Toolbox for the Trades

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">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...

When his father became very ill, Pete Bradham">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">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...

In 2019, Ismael Valdez">Ismael Valdez, CEO at Nexgen Air Conditioning Heating and Plumbing">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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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)...

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...

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...

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...

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 -...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...