The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or Exit

What starts with a $400 window job in college turns into a 21-year power washing powerhouse. This week, the Blue Collar Twins, Jason and Jeremy Julio, sit down with Freddie Hodge, founder of Clearview, to unpack how a family business built on hustle, humility, and heart became one of New Jersey’s most respected exterior cleaning brands. From cleaning windows with his dad on weekends to running an eight-truck operation with 26 employees, Freddie’s story is a blueprint for persistence. He shares how a single newspaper ad launched his career, why his wife’s obsession with systems changed everything, and how a focus on team retention and culture helped him achieve a 95% return rate in a seasonal business. Freddie breaks down his approach to hiring slow, firing fast, and building careers—not just jobs. He dives into training, tech, and the role of VAs and AI in keeping operations running smoothly. And he reveals how he turned challenges—like COVID shutdowns and seasonal slowdowns—into growth opportunities through consistency, creativity, and community. 🎧 Tune in to hear how a college side hustle grew into a multimillion-dollar company—and why Freddie believes real success isn’t about the next contract, but the team you bring with you.

What do a CrossFit gym, a frozen yogurt shop, and an ice cream parlor have in common? Jay Vigilante. This week, the Blue Collar Twins, Jason and Jeremy Julio, sit down with the serial entrepreneur who proves that saying “yes” and figuring it out later can build a life most people only dream about. From overcoming addiction in his early twenties to owning three thriving businesses on the Jersey Shore, Jay’s story is raw, real, and relentlessly motivating. He shares how community, creativity, and curiosity became his secret weapons — turning a struggling gym, a $30,000 yogurt shop, and a for-rent ice cream store into profitable, family-run operations. Jay opens up about the power of second chances, the stress of employees, and why his definition of success has nothing to do with Ferraris — and everything to do with family, freedom, and fun. 🎧 Tune in to hear how a few bold bets, a lot of heart, and one simple rule — say yes more than you say no — shaped a life built on grit, growth, and good ice cream.

When most people hear “ROX Rocks Heating and Air,” they don’t just remember the tune — they remember the brand. This week, the Blue Collar Twins, Jason and Jeremy Julio, sit down with Jason Stenseth, President of Prime Home Services Group, to unpack how $400, a beat-up truck, and a $60 jingle grew into a thriving portfolio of home-service brands. From working in his father’s HVAC shop at age 12 to acquiring and scaling multiple companies, Stenseth’s story is pure blue-collar brilliance. He reveals how bold marketing moves, community-first outreach, and a focus on profit over size powered his growth — and how systems, service plans, and strong teams keep it all running.  Tune in to hear how one catchy jingle, a few gutsy risks, and relentless drive transformed a small shop into a lasting brand built on grit, creativity, and customer loyalty. Show links: From Gym Teachers to Service Leaders: The Julio Twins' Story | Last Bite Mosquito, Viking Pest https://youtu.be/DAYxtzhswxs From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com

Dominic “DJ” Mazza walks through how a third-generation New Jersey scrap and demo outfit became one of the region’s most diversified recycling platforms—spanning transfer stations, a single-stream MRF, mulch & bagging, roll-off and commercial collection, scrap, concrete, and more. The Blue-Collar Twins dig into capital intensity, acquisitions (Liberty/Bull), building a professional management layer, and why process, cost accounting, and tech are DJ’s real superpowers. You’ll hear: How a Big Four CPA ditched fluorescent auditor rooms to scale the family business with cousin Jimmy.The “feed your own transfer station” move: launching roll-off & commercial collection to control inbound.Building a state-of-the-art single-stream MRF and a Scotts mulch bagging line—plus what they’d do differently.Buying right: Liberty & Bull, when to keep local brands, and bringing in an A-player COO from Waste Management.Valuation reality in waste/recycling, why the industry is capital- and compliance-heavy, and where DJ’s building next. Show links: From Gym Teachers to Service Leaders: The Julio Twins' Story | Last Bite Mosquito, Viking Pest https://youtu.be/DAYxtzhswxs From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps 00:00 – Cold open: capital-intensive ops, team size, and early acquisitions (Liberty/Bull) 00:49 – Intros; first waste/recycling guest on the Buzz 01:32 – BU → Deloitte CPA years; why auditing felt like “double-checking” not building 02:36 – Back to the family business; the 1964 roots and grandfather’s original operation 05:12 – The cousins’ plan: DJ + Jimmy begin shaping the next chapter 07:24 – From local scrap to regional platform; footprint across New Jersey and greater Philly 07:46 – Exiting demolition to focus: redeploying time/capital into scalable lines 09:15 – “Feed the transfer station”: launching roll-off with a truck and ten cans 10:32 – New bagging plant: producing Scotts mulch for Home Depot/Lowe’s in the Northeast 11:17 – Inside the single-stream MRF: optical sorters, PET capture, and why the facility’s different 12:59 – Why processing costs are high; plant capex and how the permit strategy started (cardboard → full stream) 15:08 – Touring plants, picking vendors, and what they’d change in hindsight 15:41 – Size, scope, and staying privately owned; leading a 250-person team 18:45 – Property bets from the ’80s and how real estate underpins growth 25:22 – Business lines roll-call: transfer stations, MRF, mulch/topsoil, scrap, concrete, tires, roll-off & commercial routes 27:17 – Open to the public; marketing mix and in-house director driving search & demand 31:20 – M&A integration: DJ runs diligence/legal, Jimmy runs deal sourcing; adding a seasoned COO 32:47 – Valuation talk, regulatory moat, and why scaling takes management depth 35:24 – Planning horizon, pivots, and what it takes to double again 38:03 – Hours & throughput: accepting to 5pm, processing to 10pm; hiring/keeping A-players

Founder Arturo Lewin unpacks the drayage grind behind U.S. imports—how Alliance Worldwide Logistics Corp grew from a two-truck hustle into a reliable intermodal carrier by obsessing over turn times, chassis and free-time clocks. The Blue-Collar Twins dig into pricing discipline (detention/demurrage/accessorials), owner-operator recruiting, port/rail expansion, and the culture/tech stack that keeps containers moving when everyone else is stuck at the gate. You’ll hear: Port Playbook: dispatch, pre-pulls, and the free-time math that saves customers from five-figure D&D bills.Pricing That Holds: accessorials, fuel, per-diem, and how to educate shippers without losing the relationship.Fleet Strategy: balancing company rigs with owner-ops, safety incentives, and dedicated lanes.Ops Backbone: TMS + ELD + GPS + EDI, photo proof at every milestone, and real-time customer updates.Expansion Moves: port to rail ramp, inland hubs, and when to say no to the wrong freight.People & Culture: training dispatchers to think in “minutes and miles,” not just loads and rates. Show links: From Gym Teachers to Service Leaders: The Julio Twins' Story | Last Bite Mosquito, Viking Pest https://youtu.be/DAYxtzhswxs From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps 00:00 – Cold open: “In drayage, the meter starts the second the box hits the ground.” 00:48 – Intros: who Arturo serves and what Alliance Worldwide Logistics does 02:10 – Origin story: first port run, first customer, and the early two-truck lessons 05:20 – What shippers miss: demurrage vs. detention vs. per-diem explained in plain English 07:15 – The free-time clock: pre-pulls, storage, and when paying yard fees beats D&D 10:05 – Rate integrity: accessorials that keep you alive (and how to present them) 12:40 – Fleet mix: owner-operators, company trucks, and safety incentives that actually work 15:30 – Turn-time obsession: appointment windows, gate queues, and chassis availability 18:25 – Tech stack: TMS, ELD, GPS photos, and EDI status codes customers care about 21:10 – Port → rail: adding inland ramps and choosing the right 3PL/BCO partners 24:30 – Recruiting & retention: why dispatcher quality keeps drivers loyal 27:45 – 2020–2021 lessons: congestion playbook and the “never again” SOPs 30:20 – Saying no: freight that looks good on paper but kills your day 33:00 – Building culture: minutes and miles mentality; daily huddles that prevent fire drills 36:10 – What great shippers do: clean paperwork, quick unloads, and shared calendars 39:00 – Advice to founders: know your numbers, guard the clock, and protect your lanes 41:30 – Close: what’s next for Alliance Worldwide Logistics and where Arturo is placing bets

Skye LaJaunie joins the Blue-Collar Twins to unpack how she moved from salon owner to visionary at LaJaunie’s Pest Control, why EOS transformed her leadership, and how the Eagles Nest peer groups are forging courageous, accountable operators. From door-knocking with her family to doubling goals and navigating the next wave of regulation and tech, Skye lays out a clear, people-first path to scale. You’ll hear: How Skye shifted from integrator to visionary—and why disciplined meetings changed everything.The origin of Eagles Nest peer groups and the “feedback is a gift” covenant that drives real results.Women in leadership: turning “different” into a superpower and finding mentors across the industry.Daily cadence: 4–5 a.m. starts, meditation, yoga, and staying out of the office to empower leaders.Future lens: drones, smart traps, and why regulation may force evidence-based applications.Growth plan: doubling the business while keeping purpose, clarity, and culture at the core. Show links: From Gym Teachers to Service Leaders: The Julio Twins' Story | Last Bite Mosquito, Viking Pest https://youtu.be/DAYxtzhswxs From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps 00:00 – Cold open: “Entrepreneurs and leaders make the world better—by showing up.” 00:50 – Intros and early story: salon owner → service entrepreneur → pest business partner 02:30 – Counting doors at age 8: the money/operations curiosity that never left 04:10 – “Be better to do better”: mentors, books, and servant leadership 06:45 – EOS enters the chat: L10s, IDS, and hiring a pro implementer 10:55 – Roles evolve: from Jared’s integrator to Skye as visionary with an integrator under her 13:40 – Women in pest: why being “different” opened doors and accelerated mentoring 18:50 – Eagles Nest: structure, radical accountability, and measurable growth 26:00 – Purpose over shiny objects: clarity, focus, and saying no to distractions 31:30 – Daily habits: 4–5 a.m. routine, yoga, meditation, task mastery 34:45 – Why grow now: doubling as a way to expand people, capacity, and impact 39:30 – Tech & regulation: smart traps, IPM, and the shift away from calendar apps 42:30 – Acquisitions: two small buys and lessons learned 45:30 – Wrap: staying positive, empowering leaders, and writing “The Writer” book next

From a wrong-number job interview to running two Bay Area branches and finally launching his own shop, Josh Fleenor lays out how Pest Pros grew from two trucks to a regional force—anchored in multifamily, a “whatever it takes (the right way)” culture, and promoting leaders early so the company can scale without breaking. You’ll hear the origin story, the first-year sprint to $747k, the blue-ocean play in property management, and how hugs, hard conversations, and clear guardrails keep the team winning year after year. You’ll hear: The misdial that led to pest control, five years at Clark, and the leap after a dissolved partnership.Why multifamily became the beachhead—and how value + pricing flipped “dirt-cheap” accounts into real margin.The year-one LinkedIn blitz, $700k booked in property management, and testing channels by turning Google off.Culture in practice: “no excuses, find a way,” hugs and vulnerability, and guardrails so “whatever it takes” doesn’t burn families out.Hiring slow for core values, promoting early to build leadership layers, and a structure that rotates HQ leaders into satellite offices.Tech & tools: cautious AI (great for SOPs, not for phones—yet), contests, and experiences that bond the team. Show links: From Gym Teachers to Service Leaders: The Julio Twins' Story | Last Bite Mosquito, Viking Pest https://youtu.be/DAYxtzhswxs From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps 00:00 – Cold open: “Whatever it takes”—and why the team hasn’t missed an annual goal in 7½ years 01:00 – Origin story: the wrong-number interview that led to pest control; Clark → Bay Area branch leadership 04:45 – “Meant for more”: deciding to go all-in on the industry 08:00 – Partner plan dissolves; Josh launches Pest Pros with two trucks and a people-first vision 11:55 – Year one: LinkedIn property-management push and $747k produced by December 13:50 – Headwinds: SPB complaints, Yelp shutoff, and finding the blue-ocean in multifamily 16:30 – Pricing for value (not “dirt-cheap”); personal connection as the wedge 18:45 – Financial lumps and learning—what he’d do differently 19:45 – Leadership layers: promote early so managers can practice accountability 22:00 – Morning routine, boundaries, and defining what “whatever it takes” does—and does not—mean 24:50 – Channels & testing: billboards, TV, referrals; turning Google off to see what’s real 28:10 – Expansion map: Concord HQ, Yuba City, Roseville; “own NorCal” before jumping farther 30:40 – Rebuilding a misfiring satellite office around core values; HQ leaders rotate in monthly 33:00 – Production targets: $1,400–$1,500/day per truck—without 12-hour burnout days 36:30 – Culture mechanics: hugs, vulnerability, Kings-arena party, Tahoe yacht, contests 42:45 – Hiring for values; when a “maybe” hire isn’t a culture fit 44:00 – AI today: SOPs/emails yes; phones not yet—protect the experience 47:00 – Imperfect reps > perfection; posting, writing, and getting better on camera 49:30 – Parenting and adversity: giving his daughter the space to earn her own stripes 51:10 – Closing: mentorship, masterminds, and a people-first vision for the next chapter

Part inventor, part hustler, part one-man media team—Mike Silva turned a Thanksgiving garbage-can game into QB54: a dual-purpose football game you play (then sit in). The Blue-Collar Twins dig into how he went from beach-day preorders to manufacturing at scale, survived COVID freight shocks, landed in 200 Dick’s Sporting Goods stores, and kept his family in the ride the whole way. You’ll hear: The origin story: buckets to chairs, a light-bulb prototype, and first cash-in-hand preorders on the Jersey Shore.Testing before betting: small runs, tailgate demos, and learning to trust (but verify) manufacturers.Retail reality: terms, freight, tariffs, drayage—and why “getting in” is nothing without “selling through.”Media engine: eight years of footage, smart ad buying, ROAS/CAC basics, and turning reactions into conversion.Resilience & risk: six-figure debt, family support, mentor advice (“stay even keel”), and the grit to keep moving.What’s next: Shark Tank exposure, overseas distribution, and a potential soccer variant. Show links: From Gym Teachers to Service Leaders: The Julio Twins' Story | Last Bite Mosquito, Viking Pest https://youtu.be/DAYxtzhswxs From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps 00:00 – Cold open: “Believe in yourself… good things happen.” 00:41 – Meet Mike Silva, co-founder of QB54; what the game is and how it works 02:02 – Thanksgiving genesis: garbage cans, CB antennas, and a lifelong idea 03:54 – 2015–2016 decision to launch; neighbor won’t stop playing → “we might have something” 06:00 – First prototypes, the beach test, and 15 preorders from strangers 08:06 – Finding a factory, early small runs, and learning to test the market first 10:00 – Stadium-to-stadium hustle; bringing the kids and paying per sale 12:06 – Patents 101: provisional, design, utility—why protection mattered 14:20 – Family partnership, buying out his brother, and staying “even keel” through highs/lows 17:01 – The debt valley: $600k+, COVID container shock, and clawing back with ads 20:04 – Retail education: 90-day terms, consignment risk, Bed Bath test that needed in-store demos 23:59 – Freight, tariffs, drayage, warehousing—why COGS is only the start 27:01 – Marketing misfires, learning skepticism, and finding the right 3PL (“ShipDaddy”) 30:30 – Best day ever: 320 units in one day (and the ad spend behind it) 33:00 – Building the media machine: years of footage → Facebook/Google/TikTok wins 38:00 – Influencers, content gaps, and why reliability beats free product 41:20 – Brand placements (Corona/Labatt/retail displays) and the need to show how it plays 46:10 – Shark Tank journey: audition, pitch, and air date set (Oct 1) 49:50 – Community & peers: Founders Group, Crossnet lessons, and real-talk playbooks 53:40 – Exit possibilities, athlete interest, and league/sport potential 55:57 – Close: why the sale still feels like a rush and what 2025 could unlock

The Blue-Collar Twins sit down with Byron Gifford—the “godfather of door-to-door”—to unpack his ground-zero start in summer sales, the Evergreen chapters (launch, rapid expansion, strategic exits), and the operating cadence that lets his team add tens of thousands of accounts without melting down. It’s a masterclass in self-financing hypergrowth, centralizing ops, and developing leaders who can actually carry the load. You’ll hear: Hypergrowth reality: why fast scale feels like self-financing—and why people are harder than cash.Ground zero of D2D: Salesnet → Eclipse → starting a pest company from a marketing engine.Evergreen playbook: launch, densify, sell, reinvest—then rinse and repeat across markets.Centralized backbone: one call center, cookie-cutter ops, and tech/termite cross-sell that de-risk seasonality.Beyond the doors: building non-D2D channels (digital, referrals, tech upsells) until they rival summer volume.Leadership & longevity: morning “elevated state,” systems, and a health comeback that reset the throttle. Show links: From Gym Teachers to Service Leaders: The Julio Twins' Story | Last Bite Mosquito, Viking Pest https://youtu.be/DAYxtzhswxs From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps 00:00 – Cold open: cash for growth vs. developing the right people 00:48 – Intros: the Blue-Collar Twins welcome Byron “godfather of D2D” Gifford 01:42 – BYU mission → first summer selling → top rookie with Salesnet 03:18 – Salesnet bankruptcy, pivot to Eclipse, and launching a pest company from a sales org 06:00 – 2008 crash, reset, and the road back 08:58 – Evergreen launch: Seattle → Portland (sale) → Denver/Albuquerque; a parallel trash-marketing sidecar 14:00 – D2D economics: densification, rising CAC, and the 2–3 year LTV/retention bend 18:58 – “A-Team” cadence: department heads, cash-model precision, people as the limiter 22:00 – Morning routine: elevated state, gratitude, workouts, and living by the calendar 27:00 – Lyme disease detour → stem-cell recovery → throttle back on full 29:56 – Branch-owner model (50% local equity), lessons, and selective sales to strategic buyers 36:52 – Beyond D2D: digital, tech-sales, and termite cross-sell compounding into real scale 40:00 – Ogden, UT hub: central call center and cookie-cutter ops for multi-market control 43:26 – Panels, PestWorld, and a PCT Top-10 goal on the horizon 49:00 – Leadership philosophy: set expectations, kill drama, find solutions, keep moving

Maria Sorrentino started as a tech while studying social work and went on to build Pest Pros in Kalamazoo—plus Hive Nine and the “Lead People Manage Stuff” workshops. The Blue-Collar Twins dig into how she hires, pays, and develops people, why peer groups changed her trajectory, and the faith-driven mission that keeps her scaling without losing the heart of the business. It’s a field-tested blueprint for owners who believe culture and accountability win long term. You’ll hear: The “part-time is a lie” origin story and why pest control is a marketable, problem-solving trade.How she worked every role—tech to termite inspector to operator—and why being a people-first leader beats being a “bug nerd.”Comp & culture: the “altruism base” (paid non-billable hours), commission hygiene, and building a team that actually likes accountability.The Top-100 epiphany that expanded her vision—and how a 100-mile service radius actually works.Peer pressure, the good kind: inside “The Eagle’s Nest” where owners open P&Ls and leave with bruises (and breakthroughs).Why Hive Nine & “Lead People Manage Stuff” were built for leadership benches—not just owners. Show links: From Gym Teachers to Service Leaders: The Julio Twins' Story | Last Bite Mosquito, Viking Pest https://youtu.be/DAYxtzhswxs From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps 00:00 – Cold open: “Pest control is a real marketable skill… it’s problem-solving.” 00:34 – Intros + how Maria connected with the Twins (Pest Cemetery days). 02:00 – Getting in: social work student → office → certified → field (and why “part-time” is a myth). 03:16 – Working every role: tech, termite inspections, then operator. 03:56 – “People person” vs. “bug nerds” at home—owning her lane. 04:31 – Starting Pest Pros (2018) with a home-inspector partner. 19:29 – The “altruism base”: paid non-billable hours that keep teams balanced. 20:22 – Paul Bello: from officiating her daughter’s wedding to training her techs. 22:08 – Vision unlock: seeing Top-100 peers and realizing what’s possible. 23:16 – Service map: running a 100-mile radius out of Kalamazoo. 25:46 – Boundaries, family, and why the business became a shared “fun thing.” 26:21 – Coaching bias: why Maria pushes revenue (and learned to respect margin). 31:24 – Hive Nine Consulting: events that develop teams, not just owners. 31:52 – “Lead People Manage Stuff”: the leadership workshop series. 32:45 – Community: why pest control attracts the “best-hearted” people. 33:04 – Her personal mission—and how faith guides the next bet. 42:49 – Inside “The Eagle’s Nest”: open books, hard feedback, real accountability. 52:05 – Superpower: being a connector—and a final invite to collaborate. 53:09 – Outro & CTA to Potomac and more resources.

For three decades, Alina Stevens’ family business got “we want to buy you” letters almost daily—then in 2024, she finally said yes. In this candid conversation, Alina walks the Blue-Collar Twins through scaling All Pro Pest from ~25 to ~50 employees, choosing a buyer who kept the team (only one person left), and the emotional gear-shift from making every decision to consulting while the new owner hums along. It’s a masterclass in female leadership inside a family company, statewide routing without extra branches, and knowing when to let the kids “go to college.” You’ll hear: The moment “sell” went from never to now—and why employee continuity was the deal-breaker.How she modernized ops: true-mobile routing, GPS/cameras, and ditching IVR hell to stay customer-first.Lessons as a woman owner winning respect on job sites by knowing the craft cold.Why growth means you’re never “over the mountain,” and how to communicate for buy-in (not just talk).Life after close: the ego hit of “they don’t need me”… and the freedom to ask what’s next. From Gym Teachers to Service Leaders: The Julio Twins' Story | Last Bite Mosquito, Viking Pest https://youtu.be/DAYxtzhswxs From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps 00:00 – “We got buy-your-company letters almost daily for 30 years… then we finally sold.” 00:50 – Intros: Alina’s 2024 exit and the hard art of letting go 02:00 – “Never planned to be the bug girl”: Air Force pilot dreams → family firm roots (1971) 03:45 – Health crises, divorce, stepping in after raising kids—“somebody had to sail the ship” 05:10 – Change management 101: don’t flip everything at once (ask her how she knows) 06:45 – Choosing the buyer: keep the people, not just the book—only one employee didn’t continue 08:40 – Post-close role: retained as a 1-year consultant… but the newco barely needed her 10:10 – Scale at sale: ~50 employees, ~40 trucks; when she took over (~2015) it was ~25 staff 12:00 – Origin story: bank teller → office manager → marrying the boss (plus a $2/hr raise) 14:10 – Earning respect as a woman in a male-dominated niche: knowledge beats assumptions 18:30 – Statewide without branches: “true mobile” ops from home bases across Georgia 19:50 – From proprietary software (“Helper”) to mainstream + mobile; training older techs 22:30 – GPS & cameras: nightmare stories… and the crash video that saved a driver 26:00 – Phones & CX: VOIP, fewer prompts, always a human—because customer-first isn’t a menu tree 27:40 – “FITFO”: figuring it out through hiccups, turnover, and route remaps 30:20 – Leadership reality: 3 a.m. at the office, good people who stayed, and new opportunities under newco 33:00 – Comfort vs growth: the tag that says “AND NEXT” and a Mexico pest-control idea 34:45 – Mentors & marriage: productive conflict that made the business stronger 41:30 – Culture: family and team, where competition never outweighed belonging 44:50 – Communication = buy-in: expect 60–70% of your own intensity; tailor the message to the person 52:30 – Meeting Potomac and what “you’re the best” from an advisor really means

Flint-born mower jockey Sam Gembel went from nights-and-weekends side hustle to founding Atlas Outdoor—a 110-person, two-branch landscape + snow powerhouse now adding a million in revenue each year. In his first Boardroom Buzz appearance, Sam sits down with the Blue-Collar Twins to unpack: Grass-Cutting Genesis – quitting high school, banging stripes, and learning his real job was “making crew leaders,” not mowing lawns.Rapid Ramp – $300 k ➜ $1 M ➜ $3 M in four seasons, then stalling at $5 M until a coach killed the “sell-more” dopamine loop.Pandemic Reset – why losing seven crew leaders on Day 1 of 2020 became the filter that left Atlas with A-players only.Culture Proof – six values, weekly L10s, and year-round salaries that drive a 93 % retention rate despite brutal Michigan winters.Significance over Success – turning deposits into payroll, mentoring operators through the Culture Proof podcast, and building opportunity “big enough for everyone’s dreams.” Stick around for Sam’s take on staying calm in chaos, why A-players force owners to level up, and how Shawshank Redemption explains entrepreneurial self-sabotage. From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps (podcast.co-ready) 00:00 – Cold-open: “We self-sabotage the second life gets uncomfortable.” Buzz EP 213 Sam Gembel … 00:35 – Intros: Sam’s Atlas Outdoor story & Culture Proof podcast debut Buzz EP 213 Sam Gembel … 02:00 – High-school dropout to zero-turn crew leader; first taste of leadership Buzz EP 213 Sam Gembel … 06:50 – Learning his real role: create crew leaders, not stripes Buzz EP 213 Sam Gembel … 09:00 – Side-yard hustle becomes Atlas Outdoor; origin of the name & logo Buzz EP 213 Sam Gembel … 13:30 – Year-one $300 k, Year-two $1 M; growth by Facebook & word-of-mouth Buzz EP 213 Sam Gembel … 18:15 – Cash-flow cracks at $5 M: deposits as payroll and the first business coach Buzz EP 213 Sam Gembel … 24:20 – Mentor Blake Crawford’s quiet $14 M shop and 22 % margins Buzz EP 213 Sam Gembel … 30:10 – Hiring A-players vs. settling for Bs & Cs; institutionalized mindsets Buzz EP 213 Sam Gembel … 38:30 – Pandemic purge: seven crew leaders quit; culture reset & surge ahead Buzz EP 213 Sam Gembel … 41:00 – Year-round salaries for crew leaders; 93 % retention win Buzz EP 213 Sam Gembel … 45:00 – Snow & ice division: 26 rigs, “air hurts your face” winters, profit center Buzz EP 213 Sam Gembel … 50:00 – Vision + culture are the only non-delegables; calm-captain leadership model Buzz EP 213 Sam Gembel … 54:30 – Next chapter: five Michigan hubs, million-a-year organic growth, significance over success Buzz EP 213 Sam Gembel … 57:00 – Rapid-fire round: mantra under stress, lessons from Tommy Mello, habit for focus Buzz EP 213 Sam Gembel … 1:00:00 – Outro, Potomac Masterclass CTA, and Sam’s invite to audit your own attachment rate

What began as a $4-an-hour summer gig at Western Pest has grown into Hoffman’s Exterminating, a six-branch powerhouse ranked among PCT’s Top 100—and CEO Bill Hoffman is still at the helm. Certified as an entomologist and PCQI, Bill joins the Blue-Collar Twins to unpack how pig-farm discipline, union-shop lessons, and a “coach-not-tech” mindset fueled steady, one-to-three-hires-per-year growth—and landed Hoffman’s as the official pest-control partner of the Philadelphia Eagles. You’ll hear: Door-Knock Origins – mortgaging sweat equity into a one-man startup while moonlighting at a deli and landscaping crew.Coach’s Playbook – shifting from “crawl-space hero” to head coach and writing SOPs that free his team to execute.Eagles & MLS Deals – the referral chain—from a mom-and-pop acquisition to MLS partner to NFL sidelines—that proves community karma pays.Culture Moat – 20-year employees earn lifetime health insurance; paid volunteer hours keep staff and community for life.Seasonality Hacks – 55 % commercial mix, exclusion division, and weather “audibles” that keep 70 techs busy through Northeast winters.Mission Beyond Margins – board seats at two Ronald McDonald Houses, sustainability work at Lincoln Financial Field, and why “quality over quantity” still drives every decision. Stick around for Bill’s blunt advice on moving from technician mindset to $30 million CEO—and why the best companies know when to act big and when to act small. From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps (podcast.co-ready) 00:00 – Cold-open: “A $30 M CEO is a coach, not a tech.” 00:50 – Pig-farm work ethic: discipline, sharpened blades, and early hustle 02:35 – South-Jersey roots & lifelong Eagles fandom 02:55 – How referrals turned a tiny list buy into MLS ➜ Philadelphia Eagles partnerships 05:05 – Acquisitions to “Acquired”: recap of Bill’s first Buzz appearance 07:00 – Buying a $500 K mosquito firm—and learning seasonal economics 09:15 – Northeast seasonality vs. commercial stabilizer (55 % mix) 10:00 – Accidental entry: summer helper at Western Pest, 17 years old 11:20 – Youngest branch manager at 25 in a union shop 14:00 – Culture shift at Western sparks Hoffman's launch (1990) 16:00 – Business plan > job plan: mapping the ladder out of the truck 18:45 – “Head-coach” pivot—training others, not turning wrenches 19:05 – Growth cadence: adding 1-3 people per year to 100 staff 23:00 – Weather “audibles”: rain days become training & commercial installs 25:25 – New exclusion division born from techs’ handyman passions 26:55 – Retention: 20-year techs earn free lifetime health insurance 28:55 – Paid volunteer hours & community pillars (Eagles Youth, Union Pitch, Ronald McDonald House) 31:50 – Board roles & the Shamrock Shake origin of Ronald McDonald House 34:40 – Giving-back philosophy: customers, employees, community love loop 36:50 – Backyard beekeeper, fisherman, grandfather—off-hours balance 40:50 – Advice to one-truck operators: vision first, hire for ambition 46:00 – National-account niche: regional independents vs. the “Big 4” 49:45 – Future of pest control: techs always safe, managers must shine 53:10 – Final coaching wisdom: right people, right seats, Good to Great mentality 55:00 – Book that changed his leadership: Good to Great 56:30 – Flower-shop surprise & new Victorian HQ “Cheerful Dragonfly” 58:00 – Outro & Private-Equity Masterclass CTA

When a life-threatening brain injury sidelined his five-year-old son, David Mulcahy discovered whether the playbook he’d written for O’Deer South Shore & Cape Cod (natural deer, tick & mosquito control) could truly run without him. Spoiler: it did—and the EOS-driven machine now powers 26 spray rigs, year-round revenue and a fast-growing spinoff called Ghost Scoopers. David joins the Blue-Collar Twins to share how franchise systems, profit-share incentives and relentless KPI tracking kept the wheels turning while his family focused on recovery—and why recurring-service operators should fix their P&Ls before they chase the next shiny tactic. You’ll hear: Franchise Reality Check – leaving a multigenerational fuel-oil business to buy the second O’Deer franchise (2014).Door-Knock Data – hose-reel saturation vs. backpack mist blowers, and the all-natural edge in a regulation minefield.Stacking Seasons – adding deer control for winter cash flow and six-day scheduling that boosts capacity 16 %.People Math – commission plans that let top techs earn high-20s/hour, 50 % re-hire rates, and Slack-era training loops.Ghost Scoopers – turning a service-manager partnership into a profitable dog-waste brand (no franchise needed).Crisis Test – the 45-day hospital stretch that proved dashboards, one-page weeklies and empowered managers really work.Next Moves – $10 M infrastructure on a $5 M base, AI phone agents (“Charlie”), and job-description tightening before the leap. From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps (podcast.co-ready) 00:00 – Cold-open: subdural hematoma, emergency brain surgery & a leadership gut-check 00:58 – Show intro: twin hosts frame David’s dual businesses (O’Deer + Ghost Scoopers) 02:56 – Leaving a family fuel-oil company after dad says “no ownership path” 04:53 – Why O’Deer’s hose-and-reel model beats backpack mist blowers for drift & season length 07:00 – Buying full control of South Shore territory; early cash-flow stretch moves 11:00 – Systems vs. hope: falling in love with P&Ls and annual budgeting 13:30 – Six-day routes, 26 trucks, 24 techs: capacity math & burnout prevention 18:15 – Commission structure: base + production %, monthly stretch bonus, low respray requirements 24:20 – Quality-assurance ride-alongs & Slack video feedback loops 27:00 – Son Wyatt’s accident (Jan 2023): 250 ml bleed, 45-day inpatient rehab 30:10 – General manager runs ops on one-page weekly reports; family splits hospital shifts 33:00 – Coaching & masterminds: why recurring-revenue founders must know unit economics first 36:40 – Launching Ghost Scoopers with GM Zach; positioning it as a training-ground equity play 41:00 – Insurance, cameras & the van-driver age dilemma 48:00 – AI agent “Charlie” starts reactivating lapsed customers via calls & SMS 50:00 – Wrap-up: present leadership, future $10 M vision, and living core values after crisis 52:00 – Outro & Private-Equity Masterclass CTA

After losing his first fortune to a Ponzi scheme in his late twenties, Brandon Kraupp didn’t lick his wounds—he grabbed a clipboard. Today, his Utah-based Romex Pest Control spans four states, fields nearly two hundred teammates, and runs on an EOS-powered culture that blends door-knock grit with relentless data-tracking. Brandon sits down with the Blue-Collar Twins to share how maxed-out 0 % credit cards and a “just make more tomorrow” mindset turned a single truck into a regional platform. You’ll hear: FBI Wake-Up Call – why losing everything crystallized a fearless approach to risk and growth.Door-Knock Science – mastering 55-plus communities and turning authenticity into daily deals.Data over Drama – using market analytics, WiseTack financing, and EOS scorecards to steer every expansion.Culture Moat – six core values, weekly L10s, and therapist-mediated exec meetings that keep 180 people rowing.Next Moves – an aggressive Texas build-out, acquisition targets on the Gulf Coast, and AI sliding into every SOP. Stick around for Brandon’s take on “stealth-wealth” margins and a quick CTA to Paul Giannamore’s Private-Equity Masterclass playlist—then audit the numbers that actually move your own scoreboard. From PE Teachers to Pest-Control Owners: The Julio Twins’ POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps (podcast.co-ready) 00:00 – Cold-open: Brandon on San Antonio’s $2 M sprint and ignoring competitors 00:35 – Meet-cute in Denver: Twins recap how Romex hit the Buzz radar 02:00 – Idaho & Utah roots ➜ NC lake life and snowboard obsession 04:00 – Pre-dental student to Yamaha finance wiz; first taste of sales 05:55 – Buying the dealership at 23 amid the 2008 crash 07:50 – The $50 K zero-percent credit-card gamble (dad said “pound sand”) 10:30 – #1 Yamaha dealer award, Hawaii trip & seven-figure exit at 27 12:45 – Houseboat “retirement” on Lake Powell—then the FBI phone call 15:30 – Ponzi fallout: losing everything, choosing bounce-back over bitterness 18:15 – Digital-marketing lessons he’d use to 10x a dealership today 21:30 – Door-to-door debut with Alterra; launching Romex during senior year of college 24:00 – Early offices, small acquisitions & meeting sales phenom JJ 27:00 – High close-rate playbook: 55-plus communities and 10-deal days 30:00 – Golden-Door sellers, mindset of elite reps, and JJ’s natural talent 32:45 – Romex footprint: TX, OK, LA, MS—why every growth dollar points to Texas 34:50 – Data-driven market picks; San Antonio case study 35:35 – Revenue targets: $50 M by 2027, PCT Top-40 climb, margin focus 38:00 – Personal goals: lake-house life, golf bets & the women’s-attire wager 39:55 – Twins invite Brandon to Potomac 100 mastermind in Puerto Rico 40:30 – Dylan Seals outro & Masterclass CTA

From mortgaging his house for a used “bug truck” to commanding Ohio’s slickest 10,000-sq-ft “Beehive” HQ, Jason Carpenter has turned Environmental Pest Management into the Midwest’s apartment-pest juggernaut—servicing 1 million+ units with a patented data platform (“Pest Genius”) and a 3,000-page digital playbook that lets the business run while he’s on the back nine. Sit in with the Blue-Collar Twins as Jason lays out: Door-Knock Origins → $350 K Contract – how a single 50-unit bed-bug job snowballed into a $300 K+ recurring deal and rewired his focus from homes to high-density housing.Pest Genius – the in-house software (and patent) that tracks every unit, photo, KPI and health-department audit across millions of square feet.EOS + Family Power – wife Karen (COO), son Brandon (VP) and daughter Kayla (content chief) running weekly scorecard L10s while Jason stays out of the office—unless he’s eaten or played 18.Net over Vanity – why a Franco Giannamore valuation wake-up call pushed margins from “meh” to mission-critical and reset his eight-year, $20 M/20 % BHAG.Golf, Barter & Brand – converting country-club barters into 100+ clients and why density beats door-to-door for long-term wealth.Exit Options – succession plans, EBITDA realities and the number that makes walking off the course worth it. Stick around for Jason’s candid take on therapy-backed leadership, mastermind ROI, and why every technician needs to read their P&L. Buzz EP 209 Jason Carpe… From PE Teachers to Pest-Control Owners: The Julio Twins’ POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps (podcast.co-ready) 00:00 – Cold-open: Jason on the 3,000-page playbook & “letting the business run itself” 00:35 – Intro at the Beehive; Twins recap Jason’s mortgage-and-a-truck origin story 02:00 – Westerville roots, single-mom hustle & senior-year couch-surfing with Chip 05:55 – Sales chops: from shoe store to car lot to bartending—and gambling pool halls 08:00 – Meet-cute with pest control: father-in-law’s family firm, $50 K salary, first kids 11:00 – Basement startup (2003), door-knocking for residential accounts 12:45 – 2006 pivot: $40 K bed-bug job uncovers $300 K apartment contract 16:00 – Deciding to own the apartment niche; first million-door vision set 18:15 – Building Pest Genius—tracking every unit, photo & treatment across states 22:40 – Patent filed; integrations with PEStack & Outlook; “differentiator” explained 25:30 – Family dynamics: Karen (COO), Brandon (VP), Kayla (social) & twin grand-babies 28:45 – Therapist-mediated exec meetings; Jason allowed in office only after golf or lunch 30:10 – Chasing the PCT Top 100 & Ohio #1 goals; revenue vs. EBITDA reality check 33:00 – Franco’s valuation shock → margin overhaul; net focus pays off 36:00 – Weekly exec L10 cadence; bonus plan ignites management team 38:30 – Golf-course barters to close clients; 220 rounds logged last season 40:00 – Roadmap: $20 M at 20 % by age 62, new HQ, platform density > door crews 42:50 – Advice to solo operators: “embrace small, learn, keep going” 45:00 – Potomac 100 mastermind tease & Puerto Rico invitation 46:30 – Outro & Private-Equity Masterclass CTA

Coleman Spaulding cut his teeth knocking doors for Safeguard in 2005, parlayed that experience into Proactive Pest Management in suburban Chicago, and—after a decade of steady growth—launched Spidexx Pest Control in 2016 with a bigger vision: blend door-to-door horsepower, bolt-on buys, and EOS culture to build a multistate platform. Fresh off selling Proactive this spring, Coleman joins the Blue-Collar Twins to unpack the playbook behind nine tuck-ins, 65-person teams, and why he’s doubling down on Spidexx with a new HQ and more acquisitions on deck. You’ll hear: Door-Knock Roots – Virginia Beach summers that turned 20 straight “no’s” into $10 k days.Proactive Era – bootstrapping 2 000 recurring customers without sales reps.Partnership & Family – why co-founder Ryan upped Coleman’s stake to 40 %, and how brother Taylor makes the trio click.Launch of Spidexx – starting in Des Moines with 380 accounts and grinding through the chaotic first year (yes, those two X’s are intentional).Nine Small Acquisitions – buying 700–1 100-account firms, wiring funds fast, and knowing when to walk away.Door vs. Deal – retention math, capital intensity, and reading the “gut flags” before you sign.Selling Proactive – 60-day process with Potomac M&A, no earn-out, and lessons from the other side of the table.Future Vision – new headquarters, keeping culture tight across nine markets, and invitations to join the ride. From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps (podcast.co-ready) 00:00 – Cold-open: the power of someone believing in you 00:35 – Jason & Jeremy introduce Coleman and his recent Proactive exit 02:00 – First company: Proactive Pest Management launched 2013 in Chicago suburbs 05:55 – Door-knock backstory: Safeguard summers, Brent & Alan Draper connections 11:00 – Partner Ryan bumps Coleman from 10 % to 40 %—“gratitude moment” 13:30 – Proactive’s first year: 700 accounts, one summer team, slow-and-steady growth 16:00 – Why Spidexx was born in 2016 (Des Moines start, two X’s in the name) 19:10 – Chaos tolerance & economics of today’s door-to-door sales teams 24:00 – First tuck-in: buying 1 100 accounts, paying cash, rebranding vs. retaining 30:00 – Potomac relationship, quality-of-earnings, and Proactive sale closing in 60 days 33:30 – Door-to-door customers vs. acquired books—18-month retention rule of thumb 40:00 – Advice to the one-truck operator: “embrace small, learn, keep going” 47:00 – Working with brother Taylor and why family equity is a superpower 53:00 – New Spidexx headquarters coming 2026; podcast invitation for live show there 57:00 – Potomac 100 mastermind rumor & golf talk; wrapping with culture chat 1:00:00 – Outro and Private-Equity Masterclass CTA

Louisiana native Jared LaJaunie went from quitting school at 17 to leading 65-plus employees, 72 trucks, and four branches of LaJaunie’s Pest Control—now tracking $12 million in annual revenue. In this candid sit-down with the Blue-Collar Twins, Jared breaks down the sales grit he learned at Orkin, the mindset shift that doubled his vision, and the family-run EOS machine that keeps it all humming.Buzz EP 207 Jared L MAS… You’ll hear: Door-Knock Roots – joining Orkin’s late-’90s “Splat” crew and turning 20 straight “no’s” into $10 k days.18-Year Overnight Success – nine years to hit $1 M, then a rocket to $12 M by combining EOS with acquisitions like Skeeter Force.Finance Hacks That Sell – why Wise Tack 0 % financing closes termite & wildlife jobs that competitors lose.Culture as a Moat – six-value framework, extreme ownership, and weekly L10s that hold 65 teammates accountable.Family Integration – wife Skye as certified EOS Integrator, sons learning P&Ls before swapping sprayers for spreadsheets.Mastermind Leverage – how groups with Luke Lewis & Maria Sorrentino expanded his vision—and spawned the new Eagles Nest peer network.Future Playbook – doubling again via Gulf-Coast acquisitions, 40 % Poop-Scoop margins on his radar, and grooming the next-gen CEO. Stick around to catch Jared’s take on “profit over vanity” and an impromptu debate on the emerging pet-waste gold-rush. From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps (podcast.co-ready) 00:00 – Cold-open: Jared on culture and integrity 00:35 – Intro & Louisiana roots 01:15 – High-school dropout, early hustle, marriage at 18 02:50 – Joining Orkin as a $10/hr termite tech 05:55 – Door-knock “Splat” team lessons & mindset shift 08:05 – Branch-manager years, then running a $3 M independent firm 11:00 – Launching LaJaunie’s on Jan 1 2008 13:30 – Solo-op to first admin hire; seven trucks by Year 3 18:15 – Self-financing termite jobs; switching to Wise Tack 0 % plans 24:20 – Nine years to $1 M; doubling vision with mastermind help 28:30 – BHAG: Gulf-Coast expansion & doubling again by 2025 29:50 – Acquiring Skeeter Force; lessons in mosquito markets 32:45 – Family salvage-yard backstory & entrepreneurial DNA 33:25 – Today: 65 staff, 72 trucks, $12 M top-line 36:40 – Running EOS—Jared as Visionary, Skye as Integrator 38:00 – Conferences, Ascension Leadership, and constant up-skilling 42:00 – Side ventures (Stereopure, CAT 4) and why poop-scooping tempts him 45:55 – Differentiator: living the core values every day 48:00 – Eagles Nest mastermind launch with Skye & Maria Serraino 50:05 – Main Street Mogul podcast and giving back 52:45 – Rough Stuff reveal: twins’ own pet-waste startup 54:00 – Wrap-up & Puerto Rico invite 59:00 – Outro & Masterclass CTA

Third-generation dealer Paul “PS3” Sansone III joins the Blue-Collar Twins to share how Sansone Jr’s Auto Group balances 67 years of family tradition with social-media hustle, deep-subprime financing, and a brand-new Keyport Kia store. From rent-to-own experiments that became New Jersey Auto Lending to “Motivational Mondays” that fire up 25 salespeople, Paul explains the systems—and the mindset—that keep customers, staff, and community in his corner. Buzz EP 206 Paul Sanson… You’ll hear: Subprime Mastery – why PS3 built an in-house “lease-here, pay-here” bank that boosts FICO scores by 140 pts on average.EZ Referral & TikTok Lives – turning marathon streams and a debit-card referral app into steady showroom traffic.Rent-to-Own Origins – the 2008 light-bulb moment that reshaped the family’s finance model.Keyport Kia Dream – taking an 11-year college project from paper to grand-opening on June 9th.Motivational Mondays – money-green pants, weekly goal-setting, and the “trust the process” mantra.Giving Back – 400-meal Basket Brigade, Hope-for-a-Ride car giveaways, and why single moms stay top of mind.Next-Gen Vision – ten rooftops, nationwide DMS software, and keeping the Sansone name alive for 100 years. From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps (podcast.co-ready) 00:00 – Cold-open: beach-club memories and the “hot lifeguard” origin story 00:50 – Lifelong car passion & selling hot dogs at the dealership as a kid 03:35 – Sansone family tree: 67 years, three generations, five rooftops 05:55 – Breaking the “snaky car-sales” stereotype with relationship selling 07:00 – Daily training: every up is a coaching moment 08:35 – Presidents-Award Kia store & handing the desk to a new GM 11:00 – Rent-to-Own concept after the 2008 crash 12:45 – Birth of New Jersey Auto Lending: turning renters into owners 14:40 – Hope-for-a-Ride car giveaways to single moms 16:55 – Inside the lease-here, pay-here model and 75 % repeat business 19:10 – Building the Keyport Kia project first dreamed up in college 22:30 – Dealer-Controlled Solutions: exporting their DMS & finance playbook 25:20 – COVID’s inventory roller-coaster—down to four cars on the lot 29:20 – Basket Brigade: 400 Thanksgiving meals in Neptune 30:35 – Motivational Monday videos & money-green-pants culture 33:00 – Social media plans with a full-time content team 35:25 – AI’s future role in lead follow-up and CRM speed 38:00 – Family dynamics: clear lanes for dad, brother Michael, and cousin Steven 41:00 – Driving the 2025 Kia Telluride vs. a Range Rover—value breakdown 43:40 – Keyport Kia soft opening June 9 and summer car-giveaway promo 47:00 – Final advice: love your employees, community, and customers—success follows 50:00 – Outro and Masterclass CTA

Former Rutgers heavyweight Sean DeDeyn turned a hard-charging wrestling mindset into The Axel Group, a niche staffing firm that now supplies talent across every stage of major construction projects. Sean joins the Blue-Collar Twins to unpack the six-year sprint from a two-desk office to a 30-person team, a tech-driven recruiting engine, and side ventures ranging from tiki party boats to college-wrestling commentary. You’ll hear: Fired on Monday, Founder by August – how a commission dispute became the push to launch Axel in 2017.Why “One Rep, One Book” Beats 10 000-Person Firms – the boutique model Sean uses to out-serve national agencies.Cold-Call Wrestling – translating mat grit into 100-dial days (and why the phone still wins).Culture & Careers – dinners with every employee, internal promotions, and watching teammates buy their first homes.Multiple Streams – co-building Belmar Tiki Party Boats, announcing Rutgers matches, and keeping a 5 a.m. workout streak.Vision Check – growing a place where his kids’ friends want to work “because they make a ton of money.” Stick around for a quick CTA to Paul Giannamore’s Private-Equity Masterclass playlist—and see how far your own work ethic can take you. From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps (podcast.co-ready) 00:00 – Cold-open: Sean on high-school “job names” and chasing income 00:35 – Show intro; Axel Group overview (construction-lifecycle staffing) 01:40 – Rutgers wrestling story: walk-on grind, partial scholarship, mindset lessons 03:30 – Linking mat toughness to sales success 05:55 – First staffing job, early wins, and Monday-night firing that changed everything 07:50 – Launching Axel Group (Aug 2017) and naming it after his son 09:40 – Father-in-law’s driveway challenge: “So—what do you actually do?” 11:30 – Scrappy first year: 500-sq-ft office, four months of runway, living with an employee 13:50 – Building culture: tattooed logo, dinners with every team member, internal promotions 15:30 – Sean’s current role: still running a book, mentoring recruiters, protecting culture 17:20 – Boutique edge vs. mega-firms; the “cheeseburger” service analogy 18:50 – Cold-call philosophy and reviving lost prospects 21:00 – Daily routine: 5 a.m. lifts, weekly run + sauna + cold plunge 22:45 – Side hustle: Rutgers wrestling commentary and network dividends 24:50 – Belmar Tiki Party Boats—building (not buying) 45-passenger floating lounges 27:00 – Common headaches: sales slumps, coaching wrestlers-turned-reps, keeping tech a tool not a crutch 28:45 – Wrestlers on staff and why grit hires win 29:15 – Long-term vision: a company graduates dream of joining—and constant self-improvement 30:10 – The “I made it… then got fired” lesson on staying humble 31:20 – Outro, Masterclass CTA, and closing credits