and explore acquisition opportunities.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(2:49) Building on internal processes during the slow times
-
(7:41) Making tough choices and a common pricing mistake
-
(23:17) The keys to smart marketing and branding
-
(36:21) Why many contractors don’t consider acquisitions
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- The Home Service Millionaire
- Elevate: Build a Business Where Everybody Wins
- The Home Service Expert Podcast
- The 7-Power Contractor: Run Your Contracting Business With Less Stress and More Success
- Freedom 2023
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Adam Fuseman, CFO of Fuse Service in San Jose, California, left Russia for America in 2017 with the hope of becoming an IT professional. But that all changed after a friend convinced Adam to join his appliance repair business.
That experience spurred Adam to start his own home and commercial service company, which has exploded into a $40 million 25-location franchise.
Adam and Fuse’s CEO, Stan Pakarin, join us to tell their incredible stories of how two Russian immigrants came together to share an American dream.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(9:51) Immigration roadblocks to starting a new business
-
(16:41) How a YouTube channel brought the two partners together
-
(26:43) Expanding and optimizing new service lines and processes
-
(34:48) Learning to trust people so you can delegate with confidence
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Praxis
- Adam FUSEMAN
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
“Good help sure is hard to find” is a familiar rallying cry for contractors these days. Now, consider this…
What if you had plenty of eager young talent waiting right outside your door but were legally bound not to hire them?
Believe it or not, it’s a battle that Matt LaMartina, President and GM of Tony LaMartina Plumbing Company, and his fellow contractors in St. Louis are fighting today.
Hear how Matt has been leveraging partnerships, including the competition, to continue scaling his business as they fight for the right to employ more local apprentices.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(7:45) Trying not to “grow broke” while meeting customer needs
-
(18:18) Why you need to offer customers more than a phone number
-
(24:23) How a partnership with a local school evolved into a fight for labor
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Nexstar
- Ranken Technical Institute
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Finding and implementing new business insights can be one of the biggest challenges for owner-operators and managers in the trades. Who’s got time to chase new ideas when you’re constantly “putting out fires?”
But when Blake Wiltshire, Director of Residential Services at Althoff Industries, and his fellow leaders left town for a three-day business planning and budgeting seminar, everything changed. By taking time to separate himself from the everyday chaos, Blake’s outlook on strategic growth completely shifted.
Blake drops by to share his insights on business planning, budgeting, and why prioritizing goals is key to not breaking your processes during insane growth.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(2:15) Rising from entry-level office grunt to an operational lead
-
(8:08) How moving training off-site can boost learning input
-
(15:52) Why business planning and budgeting are in separate buckets
-
(22:40) Advice to owner-operators who are considering big changes
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- EGIA
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Home services is bound by a universal truth — homeowners reach out to contractors when they have a problem that needs to be solved. So when people see or hear your ads, the chances are they don’t need you at all… yet.
Then how do you make sure you’re the first person they think of when they need help?
You guide your marketing to make them feel something.
Ryan Chute, Partner at Wizard of Ads, explains how neuroscience in branding can help you tell a story that empathizes with your target audience so you’re top-of-mind in your market.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(3:44) Why home services is such a challenging industry to market
-
(6:16) The neuroscience behind successful brand storytelling
-
(18:27) The “magic” behind ad spend in local markets
-
(25:40) An example of a wildly successful ad campaign
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- WizardofAds.Contractors
-
The Wizard of Ads: Turning Words into Magic and Dreamers into Millionaires (The Wizard of Ads Series, Volume 1) by Roy H. Williams
-
Drain Magic
-
KickCharge Creative
-
Wizard Academy
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Tasha Roberts knew she had a lot to learn after suddenly having to step in to lead her parents’ business, ASAP Commercial Doors, in 2016. But thanks to her relentless drive to learn from industry leaders across different trades, she’s helped triple the company’s growth in that time.
Now the president of ASAP, Tasha has led the company through a rebrand, gone all in on the commercial sector, and built an apprenticeship program that champions values over experience.
Hear how Tasha navigated the early years after her unexpected transition into the trades and why she believes attitude can make or break a family business.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(1:45) Being thrust into the trades after a serious life event
-
(8:54) Making space to learn the business by delegating
-
(17:02) A dramatic rebrand and committing to commercial services
-
(28:01) An apprenticeship program built on core values
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- The Ed Mylett Show
- Prolific Brand Design
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Lamont Page, a service technician at Worley's Home Services in Yorktown, VA, is no stranger to long days with nonstop work calls. But soon after starting at Worley’s, his bosses told him to do something extraordinary — stop working so hard.
That’s when they shipped him off to Arizona to work with Derrek Hofrichter, Business Coach and Trainer at Service Business Evolution (SBE). SBE works with technicians to up their sales game by building real relationships with their customers. And it starts with listening and asking questions.
Tune in to hear Lamont’s story and coaching insights from Derrek as we unpack a human-to-human approach to the technician sales process.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(10:10) How focusing on relationships builds customer equity
-
(23:45) Why techs need to ask good questions to gain trust
-
(33:37) What sets the sales experts apart from the amateurs
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz
- The HVAC Apprentice podcast
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Lots of marketers have shifted their focus from the mailbox to the inbox, but the numbers don’t lie.
Direct mail is still one of the most reliable vehicles for customer engagement.
As Guy Fashano, Sales Manager at MSI Mailing Systems, points out — digital marketing isn’t the only player in town that can harness data to track ROI and open rates.
Hear how direct mail marketing can help you retain customers and build brand equity for your business in 2023 and beyond!
Join us as we discuss:
-
(5:13) The tangible benefits and staying power of direct mail
-
(14:05) How direct mail can help boost your brand equity
-
(30:17) Practical tips for starting your first direct mail campaign
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- guy@msimail.net
-
Call or text Guy with your questions at 916-769-5200
-
Raiser’s Edge NXT
-
Marketing Pro Direct Mail Tool
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Private equity is a hot topic in the trades, especially for family-owned businesses. But how can business operators know when it’s the right time to sell — and when not to?
To help answer that question, we talked with Amber Gaige, Founder of Saber Marketing Group. From growing up in a family of contractors to selling her own business to private equity in 2018, Amber has seen it all.
Amber shares how she’s helping prepare other owners for their transition into the world of private equity and streamlining marketing efforts for family-owned businesses.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(9:24) The culture shock from partnering with private equity
-
(18:15) How to determine if you’re ready for a PE partnership
-
(25:03) Why marketing should be one of your critical systems
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
-
Potty Talk: Why Some Marketing Works and Some Should Just Be Flushed
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Hello, Contractors! For your holiday enjoyment, we’re revisiting one of our favorite conversations starring Keith Mercurio.
Keith is the Senior Director of Executive Success at ServiceTitan and founder/CEO of Ethical Influence Global, and his insights on leadership, training, and mindset are a goldmine for entrepreneurs.
So as you’re prepping your grill this 4th of July, tune in to hear one of our industry leader’s thoughts on overcoming your business’ biggest hurdle for growth… YOU!
Join us as we discuss:
-
(6:02) Deconstructing preconceived notions around the trades
-
(16:08) How owners can be their own worst growth constraint
-
(28:52) Personal development and resetting your mindset
-
(39:24) Transforming false positivity into powerful thinking
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life by Byron Katie and Stephen Mitchell
- The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miquel Ruiz
- Making Sense podcast by Sam Harris
- The Tim Ferriss Show podcast by Tim Ferriss
- Ted Radio Hour on NPR
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
A lot of contractors don’t spend much time thinking about how their personal branding may reflect on their business. But as Eric Thomas, President of Rival Digital and Host of the Smart HVAC Marketing podcast, reminds us in this episode, people buy from people.
Everything you say or do in digital channels, especially social media, impacts your reputation for better or worse. And if you don’t take control of your narrative, then others will eventually define it for you.
Eric breaks down personal branding in the trades while reminding contractors who the real heroes of their stories are.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(6:42) Multiplying your networking reach through podcasting
-
(13:22) Why contractors need to stop trying to be the heroes
-
(20:06) Mastering your digital footprint in personal channels
-
(25:08) How Red Robin became a part of Eric’s online persona
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Rival Digital
- Smart HVAC Marketing
- ServiceTitan Referrals
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Mike Rudolf, COO at Sila Services, and his colleagues knew they needed to form valuable partnerships if they were going to fulfill their vision for growth. So they teamed up with ServiceTitan and private equity to step up their expansion efforts.
But now they had a new problem. How would they efficiently integrate these new best practices in 23 locations? Thus, Sila’s Center of Excellence (CoE) was born. By funneling their subject matter experts through the CoE, Sila is continually evolving to keep up with their incredible growth.
Mike and the CoE’s director, Marisa Samuel, gives us an exclusive peek into how the CoE makes their people and processes better, stronger, and faster by bringing creative champions together.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(6:17) Sila Services’ partnerships and rapid two-year growth
-
(9:54) Identifying the need for the Center of Excellence
-
(18:07) Maintaining the CoE and measuring practical benefits
-
(25:07) A business-in-a-business structure for subject matter experts
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Mike Rudolf
-
Sila Services
-
Pantheon 2023
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Jason Rich joined the family business as a wrench-turner like his father, but the GM of Paradise Plumbing & Air Conditioning in Broward County, Florida, steadily morphed into an operations guru.
After spending his early years wearing many different hats, Jason realized they needed to fuel their operational and marketing efforts if they wanted to kick their growth up a notch.
Jason shares how a private equity partnership and a renewed focus on technology and brand awareness are securing their family business for generations to come.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(8:59) Ensuring legacy through a private equity partnership
-
(16:41) Boosting online presence and operational tech
-
(21:07) Why the call center is the heartbeat of operations
-
(25:18) Promoting short-form videos on social media
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Jason Rich
- Paradise Plumbing & Air Conditioning
- Legacy Service Partners
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Alyssa Rogers, Vice President at Rogers Heating & Cooling, is the ultimate hype woman for her team.
Alyssa first dipped her toe into the trades by using her sales and marketing background to help her husband give their small-town family business a much-needed facelift. Now, she’s pushing people to “grow out of their seats” by giving leadership opportunities to anyone who wants to achieve bigger personal goals.
Alyssa tells us how they grew their South Boston, Virginia business tenfold through branding, mentorship, and speaking business objectives into existence.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(5:52) Branding and finding leaders in a small town
-
(14:40) Why personal goal-setting matters for your team
-
(20:10) How networking opens up new opportunities
-
(30:40) Podcasting as a local recruiting tool
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Alyssa Rogers
- Rogers Heating & Cooling
- Rogers Radio podcast
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
How many hours do you spend monthly, or even weekly, on mundane tasks like creating SOPs or typing emails? ChatGPT and other AI tools are revolutionizing industries by taking the busy work off professionals’ plates, and the trades are no exception.
The technology has made believers of Brianna Skiffington, Chief Product Officer of Ad Leverage, and Amanda Triolo, CEO of Grasshopper Heating & Cooling. They’re using ChatGPT to take their time back so they can focus on productivity and profitability.
Brianna and Amanda talk about their marketing match made in heaven and how AI is impacting their respective fields for the better.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(4:05) Leveraging marketing agencies to help grow your business
-
(9:04) How ChatGPT is impacting the trades industry
-
(16:52) Using AI and automation tools to streamline mundane work
-
(27:04) Empowering female leadership in the trades
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-
Brianna Skiffington
-
Ad Leverage
-
Amanda Triolo
-
Grasshopper Heating & Cooling
-
Open.ai
-
CXC.ai
- Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
- https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Angie Snow, our Principle Industry Advisor here at ServiceTitan, is one of our industry’s top experts on CSRs and call center culture. Leaning on 15 years of experience at Western Heating & Air Conditioning in Orem, Utah, Angie has trained many companies on customer call etiquette and sales tactics. So, of course, she was the top choice to answer your burning questions on the subject in this episode of our Toolbox on Call series.
Tune in to hear answers to your burning questions about upselling memberships, customer reviews, booking rates, and more!
Join us as we discuss:
-
(3:47) Justifying your value proposition in customer memberships
-
(9:01) Why customer reviews are essential to continued growth
-
(17:34) Qualifying customers by asking the right questions
-
(28:18) Basing CSR incentives on your desired outcomes
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Call 818-600-7185 to have your questions answered on a future Toolbox on Call episode!
- Western Heating & Air Conditioning
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
The water treatment industry is booming in the home services market. Just like with HVAC or plumbing, the competition can be fierce. So how do Jonathan Brewster, VP of Business Development at Aqua Clear Water Systems, and his family stay ahead of the pack?
They look outside their industry to find new perspectives so they can set themselves apart from the crowd.
Jonathan spills the secret sauce on his water treatment company’s dynamic marketing tactics and how they build client relationships for life.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(4:08) Being part of a father-son tag team in the trades
-
(8:45) Standing out with the Nightingale Principle
-
(14:19) Breaking down a dynamic sales presentation
-
(18:56) A golden opportunity for plumbing businesses
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Jonathan Brewster
- Aqua Clear Water Systems
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
When a client approached Stephanie Postell with a job offer in HVAC marketing during her time as a personal trainer, she had no idea where this journey would take her. Today, about ten years later, she and her husband own and operate Anchor Heating and Air in Charleston, South Carolina.
The road to get there wasn’t easy, but the former kindergarten teacher stuck to a principle that she’s paying forward to other prospective business owners — be stubborn.
Stephanie shares how she planned for Anchor’s success from day one by creating foundational procedures, pricing appropriately, and keeping a teaching mentality.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(6:26) Pivoting a teaching background into technician training
-
(15:20) Pricing, appearance, and leaving a lasting impression
-
(22:48) Why you need to plan for success from day one
-
(28:29) Owning mistakes and empowering a teambuilding culture
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Stephanie Postell
-
Anchor Heating and Air
-
Nexstar Network
-
Torch Network
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
When are lessons learned and reputations made? When we get hit with the tough stuff.
We celebrate our Season 8 kickoff with the return of Ellen Rohr, President of Zoom Drain in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Since we last spoke with Ellen, Zoom Drain has expanded from 15 to 40 locations coast to coast. And they’ve done it by leaning into the problem and doing right by everyone.
Ellen spills the secret sauce on how the folks at Zoom Drain plan, execute, and measure results as they power their brand forward through 2023 and beyond.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(13:21) Building strategic relationships through referral marketing
-
(21:48) ServiceTitan’s upcoming Pantheon 2023 trades conference
-
(32:02) Connecting back to your “why” during big changes
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-
ServiceTitan Pantheon 2023
-
Zoom Drain
-
Ellen Rohr
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
When Mack Shwert first got his invitation to the inaugural ServiceTitan HVAC Championship, he was shocked. He thought there was no way he could handle a live competition under the bright lights. But after getting some encouragement from his family, the HomeServe, USA technician packed his bags and made the trip to Tampa.
A few days later, he was crowned the ServiceTitan HVAC Championship winner.
Mack shares his experience in the competition and gives his boots-on-the-ground perspective on apprenticeships and employee retainment.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(3:02) The ServiceTitan HVAC Championship 2022 experience
-
(15:14) Hiring customer-focused technicians and training
-
(19:19) Best and worst boss experiences
-
(25:18) Technician salaries and good retention practices
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-
ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship 2022
-
HomeServe, USA
-
HVAC Technician Salaries in 2022
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
What if every home service contractor had immediate access to real-time HVAC maintenance data at the push of a button? By integrating user-friendly sensors with forward-thinking software, the folks at SmartAC.com are changing the game in the home service business.
Josh Teekell, SmartAC.com’s founder and CEO, tells us how contractors can use measurable data to build trust with consumers and open up new possibilities in service agreements.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(2:58) How performance data feedback reinforces customer relationships
-
(10:11) Why proactive maintenance equals more conversions
-
(22:39) Reinforcing traditional strategies with data tools
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Josh Teekell
- SmartAC.com
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
When husband-wife team Kylon Gienger and Teliah Gienger began their entrepreneurial journey, they had a pretty good idea of what they were getting themselves into. But they’ve learned some valuable lessons about strategic small business acquisitions along the way.
Having purchased Hurliman Heating and Air and Plumb- tech Heating and Cooling
in the Pacific Northwest last year, they share valuable insight on how they’ve successfully purchased and operated multiple small businesses in the trades.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(4:05) Lessons learned from multiple small business acquisitions
-
(15:11) Finding the right people for your entrepreneurial vision
-
(25:58) Advice for people considering a trades acquisition
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Kylon Gienger
- Teliah Gienger
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
A diverse leadership team in the trades is about more than checking off a culture reform box. By bringing in people with unique experiences from outside the trades, you can empower your employees to see opportunities from every angle.
Jason Brady, Owner and CEO of Above and Beyond LLC, shares how his approach to bringing men and women from different walks of life into his business has paved the way for exponential growth.
Join us as we discuss:
-(5:17) Why failure is vital to sustainable growth
-
(11:27) Personality types and their role in leadership
-
(22:15) Hiring leaders from outside the trades
-
(28:44) How diverse leadership empowers employees
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Jason Brady
- Above and Beyond LLC
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
When Laura Thornton and her husband, Ronnie, founded their plumbing business, TNT Home Services, they could not have imagined what lay in store for their family.
During an incredible six-year stretch of growth, they knew only dynamic decision-making would give their employees and clients the best experiences possible.
Laura shares how commitment to community and real-time adjustments are a winning formula for dynamic, sustainable growth.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(8:50) Taking a dynamic approach to incredibly fast growth
-
(15:15) Making real-time adjustments with different technology tools
-
(21:22) Opportunities for women in the trade
-
(31:37) High school and community recruiting partnerships
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Laura Thornton
- TNT Home Services
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Tommy Mello is a titan in the trades industry. But in 2012, the owner of A1 Garage Door Services and author of Home Service Millionaire hit the lowest point of his career. Facing payroll issues, internal theft, and maximum burnout, Tommy took a step back to reevaluate the “why” behind the outcomes of his actions.
Tommy shares how he shifted his focus back to investing in people and how fellow contractors can avoid leading their company to the brink.
Join us as we discuss
-
(6:01) Leaving a legacy of caring for and investing in people
-
(12:48) Acknowledging your weaknesses in a leadership position
-
(20:49) Surrounding yourself with people who make you better
-
(34:18) Addressing the victim mentality of struggling contractors
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Tommy Mello
- A1 Garage Door Services
- Home Service Millionaire
- Elevate: Build a Business Where Everybody Wins
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
After 10 years in the travel industry, Ashley Gulevich was ready for a change. After joining her family at a trades boot camp that could help level up her parents’ business, Coastal Heat Pumps, she knew she was in it for the long haul.
Now the General Manager at Coastal, Ashley has applied the skills she acquired from her previous career to help scale the family business. And she shares what else she’s learned about listening and systems management during her five years at Coastal.
Join us as we discuss:
(5:40) Why listening is a skill that instills action and growth
(12:12) How she translated her travel industry experience to the trades
(24:57) The importance of self-care for working professionals
(35:23) Dealing with misconceptions as a woman in the trades
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Ashley Gulevich
- Coastal Heat Pumps
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
As third-generation tradesmen, Joseph Gee, CEO of Gee Heating and Air in North Atlanta, and his brother Jacob Gee, the company CFO, are building a culture of winners.
After taking over the family business, they immediately implemented a joint vision for growth. And they had a simple message for everyone else at Gee: come with us or get out of our way.
In this episode, Joseph and Jacob tell us about their shared passion for shattering goals and how they empower employees to do the same.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(5:54) Navigating change after taking over the family business
-
(26:04) Implementing new systems centered around problem-solving
-
(37:05) Focusing on customer relationships during seasonal slowdowns
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Gee Heating and Air
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Contractor associations are in a unique position of being able to draw talent from their membership pool to tackle big projects. And the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, or SMACNA, is no exception.
As an international group with chapters across four countries, SMACNA bids on multiple “mega” projects involving thousands of workers. But even an organization as large as theirs has to be wary of biting off more than it can chew.
SMACNA’s CEO, Aaron Hilger, shares his valuable insights on project management, strategies for growth, and elevating universal opinion of the trades.
Join us as we discuss:
-
(9:45) How unionized contractor groups tackle mega projects
-
(19:48) Five tips for successful project management at any level
-
(30:50) Why reinvesting in people is critical to long-term success
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Aaron Hilger
-
SMACNA
-
MEP Innovation Conference
-
MCAA
-
NECA
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
When his father became very ill, Pete Bradham suddenly had to step in and take the reins of their family business.For years, they had gotten by on respected word-of-mouth in Charlotte, North Carolina. As General Manager, Pete knew that if their company, Bradham Brothers, was going to continue growing, they had to change or die.
Pete tells us how valuable mentors helped him through the tough transition of taking over leadership as a second-generation tradesman.
Join us as we discuss:
-
Why communication is a valuable skill in the trades (3:41)
-
The unexpected transition in leadership from father to son (10:50)
-
How multiple mentors helped Pete stay the course (20:52)
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Pete Bradham
-
Bradham Brothers
-
Bradham Brothers onboard with ServiceTitan
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
In 2019, Ismael Valdez, CEO at Nexgen Air Conditioning Heating and Plumbing, was ready to give it all up.
After several years of quietly fighting alone to keep his business afloat, Ismael accepted a colleague’s helping hand. And now, three years later, Ismael is living his best life in the trades.
In this episode, Ismael opens up about his ownership struggles, a personal battle with addiction, and the day he almost quit the trades.
Join us as we discuss:
-
What led to the infamous moment when Ismael wanted to give up (2:58)
-
Why struggling contractors need to open up and ask for help (12:26)
-
Avoiding burnout during the year-long business grind (17:42)
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Ismael Valdez
- Nexgen Air Conditioning Heating and Plumbing
- Wrench Group
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
A lot of small business owners in the trades are technical experts in their respective crafts.
But Jason Arthur , Owner of Eighty-Seven Degrees Coaching , says that most of those entrepreneurs neglect the one thing that dictates their long-term growth outlook: their budget. And too many are reluctant to ask for help.
Jason shares how his former employee experiences shaped his coaching philosophy and how small business owners can create a solid budgeting culture.
Join us as we discuss:
- (3:44) Why Jason saw a need to start his coaching business
- (11:44) Creating an accountable budget reporting culture
- (25:44) Integrating employees into the budget creation process
- (31:00) Memorable stories from the clients’ perspective
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Jason Arthur
- Eighty-Seven Degrees Coaching
- jason@87helps.com
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Texas Medley , CEO of Medley Heating & Air Conditioning , hated the trades as a kid.
But after a multi-year stint in grocery retail, he began his journey to build his dream $50 million mom n’ pop HVAC business.
Texas shares how realigning his priorities and laying a strong foundation of family culture set his company up for future growth.
Join us as we discuss:
- (5:50) Negative stigma attached to the trades
- (20:38) Shifting mindset to escape the “rat race” mentality
- (33:30) The importance of strong culture and positive reinforcement
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Texas Medley
- Medley Heating & Air Conditioning
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Travis Smith was practically born into the trades. He started working for his father full-time out of high school before taking over the family business - Sky Heating, AC, Plumbing, and Electrical - in 2015.
A few years later, he partnered with a private equity firm to help bolster his company with extra resources and training. Today, he believes they were a perfect fit for each other.
In this episode, Travis shares his thoughts on private equity and why he believes selling his business is one of the best decisions he ever made.
Join us as we discuss:
- (5:44) Travis’ early ownership struggles and change-ups
- (23:33) The decision to partner with a private equity group
- (41:34) Advice for owners considering private equity
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- P1
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
As one of the largest HVAC service providers in the Southwest, the folks at Goettl Air Conditioning & Plumbing have a clear vision for growth. And it starts with a solid foundation built by strong leadership and a willingness to change.
Their VP of Sales, Dale Steele , told us how authenticity and a positive mindset have elevated their techs and sales team and set Goettl on the path to success.
Join us as we discuss:
- (25:13) The importance of authentic human connections
- (34:17) Training technicians in impromptu sales
- (44:17) Maintaining team alignment and a positive mindset
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Dale Steele
- Goettl Air Conditioning & Plumbing
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Running a small business as a working mom is tough. Doing it alongside your spouse adds a whole other set of challenges.
But a shared vision, defined roles, and consistent communication can help ensure a happy partnership - in the marriage and at work.
Leslie Harpole , Owner of Champion Plumbing , talks with us about being a mom in the trades and how she and her husband, Brent, support each other as co-owners.
Join us as we discuss:
- (1:59) Getting into the trades as a working mom
- (14:56) Challenges of partnering with a spouse in business
- (27:41) The LadyTitans and women in the trades today
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Leslie Harpole
- Champion Plumbing
- LadyTitans Facebook
- LadyTitans Youtube
- Women in HVACR
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Sustainability is a cornerstone of running a business.
Lowering your carbon footprint is cheaper than you might think. Not only does a sustainable business model promote goodwill in your community, but it is also profitable and efficient.
Dale Jackson , Owner of Jackson Services , tells us how his commercial HVAC business has generated positive buzz by embracing sustainable money-saving technology.
Join us as we discuss:
- (10:57) Benefits of a sustainable operating model
- (19:32) The technology niche in new construction
- (30:30) Why commercial HVAC is critical in the trades
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-
Dale Jackson
-
Jackson Services
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Employment expectations are not a one-way street in any industry.
Managers must understand their employees’ needs, be it work-life balance or commute time. As trade businesses struggle to find and retain technicians, they must be willing to meet recruits where they are.
Phillip Mize , CFO of Happy Hiller Plumbing, HVAC, & Electrical Services , told us how their training school, Total Tech , has helped them build a better - and motivated - workforce.
Join us as we discuss:
- (8:00) How Total Tech has helped Hiller with its rapid growth
- (11:59) Walmart’s recruiting push for technicians
- (21:56) Hiller’s connection to the US Army and preparing America’s Heroes for life after enlistment
- (24:50) The high costs of employee turnover
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Happy Hiller Plumbing, HVAC, & Electrical Services
- Total Tech School
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
We want your feedback! Share your thoughts on today’s episode by taking this 10-second survey .
In this episode, we’re taking to the phones and answering questions from you - our dear listeners!
Tom Howard, VP of Customer Experience at ServiceTitan, and Eddie McFarlane, President of Haller Enterprises, join us for a roundtable discussion on training, inventory management, and business growth.
Tom and Eddie share valuable insight on multiple challenges, from attracting new talent to confronting the scarcity mindset.
Join us as we discuss:
- (1:40) Recruiting young service techs and implementing training centers
- (22:55) Rising material costs and warehouse inventory control
- (47:32) Planning for sustainable business growth
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Haller Enterprises
-
Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
-
Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller
-
On Marketing
-
Red Notice
-
Emotionally Agility
-
Bias Interrupted
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
We want your feedback! Share your thoughts on today’s episode by taking this 10-second survey .
John Akhoian, CEO of Rooter Hero Plumbing, jumped into the trades as a teenager after his father passed away.
But what started as a means of supporting his family has evolved into a multimillion-dollar plumbing and HVAC business atop the California market.
John returns to the show to update us on his company’s progress post-COVID and talk about his new book, Temporarily Broken: The John Akhoian Story.
Join us as we discuss:
- (6:09) The strengths of a shared service business model
- (16:35) How peer groups contribute to personal development
- (28:28) Working with the team on the frontlines during COVID
- (30:42) Why John decided to write his latest book
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Rooter Hero Plumbing
- Temporarily Broken: The John Akhoian Story
- Hero Talk
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
A lot of things in life come full circle, and today as we celebrate Toolbox for the Trades’ 100th episode, we’re bringing back one of our most impactful and well known guests.
Ken Goodrich, CEO of Goettl Air Conditioning & Plumbing, was our first guest way back in April of 2020 and today he makes a triumphant return for the show’s 100th episode.
100 episodes is a lot of ground to cover, but there’s no shortage of insight from Ken to help you build your business. Ken’s wisdom was so profound, my show’s producer was scribbling away notes on how to run his business better.
Join us as we discuss:
- How Ken pushed the envelope and built a $250M dollar company (11:13)
- Recruitment pitches that work for today’s labor market (23:13)
- Private equity and how it can help grow your business (37:04)
- Ken’s advice on how to deal with investors at scale (52:58)
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-
Ken Goodrich
-
Goettl Air Conditioning & Plumbing
- The E-Myth HVAC Contractor
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
With a global recession looming, businesses and their customers are tightening their belt buckles. Heaters and toilets will always need fixing, but what does a shrinking economy mean for the bottom line in the trades?
Collin Hathaway, Owner of Guardian Roofing and Founder and CEO of Flint Group, joins us to recount his experience with investing in the trades during the 2008 recession. He believes that, even in a slower market, opportunities exist to improve on your business.
Of course, with economic uncertainty often comes financial stress; Collin shares his stance on self-care in an industry that often stigmatizes mental health.
Join us as we discuss:
- How Collin managed to keep his first business afloat in a recession (7:11)
- What opportunities trade companies can seize in a down market (13:47)
- Steps for securing a business ahead of a looming recession (20:45)
- Collin’s take on stress and mental health in the workplace (30:45)
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-
Collin Hathaway
-
Flint Group
-
Guardian Roofing & Gutters
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
With a dire need for technicians, trade businesses nationwide are scrambling to find help. Many companies are willing to teach raw recruits from scratch, but what does a culture of quality training look like?
Al Levi, CEO of The 7-Power Contractor, has been consulting with small businesses on training and growth since the 80s. In 2017, he collaborated with Jason Kim, Owner and Service Manager of Zoom Drain - Long Island, and Ray the Plumber.
Al and Jason share their experience with us and give the inside scoop on how you can incorporate a winning training program for techs.
Join us as we discuss:
- How the collaboration between Al and Jason’s people came about (4:38)
- Al’s unique approach to staffing in the trades (13:14)
- The culture adjustment that comes with implementing new training (23:25)
- What results they’ve seen from their training program (34:00)
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Ray the Plumber
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
We’ve heard many stories of men and women in the trades who take a leap of faith to start their own businesses. Typically, those people are hardened veterans of their respective craft.
So, you might say that Rick Vazza, the owner of John Padilla Plumbing Inc. in San Diego, is something of an anomaly.
With zero experience in the trades, Rick bought his plumbing company in 2021. But with his extensive financial planning background, he helped take his team of plumbers to the next level.
Join us as we discuss:
- What prompted Rick to walk away from the world of finance (3:44)
- Rick’s decision to purchase his plumbing business (10:21)
- How his team handled the transition of ownership (21:55)
- Why keeping accounting in-house is important for small businesses (37:18)
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-
Rick Vazza
-
John Padilla Plumbing Inc.
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Everyone is searching for the secret sauce for hit social media content.
For Armando Ramos, owner of Plomero en Phoenix, one catchy jingle was just the right ingredient for his business.
Jingle Stuck in your head? Spotify has you covered
In this episode, Armando shares how business at his dream plumbing company exploded after a 60-second TikTok went viral with over 50 million views.
He also elaborates on how his social media presence has influenced recruiting and his reputation among other local trades.
Join us as we discuss:
- (6:14) Armando’s leap into starting his plumbing business
- (13:20) Plomero en Phoenix being embraced by the Hispanic community
- (15:21) The company’s jingle that went viral on TikTok
- (21:25) How their TikTok account has translated into business success
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- TikTok Armando Ramos
-
Plomero en Phoenix
-
Jingle stuck in your head? Spotify has you covered
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Most men and women in the trades prefer taking care of business in the field over burying their heads in a computer.
My guest, Mike Marcil, Software Coach at Nexstar Network, is on a mission to help businesses maximize their software proficiencies so they can focus on what’s important - servicing their customers.
As a veteran of the ServiceTitan OS since 2014, he knows a thing or two about getting the most out of your software’s potential.
Join us as we discuss:
- Mike’s journey from HVAC sales to trainer
- His observations from Nexstar’s partnership with ServiceTitan
- Why change in the industry is a good thing
- Daily habits that augment your potential with ServiceTitan’s OS
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-
Mike Marcil
-
Nexstar Network
Help ServiceTitan support St. Jude Children's Hospital when you submit a referral: https://refer.servicetitan.com/
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Some of the leading pioneers in the trades are people who want to be part of the solution to a problem that needs fixing.
That’s why my guest, Lina Kurucz, Managing Partner at Plumbing Troopers, Inc., dove head-first into the plumbing business in 2015. She used her marketing background to kickstart a Florida plumbing firm that puts customer needs first.
By leaning on her employees’ expertise, she’s helped set a new standard for trades in her area.
Join us as we discuss:
-
Why Lina saw a need for starting a plumbing enterprise
-
The growing pains of a new business
-
Supporting employees, including mental health awareness
-
Investing in new technology that fulfills custom needs
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-
Lina Kurucz
-
Plumbing Troopers, Inc
Help ServiceTitan support St. Jude Children's Hospital when you submit a referral: https://refer.servicetitan.com/
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
How often are service techs confronted with customer leads that they don’t know how to handle?
Kelcey Summers, President at Service Business Evolution (SBE), and Will Smith, VP of Coaching & Training at SBE, contend that the issue isn’t lack of know-how but the absence of training.
By coaching technicians to work with customers to solve problems rather than push sales, Kelcey and Will believe that businesses will see positive returns on their bottom lines.
Join us as we discuss:
- Why the founder of SBE felt a need to aid technicians through coaching
- How positive reinforcement management can empower technicians
- The culture and ethics behind bridging the customer service gap
- The dichotomy of problem-solving versus product sales
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-
Kelcey Summers
-
Will Smith
Help ServiceTitan support St. Jude Children's Hospital when you submit a referral: https://refer.servicetitan.com/
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
For decades, the American trades have had a regrettable stigma of dirty jobs meant for the uneducated.
My guest, Joshua Page, President of JP Electric and Son, Inc. in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, is on a mission to break down that barrier. Joshua wants to educate our youth and open their eyes to the real potential that awaits them in the trades.
Join us as we discuss:
- Joshua’s journey through the trades into electrical contracting
- How he became a speaking advocate for the trades
- Why the generational gap needs to be addressed
- Using childrens’ books to educate future generations
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Joshua Page TedX Talk
-
www.HusbandFatherEntrepreneur.com
-
www.JoshuaPage.pro
Help ServiceTitan support St. Jude Children's Hospital when you submit a referral: https://refer.servicetitan.com/
Josh's book, "What Does Your Daddy Do?" - available later this year.
You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
It’s a hard combination to both take advice and learn from experience, but that’s what these father and daughter owners have really taken to heart.
Hear our conversation with Chloe Davis and Ben Davis at Express Plumbing Heating & Air:
- Mentorship and deciding to work with your dad
- Why personal growth and people management are intertwined
- Best practices for designing process for people and systems
More information about Chloe and Ben and today’s topics:
- https://expressplumbingidaho.com/
- https://monday.com/
To hear more tales from the trades, follow Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or anywhere you get podcasts.
What’s it like to manage a family of companies with your sisters? Tune in for their amazing story of company growth from one to 217 employees and their plans to double again this decade.
Hear our conversation with sisters Jessica (Howe) Groat, CFO; Jaime Howe, Plumbing Operations Manager; and Haley Howe, GM, Restoration and Flood — all at the Bill Howe Family of Companies:
- How the company began and why they joined the company
- Their unique specialities and career path within Bill Howe
- Advice for contractors
- Developing an aggressive growth plan
More information about Jessica, Jaime, Haley, and today’s topics:
- LinkedIn Profile: Jessica Groat
- LinkedIn Profile: Jaime Howe
- LinkedIn Profile: Haley Howe
- Company Website: https://www.billhowe.com/
To hear more tales from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or anywhere you get podcasts.
If you want superhero technicians, you have to provide them with superhero tools like taking a picture of a data plate and immediately knowing the history of that unit.
Emerging technologies have enabled efficiencies and safety measures that technicians have never known before. But the best part: The tech eliminates the physical toll.
Hear our conversation with Aaron Salow, CEO of XOi Technologies:
- Learning curves in business & an understanding of XOi Technologies
- Working w/ technicians to make their job more efficient
- Building tech & customer relationships
- What’s next for Aaron & advice to the listeners
More information about Aaron and today’s topics:
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-aaron-salow-58420a8/
Company Website: https://xoi.io/
To hear more tales from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or anywhere you get podcasts.
Think about data as levers you can pull to optimize outcomes for your company. Put that way, it doesn’t sound quite so overwhelming to get started in data.
Hear our conversation with Tyson Freeman, Head of Contractor Advisory Services at ServiceTitan:
- Why contractors should care about data
- Company-wide data goals need employee buy-in
- How to get started in data reporting
More information about Tyson and today’s topics:
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyson-freeman-30511084/
- Company Website: https://www.servicetitan.com/
To hear more tales from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or anywhere you get podcasts.
Want to build an undeniable brand that speaks to the consumer? Well, have a seat on the couch because the brand therapist is in.
Hear our conversation with Dan Antonelli, President and Chief Creative Officer at KickCharge Creative:
- Why disruption matters in branding
- How a weak brand slows your business down
- How to build the foundation for a premium brand
More information about Dan and today’s topics:
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danantonelli/
- Company Website: https://www.kickcharge.com/
- Branded, Not Blanded: https://www.kickcharge.com/tips-tools/our-books-2/
- Purple Cow: https://geni.us/radixpurple
To hear more tales from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or anywhere you get podcasts.
David Noseworthy, Vice President of Corporate Development at Friendly Home Services Group, has worked on both Bay Street and Wall Street but now his focus has turned back to the trades with a very specific goal in mind: unlocking latent potential in employees.
Why, you ask?
Because David and the Friendly Group believe by unlocking the latent potential of each employee, you unlock the potential of the entire company.
Or as David puts it, you’re “doing well by doing good.”
Join us as we discuss:
- The importance of unlocking latent potential in employees
- How mentorship can be mutually beneficial
- Qualities service shops should have if they aspire to be acquired by a private equity group
- Advice for companies looking to scale and grow their companies on their own
- The future of private equity
More information about David and today’s topics:
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drnoseworthy/
- Company Website: https://friendlygroup.com/
To hear more tales from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or anywhere you get podcasts.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
In this episode, I interview Sean McGuire, Director of Innovative Technologies at Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) about what it’s like to work beside contractors working with advancements in technology.
A true tech detective for the trades, Sean encourages listeners to plan for the future, consider augmented reality, and much more.
Join us as we discuss:
Top technology tips for contractors
Predictions for future trends
The importance of continuous education
Overcoming reluctance to change
Data-driven predictive learning
Check out these resources we mentioned:
MCAA Annual Convention
MEP Conference
Award of Lego Thanos Hand with Ctrl + Alt + Del
Trimble XR10
To hear more tales from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, our website, or anywhere you get podcasts.
Today’s guest joined ServiceTitan after running marketing for one of the biggest brands in the trades. If you want to learn how to take your marketing to the next level (and why it’s so important to do your math), you won’t want to miss this episode.
In this episode, I interview ServiceTitan’s own Sarah Ghirardo, Sr. Marketing Operations Manager, about her best wisdom for marketing in the trades.
Join us as we discuss:
- Changing consumers’ thoughts and behavior with branding
- Seasonal campaign tips and insights
- Marketing communities, mentorship, and agency relationships
- Making math a part of your marketing arsenal
Check out these resources we mentioned:
- Purple Cow by Seth Godin
- Lady Titans Community
- Service Champions My Story Playlist on YouTube
- Ep. 82 w/ Cassie Pound
To hear more tales from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or anywhere you get podcasts.
Business leaders make all kinds of mistakes, but here’s a huge one:
You look at your top line and think that makes you successful.
In this episode, I speak with Mike Disney, CEO at CEO Warrior, and Mary Anglen, Senior Advisor at CEO Warrior, about the nine pillars needed to build a true foundation for success — and other common errors of leaders in the trades.
Join us as we discuss:
- Why you need to hear the hurtful truth
- Building a foundation of predictable success
- Major mistakes regarding employees and promotion
- Mike’s and Mary’s favorite pillar: clarity
Check out these resources we mentioned:
- The 9 Pillars That Will Scale Any Business
- Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
To hear more tales from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or anywhere you get podcasts.
When you’re focused on creating five-star experiences for customers, you have to create five-star experiences for employees, too.
Serving people as a core value extends to customers and employees both.
Cassie Pound, Co Owner and Vice President at Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, grew her HVAC company from 10 to nearly 50 employees by focusing equally on customer experience and employee experience.
Join us as we discuss:
-
What it means to be family owned vs. locally owned
-
Creating a competitive employee experience
-
Working with your partner — and your children
-
Changing the narrative about trades to recruit women and young people
To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, our website, or anywhere you get podcasts.
The mindset and outlook has changed in the water treatment industry in the past couple of years. It’s more future-minded and community-oriented than it has ever been before.
In this episode, I speak with Water Quality Association’s Kathleen Burbidge, External Affairs Associate Director, and Eric Yeggy, Technical Affairs Director, about harnessing the opportunity to have a voice together and bolstering the industry with community relationships.
Join us as we discuss:
- A renewed mindset for water treatment professionals
- The successes of WQA’s LEAD mentoring program
- Science-based education and communication about water quality
- Recent community growth in the water treatment industry
Check out these resources we mentioned:
- LEAD Mentoring Program
- WQA’s Upcoming Convention
To hear more tales from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or anywhere you get podcasts.
When you create an ad for your services, do you lead by asking potential clients where they went to college, whether they can juggle or how much they owe the IRS?
That would be insane, right?
Well, in today’s hiring market, leading with a litany of requirements is just as crazy.
That’s one of the many insights Jody Underhill, Senior Partner at Rapid Hire, brings in today’s episode that will help you beat the labor shortage and the strong employee market in the current recruiting landscape.
Join us as we discuss:
-
Why you should ask not what your employees do, but what you can do for them
-
How to get the most out of social media recruiting
-
How to entice too talent with a career and not just a job
Get your free strategy session for a special plan to improve your recruiting here.
You will leave the call with strategies you can implement right away and learn more about the Rapid Hire system.
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, orhere.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
When you learn that your child will have many medical needs before he is born, you have to grow your business fast.
Marriages with a special needs child are 70% likely to fail, and marriages with a co-owned business are 50% likely to fail.
But today’s guests, Richard and Felicia Flourny, Owners at A-Total Plumbing, have not only survived but thrived, growing their solo business to 32 employees and recently undertaking a complete business model shift.
Join us as we discuss:
-
The origin story of A-Total Plumbing
-
Role distribution between Richard and Felicia
-
Switching from home warranty to a retail business model
-
Why the Flournys are hiring a Dream Manager
-
Customer service insights to 4.8 stars across over 1K Google reviews
Check out these resources:
-
Mentor Chris Hunter
-
The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly
-
Ep. 76 w/ Jessie Cannizzaro
To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, our website, or anywhere you get podcasts.
If you’re focused on what’s important, you don’t get tied up in messy distractions day in and day out. Getting the data, the training, and the decisions to your people — and then trusting them to do their work — is key.
In this episode, I speak with Tom Howard, VP Customer Experience at ServiceTitan, about focusing on what matters in customer experience.
Join us as we discuss:
-
Why Tom left finance to go back to the trades
-
Growing Lee’s Air from $2 to $9.4 million, then to $33 million
-
How to scale customer service
-
The role of data and data tracking in empowering employee decisions
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-
The Four-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
-
The Toyota Way by Jeffrey K. Liker
-
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, our website, or anywhere you get podcasts.
Certification isn’t required, but you decide to get it anyway. Licensing, together with field experience, gives you the ability to educate your customers about aerobic septic systems online — making you the county’s premier installer.
In this episode, I speak with Courtney Van Delden, VP and Septic System Specialist at Van Delden Wastewater Systems, about how her online thought leadership has grown her four-generation family business when the county started requiring aerobic.
Join us as we discuss:
-
Flipping a coin with her brother to determine their titles
-
Inheriting a 25-year legacy of septic inspection from her mother
-
Becoming industry thought leaders with an educational blog
-
Shifting from gravity-fed systems to aerobic systems
-
Succession planning for the next iteration of Van Delden
To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, our website, or anywhere you get podcasts.
Entrepreneurship is a natural next step for a lifelong learner who enjoys management and working with people.
It stems from the realization that you just can’t carry the cast iron bathtub up the stairs by yourself and flourishes into a successful pre-apprenticeship program and tight-knit team of employees.
In this episode, I interview Jessie Cannizzaro, Master Plumber and Founder at Milestone Plumbing, Inc., about the past ten years of her relentless, steady company growth.
Join us as we discuss:
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How Jessie’s family came to support plumbing as her career choice
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Achieving master plumber and founding a company before age 30
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A quality emphasis for creating lifelong customers
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Busting the myth of “doing it all” as a female entrepreneur
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The most proud and heartfelt team roster you’ve ever heard
To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, our website, or anywhere you get podcasts.
You and your brother sit down to decide once and for all: Yes, we’re going to outright buy the company from Dad.
A year later, you’ve rebranded, switched to 100% residential, and added two divisions.
How?
In this episode, I interview Jeremy Lewis, President at Gleason Heating, Plumbing, Air and Electric, about how he transformed his family business within the past 12 months.
Join us as we discuss:
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What Jeremy’s buyout was like
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The first steps of onboarding with ServiceTitan and NexStar
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Job costing by the numbers
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Employee retention and growth during massive change
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- HVAC Spells Wealth
- HVAC Masters of the Hustle
To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, orhere.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
If you’re a long-time listener, you know the drill. Today, I’m going to recap some of the best tips, tricks, and tactics shared by this season’s guests.
I’m Jackie Aubel, Senior Content Marketing Manager at ServiceTitan and host of Toolbox for the Trades. Join me for a recap of all the amazing guests we’ve heard from this season.
Listen to our guests speak about:
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How to have a successful business partnership with a spouse or friend
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How to find the right business mentor
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Leading your team
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Delivering exceptional customer service
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Women in the trades
To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, orhere.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Apprentices are rewarded for education and initiative. Teams are rewarded for doing things the right way. Managers are rewarded when customers are satisfied… and not in quarterly bonuses, either.
Tune in to an astounding companywide incentivization program based on processes and growth.
In this episode, I speak with Mario Martinez, COO at Scott's One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, about how he rewards employees.
Mario and I discuss:
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Mario’s career trajectory from tech to COO
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To franchise or not to franchise
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Incentivizing managers based on every single job
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Mario’s wildly successful apprenticeship program
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Growth and leadership lessons from someone who is always reaching for the next success
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
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Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
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Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, orhere.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Today’s guest dropped out of high school because he said he couldn’t pass anything. But he earned his master plumbing license on his first try. HVAC license, too.
About a decade ago, he was making $20/hour and broke. Today he’s just added an HVAC team to his $3.3 million dollar business.
In this episode, I chat with Russell Furr, President at Culpeper Home Services, about the struggles and realities of entrepreneurship. (Let me tell you, Russell does not hold back!)
Listen in as we discuss:
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Russell’s journey from high school dropout to president of his own company
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Entrepreneurship hurdles and how to keep charging forward
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The recent addition of HVAC services
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Why customer experience matters more than ever
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The explosive growth plan for next year
Check out these resources we mentioned:
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Beyond Plumbing Webinar
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The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, orhere.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
It’s no small thing to take over as third-generation president of your 100-year-old family business. Especially when you think you can do everything yourself… at first.
Today’s guest candidly shares the leadership lessons he acquired the hard way in a family business that’s existed since February 1922.
In this episode, I interview Rob Birnie, Owner and President at Thos R Birnie & Sons Ltd, about what it was like to come into his own in a family business and how he learned to prioritize people as a leader.
Join us as we discuss:
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Getting an on-the-job “MBA” by wearing all the hats
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Fulfilling the legacy of putting people first
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Business coaches, personality assessments, and leadership development
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
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ColorCode Personality Science
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People Matter More Than Money | Simon Sinek
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Episode 44 with Keith Mercurio
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Kerwin Rae on YouTube
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, orhere.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
You should place these 6 Ps prominently on your home service website: product, place, price, promotion, people, and personality.
Yeah, we said price.
In this episode, I chat with Chris Yano, CEO at RYNO Strategic Solutions, about what he’s learned from his depth of 14 years’ experience marketing for home service businesses.
Here are some topics we highlight in the conversation:
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How Chris finally got the attention of Gary Vee
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Two common themes from coaching and marketing in the trades
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The 6 Ps of a website that will please prospects
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Why price belongs on your website
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Reasons Chris is grateful he started a podcast
Check out these resources we mentioned:
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Chris’s podcast is To the Point
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Traction by Gino Wickman
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The New One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, orhere.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
One way to reach the Spanish speaking population of the U.S. market is to make your ads in Spanish, not in English with Hablamos Español pasted on.
In this episode, I chat with Mario Campirano, Owner at Express Electrical Service, about his pride and passion for marketing to Spanish speakers and uplifting his local community.
Here are some topics we highlight in the conversation:
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Mario’s journey from digging trenches to 32 trucks in the field
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The family feel of his company culture
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His calling to help others pursue their dreams
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Strategies for marketing to Spanish speakers in the U.S.
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Recruiting and training electricians
Check out these resources we mentioned:
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Pew Research Center
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Zippa.com
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Los Titans presents Spanish in the Trades
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, orhere.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Working with your spouse can be absolutely ego destroying at best. At worst, it can ruin your business and your relationship.
Ready to learn from a couple who succeeded?
In this episode, I chat with Sarah Casebier and Brad Casebier, Owner and President, respectively, at Radiant Plumbing & Air Conditioning, a company they built from scratch that now brings in $50M in revenue.
Here are some topics we highlight in the conversation:
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Sarah’s shift from an ER labor and delivery nurse to GM of Radiant
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Brad’s fear that he wouldn’t have a role in a service company
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Concurrent business coaching and life coaching
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Candid struggles in co-leading a business
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Incorporating private equity into the business partnership
Check out these additional resources:
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The Survival Guide to Working with Your Spouse by Brad Casebier
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Making Sense of Men by Alison Armstrong
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Loving What Is by Byron Katie
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Plumbing and Mechanical
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The Mike Dillard Show
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Ellen Rohr: Your Job is Hard, Keep Your Financials Simple
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, orhere.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Women bring something unique to the trades industry, to their customers, and to their employees. The female contractors who stand out most are the ones who are hungry to improve.
In this episode, I chat with Desiree Grosman, Business Coach at Female Home Service Pros, about the 4 top challenges facing female owners in the trades.
Here are some topics we highlight in the conversation:
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The difficulty of money management
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Gaining the respect of your employees
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The dynamics of husband-wife partnerships
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Why a rebrand can be super effective
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Hire year-round by keeping a database of potential employees
Check out these resources we mentioned:
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Dan Antonelli: 10 Takeaways on Rebranding for Breakout Success
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The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber
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Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
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The Go-Giver by Bob Burg
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The Contractor's Guide To Saving 30+ Hours Per Week
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, orhere.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
People become seriously sick, injured, or die because of conditions in buildings maintained by people doing work they shouldn't be doing. You may think it’s rare, but it isn’t.
Look, experience doesn’t necessarily mean skill. Skilled work requires education, proper training, and ongoing learning and development. A culture of learning is created by leaders who learn.
In this episode, I chat with Willby Evans, Safety and Training Manager at Albuquerque Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc., about how a focus on safety has increased learning and profits and saved lives.
Here are some topics we highlight in the conversation:
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Answering the calling to protect the public
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Why experience doesn’t equal skill
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Leaders who set a culture of humility and learning
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Willby’s company’s apprenticeship program
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Strengthening your competitors with education
Check out these resources we mentioned:
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The National Center for Construction Education and Research
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Leadership BS by Jeffrey Pfeiffer
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades onApple Podcasts,Spotify, orhere.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
There’s no money for Christmas presents. We’ve got to try something — anything. Let’s start a company.
Since its founding in 2017, Viva Electric has evolved from just three vehicles to three locations. Today’s guest is the person with the vision for business growth and adaptation that has made the company what it is today: a family.
In this episode, I chat with Maegan Giler , COO and Co-Owner at Viva Electric , about orchestrating the explosive growth and change in her company.
Here are some topics we highlight in the conversation:
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The origin story of Viva Electric as a construction company
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Shared services with Griffin Brothers and mentorship
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Behind the scenes of a COO’s business development strategy
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When employees are family
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Why marketing is everything
Check out these resources we mentioned:
Episode #17 with Vanessa Gonzalez
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or here .
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Being a solo dispatcher is like playing a huge game of chess every day. But the necessary skills for success change when you’re a dispatch manager with six dispatchers under you.
So, how exactly does the role change when the dispatch team scales?
In this episode, I chat with Barbara Pfeiffer, Dispatch Manager at The Eco Plumbers , about the delightful complexity of scaling your dispatch team.
Here are some topics we highlight in the conversation:
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The moment when Barbara realized she loves dispatching
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Training new dispatchers in 3 languages on the job
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The importance of ride alongs and technician relationships
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Advice for improving dispatching at your business
Check out these resources we mentioned:
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Episode 4 with Aar on Gaynor
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The Advantage by Patrick L encioni
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or here .
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Play ball!
It’s a beautiful day for a podcast, folks. Today’s is shaping up to be a barnburner.
In this crackerjack episode, we break out the baseball wordplay as I chat with Margie Baker, Operations Manager at 1-Hour Heating, Ben Franklin Plumbing, and Mr. Sparky Electric, about how to attract more women and Gen Z/millennials to the trades.
The bases are loaded with topics such as:
The advantages of a Gen Z/millennial lineup
Scouting talent and training technicians in-house
Tips for handling communication curveballs and pitching a perfect dispatch game
Hitting triples in customer experience - a win for the customer, a win for the technician, and a win for the company
Why sales will have a better batting average if they learn to embrace the silences
Extra innings (resources mentioned during the episode):
Democracy in America by Alex de Toqueville
The Power of Consistency by Weldon Long
The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster by Darren Hardy
In Praise of Difficult Women by Karen Karbo
LadyTitans
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or here .
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
You’re a secretary for a little while, but you’ve been watching the technicians, and you want to give it a try. So you become an apprentice.
You’ve been in the field for a little while, but you see a need to open a new location, and you write up a business proposal. So you become a general manager.
As a GM, what’s the key to your success? (Other than a phenomenal work ethic and passion for the industry.) Open-mindedness, especially in interviewing.
This is the true story of this episode’s guest, Samantha Salazar, General Manager at Rice Plumbing and Heating.
Join us as we discuss:
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Samantha’s career journey from no industry experience to management
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Expansion and opening a new location
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How she interviews, hires, and trains
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Candid experiences as a woman in the trades
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
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Business coaches - Al Levi , Tommy Mello , and Ellen Rohr
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Ellen’s e-books
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
The way to unlock a lot of growth and scale your business is to stop being the funnel. Sometimes the owner believes everything has to go through me.
A business coach will help build relationships, improve processes, and keep owners from becoming a bottleneck.
In this episode, I interview a business coach and client about how their relationship has doubled business. Jim Corcoran is Head Coach at BDR , Tony Marmon is Owner at Trademark Mechanical , and they had amazing things to say about the coach-client relationship.
Join us as we discuss:
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How Jim moved from the field to coaching
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When Tony recognized that he needed a coach
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Jim and Tony’s mutual trust and vulnerability
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Which processes had to scale and which had to go
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Why people leadership lies at the core of scaling
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
Traction by Gino Wickman
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or here .
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Did you just write something on that resume? Big mistake.
Did you make a note about the candidate’s kids? Big, big mistake.
And what about documentation for injuries and accidents? If you didn’t take a witness statement, you failed.
In this episode, I interview c about her love of processes and why she spends so much time thinking about things that could go wrong.
To throw some much deserved light on the back office, Angie talks with me about:
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Falling in love with the trades and learning on the job
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Processes in action during a record-breaking heat wave
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Hiring and liability practices you haven’t thought about
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Common personnel issues like accident reporting
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What owners should know about accounting
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
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SmartLess podcast
-
Harvard Business Revi ew
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or https://www.servicetitan.com/here .
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
To reach beyond the phone book generation, home service companies must leverage digital marketing. That means understanding brand, messaging, and omnichannel.
Today’s guest literally wrote the book on digital marketing for plumbing and HVAC contractors, and he walks us through how digital can bring in more calls (and potentially grow your business from garage-level to golfing vacations).
In this episode, I interview Ryan Redding , Owner at DP Marketing Services and Host of Blue Collar CEO , about the impact of digital.
Join us as we discuss:
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Success stories so amazing they sound fake
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What a home service owner really needs to know about marketing
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Putting the customer at the center of your marketing decisions
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Target customers and lead generation
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Using messaging to tell stories about brand
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
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The Book On Digital Marketing: For Plumbing & HVAC Contractors by Ryan Redding
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Culture Eats Strategy for Lunch by Curt Coffman
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Who Not How by Dan Sul livan and Benjamin Hardy
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify , or here .
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
What’s your company’s purpose? For that matter, what’s your own purpose for being in this business at all?
Answering these questions can ignite passion in your recruits. Skeptical?
In this episode, I interview Ben Stark and Chris Hunter , Owners at Go Time Success Group , about how they became business success coaches for home service companies.
In this episode we discuss:
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Ben and Chris’s mentor-mentee relationship
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The importance of developing your company’s vision, mission, and core values
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Strategies for igniting recruits with passion
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The four toolboxes and why the mental toolbox is the most important
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Recruiting, marketing, technology, and entering new verticals
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
Ben and Chris’s book, It’s Go Time
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or here .
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
You clock in, you clock out, you know the basics, but you want to elevate your profession. What you need to do is start studying your craft.
Want to unlock unbelievable opportunities by becoming an extraordinary professional? Learn from manufacturers, engineers, peers with three decades of work experience, and even your customers to find out how to go beyond your day-to-day.
Today’s guest, Ben DiMarco , CEO at DiMarco & Associates LLC , shares his learnings from 30+ years in the trades, including how to serve customers well beyond installing an HVAC unit.
In this episode we discuss:
Why accountancy wasn’t for Ben
Commissioning and why it matters to installers
Air quality matters when we spend 90% of our lives indoors
A positive change in promoting the trades among the college-aged
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcast s, Spotify , or here .
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Leader is not a synonym for firefighter.
With the one notable exception — actual firefighters — if you spend all day putting out fires at your business…
You’re too busy to lead.
That’s one of countless lessons today’s guests, Eric Sprague & Larry Wilberton, Owners of Blue Collar Consulting and MorningTechMeeting.com , have learned over their many years working together — lessons they’re now teaching others through advising.
They join me today to discuss:
Why leaders need to take a step back and let their team make their own mistakes
Why your teams home life is inseparable from their work life
How to use morning meetings to improve every facet of your business
How to spend 30+ years in business with a friend (without strangling them)
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or here .
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Wouldn’t it be so much easier if customers and new hires could read your mind?
Well, why can’t they?
Today’s guest, Josh Kelley, Owner at Magic Broom Chimney Sweeps, has perfected documenting everything his customers and employees need to know, saving time, money and endlessly repeating himself.
In this episode, we discuss:
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The power of searchable onboarding documents
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How YouTube videos can minimize callbacks and save money
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The benefits of a database of completed jobs to show customers
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
It’s one of the age-old conundrums in leadership: We promote people because they are good at their jobs and, when it comes time to lead, they aren’t prepared.
It’s easier if I do it myself. I used to be a tech, I’ll cut him some slack.
These are the statements of a manager.
But people don’t follow managers, they follow leaders.
If you’re struggling with leadership, today’s guests have the answers you seek. Kathy Nielsen of Schaal Heating and Cooling & Lauren Schieffer, President of The Colonel's Daughter, join me to dissect what truly makes a leader.
In this episode, we discuss the core components to great leadership:
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Accountability — for yourself and your team
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Setting clear expectations
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Helping your team grow in their roles
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
One of the best things about the trades is how far you can go if you have the drive and are committed to lifelong learning.
It’s not uncommon to hear stories like that of Julian Scadden, who went from a high school dropout to President & CEO at Nexstar Network. He joins me on the latest episode to share exactly how he pulled it off.
We discuss:
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The Be Dumb Quick movement
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Why leading starts with leading yourself
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The difference between understanding and realizing
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Three seasons. It’s hard to believe.
The more I do this podcast — and we’ve done over 50 episodes at this point — the more I am blown away at the incredible work being done by contractors across the world.
Like the incredible work being done by this season’s guests: Eddie McFarlane, Lauren Vahey, Mary Jean Anderson, Brad Pesek, Kathy Nielsen, Steve Solla, Shane Jaeger, Crystal Williams, Eric Knaak, Ryan Lucia, Megan Bedford, Josh Crouch, Chisholm Brunner, Josh Bigelow, Tersh Blissett, Trevor Lively, Brian Cohen, Keith Mercurio, and Chris Crew.
In this episode, join me as I take on the daunting task of compiling some of the best moments from these fabulous guests — daunting because it’s incredibly difficult to pick just one insight from each member of this talented group.
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Do one thing really well — this is how Zoom Drain & Sewer Service has grown to become a go-to provider for drain cleaning services.
In today’s episode of Toolbox for the Trades, I sit down with Steve Solla, General Manager at Zoom Drain & Sewer Service.
What we talked about:
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Steve’s progression into the trades and his journey within Zoom Drain
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Tools and training used by Steve, to improve his work in the trades
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Zoom Drain’s service offering, way of working and growth over time
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How Zoom Drain keeps employees engaged and motivated
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What do trade business owners need to know about their Technicians?
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Zoom Drain’s apprentice program
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
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Steve Solla’s LinkedIn profile
-
Zoom Drain’s website
-
Service Titan’s website
-
The Joe Rogan Experience (Podcast)
-
John Sanford’s Book List
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
What do a computer mouse, airpods and your home’s insulation have in common?
They were all invented by NASA.
It’s proof that often the best improvements come from outside your business.
Recognizing this in his hiring, marketing and strategy is one of the ways Josh Crouch, Founder at Relentless Digital and Director of Sales, Marketing, and Business Development at Professional Services Port Washington, thinks differently as a marketer specializing in the trades.
What we talked about:
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Why you should look for talent, strategy and insights from outside your industry
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Why you shouldn’t neglect existing customers for new business
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The secrets to hiring the best talent
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
It’s never easy for a family when a loved one dies.
But if, like many in the trades, that loved one is in charge of the family business, it can make it even more difficult.
That’s why you need succession planning.
My guest today is Trevor Lively, President at Blue Jay Irrigation, who, along with his dad who was diagnosed with cancer, suddenly felt the pressure for succession planning in the worst possible circumstances. The experience taught Trevor the importance of preparing for the unexpected.
In this episode, we discuss:
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Trevor’s experience with succession planning
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How EOS helped ease the transition to new leadership
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How Trevor is using video to grow the business.
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Let’s face it — most owners in the trades don’t like marketing.
And it makes sense. Most people get into the trades because they like, well… the trades.
But that doesn’t mean you have to hate marketing and branding.
It just means you need to turn it into a game, not a chore.
Take it from Crystal Williams, Creative Director at Lemon Seed Marketing Firm and an expert in winning the marketing game.
She joined me in the latest episode to share her expertise and the secrets to branding and marketing every owner should know.
What we talked about:
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The benefits of seeing marketing as a game, not a chore
-
Where people in the trades go wrong with branding and marketing
-
Why, even in today’s digital world, not all branding and marketing needs to be digital
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Everyone wants the right people for the job.
But in an industry facing a talent shortage, that’s not enough.
It’s more important to hire the right personality for the job.
That’s how President Josh Bigelow approaches hiring at Great Dane Heating & Air Conditioning, and that piece of wisdom has helped the company grow tremendously over the last two decades.
In this episode, Josh and I discuss:
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Why you should hire for personality
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The value of consultancies
-
Why you need to join a peer-to-peer group
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
-
HVAC Spells Wealth
-
The Go-Giver
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Some shops are happy trucking along as a lifestyle business.
And there is nothing wrong with that.
But if you want to grow aggressively, you need to learn about acquisitions.
That’s one of the secrets John Wilson, Owner at Wilson Plumbing and Heating, has learned rapidly growing the family business from its comparatively small roots into a sprawling operation.
What we talked about:
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The secrets to scaling
-
How to approach marketing
-
How to expand through acquisitions
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
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The Making of an American Capitalist
-
Rich Dad Poor Dad
-
The Outsiders
-
The Millionaire Next Door
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
No matter what you want to achieve in your business, there is no silver bullet that’ll get you there overnight.
Success is a byproduct of crafting the correct systems and procedures.
That focus is how Chisholm Brunner, Carrier and ICP National Accounts at Carrier Corporation, has gone from success to success throughout her career.
In this episode, we discuss:
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Why systems and processes are the key to everything
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Why dispatchers make or break your business
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Why your customers need options
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
If you want loyal customers, you need to influence them.
But how do you do that without feeling shady?
In the latest episode, Keith Mercurio, Sr. Director of Executive Success at ServiceTitan and Founder and CEO of Ethical Influence Institute, shares the secrets of ethical influence and how they can elevate your leadership.
We discuss:
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The power of ethical influence
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How poor messaging shrinks your talent pool
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How to inspire people
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The value of powerful thinking
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
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The Four Agreements
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The Allegory of the Cave
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Tim Ferriss
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The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Have you thought about your exit strategy, or does the word sale sound too much like the end?
Well, the truth is, there is a lot more to a sale than you may think.
In this episode, Brian Cohen, Business Strategist, SF&P Advisors, covers the ins and outs of mergers, sales, and acquisitions.
We discuss:
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The many shapes a sale may take
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Navigating private equity
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The importance of knowing the value of your business
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
How well is your marketing working?
Which channels work best? What’s your cost per lead?
If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.
That’s one of the first things Megan Bedford, Owner at Mugyver Consulting, looks at when assessing the marketing performance of a business. She joins me in the latest Toolbox for the Trades to go over how to market like a pro.
We discuss:
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Why internal systems are foundational to marketing
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How to think about your website (including SEO)
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Why email marketing still works
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
When your technicians are empowered to invest in themselves, they indirectly invest in your company too.
Ergo, growth in your techs means growth in your business. Everybody wins!
Today’s guest, Brad Pesek, is the CFO at McWilliams & Son HVAC company. In addition to tips for incentivizing your technicians to grow professionally, Brad shares…
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The transferable skills he took from teaching high school math to the trades
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His most effective recruiting tools
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The value of having a mentor and how to find one
Resources mentioned:
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The E Myth
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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
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The Speed of Trust
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See You At The Top
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How to Win Friends and Influence People
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Start With Why
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The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
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Man’s Search for Meaning
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What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
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Never Split the Difference
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Growing a business can be challenging to manage — especially when there are mergers and acquisitions involved.
But getting it right can mean the difference between $40k a month and $40k a day.
At least, it did for Shane Jaeger, President of Operations, The Lawton Group, who joins me on the latest episode to discuss how he pulled it off.
What we talked about:
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How Shane looks at mergers after seeing them from both sides
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What to look for in a company you plan to acquire
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Why paying close attention to growth is as important as the bottom line
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
Your customer service is just as important to your business as the quality of your work. People hire people who are understanding and compassionate.
And that starts at the top.
Lauren Vahey, the Director of Customer Experience at Nicholson Plumbing & HVAC, joins Jackie in this episode to discuss compassion in customer service, as well as…
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What real work-life balance looks like in the trades
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Tips for other companies trying to implement exceptional customer service
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How to foster loyalty with your employees
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Advice for getting more (and better) online reviews
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
No warehouse? No problem. It’s 100% possible to operate your service & repair business completely remotely.
Take it from Tersh Blissett, CEO of Service Emperor and host of the Service Business Mastery podcast. He was running a team of technicians sans warehouse long before we even heard about COVID.
In this episode of Toolbox for the Trades, Tersh talks to Jackie about…
-His journey from the Air Force into the trades
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Unexpected challenges he faced when buying his first business
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Expert tips for other service businesses to go totally remote
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Why it’s important to collaborate with other tradespeople & business owners
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.
The most pressing issue within the trades is the labor shortage. And it’s not just recruiting technicians that’s the problem — it’s training them properly and keeping them happy, too.
Mary Jean Anderson, President of Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air, has grown her business to $30m in annual revenue partly due to her keen recruiting, training, and retention skills.
Mary Jean joins Jackie to discuss…
- How to overcome the biggest hiring obstacles
- Why she founded the Anderson Career Builder Institute
- How other companies can build out their training programs
- Top places to recruit female technicians
Check out Mary Jean’s book Here Comes Cannonball.
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Within her first 2 weeks of working in the trades, Kathy Nielsen had started helping Schaal Heating & Cooling scale up to a $6M valuation.
Her own business, Operations Excellence, was founded on the same principles: Stay organized and hire great people.
In this episode of Toolbox for the Trades, Kathy joins us to talk about…
- How she combines analytics with psychology to hire the best people for the job
- What kinds of behaviors to look for in customer service reps (CSRs)
- Tips on creating effective systems & procedures within the trades
- Common mistakes she sees other industry leaders making
Resources mentioned:
- Innermetrix
- Armchair Expert
- chickenladyspeaks.com
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
In both white and blue-collar businesses, the culture is what matters in the end.
Take it from Ryan Lucia, the founder of Aaron Overhead Doors and Such n Such Media. He started out in the software startup world, transitioned to the trades, and now helps blue-collar folks market their businesses.
In this episode, Ryan tells Jackie about…
- Why culture is #1 in both of his businesses
- What he looks for in new hires
- How connecting with other professionals has moved his business forward
Check out Ryan’s show, Torsion Talk Podcast, here.
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Stop recruiting for technical experience. Start recruiting for “soft” skills like good communication the ability to learn and adapt.
You can teach all the other stuff.
That’s one of Eric Knaak’s (Executive VP & GM at ISAAC) biggest pieces of advice in this episode of Toolbox for the Trades. He and Jackie also discuss…
- How the trades have supported and employed veterans
- How to find more opportunities within your company
- Best practices for managing a fleet of service technicians
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Good to Great by Jim Collins
- The E Myth by Michael Gerber
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Are you living your life on purpose or by default?
At a young age, Chris Crew — President of The Blue Collar Success Group — chose to live his life by design. That decision has affected him professionally and personally ever since.
In this episode of Toolbox for the Trades, Chris speaks to Jackie about…
- The unique journey that led him to the trades and beyond
- Tips for technicians who want to level-up in their career
- How owners should train their techs in order to scale up
- The best ways to find new opportunities and make important connections
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Ed Mylett podcast
- Feelin’ Good With Duddy
- The Six Dimensions of C.H.A.N.G.E. 2.0 by Kenny Chapman
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Retention: It’s something we all struggle with in the trades. It’s something we haven’t quite yet figured out.
Though it’s not a perfect science, Eddie McFarlane — VP of Learning & Development at Haller Enterprises — has a rather revolutionary approach to retaining talented technicians.
In this episode of Toolbox for the Trades, we talk to Eddie about…
- How and why he uses change management to hire and retain workers
- How he gets to the root of problems instead of patching up the symptoms
- Why diversity and inclusion is the answer to the trades’ labor shortage
- The importance of personal development in the workplace
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
We really did it!
We delivered not 1 but 2 seasons of Toolbox for the Trades in this outrageous, chaotic year.
In this episode, host Jackie Aubel walks you through just a few of our takeaways from this standout season.
Thank you so much to every one of our guests: We know your raw honesty inspired our listeners. You do so much good in the world. Thank you!
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Keep connected with us on the Toolbox for the Trades Community on Facebook
- Find the companion for this episode at servicetitan.com/toolboxtips
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
As a kid, you never had an air conditioner in your house. By 2019, the HVAC company you founded has already installed 20K systems.
Then you realize that what you’ve got isn’t a hustle anymore. It’s a business now.
In this episode, we interview Ismael Valdez, Owner & CEO at Nexgen, about taking his business from founding to $30M in 4 years.
What we talked about:
- Ismael memorized part numbers at age 17
- What happened in 2019 that brought about the development of Data Cube
- Work family and home family
- Efficiency practices and technician tracks
- Contractors are going to be 100% review-based, not referrals
Check out this resource:
- Ismael’s Webinar: Top KPIs for Contractors and How to Track Them
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
There are a lot of questions about how to approach mergers and acquisitions in the trades.
Turns out, it’s a lot like dating.
At least according to AJ Brown, President and CEO, and Will Matson, Group CFO & Head of MFA, from Apex Service Partners.
It’s one of many things I learned when I spoke with them about how their services group is operating like a pit crew for its partners in the trades.
What we talked about:
- Why they left finance and found their forever-home in the trades
- How services groups work
- How to approach a partnership (& why it’s like dating)
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Look around your workplace. Where are the young faces?
The average age of someone in the trades is around 50.
That’s what happens when your industry does things “the way they’ve always been done.”
But for Justin Armendariz, Founder & CEO at Better Future Facilities, the average tech in his company is under 30.
Justin has brought technology to the forefront in his business and, as a result, is dragging the trades out of the past and preparing a new generation for the future.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How to revolutionize an aging industry
- How he is taking on some of the biggest names out there
- Why recruiting and training is everything.
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Usually, the customer knows why they need your product…
HVAC, plumbing — when something happens they’ll call.
But what if they don’t know they need your product?
Then it’s time to educate them.
That’s exactly what Rod Yoder, Director — North American Dealer Sales at Kinetico Water Systems, does.
He’s learned some clever techniques over the years to teach his customers the value of the water softening and filtration systems he sells.
And there are some great ones.
What we talked about:
- Educating your customers about the need for your product
- How to set yourself apart (and get referrals)
- How a non-electric company moved into IoT
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
How do you get a thriving culture?
It starts with leadership.
The owner should be the chief people-person in the company.
That’s what Jaime DiDomenico, President at Cool, Plumbing and Energy Today, learned time and time again in his career:
A company is only as good as its owner.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Why the owner should be the chief people-person
- Why you need to reinvest in your people and the business
- Why a business is only as good as its owner
To watch our webinar with Jaime, visit servicetitan.com/jaime
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
When it comes time to buy, your customers need options.
And if you’re not giving them the options they need…
They’ll go online and find someone who can.
That insight is foundational for Joe Crisara’s success. Now Owner and Business Coach at ContractorSelling, Joe managed to turn a quarter of a million dollars in debt into a thriving business.
All by giving his customers options.
In this episode, Joe and I discuss:
- Why options can transform any business for the better
- How to present options to the customer
- Why worrying about the competition is a waste of time
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
First impressions matter.
That’s why word choice is so important when we first meet someone…
And why your CSRs need amazing communication skills.
They are the first point of contact with your customers — and what they say can set the tone for the whole relationship.
Today’s guest is Angie Snow, Vice President at Western Heating & Air Conditioning and Success Coach at Snow Business Coaching, where she helps business owners struggling to find the right words learn to more effectively engage customers and cultivate 7-star CSRs.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How to empower 7-star CSRs in your business
- The challenges (and triumphs) for women in the trades
- How to effectively leverage feedback
- Now Angie is part of the ServiceTitan team too!
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
When looking for growth, owners often want to add more services.
If you can do it all, you cast a bigger net, right?
But a jack of all trades is a master of none…
And nobody wants to hire a roofer to fix their plumbing.
That’s one mistake Mike Claudio, Owner at WinRate Consulting, has repeatedly seen in his years advising owners in the trades.
In this episode, Mike explains:
- How to find your niche (and what pitfalls to avoid)
- Why success means taking advice
- Why CRMs are so important to a successful operation
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Growing your business requires community support.
If customers recognize and trust your brand, you’ll go far…
And you may just raise a million for charity in the process.
That’s Geoff Gillon, Founder of The Pink Plumber, did and it paid off huge dividends.
He transformed his plumbing business into a lucrative sale by virtue of, well, virtue.
The Pink Plumber became an icon by donating massive sums to breast cancer research…
And, of course, pink plumbing vans.
We discuss:
-How to convince a plumber to drive a pink van (and grow exponentially in the process)
-Why growth is more important than profits
-How to golf every single day and still make it big
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Mental health matters.
Yet, for some reason, it’s often overlooked in the trades.
It’s time we take mental health seriously.
In this episode, I catch up with Stacy Fore, Owner at HVAC Solutions, where she has instituted a reimbursement program for mental health.
We speak about that and more, including:
-Why No-BS values are foundational to a thriving culture
-Why the trades is the best path for a free education
-Why referrals still matter in the digital age
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Are you thinking about selling your business?
If so, why?
It seems like an easy question to answer, but so many can’t
Fred Silberstein, President at SF&P Advisors, says if you want to sell, you need a great answer to the question.
In this episode, Fred explains:
-How to find your “why” (and what to do when you find it)
-Why KPIs are so important for a sale
-Why buyers are really buying your people
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Growing a business is hard work.
Even more so when you do it with your spouse.
But there’s a secret:
Clearly defining your roles.
Just ask Rhonda Dowdy, Chief Executive Officer at S&D Plumbing, a business she’s spent the last 40 years building with her husband.
And they pulled it off by knowing their superpowers: Her husband is the visionary; she is the integrator.
In this episode, Rhonda covers:
-What makes her husband the visionary and her the integrator
-How to choose a specialty
-How to get buy-in for big changes
Check out these resources we mentioned:
-Traction
-Rocket Fuel
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
A lot of businesses in the trades struggle with marketing.
But marketing really comes down to 3 things:
Providing value, building trust and educating your customers.
My guest today is someone who has these 3 things down to a science.
Roger Wakefield, Owner at Texas Green Plumbing, has one of the most fascinating and storied backgrounds of anyone I’ve ever interviewed.
From plumbing to cosmetology to restaurant management — he really has done it all.
And now, he can add “YouTube sensation” to that list.
In this episode, Roger explains:
-The steps he took on his fascinating career path
-How he became a YouTube sensation
-How to pick a specialty in the trades
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Has everyone in your office hopped in a van with a tech? If not, they should.
Without seeing first hand what they go through, everyone’s work suffers.
Since implementing ride-alongs, Vanessa Gonzales, Chief Administrative Officer at Albuquerque Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, has seen everyone — in the office and field — get better at their jobs. I caught up with her in today’s show to pick her brain about what she’s learned in her many years of experience owning a business in the trades.
We covered a lot of ground, including:
-The trick to running a business with your spouse (and his old roommate)
-Why ride-alongs are so effective
-How to be a coworker to your employees (until they force you to be the boss)
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
How well do you know your operations manual?
For many, it’s just something to keep lawyers happy.
But it should be your bible for success.
In this episode, I speak with Al Levi, Consultant and CEO at The 7-Power Contractor and Author of The 7-Power Contractor, itself an operations manual for success in the trades. If Al has learned anything in his lifelong career in the trades, it’s that a manager’s real job is to make sure the manuals are right.
In this episode, Al explains:
-Why making great systems is more important than finding great people
-How a lawsuit at a young age taught him the importance of manuals
-The 7 powers you need to find success in the trades
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Everyone wants to grow their business.
But sometimes, that means becoming less vital to it.
Your systems should be so good your business runs fine without you.
In today’s guest episode, we have another great one from The Home Service Expert.
Tommy Mello and Adam Cronenberg, COO at A1 Garage Door Service, go over how streamlining their systems fueled their explosive growth.
Tommy and Adam discussed:
-How Tommy’s team leveraged ServiceTitan to streamline their system
-Why systems and processes are vital to your business
-The difference between owning a job and owning a business
Want to take part in the conversation? Be sure to join our Facebook group here.
Adding services to your business can be a great strategy…
But it can also be scary.
So, it’s important to make sure the business is spot on.
And we have another fantastic guest episode today from To The Point that explains exactly how you can.
In it, Host Chris Yano interviews Bobby Jenkins from ABC Home & Commercial Services and finds out how he was able to add so many services to his business.
They go over:
-Why multiple services is a great strategy (and topic)
-What it takes to build a sustainable family business
-Why a repeat customer is the best customer
Want to take part in the conversation? Be sure to join our Facebook group here.
There are 3 reasons people buy from you:
They know you. They like you. They TRUST you.
And there’s only one way to win their trust…
Being consistent.
In today’s Toolbox for the Trades Guest Series Episode, Mike Claudio and Ryan Webber, hosts of Big Stud Sales, go over how you can win your customers’ trust through consistency.
They explain:
-Consistency selling (and why it builds trust)
-The importance of SOPs
-How you can leverage podcasts to reach your target audience
Want to take part in the conversation? Be sure to join our Facebook group here.
Have you ever read a book that changed everything?
Most small business owners have. Often, it’s the same book…
The E-Myth.
I’ve learned it’s one book everyone seems to swear by through my conversations with people in the trades.
I’m currently busy recording more of those conversations for Season 2, so we’re doing something a bit different for the next few episodes…
Showcasing some of the other amazing podcasts on the trades!
And you’re going to love this first one from The Home Service Expert.
Host (and Toolbox for the Trades alumn) Tommy Mello sat down with Michael E. Gerber, author of The E-Myth, and (another alumn) Ken Goodrich, CEO of Goettl Air Conditioning, to discuss their collaboration on The E-Myth HVAC Contractor.
They covered:
-How Ken’s IRS issues inspired him to pick up the original E-Myth
-How the book changed everything for him (repeatedly)
-How he and Michael ended up collaborating for The E-Myth HVAC Contractor
Want to take part in the conversation? Be sure to join our Facebook group here.
From bad reviews and $50K in debt to homelessness and loss — our guests have gotten real with us on Toolbox for the Trades.
In this episode, I share our top takeaways from Season 1 (and let you know what’s coming up for the summer).
What we talked about:
-Each of our guests shares inspiration & insights
-What you need to succeed in leadership, acquisitions, & overcoming adversity
-Take control of your thoughts with Friedrich Nietzsche
Check out this resource we mentioned during the podcast:
-Our ebook companion to Season 1
-Our Facebook community: Toolbox for the Trades
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
What do you think about most?
Have you never really thought about that? Maybe you should.
Thinking about what to think about can transform your entire life.
At least it did for Weldon Long, speaker, mindset and sales expert and New York Times Bestselling author of The Power of Consistency.
After spending much of his adult life in prison, Weldon’s incredible success story truly demonstrates the power our mindset can have — and how changing it can alter the entire trajectory of our lives.
In this episode, he shared:
-How he went from “loser” to the success he is today (and the neuroscience behind it)
-How we can use the same mental tools to improve our business, sales and culture
-Why every sales strategy works — the problem is usually human error
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
The trades are filled with people who know hard work.
And not just physically — you need savant-like technical expertise to do your job.
So why are you scared of your financials?
Today we’re speaking with Ellen Rohr, President and Franchise Operations Manager at Zoom Drain.
After a long career in the trades, Ellen has figured out why you don’t want to look at your financials.
And, spoiler: It’s not the math.
In this episode, Ellen covers:
-How Ellen got roped into the trades (and why she never left)
-Why a good mentor can change your life
-What is really scaring you away from your financials
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Are you worried about the labor shortage?
Well, don’t be. There’s no shortage of workers out there.
You just haven’t built a culture they want to be a part of.
At least, so says our guest, Chad Peterman, President, Peterman Heating, Cooling & Plumbing.
For Chad, the story of a labor shortage in the trades is nothing but a tall tale designed to scare kids into eating their vegetables.
Okay, well… not that exactly.
But it is something that’s easy to avoid by cultivating the kind of culture that attracts the best talent to your team.
We covered:
-How to personal growth ties to your company’s growth
-How culture can overcome any labor shortage
-Why you should never stop recruiting
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
If Thanksgiving has taught us anything, it’s that family can be tough.
So, it’s amazing how many family-run businesses succeed and grow.
But that growth means new, non-familial employees. How do you adopt them into the family
On our show today, Darius Lyvers, COO of F.H. Furr Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning, shares some do’s and don’ts for growing a family business.
Darius has had some bad experiences as an outsider in a family company, but he’s also had great success. In fact, he’s been at the same family-owned business for over 20 years.
What we talked about:
-The pitfalls of growing a family business (and how to overcome them)
-How passion, work ethic and empathy combine to create sales success
-How to systematize these qualities when building your team
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
We live in a golden age of data that’s transformed operations in the trades. It’s never been easier to use software to track and analyze information on every facet of your business.
So, it’s sometimes tempting to think you can see the whole picture without ever looking up from your computer screen.
But even with all the help these tools provide, sometimes getting hands-on out in the field is the quickest path to spotting a problem and solving it.
That’s one of the lessons today’s Toolbox for the Trades guest, Eric Falconer, has learned during his time as operations manager (and slogan-coiner) at Dutton Plumbing.
Eric also talked about:
-How to improve communication between the office and the field
-How to better empathize with your customers
-Why a dispatcher’s behavior matters as much as a technician’s
-His mom’s reaction when he dropped out of college to pursue a career in plumbing
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
What are your values?
It’s a question every leader needs to answer.
It’s both the how and the why to success. And leadership in the trades is no different.
Our guest today, Chris Hunter, proves that.
Chris is the Co-owner of Go Time Success Group, Founder of Hunter Super Techs and Director of Customer Relations at ServiceTitan.
He collected this impressive collection of titles by living out his values every day.
In this episode, he goes over:
-How to incorporate your values into those of your business
-Why leaders in the trades shouldn’t be afraid to reach out for help
-The strategies you need for success in the trades.
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
We hear so many success stories in the trades that often follow a similar path:
Start as an apprentice fresh out of high school, work hard to move through the ranks and, eventually, start and grow a company.
And while you should never underestimate the power of hard work, it isn’t the whole story.
Success is about what you choose to invest in.
Just ask Aaron Gaynor, owner of The EcoPlumbers. He’s built two plumbing enterprises from the ground up.
And he did it by making the right investments. Not monetary investments, but investments in people.
What went over:
-What it takes to start again after closing a business
-How personal growth drives business growth
-The importance of word-of-mouth support from your customers (and how to ask them for it)
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Have you ever wondered how you can better market to women?
What do you think women look for in a contractor?
Now, this may seem crazy, but we have a suggestion: Ask them.
And our guest today, Susan Frew, public speaker and President of Sunshine Plumbing, Heating & Air, did exactly that.
In this episode, we talk about what she learned and so much more.
Susan goes over:
- Why bigger isn’t always better when it comes to revenue or fleet-size
- The challenges and benefits of operating a woman-owned business in a male-dominated industry
- Why more women should take advantage of the exciting job opportunities the trades offer
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Mario spent time in prison.
But when he tells his story, he glosses right over that fact.
What turned Mario’s life around wasn’t prison.
It was the 2008 recession.
It all started with a letter from bankruptcy court.
He was being written off for nearly $300,000 of what he was owed.
Imagine pacing the floor of your bedroom in a house that you just built, figuring out how to tell your wife that you may have to file for bankruptcy.
So what did Mario do?
“I decided to fight,” he says.
On this episode of Toolbox for the Trades, Mario Campirano takes us on a journey, and talks with us all about:
- How staring down bankruptcy caused him to make a dramatic shift in his mindset
- How he and his team are coping with the current crisis
- How he’s inspiring his technicians during an unprecedented time
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
Are you a vital part of your business?
If you leave on a two-week vacation and don’t check-in, will it fall apart?
Many business owners will proudly say “yes” to both questions — but, if you’re one of them, you’re probably doing it wrong.
That advice is straight from our guest today, Tommy Mello, who is a bit of a renaissance man when it comes to the trades. He is the owner of A1 Garage Door Services, host of the Home Service Expert podcast and author of Home Service Millionaire.
What we talked about:
- Why you should organize your business like you’re planning to sell it (even if you aren’t
- Why revenue is for vanity, profit is for sanity
- How helping your employees win as individuals help your company win as a team
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
As anyone in the trades can tell you, hard work pays off.
We’re always blown away here by the success stories we see in the trades every day.
And that work ethic follows from the first day crawling through the mud to overseeing a $50 million empire.
At least, it did for our guest today, John Akhoian, CEO at Rooter Hero Plumbing.
John has carried his work ethic through every stephe has taken in the industry — from his first job shadowing a family friend to expanding his business into an interstate empire.
He came on to share the secrets to his success, including
- Why being master of one (or two) things is better than being a jack of all trades
- The best marketing strategies to leverage as your business grows
- The secrets to a successful acquisition (on either side of the deal)
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.
You’ve heard that saying, “Treat the janitor the same way you would treat the CEO.”
It’s one of the keys to great leadership, and it’s easy to say, but much harder to do, particularly if you’re already the CEO.
Which is why our conversation with Ken Goodrich was such an inspiring one.
Ken is the CEO of Goettl, one of the oldest HVAC companies in the US, and was a guest on the Toolbox for the Trades podcast. He talked all about:
- How helping his dad fix HVAC units led to him falling in love with the industry
- How his leadership style has evolved over the last 20 years
- Why he considers his innate ability to find talent one of his greatest assets
- And so much more
If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or here.