Let's Vent Podcast

Send us Fan Mail The game of Google PPC and lead generation has fundamentally changed. In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Wilhelm, trade marketing expert and the powerhouse behind Profit Fill. We unpacked the reality of the 2026 home services: rising costs per click, dropping organic traffic, and the heavy influx of Google AI overviews eating up valuable mobile search territory. If you want to know exactly what to ask your ad agency, how to audit your internal operations, and how to safely throttle your paid marketing up and down, this episode is an absolute must-watch. Timestamps: 00:46 - Introducing Amanda Wilhelm from Profit Fill. 02:11 - The Reality of Google Today: Why lead costs are skyrocketing. 03:07 - How AI overviews are killing organic traffic. 04:36 - Shifting ad space on mobile and why clicks hit $200. 05:32 - Why HVAC shops are aggressively adding plumbing and electrical. 07:00 - Is an $800 cost per booked job profitable? Decoding the long-term math. 07:55 - When should a small company stay away from AI-optimized PPC? 09:21 - Navigating modern multi-platform lead generation. 10:15 - Marketing 101: Defining Top, Middle, and Bottom-of-Funnel trade leads. 11:45 - Why the cheapest price shouldn't be your hook. 12:50 - Leveraging Service Titan data to target aging equipment. 14:03 - Speed to Lead: Nurturing a customer from a raw hand-raise to a 5-star review. 15:30 - Why bad call scripts and phone trees destroy five-star potential. 16:31 - How broken forms and missed calls kill your PPC budget. 17:42 - Operator Problem vs. Agency Problem: How to evaluate your marketing team. 19:40 - Conversational strategies to convert unbookable leads. 21:50 - Overcoming operational bottlenecks with AI Voice Agents 23:35 - Testing campaigns on ChatGPT and open-source AI search. 24:35 - The Throttle Signal: Knowing exactly when capacity demands a new technician hire. 25:56 - How to Maximize customer acquisition costs you already paid for? 27:10 - Branded Search Strategy: How to Run offensive and defensive name bidding on Google? 30:44 – The Importance of Running Branded Search Campaigns 33:07 - Measuring the ROI of Branded Search Ads vs. Organic SEO 35:34 - The Google AI Bidding Trap & Budget Pitfalls 37:55 - Crafting Top-of-Funnel Value Creatives & "Stalker Ads" 40:22 - Conversion Rates & The Agency Reinvigoration 42:40 - The Fallacy of Constantly Changing Brand Messaging7 52:11 - Beyond the 30-Day Window: Mapping Ad Spend to Revenue Potential 56:47 - How to Stop Wasting Marketing Dollars When Your Schedule is Full 1:03:26 - Episode Ends. Connect with Amanda: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaleighwilhelm/ Website: https://profitfill.com/ Our Sponsor: https://freeagency.ai/

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Bruce Sittler, president of Action Furnace, shares his journey from carpet cleaning to building a $50 million HVAC business in Alberta. He discusses strategic growth, marketing, acquisitions, and the importance of memberships and capacity management in a competitive industry. Time Stamps: 00:00 - The high cost of a bad hiring decision for small shops. 00:50 - Introduction to Bruce Sittler and Action Furnace 02:21 - The Backstory: Turning a $50K duct cleaning purchase into an HVAC empire. 04:45 - Implementing processes, scaling to 3 cities, and managing 240+ employees. 07:05 - Greenfield expansion vs. Strategic acquisitions in the Canadian market. 09:22 - The early days of PPC advertising vs. Modern lead generation costs. 10:48 - The strategy behind building and running an in-house digital ad agency. 13:17 - Why duct cleaning is a vital, low-cost customer acquisition tool. 16:36 - The Membership Legacy: Building a 40,000-member community. 17:40 - How Action Furnace drives 65% of its total annual revenue from memberships. 19:35 - Building a passive income incentive model that keeps technicians obsessed with memberships. 21:29 - Automation and tracking: Managing membership churn with ServiceTitan. 23:18 - Buying a competitor: The inside story of acquiring Direct Energy’s Alberta business. 26:15 - The logistical challenges of transitioning staff and data during an acquisition. 28:38 - M&A Strategy: Assessing culture and people fit before pulling the trigger. 31:02 - The biggest bottleneck for mid-sized shops: Structuring effective leadership. 31:45 - The Ryan Tutak Story: From a young comfort advisor to company partner and GM. 33:29 - Nurturing leadership potential: How to mentor, coach, and train high-performing operators. 35:49 - Golden Handcuffs: Keeping top-tier talent locked in by offering equity and skin in the game. 37:25 - Navigating the conversation when employees want to leave and start a competing business. 38:50 - Building on trust: The natural progression of Bruce's partnership with employee number one, Gaius. 40:22 - Leadership milestones: Why a 2 to 3-million-dollar shop needs a dedicated service manager. 42:45 - Avoid the Promotion Trap: Why promoting your best technician into management can devastate a small shop. 45:08 - High-performing technicians vs. Effective managers: Recognizing completely different skill sets. 47:28 - Hiring outside the trades: Why leadership and accountability experience matter more than technical skills. 49:55 - The "Spots on a Schedule" Analogy: Introduction to Capacity Management. 51:00 - The Marginal Capacity Rule: Why all true business profits hide in the last 20–25% of your schedule. 52:17 - Reverse engineering the math to hit a consistent 15% net profit margin. 53:15 - Using highly flexible PPC search advertising to aggressively fill open capacity on demand. 54:34 - Why Google PPC is uniquely suited for capturing urgent demands. 56:56 - Reverse Engineering the Math: What should your threshold be to acquire a $1,000 job? 58:15 - The Dangers of relying on PPC to fill your primary schedule slots. 01:00:25 - Why a $250 customer acquisition cost is highly profitable for marginal capacity slots. 01:01:48 - Lifetime Value (LTV): Leveraging your CRM data to calculate your true maximum customer acquisition cost. 01:03:13 - Turning off the tap: Pausing PPC campaigns when booked out to prevent bleeding cash. 01:05:35 - Inside the Call Center: How Action Furnace filters and ranks incoming calls by priority level. 01:07:34 - Preparing for Peak Season: Last-minute technician and call center prep for the summer rush. 01:09:34 - Episode Ends Guest links: https://actionfurnace.ca/ Our Sponsor: https://freeagency.ai/

Send us Fan Mail Why Do 95% of Home Service Businesses Fail Within Their First Five Years? In this episode of Let's Vent, host Evan Hoffman sits down with Kevin Fiscor, CEO of Fiscor Plumbing and Air, for an incredibly vulnerable look inside the dark side of scaling a trade business. Kevin pulls back the curtain on how he took his company from a struggling $500K shop to pacing $21M in 2026 and why he realized HE was the biggest bottleneck in his own business. If you are a plumbing, HVAC, or electrical contractor tired of the fake social media highlights, this unfiltered conversation delivers the gritty, real life blueprint of what it takes to break the routine and build an independent trade empire. 👉 Connect with our sponsor, Free Agency, and fix your lead generation: https://freeagency.ai/yelp Time Stamps: 00:00 - Why 95% of Home Service Businesses Fail Within The First 5 Years? 00:45 - Introducing Kevin Fiscor, CEO of Fiscor Plumbing & Air 01:35 - A Message to the 2020 Version of Yourself 02:27 - From $500K to Pacing $21 Million 03:15 - "I Was the Problem": Looking in the Mirror After 26 Years in the Trades 04:00 - The Old School Mentality & Developing a Toxic Corporate Habit 05:50 - Shifting from Alcohol Abuse to Mental Fortitude 08:25 - Facing Emotional Realities Instead of Running From Them 09:41 - The Books That Saved My Life 11:05 - The Nightmare: Disappearing from Google Search & Map Packs 14:03 - The Isolation of Being A Business Owner 15:15 - Beyond the Revenue: Watching Your Team Buy Their First Homes 16:08 - Supporting Field Technicians Who Start Their Own Shops 19:15 - The 48 Hour Implementation Check Rule 20:53 - "If You Don't Write It Down, It Isn't Real" 22:06 - When Nobody Else is Clapping in the Auditorium 26:40 - The 5 Minute Work-Life Balance Rule 28:15 - Dealing with Competitors and Registrar Complaints 31:39 - The Danger of Comfort: Confronting Weight Gain and Excuses as a Former Athlete 32:24 - How Fast the Business Pivoted After Dropping the Ego 38:35 - Shifting from Install Manager to Coordinator 39:35 - The 3 Day Call Board Rule: Are you ready to Implement it? 40:15 - Why CSRs Are Your Most Important Position? 41:00 - The 98% Call Booking Rate Masterclass Ready for You 41:40 - 200 Hours of Training: Structuring Weekly KPI Reviews for Techs 44:50 - Fixing Gaps In Your Current House Before Spending More on Marketing 45:45 - The $18,000 Daily Overhead Reality: Walking In $80K in the Hole Every Week 47:50 - Changing Lives in the Field: How a Lead Installer Cleared $7K a Week 50:55 - Cutting the Budget: Evaluate DoorDash and Other Hidden Subscriptions 53:50 - Managing $500K in Inventory Without Suffocating Your Cash Flow 55:00 - Global Economics & Global Regulations: The Invisible Forces Impacting Your Shop 58:20 - Your Circle Predicts Your Future: Who Are your Closest Ones? 1:03:55 - What You Did Yesterday Doesn't Matter: What are you Doing NOW To Chase the $2 Million Month? 1:08:49 - The Power of Intention: Stumbling Across a Forgotten 100 Dreams List 1:10:00 - Writing the 6 Critical Tasks the Night Before 1:12:10 - Humble Beginnings: Operating a Plumbing & Air Shop Out of a 10x15 Storage Unit 1:13:00 - Eat the Frog: Forcing Yourself to Do the Hardest Task First 1:14:35 - Wrapping Up an Incredible 30-Minute Bonus Tangent 1:15:10 - Episode Ends. Support the Let’s Vent Podcast, Subscribe, and Leave a Comment! That would help us keep bringing to you this valuable stories! Connect With Kevin Fiscor https://fiscorhvac.com/ https://www.instagram.com/fiscor_ceo/

Send us Fan Mail How do you scale a Home Services Business past the $10M mark without losing your Company Culture or selling out to Private Equity? In this episode of Let's Vent, we sit down with the Owners of Go Green Plumbing, Heating & Air, Alicia Green and Pete Green to break down the exact operational tips, strategies and ideas they implemented to build an independent trade powerhouse. Connect with out Guests: Go Green Plumbing: https://gogreenplumb.com/ Alicia Green: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-green-14bb3495/ Pete Green: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-green-25496072/ Connect with our sponsor: https://freeagency.ai Time Stamps: 01:10 - Introducing Pete & Alicia Green from Go Green Plumbing 02:18 - Pete Green’s Transition from Programming to "Chief Technology Officer" 03:45 - The Truth About Company Culture: There are Always Ups & Downs 05:15 - What Happens When People Don't Fit the Mold? 06:13 - Shifting from Professional to Lightheartedness in Tough Times 07:45 - The Go Green Hiring Process: Do You Let Your Team Make the Decisions? 09:20 - The "Princess Castle" Lego Challenge & Out Of Comfort Zone Testing 13:16 - Quick to Hire, Slow to Fire: Should Be The Opposite Way Around? 14:15 - The ROI of Training 16:55 - Joining Nextstar Network & Implementing Soft Skills Training 17:58 - The Academy Structure: Weekly Breakdown of Trades & Certifications 22:38 - 60% of Our Business Wouldn't Exist Without the Training Academy 23:45 - The Myth of the Unicorn Employee 25:03 - Balancing IQ and EQ: Why Technical Skills and Soft Skills Are 50/50 27:50 - The Chaos of Early Training Programs vs. Today's Managed Structure 29:15 - Building a Clear Pay Plan and Incentivized Levels 32:14 - Advanced Lab Training: Partnering with Ultimate Tech Academy in Arkansas 33:20 - The Tax Perspective: Are you Paying More? 34:00 - Facing Private Equity (PE) in the Trades 38:12 - The Positive Side of PE: Injecting Business Logic and Real Value into the Trades 42:50 - Growing Big with Zero Outside Capital 45:15 - Why Cheap Prices Come at the Expense of Employees? 47:50 - Built on Community assistance: The Go Green Community Promise Program 49:35 - "Owned by Google": Venting About the Real Monopolies Dictated by the Industry 53:48 - Where Does the Cash Flow? Canadian Agencies vs. Local Greensboro Wages 57:25 - Understanding KPI Pressures and Employee Mass Exits 58:35 - Why Technicians Stay for Culture and Run from Structure Changes 01:01:40 - The Flaw in Flipping: Why Passing Hands Leads to Volume Loss 01:05:43 - Processing the Reality of Multi-Billion Dollar Acquisitions in the Trades 01:07:55 - The Challenge to Maintain Massive Service Value Over Time 01:10:17 - Will AI Supplement or Completely Replace Modern Jobs? 01:12:00 - How To Choose a Software That Actually Helps Reduce Workload? 01:12:42 - Why the CTO’s Workload Increases When Implementing AI? 01:13:55 - The Sandbox Mindset: Starting From a Place of Natural Curiosity 01:18:15 - Managing Scope Creep When Coding with Accelerated AI Speed 01:21:38 - How Non-Technical Leaders Can Leverage Claude? 01:23:59 - The "Twice a Day" Automation Rule: Building Your Operational Task List 01:28:46 - The Importance of Context and Direct Communication to Create a Prompt correctly 01:31:12 - Ostrich Mentality: Why Ignoring the Automation Wave Will Cost People Their Careers 01:31:47 - Focus on Eliminating Time Rather Than Solving the World's Problems 01:34:00 - How To Hold People Accountable Without Destroying The Company Culture ? 01:34:48 - Facts Over Feelings: Gathering Documentation and Data Before Tough Conversations 01:38:25 - Final Thoughts on How to Build a Scalable Organization

Send us Fan Mail Most Home Service business owners treat AI like a basic tool to create robotic prompts with generic results and poor return. In this episode of the Let's Vent Podcast, we sit down with a creative advertising legend and the CMO of Clover Growth Partners, Ken Moskowitz. He is a marketing mastermind who has spent over 40 years helping more than 1,000 businesses transform their brand messaging and drive real sales. He explains and show with real examples why the secret to elite marketing is knowing the right questions to ask, forcing the AI to ask you clarifying questions, and go deep into conversational voice modes to create authentic strategies. Connect with Ken Moskowitz: 🔹 Instagram: @spankymoskowitz 🔹 CMO: Clover Growth Partners / https://growwithclover.com/ 🔹 CEO: Ad Zombies / https://www.adzombies.com/ Time Stamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:10 - Meet Ken Moskowitz: 40 Years of Moving Consumers to Action 03:52 - Are Modern Marketers Lazy? The Lost Art of Making a Sale 05:58 - How Ken Overcame Cancer and Turned His Crisis into a Blessing 08:24 - Why Everyone is a Practitioner: The Rapid Evolution of AI 09:20 - The Power of Claude Prompts That Ask Questions 10:33 - Chat GPT vs. Claude: Choosing the Best AI Tool for Copywriting 11:41 - The Secret Tool Meta Bought: Building Service Pages in Minutes with Manus 13:50 - Stop Worrying About the Subscription Cost 14:55 - How to Audit and Analyze Your Marketing Data with Claude Code 16:28 - How Much Time Should You Dedicate to AI? 18:12 - Live Demonstration: Why You Need to Stop Typing and Start Talking to Chat GPT 21:54 - The 6-Step Framework to Lock In Your Authentic Brand Voice 26:45 - The Website Pulse Check: Auditing Your Brand Online with Google Labs 28:44 - Building Live: Ken’s 6-Hour Immersive AI Workshop Details 30:45 - Final Thoughts: Staying Curious & Scaling Your Shop's Potential 31:00 - Connect with Ken: Direct Email & Contact Information 31:25 - Episode Ends

Send us Fan Mail We had the absolute honor of sitting down with an absolute industry powerhouse, Mary Jean Anderson, former owner and CEO of Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air. In this episode, Mary Jean peels back the curtain on the exact strategies that allowed her company to average a staggering $3.6 million in growth every single year placing the right people in the right seats, and why true leadership requires you to "hire your weakness" to protect your own business goals. If you are a contractor ready to take your plumbing, HVAC, or electrical company to a 7 or 8 Figure Business, grab a notebook because this episode is packed with invaluable, real-world business wisdom. Reach Out Mary Jean Anderson Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/maryjeananderson/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryjean-anderson-68b56714/ Facebook This Episode Is Sponsor By Free Agency Time Stamps: 00:37 – Introducing Mary Jean Anderson 02:05 – Managing Stage Nerves After Decades of Team Leadership 03:41 – The Anderson Story: From a $3.2M Operation to a $62M Exit 05:01 – Building an Actionable Mission Statement That Outlasts Artwork 08:50 – How to Help People Become Their Best to Drive a Company Growth 09:44 – Mastering Profitability: Inventory Control on a 200-Truck Fleet 10:35 – Interview Secrets: Using Negative Prompts and Asset Questions to Filter Talent 12:11 – Delivering a 98.2% "Wow Experience" Customer Retention Strategy 14:18 – Shifting from Transactional Customers to Lifelong Clients 14:50 – Transitioning From Nursing to HVAC: The Art of Hiring Your Weakness 15:58 – Breaking Stereotypes: Why Women Are Crushing It in the Trades 18:18 – Leveraging Maintenance Agreements to Drive In-Home System Sales 19:10 – Launching an Internal Training Institute to Combat Labor Shortages 20:17 – The Critical Dangers of Third-Generation Watered-Down Training 21:30 – Visionaries vs. Integrators: How Brain Trusts Build Empires 22:55 – Let's Start Actively Hiring Women In The Trades 25:56 – Launching an Internal Training Institute to Eliminate Labor Shortages 27:07 – The Critical Dangers of Third-Generation Watered-Down Training 28:21 – Visionaries vs. Integrators: How Brain Trusts Build Empires 29:40 – Hire Your Weakness: Why the Best Trade CEOs Leave some Skills to the Experts 31:18 – The Cost of Forcing Yourself Into Roles You Hate 32:32 – This Episode Is Sponsored By Free Agency 34:00 – Behind the $62M Empire: Mary Jean’s Biggest Business M&A Mistake 36:30 – How to Connect with Mary Jean Anderson and Final Closing Remarks

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we talked with Jordan Cordero from Live Oak Bank about the massive wave of mergers and acquisitions transforming the home services industry. Jordan is one of the key players on these deals, and he shares exactly how independent trade companies are scaling from local operations into seven- and eight-figure regional powerhouses. If you are running an HVAC, plumbing, or electrical business, this episode provides all the necessary nuggets when it comes to financial strategies. If you are looking for an inside look at where interest rates are heading for the rest of 2026, this episode shows you how to structure a win-win deal that protects your retirement or your investment. Time Stamps: 01:05 - Introduction: Funding the Home Services Acquisition Wave 02:23 - The Mom and Pop Boom: How 2M Companies Are Buying Competitors 03:30 - Adding Service Lines To the Deals: Merging HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical 04:55 - How to Source Hidden Business Deals in Your Area 07:45 - Why Right Now is the Perfect Time to Buy a Trade Business 09:29 - Interest Rate Trends and the Reality of Capital Costs 10:30 - SBA 7a Loans vs Seller Financing: Shifting the Risk to the Bank 13:10 - The Hidden Trap of Seller Notes: Post-Sale Disagreements 15:15 - Creative Financing Structures and Tax Planning Options 16:40 - Acquisition Horror Stories: When the Seller Badmouths the Buyer 19:30 - Sponsor: Free Agency 21:18 - Why You Need a Lender Who Specializes in the Home Services Vertical 23:46 - The MCA Warning: How Predatory Working Capital Loans Ruin Cash Flow 26:12 - Can You Refuse or Refinance a Merchant Cash Advance? 27:10 - Market Forecast, Where Interest Rates Are Heading Next28:02 - Impact of Interest Rates on Acquisitions. 29:02 - Loan Structure and its effects. 30:01 - Fixed vs. Variable Rates in SBA Loans. 31:00 - Revenue Projections in Acquisitions. 34:52 - The Importance of Strategic Growth. 36:18 - Are You a Fit for SBA programs? 37:17 - Closing Remarks and Appreciation. Sponsor: Free Agency - https://freeagency.ai/

Send us Fan Mail In this episode with Ryan Fenn and Justin Judd from Chiirp, we discuss the power of language, customer communication, and innovative marketing strategies in the trades. They share insights on how your choice of words, consistent follow-up, and technology like AI can transform business growth and strengthen customer relationships. Time Stamps: 00:00 - The Power of Words in Business 02:51 - Transforming Customer Engagement 06:09 - The Art of Giving Value First 09:01 - Building Trust Through Reciprocity 11:58 - Creating Effective Playbooks 15:08 - Lead Conversion Strategies 17:55 - The Importance of Follow-Up 20:47 - Nurturing Customer Relationships 23:48 - Leveraging Technology for Communication 27:04 - Creating Memorable Customer Experiences 31:21 - Harnessing AI for Lead Conversion 34:04 - The Role of Speed in Lead Response 36:58 - AI and Human Interaction: Finding the Balance 39:46 - The Future of Human Senses in AI Interaction 41:39 - Building Human Connections in a Tech-Driven World 43:58 - Reassessing Efficiency: The Value of Human Interaction 51:29 - Revenue Optimization: Identifying Business Leaks 55:50 - Streamlined Implementation: Making AI Accessible Connect with Ryan and Justin: https://chiirp.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryandfenn/ ; https://www.instagram.com/highonutah/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-fenn-76568b165/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-judd-b5052297/

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Colleen Keyworth talks about the real impact of AI in home services, leadership in the trades, and how to leverage technology for business growth. We discussed How AI's role is saving time in Operations and Processes, content authenticity, and building a legacy in the industry. Time Stamps: 00:00 - Navigating the Current AI Landscape 10:11 - The Role of AI in Business Efficiency 20:17 - Content Creation and Authenticity in the AI Era 27:24 - The Evolution of Content Value and Trust 29:20 - Local Search and AI's Role in Home Services 30:41 - The Importance of Technical SEO 32:37 - Navigating Client Relationships in Marketing 33:56 - The Future of Marketing Agencies in an AI World 35:40 - The Human Touch in Customer Service 37:46 - After-Hours Service and Customer Experience 40:32 - Creating Memorable Customer Experiences 43:47 - The Importance of Personal Connections in Business 45:14 - Leaving a Legacy in the Trades Resources: Women in HVACR International Women's Network in Cooling (IWNC) HVACR Industry Events Where To Find Colleen Keyworth LinkedIn : linkedin.com/in/colleen-keyworth Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/ckeyworth04/

Send us Fan Mail Gil Cavey, host of HVAC Uncensored, shares his journey through business, personal struggles, and insights on industry challenges like permitting and training. Discover how he balances control, quality, and growth while navigating personal setbacks and embracing failure. Time Stamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Gil Cavey's background 01:04 - Transition from podcasting to business ownership 02:31 - Lessons from previous business partnerships 04:12 - Frustrations with permitting process 05:36 - Training and developing technicians 06:42 - Using AI to streamline operations 08:46 - Maintaining respect and leadership with technicians 11:22 - Selling options without pushing unnecessary services 12:58 - Balancing training and proficiency in HVAC 14:24 - Dealing with permitting and regulatory hurdles 16:42 - Embracing AI and technology in HVAC 19:30 - Marketing and growth strategies 22:07 - Building relationships with technicians 27:12 - Personal life and overcoming personal struggles 34:11 - Overcoming fear of failure and personal growth 37:18 - The importance of mental health and therapy 38:32 - Final thoughts and encouragement Where to Find Gil Cavey HVAC Uncensored Podcast : https://www.hvacuncensored.com/#dm

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Trevor Matthews, Founder of Refrigeration Mentor shares his journey from technician to business owner, emphasizing the importance of personal development, technical training, and strategic growth in the HVAC Industry. Discover insights on reducing callbacks, enhancing technician skills, and building a community for industry professionals. Time Stamps: 00:00 - The Journey to Self-Improvement 03:03 - From Technician to Business Owner 05:52 - The Importance of Training in the Industry 09:02 - Navigating the Challenges of the Trade 11:57 - Understanding Gross Margin and Profitability 15:06 - Building Confidence and Communication Skills 17:54 -The Future of the Refrigeration Industry 21:10 - Innovative Training Approaches for Technicians 25:03 - The Importance of Personal Development 31:48 - Navigating Career Transitions in the HVAC Industry 35:34 - The Role of Private Equity in Commercial Refrigeration 39:27 - Building a Community for Technicians Resources Jim Rohn - Personal Development Atomic Habits by James Clear How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie Jim Quick - Speed Reading and Learning Tony Robbins - Personal Development Jim Rohn - Motivational Speaker Connect With Trevor Matthews Refrigeration Mentor - https://refrigerationmentor.com/

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Evan Hoffman explores the innovative world of contractor-owned warranty programs with Jacob G and Will Kinsey. They discuss legalities, wealth creation, and how warranties can be a powerful tool for growth and retention in the HVAC industry. Guests Jacob Gee - Operations team at Rocket Group Holdings Will Kinsey - Founder of Conduit Warranty Corporation Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Warranty Programs 03:12 - The Journey of Conduit Warranty Corporation 06:02 - Understanding the Legalities of Warranties 08:53 - In-House Warranty Management Strategies 12:06 - Communicating Warranty Coverage to Customers 14:59 - Sales Impact of Warranty Programs 18:08 - Structuring a Contractor-Owned Warranty Company 26:16 - Understanding Labor Warranties and Their Benefits 30:19 - The Importance of Limited Warranties vs. Service Contracts 31:37 - The Concept of Forced Savings Accounts 35:50 - Investment Strategies for Warranty Funds 40:04 - Leveraging Warranties for Business Growth and Employee Retention 49:38 - Final Thoughts on Warranties as a Sales Tool Sponsor - https://freeagency.ai/

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, We talk with Josh Crouch about AI's impact on Home Services Business, Automation, and Digital Marketing Strategies. They explore practical tips for contractors to leverage AI, improve operations, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. Timestamps 00:00 Implementing Knowledge Immediately 11:45 The Role of AI in Home Services 24:11 Navigating Business Growth and Challenges 36:02 Leveraging AI and Automation for Contractors 39:57 How to Use AI for your Home Service Business to Growth 42:48 Authenticity in Marketing and Pricing for HVAC Business 46:10 The Importance of Data Integrity 50:01 Marketing Strategies for the Modern Consumer 56:08 The Future of Technology in Business 01:05:12 Consistency and Long-Term Success Connect With Josh Crouch LinkedIn - / joshcrouch Twitter - / joshcrouch Instagram - @josh_crouch_85

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, We discuss with Jarod Smith, CEO of Clog Busters Drain Cleaning & Repair the importance of Leadership, Business Growth, and Team Building. He mentions how passion, continuous learning, and strategic recruiting drive success in the Plumbing Industry. Timestamps: 00:00 - The Importance of Passion in Leadership 02:11 - Stagnation in the Contracting Industry 06:03 - Setting Intentions for Growth 09:57 - Building a Training Academy 11:44 - This Episode is Sponsored By Free Agency 13:51 - Recruiting for Success 18:11 - Creating a Positive Company Culture 24:02 - Episode Ends Connect with Jarod Smith & Clog Busters: 🌐 Website: https://clogbusters.co/ 💼 LinkedIn: Jarod Smith 🐦 X (Twitter): @JarodSmith_CB 📸 Instagram: @clogbustersdraincleaning

Send us Fan Mail How do you go from a Technician running a one-man show to leading a multi-million dollar HVAC company in just two years? In this episode of Let’s Vent, Cody Brasseal, CEO of Acadiana Comfort, pulls back the curtain on the "uncomfortable" decisions required to scale. Cody shares his journey, from early days following his father on rooftops to the high-stakes moment he had to choose between folding under debt or going "all-in." We discuss the "tyranny" of having 10,000 bosses, the art of suffering well to achieve success, and how he landed the biggest builders in his area by "speaking to the future" before he even had the experience. Timestamps 00:52 – Intro: Meet Cody Brasseal, CEO of Acadiana Comfort. 02:35 – Growing up in the trades: Working for a "nickel an hour." 01:50 – The two types of entrepreneurs: Which one are you? 04:37 – The "Tyrant" realization: Why business owners have 10,000 bosses. 06:55 – Suffer Well: What successful people do that others won't. 09:20 – The cost of greatness: Lessons from Elon Musk’s autobiography. 10:20 – The Turning Point: Being backed into a corner by debt. 15:33 – Momentum: Scaling from $400K to a multi-million dollar company. 19:55 – The "Scary" Investment: Moving from $250/mo SEO to the big leagues. 22:13 – Trial by Fire: Navigating COVID, hurricanes, and supply chain issues. 25:39 – The New Construction Pivot: Why most technicians avoid it. 29:20 – The Efficiency Game: The "magic sauce" for profitability. 30:58 – "Fake it 'til you make it": Cold-calling the three biggest builders. 32:02 – Speaking to the Future: How to sell a vision you haven't built yet. 33:13 - This Episode is Sponsored by Free Agency, visit: freeagency.ai 36:54 – Investing in Science: Diving into ACCA Manual J, S, and D. 40:38 – How Efficiency Becomes Your Biggest Competitive Edge in the Trades 41:40 – Beyond the "Cold Air Box": The physics of manipulating air and water. 42:45 – Creating Ecosystems: Why proper HVAC design is a health and financial priority. 45:00 – The Swamp Factor: Managing moisture and comfort in high-humidity climates. 48:29 – How Indoor Air Quality can help your health 55:48 – Where to find Cody Brasseal and Acadiana Comfort. 57:25 – Efficiency is Sexy: The secret sauce to a profitable trade business. 57:42 – Start, Stop, Keep: The simple framework for business planning. 1:00:45 – Episode Ends Connect with Cody Brasseal & Acadiana Comfort: 🌐 Website: AcadianaComfort.com 📧 Email: cjbrasseal@AcadianaComfort.com 📱 Facebook: Cody J. Brasseal 📸 Instagram: @AcadianaComfort

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Let’s Vent Podcast, we sit down with Laura Kelly, Co-Founder of Grow with Clover. Her company is a powerhouse in the home services industry, providing specialized coaching and media services designed to help contractors scaling their Business. Laura drops a massive truth bomb: The greatest gift you can give your business is radical self-honesty. We dive deep into the "Morning Reset," the psychology of the 6 Human Needs, and why your energy as a leader is 63% of the battle when it's time to close a deal or motivate a technician. Stop following the old story. It’s time to coach yourself to a bigger business. Timestamps: 00:39 — Meet Laura Kelly: Co-Founder of Grow with Clover 02:00 — The Big Shift: Moving from Technician to CEO 04:10 — Radical Honesty: Why the Truth Will Set You Free 06:35 — What Story Are You Telling Yourself? 11:32 — The Psychology of Success: Understanding the 6 Human Needs 14:05 — This Episode is Sponsored By Free Agency 17:51 — Leadership Secrets: What You Coach vs. What You Do 18:52 — Sales Mastery: How to Coach a High-Performing Technician 21:35 — Why Your Vibe and Energy is Contagious 23:47 — Lessons from the Greats: Tony Robbins & Evan’s Favorite Quotes 25:49 — "Not Everyone Has It, But Everyone Can Have It" 28:58 — Episode Ends 🔗 Connect with Laura Kelly & Grow with Clover Instagram: @the.laura.kelly Website: www.growwithclover.com

Send us Fan Mail Are you tired of "SEO Strategies" that bring traffic but zero bookings? In this episode, Kyle Sattler and Paul Olsen from Soo Good join us to vent the Secret on what it actually takes to scale a Home Services Business 10x in a single year. We aren't just talking about keywords. We’re diving into the psychology of the algorithm, the "Speed to Lead" reality, and why your business might be failing despite a #1 ranking. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🚀 How to handle a 10x growth without breaking your operations. 🗺️ The truth about MapPack and multi-service Google Business profiles. 🚩 Red Flags: How to spot a marketing agency that’s just "playing" you. ⚖️ The "Humble Advantage" of sitting down with your techs. Connect with our guests: 🔗 Visit Soo Good: https://sogoodteam.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: Kyle Sattler & Paul Olsen 01:56 - Scaling Secrets: How a Plumbing Biz Jumped 10x in 1 Year 03:41 - The Genesis of the "Soo Good" Method 08:43 - The Truth About Google & The Algorithm for Home Services 10:23 - From the Trenches: Kyle’s Marketing Journey 12:00 - A Critical Message Every Contractor Needs to Hear 17:46 - ProfitFill: Syncing Google Ads with Your Job Board Capacity 20:35 - Why Most Marketing Strategies Fail Contractors 25:35 - Team Training Masterclass (Shoutout to Kevin van Ormen) 26:59 - The "Perfect Call" Framework: Don't Waste Your Leads 28:33 - The #1 Training Pillar at Soo Good 35:40 - The Tommy Melo Strategy: Speed of Execution 37:33 - Dominating the Google MapPack for Local SEO 42:22 - Is Your Business Ready for This Level of Growth? 44:52 - This Episode is Sponsored by Free Agency 46:35 - Multi-Service Profiles: Does it Help or Hurt your SEO? 50:47 - Playing the Google Game: Strategy vs. Tactics 52:25 - The Review Engine: How to Automate Social Proof 01:10:11 - Marketing Red Flags: 3 Ways Agencies Drain Your Budget 01:12:36 - Where to Find the Soo Good Team 01:18:30 - The "Humble Advantage": Why You Must Talk to Your Techs 01:19:50 - Fou

Send us Fan Mail The HVAC landscape is undergoing its most significant shift. With new environmental regulations taking effect across the United States, homeowners and contractors alike are navigating the move to next-generation refrigerants. In this episode, we sit down with Nick Harbeck, a seasoned expert from the Regulatory and Sustainability Team at Johnson Controls. With over a decade of experience at the forefront of HVAC innovation and compliance, Nick breaks down exactly what these changes mean for your home, your safety, and the future of the industry. Whether you are a technician looking for the perfect sales pitch or a homeowner concerned about rising costs, this deep dive into the 2025 mandates offers the clarity you need. Timestamps 00:32 - Introduction: Meet Nick Harbeck 01:15 - Welcome to the 2025 AHR Expo 01:46 - A Decade of Professional Journey 03:00 - The 2026 Refrigerant Transition Explained 03:30 - Homeowner Concerns: Should You Worry? 08:33 - Safety Check: Are New Refrigerants Dangerous? 09:21 - This Episode is Sponsored by Free Agency 11:05 - Simplifying the Science for Technicians: How can HVAC pros explain complex regulatory changes to a homeowner without the jargon? 12:08 - The "Perfect Sales Pitch" for Technicians in the HVAC Industry 13:50 - Selling Sustainability: How Deep Should You Go? The right balance between pitching environmental savings and practical performance. 15:45 - The "Missing Question" in HVAC 17:24 - Electricity & Grid Anxiety 19:51 - Episode Ends

Send us Fan Mail Most Businesses fail because they ignore the basics. Derek Cormier, Founder of Climate Experts explains why treating every Lead like pure Gold and working every day on Internal Training is the only way to dominate the Home Services Industry. Whether you're in HVAC - Plumbing - Electrical or any Home Services Business, this is your blueprint for massive scale. 0:25 - Meet the $10M CEO: Derek Cormier 1:20 - From Zero to 8 Figures: The Professional Journey 6:00 - Leads are Gold: How to Stop Wasting Opportunities 7:15 - The "90% Booking Rate" Secret Strategy 9:08 - High-Level Conversion: Turning Leads into Booked Jobs 13:20 - The $10M Failure: What Derek Learned the Hard Way 18:30 - How Guarantee Companies Scale Your Home Services Business 21:30 - The Controversial Metric: Why Your Manager’s Credit Score Matters 21:47 - Inside the Climate Experts Hiring Machine 23:46 - The Great Debate: Green Talent vs. Experienced Techs 27:40 - Why Geographic Expertise is a Technician’s Secret Weapon 28:58 - The 2-Week Bootcamp: Training for 8-Figure Standards 29:30 - Culture First: Why You Must Hire for Fit, Not Just Skill 35:19 - CEO Leadership: Driving the Vision from the Front 39:15 - Scaling Smarter with Free Agency (Sponsor) 41:20 - The HVAC Community: Are Owners Actually Helping Each Other? 46:01 - Breaking the $10M Ceiling: The Climate Experts Story 50:55 - The Radical Honesty Framework for Building Customer Trust 51:40 - Do You Need a Fractional CMO for Home Services? 53:25 - The Free Agency Game Plan: Visit freeagency.ai 54:40 - The CEO’s Guide to Dominating Social Media 1:00:20 - How to Mix Education and Entertainment 1:01:48 - The Leadership Balance: Vision vs. Team Input 1:04:50 - The 3-Legged Stool: Running 3 Trades in One Business 1:17:55 - The Vulnerability Trap: Why Being "Always Strong" is a Weakness 1:22:04 - The Morning Routine That Sets a Mindset for Success 1:23:50 - Connect with Derek Cormier

Send us Fan Mail If you’ve been hearing about peptides for longevity and wondering what’s real vs hype, this episode breaks it down in plain language, specifically for contractors, technicians, and trades business owners who put their bodies through the wringer. You’ll hear why “health” can be defined as your ability to heal, how peptide signaling works (without the jargon), and why peptides aren’t a shortcut. You still need the basis: sleep, nutrition, movement, and the right lab work. We also talk about leadership: how improving your health can ripple through your team, reduce sick days, and support stronger performance on the job and at home. Time Stamps 00:00 — What is health? “Your ability to heal” and longevity 00:31 — Welcome + why peptides & health matter for the trades 02:35 — Matt’s health wake-up call and the “legacy” motivation 05:14 — Doctor Adam’s background: chiropractic → regenerative medicine 08:45 — Peptides explained: amino acids, signaling, and “lock and key” 10:31 — Where to start: resources + educating yourself safely 13:16 — Longevity vs “anti-aging” + the compounding effect of habits 15:22 — GLP-1s are peptides too: lifestyle change, not a quick fix 19:26 — Injury setback, mindset pivot, and sustainable goals 22:20 — Prevention vs reactive “sick care” + productivity for owners 26:12 — Peptides discussed: libido, sleep, and performance examples 35:08 — BPC-157 and recovery: chronic injuries, tissue repair, gut health 42:34 — Sourcing matters: quality, capsules vs injections, US sourcing claim 46:24 — Sponsor/read: Free Agency marketing segment 47:30 — Employer angle: healthier teams, fewer sick days, compounding impact 51:22 — How to start with Next Level + virtual options 52:41 — “Test, don’t guess”: baseline labs and practical markers 59:23 — Food basics, sunlight, movement; avoiding overcomplication 01:07:05 — Leaders: how to talk to your team about health (lead by example) 01:11:42 — Final takeaway: pick “one thing” and build momentum Connect with our Guests: Dr. Adam Boender Instagram: @dradamboender peptideresearcher.com precisionpracticemastery.com YouTube: @thepeptidepulse Matt Benton LinkedIn: Matt Benton trenchlessmarketing.com