To The Point - Home Services Podcast

Thank you to our Sponsors!Basic Capital: https://basiccapital.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepointIn this episode of To The Point Home Services, we kick off the new year with a powerhouse conversation featuring Ara Mahdessian, Co-Founder & CEO of Service Titan. Ara returns to the show to break down how AI, automation, and operational discipline are reshaping the home services industry and what contractors of all sizes need to be paying attention to right now.We dive deep into AI voice agents, booking rates, speed-to-lead, profitability, and how ServiceTitan is using real contractor feedback to rapidly evolve its platform. From fully automated jobs to multilingual customer service, this episode offers a rare look into what’s coming next and how to stay ahead.If you’re a contractor, operator, or leader who wants to protect margins, improve booking rates, and scale intelligently, this episode is a must-listen.🔑 Key Topics Covered:Why “a rising tide raises all ships”—but only if your business is built to floatAI voice agents vs. human CSRs: booking rates, overflow calls, and ROIHow AI is already outperforming average call center performanceSpeed-to-lead and why it’s becoming a competitive advantageUsing AI for inbound, outbound, and full-funnel demand generationAutomating capacity, maintenance bookings, and dispatch decisionsThe true cost of customer acquisition—and why efficiency is everythingHow ServiceTitan incorporates raw contractor feedback into product developmentWhat smaller contractors (under $10M) should adopt first to feel immediate impactWhy contractors who don’t embrace AI will struggle to stay competitive⏱️ Episode Timecodes:00:00 – Welcome & kicking off the new year02:30 – The meaning behind “a rising tide raises all ships”07:30 – Underutilized ServiceTitan features contractors overlook08:45 – AI voice agents: booking performance & real-world use cases12:30 – Multilingual AI agents & untapped customer segments14:30 – Speed-to-lead, third-party leads & AI booking automation18:20 – Capacity management, demand forecasting & proactive scheduling21:00 – Leadership, culture & building feedback-driven teams24:00 – Profitability drivers every contractor should track29:30 – Fully automated jobs & the future of home services33:30 – AI insights for service managers & business owners38:00 – The rapid adoption of AI & what it means for contractors40:30 – What Ara is watching most closely in 2026🔗 Resources & Mentions:ServiceTitan – https://www.servicetitan.com📢 Call to Action:If you got value from this episode:✅ Subscribe to To The Point Home Services👍 Like the video to support the show💬 Comment with your biggest takeaway or questions about AI in your business🔁 Share this episode with another contractor who needs to hear itNew episodes drop regularly—don’t miss out on the conversations shaping the future of home services.

Thank you to our Sponsors!Basic Capital: https://basiccapital.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepointIn this powerful and deeply honest episode of To The Point Home Services, we sit down with Will Staton, owner of Staton Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, to unpack his journey from personal loss and addiction to building a $17M+ residential home services company with sights set on $23–$24M.Will shares the real story behind cutting new construction, jumping headfirst into service, adding HVAC without experience, and learning business fundamentals the hard way. This episode goes far beyond tactics, it’s about ownership, leadership, perspective, and resilience.If you’re a trades business owner, second-generation operator, or anyone navigating growth through chaos, this episode will hit home.🔑 Key Topics & TakeawaysGrowing up in a second-generation trades businessLosing a parent young and how it shaped leadership and work ethicAddiction, recovery, and extreme ownershipCutting new construction and transitioning to serviceAdding HVAC and surviving early operational disastersServiceTitan lessons, pricing mistakes, and KPI reality checksWhy leadership buy-in matters more than tacticsHiring for standards, accountability, and cultureRebuilding operations the right wayWhat Will would do differently—and what he wouldn’t change⏱️ Episode Timecodes00:00 – New year mindset & intro01:30 – Who is Will Staton & overview of the business04:10 – Getting into the trades & second-generation roots08:55 – Losing his mother at 13 and early life impact11:55 – Addiction, recovery, and rebuilding identity15:20 – Lessons from addiction that translate to business19:00 – Extreme ownership & leadership perspective25:00 – Leaving new construction behind26:30 – Adding HVAC during COVID28:30 – ServiceTitan, marketing mistakes & cash flow pain31:15 – Why HVAC almost broke the business34:10 – Leadership failures & rebuilding the team36:50 – Hiring differently & resetting expectations38:30 – KPIs, pricing, accountability & culture40:00 – What it really takes to scale sustainably🔗 Resources & MentionsStaton Heating, Cooling & PlumbingServiceTitan - https://www.servicetitan.com/EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) - https://www.eosworldwide.com/Extreme Ownership – Jocko WillinkTerry Nichols HVAC Training - https://www.praxiss10.com/📢 Call to ActionIf this episode brought value to you:👍 Like this video💬 Comment with your biggest takeaway🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations with real operators in the trades🔁 Share this episode with another business owner who needs to hear itYour support helps us keep bringing real, unfiltered conversations to the home services industry.

Thank you to our Sponsors!Basic Capital: https://basiccapital.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepointIt’s not just about setting goals—it’s about actually accomplishing them.In this annual goal-setting episode, Chris breaks down the difference between dreaming and executing, sharing a proven framework for turning goals into real results. From personal and family goals to business, health, and spiritual growth, this episode walks you through how to create habits, build momentum, and stay accountable all year long.If you’re heading into a new year (or a new season of life) and want a practical, no-fluff approach to winning your goals, this episode is for you.🔑 Key Topics & TakeawaysWhy most people fail at goals—and how to avoid the common trapsThe power of writing down your goals (and the Harvard study that proves it)The 5 rules for goal accomplishing (not just goal setting)How to create habits that actually stick using cues, cravings, response, and rewardSetting non-negotiables and building accountabilityHow to structure goals across personal, business, health, and spiritual categories⏱️ Timecodes00:00 – Why goal accomplishing matters more than goal setting02:18 – Reflecting on the year and setting the tone for what’s next04:10 – Sara Blakely, Spanx, and the power of written goals06:11 – The 5 rules of goal accomplishing07:46 – Why goals give focus, action, and inspiration08:32 – The 3 biggest goal-setting pitfalls09:31 – Rule #1: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail10:31 – Rule #2: Reflect on past wins11:17 – Rule #3: Creating habits that make goals automatic12:22 – The 4 stages of habit formation (cue, craving, response, reward)18:18 – Why rewards are critical to long-term success21:14 – The 4 laws of behavior change22:21 – Rule #4: Creating goal categories that actually work29:20 – Identifying non-negotiables and strengthening your “why”31:57 – Rule #5: Finding the right accountability partner33:11 – Final recap and challenge for the year ahead🚀 Take ActionSet the goals. Build the habits. Create the plan.And most importantly—go accomplish them.👉 Subscribe for more real conversations on business, leadership, and life💬 Comment below with one goal you’re committing to this year📤 Share this episode with someone who needs a reset and a planNo zero days. Go crush it. 💥

Thank you to our Sponsors!Basic Capital: https://basiccapital.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepointAs the year comes to a close, we’re wrapping up with our annual Best Of episode, highlighting the most impactful conversations from this past year on To The Point Home Services. With over 50 episodes released this year, we handpicked moments that stood out the most, conversations that challenged perspectives, delivered hard truths, and reinforced what really matters in business and life.This year’s overarching theme? Reputation over revenue. People over profits. Leadership over ego.From legendary industry leaders to raw, emotional stories of resilience, this episode is packed with insights every contractor, entrepreneur, and business owner needs heading into 2026.🔑 Key Topics & Takeaways:• The power contractors have to change lives, not just their own, but their employees’, families’, and communities• Why words matter and how leadership communication shapes culture• Navigating tough markets with mindset, discipline, and accountability• Entrepreneur vs. integrator thinking and why scaling requires both• Leadership lessons from unexpected places, including a former mob boss• Graduating from an employee mindset to a true CEO mindset• The importance of accountability, ownership, and operational excellence• A powerful and emotional story of resilience through unimaginable loss• Why visibility and personal branding are becoming non-negotiable for leaders⏱️ Timecodes:00:00 – Intro & Best Of overview01:00 – Reputation over revenue & people-first leadership01:40 – Ken Goodrich: The power of operators and leadership ownership06:30 – Chad Peterman: Enjoying the journey & mindset during hard seasons10:55 – Jeff Dudan: Entrepreneur vs. integrator & return on time16:40 – Michael Franzese: Leading in high-stakes environments21:30 – Ishmael: CEO accountability, reviews, and real growth31:30 – Charlie Sanders: Resilience, loss, and leadership through tragedy46:55 – Leadership visibility & personal brand going into 2026🔗 Resources & Mentions:• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 (U.S.)📣 Call to Action:If this episode resonated with you:👉 Subscribe to the channel for weekly insights👉 Comment with your biggest takeaway from this year👉 Share this episode with another business owner who needs to hear itYour support helps us continue bringing real, unfiltered conversations to the home services industry.🎧 Thanks for listening—and here’s to finishing strong and heading into 2026 with clarity, purpose, and momentum.

Thank you to our Sponsors!Basic Capital: http://basiccapital.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepointIn this episode of To The Point, Chris sits down with Alyssa Rogers, Vice President of Rogers Heating & Cooling, to talk about explosive growth in a tiny market, navigating doubters, scaling to multiple locations, and the bold vision of building a $100M home services company out of South Boston, Virginia (population <10k).Alyssa shares how she and her husband Joey took the business from $600K to $10M, why they turned down a life-changing private equity offer, how they opened their second location, and the real sacrifices behind building a generational company including selling their dream home and living above their office.If you’ve ever questioned your market size, your potential, or whether big goals are possible for small-town companies… this episode will change your mindset.🔑 Key Points CoveredHow Rogers Heating & Cooling scaled from $600K → $10M in a rural marketThe vision behind their $100M BHAG and what sparked itWhy Alyssa and Joey walked away from a multi-million-dollar acquisition dealTheir plan to expand into new markets across VA & NCHow they turned a service technician into a branch managerGrassroots community strategies that drove growth before digital marketingThe realities, sacrifices, and mindset of building a legacy businessWhat it’s like running a company—and a marriage—as visionary & integrator⏱️ Timecodes00:00 – Intro & Chris roasting Chad00:24 – Meet Alyssa: VP of Rogers Heating & Cooling01:00 – How their story started and early challenges03:00 – Grassroots marketing + building community equity05:12 – Taking over a 1996 family business06:12 – Revenue at takeover: $600K → scaling years10:00 – When the vision changed15:00 – Attending 10X GrowthCon & expanding their thinking17:00 – The $100M goal revealed20:00 – Turning down the private equity offer24:00 – Sacrifices: selling the dream home + living above the office32:00 – Regional expansion strategy & new markets38:00 – Leadership development + grooming future branch managers41:00 – Lessons from launching their 2nd location45:00 – Community involvement & why consistency matters50:00 – Alyssa’s mindset: stepping into who she’s becoming55:00 – Final thoughts & motivation🔗 Resources MentionedRogers Heating & CoolingWebsite: https://www.callrogers.comPodcast “Hello Hello”: Search on YouTube or your favorite podcast app📢 Call to ActionIf you found value in this episode, hit that LIKE button, drop a comment, and subscribe for more real conversations with the leaders shaping home services.Share this episode with someone chasing big goals, they need to hear this one.

Thank you to our Sponsors!Basic Capital: https://basiccapital.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepointWelcome to a milestone moment Episode 300 of To The Point Home Services! 🎉In this special episode, Chris sits down with someone who has been part of RYNO since day one (and who originally didn’t even want this podcast to exist): Anna Yano.This isn’t your typical industry interview. Instead, Chris and Anna open up about the real journey behind building, growing, and transforming RYNO Strategic Solutions including the hard lessons learned through private equity, mergers, leadership challenges, cultural shifts, and rebuilding a company after major change.Whether you're a contractor, entrepreneur, or leader navigating growth, uncertainty, or organizational change, this episode is full of honest, applicable takeaways.🎧 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe truth behind RYNO’s private equity partnership and what they wish they knew before the dealHow the Blue Corona merger actually unfolde the good, the bad, and the chaoticWhere integrations go wrong and how to avoid cultural collapseWhy 2026 is shaping up to be a massive opportunity for contractorsThe role of AI in CSR, operational efficiency, and marketing evolutionHow leadership has changed internally and how Anna stepped into a whole new level of influenceThe turning point where the RYNO culture began to rebuildPersonal reflections on partnership, stress, resilience, and rising to new challengesThis is one of the most honest and insightful episodes we’ve ever recorded.⏱️ Timecodes00:00 — Intro & Episode 300 Celebration01:00 — Why Anna is the guest (finally)01:40 — What this episode will really be about02:00 — Shared journey & business lessons from marriage + entrepreneurship03:00 — Private equity, leadership, and systems: how it all changed04:20 — RYNO’s performance today vs. what it took to get here05:00 — Contractor outlook for 202606:00 — Operational efficiency & reporting breakthroughs07:00 — AI in CSR and why contractors should pay attention08:00 — Working with Avoca & the future of booking09:00 — Lead aggregation, filling call boards & new opportunities10:30 — Why brand, trust, and OTT matter in low-demand economies12:00 — The merge with Blue Corona: expectations vs. reality14:00 — Process breakdowns, finger-pointing, and fixing integration mistakes16:00 — Culture collapse & negative NPS: the turning point18:00 — Private equity lessons no one talks about21:00 — What Anna would do differently in a sale22:30 — Why not everything was in their control25:00 — Taking back leadership of the company27:00 — Rebuilding teams, expectations & processes30:00 — Change fatigue and how to lead through it33:00 — Is RYNO “back”? What the future looks like35:00 — How the journey changed Anna as a leader38:00 — What Chris learned about himself40:00 — Partnership growth: what changed & what stayed true43:00 — Closing thoughts(If you want these timecodes refined after you upload the full audio, I can match them precisely.)🔗 Resources & MentionsAvoca AI — RYNO’s recommended partner for AI call bookingMountain OTT — Streaming-based brand-building & trackable advertisingServiceTitan — The operational platform referenced💬 Join the ConversationIf this episode resonated with you, especially the raw and honest parts about leadership, challenge, and rebuilding drop a comment below.We’d love to hear your story.👍 Enjoying the Podcast? Support Us!Subscribe, like, and share to help us reach even more contractors looking to grow the right way.New episodes every week!

In this episode of To The Point Home Services Podcast, Chris and Chad sit down with Tony Patino, President of Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical, to unpack one of the most impressive leadership journeys in the home services industry.Tony joined Abacus in 2017 from outside home services. Fast-forward to today, and he’s helped scale the company from roughly $30M to over $100M+, while expanding service lines, redesigning systems, and building elite teams across multiple trades.This conversation is loaded with practical insights for operators, leaders, GMs, and anyone looking to grow inside (or break into) the home services world.⭐ What You’ll LearnHow Tony transitioned from retail, Aramark, and moving services into plumbing/HVAC/electricalHow to earn trust from seasoned technicians when you’re “not from the trades”The mindset that helped Tony scale Abacus through major transitions:new facilityServiceTitan rolloutadding electricalbuilding water treatmentlaunching generatorsWhy humility, curiosity, and solving simple technician pain points are core to leadershipHow Abacus built a unified sales process across tradesWhy cross-selling and a single “VIP Membership” structure transformed their businessLessons from working with industry legends like Alan O’Neill, Kevin Comerford, Darryl Bingham & othersThe biggest hiring mistakes—and the one sales hire that changed everythingWhat contractors consistently overlook when building new verticalsWhether you’re at $3M or $300M, Tony breaks down the frameworks that actually move the needle.⏱️ Timecodes00:00 – Intro: gloomy weather, fat-face jokes, and basketball trash talk01:16 – Introducing guest: Tony Patino02:00 – Tony’s background: retail → Aramark → moving → recruited to Abacus05:00 – Why being a “student of the game” matters05:25 – Tony’s first podcast ever06:00 – Early management lessons & leadership foundations07:30 – Getting recruited… twice09:23 – How Tony won over plumbers without being a plumber12:00 – Misconceptions Tony had about the industry14:00 – How he built trust with techs & managers16:40 – Rolling out ServiceTitan and using tech to earn credibility18:45 – Little changes that fix big technician pain points20:00 – Growing electrical and learning multiple trades24:00 – Mentorship from industry giants & learning from Wrench Group leaders25:50 – Deep dive: building water treatment as a real vertical27:30 – Launching generators the right way28:50 – The biggest internal gap Tony identified: sales leadership29:40 – Hiring the wrong sales leader—and fixing it fast32:00 – Merging new and existing sales teams without destroying culture36:00 – Cross-selling across trades: where contractors mess this up38:00 – Building a unified VIP membership41:00 – Why Abacus scaled fast—and what’s next🔗 Resources & Mentions• Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical — https://www.abacusplumbing.net/• Wrench Group — https://www.wrenchgroup.com/• ServiceTitan — https://www.servicetitan.com/🙌 Connect With the Guest• Tony Patino — https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonypatino/Thank you to our Sponsors!Basic Capital: https://basiccapital.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint👍 Enjoying the Podcast? Do Us a Quick Favor!If you found value in this episode, help us keep making great content:✅ Subscribe to the channel💬 Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway🔁 Share this episode with your team or another operator🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode

In this episode, Chris Yano and Chad Peterman sit down with Tyler Wickstrom, President of Wickstrom Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in Boise, Idaho, to unpack how he turned a small $1M multi-trade company into an $11M powerhouse and where he’s headed next.After his mother’s passing, Ty was thrust into leadership at just 27. With no prior management experience, he rebuilt the business through grit, learning, and extreme ownership. This episode dives into his journey the lessons, the leadership shifts, and the strategies that helped him scale rapidly while maintaining culture and purpose.🧩 Key TakeawaysStepping Up Through Adversity: How Ty transitioned from accounting student to business owner overnight after his mother’s passing.Scaling from $1M to $11M: Why sales process, recruiting, and culture became the cornerstones of growth.The Power of Mistakes: What happened when ¾ of his plumbing team walked out and how that loss became the turning point.Recruiting and Culture: Building a strong team, learning to demote with empathy, and creating an environment where leaders can thrive.Leveraging Technology: How ServiceTitan, forms, and memberships helped Wickstrom systemize and scale operations.Marketing Momentum: Starting brand awareness in 2022, balancing plumbing vs. HVAC, and driving memberships and retention.Looking Ahead to 2026: The roadmap to $16–18M, tech training programs, and inside sales expansion.Personal Legacy: How Ty honors his late mother through leadership, community impact, and career creation in the trades.⏱ Timestamps00:00 – Intro banter & Boise roots02:10 – Ty’s unexpected path from accounting to home services06:00 – Taking over a $1M multi-trade business10:00 – First steps: fixing sales processes & finding mentors12:15 – The technician-to-manager mistake and lessons learned19:30 – When ¾ of the plumbers left — what went wrong22:00 – Rebuilding with better culture and recruiting25:00 – ServiceTitan setup & the importance of forms and data29:30 – Marketing shift: launching branding in 202233:00 – Membership growth and customer retention tactics35:30 – 2025–2026 goals: adding HVAC install crews, inside sales40:00 – Market outlook, leadership lessons, and taking calculated risks42:20 – What Ty’s late mother would think of his success46:00 – Closing reflections with Chris & Chad🔗 Resources & MentionsWickstrom Plumbing, Heating & Cooling: https://www.wickstromphc.comBook: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink & Leif BabinServiceTitan: https://www.servicetitan.comChirp Automation: Chiirp: https://chiirp.com/⭐️ Thank you to our Sponsors!Chiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint📢 Join the ConversationEvery week, To The Point dives deep into real-world success stories, leadership insights, and tactical growth lessons for home service professionals.👉 Subscribe for more episodes💬 Comment your biggest takeaway from Ty’s story🔁 Share this episode with someone in the trades who needs inspiration#ToThePointPodcast #HomeServiceGrowth #Leadership #HVAC #Plumbing #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #ServiceTitan #Culture #ExtremeOwnership

In this episode of To The Point Home Services Podcast, hosts Chris and Chad sit down with Cameron Bawden, the entrepreneur behind multiple 8- and 9-figure exits including Green Mango Pest Control, Black Hat Security, and Agave Auto Glass. Cam shares his incredible journey from knocking doors to selling five companies for over $100M—while redefining what premium means in the home service industry.🎯 Episode Highlights00:00 – Intro & Background: Chris and Cameron share mutual connections and stories that led to this long-awaited interview.02:00 – The Green Mango Origin: How a door-to-door pest control startup became a household name in Arizona.05:00 – From Door Knocking to Dominating: Cam’s transition from traditional door sales to influencer and radio marketing.10:00 – Lessons from Losing $4M: The mindset and resilience it took to rebuild and thrive after major setbacks.14:00 – Systems & Processes: Why scaling is impossible without processes—and how Cam mastered them.20:00 – The Power of Partnerships: How choosing the right business partner is like drafting an all-star team.26:00 – Branding That Sells: The story behind Green Mango’s flat-black trucks, premium uniforms, and elevated customer experience.34:00 – Leadership & Accountability: Why culture starts with the leader and how high standards attract A-players.42:00 – Marketing Evolution: From Johnjay & Rich shoutouts to influencer marketing before it was mainstream.50:00 – The 1% Club: Cam’s passion project helping entrepreneurs break ceilings and scale smarter.01:00:00 – Key Takeaways: Grit, growth, and the value of mentorship in the home services game.🔗 Resources & MentionsCameron Bawden: Instagram | The 1% ClubGreen Mango Pest Control: greenmangopest.comRyno Strategic Solutions: rynoss.comTo The Point Home Services Podcast: Apple Podcasts | SpotifyThank you to our Sponsors!Rilla: https://www.rilla.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint💬 Join the ConversationWhat was your biggest takeaway from Cam’s story? Have you taken a big business risk that paid off? Share your thoughts in the comments!🚀 Stay ConnectedIf you enjoyed this episode:✅ Subscribe to To The Point Home Services Podcast👍 Like this video and drop a comment🔔 Turn on notifications for new episodes every week📢 Share this episode with someone building their home service business

In this episode of To The Point Home Services, host Chris Yano sits down with Taylor Hulett, Director of Training & Development at RYNO Strategic Solutions, to break down how AI and ChatGPT are changing the game for contractors. Taylor reveals insights from RYNO’s Innovation Lab—where the team has been testing how large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT pull search results—and how contractors can take action right now to rank, get leads, and future-proof their businesses.From SEO strategies that influence ChatGPT visibility to off-site reputation hacks that help smaller contractors compete with big names, this episode is packed with actionable advice and forward-looking insights.🔑 Key TakeawaysAI is the new SEO frontier — Why ChatGPT results matter and how early adopters can win big.Trust & proximity in AI search — How LLMs “recommend” contractors differently than Google.The Innovation Lab — How RYNO is experimenting with content, reviews, and ranking factors.Off-site SEO tips — Where ChatGPT actually pulls data from (and why reviews on Angi, BBB, and Thumbtack matter).Small business advantage — How local contractors can compete with larger companies using smart AI strategies.The future of AI marketing — What Taylor predicts about paid ChatGPT listings, Atlas, and the evolving AI search economy.🕒 Timecodes00:00 — Chris introduces the episode and guest, Taylor Hulett02:00 — How Taylor and Chris first met & Taylor’s background05:00 — Why AI is today’s “SEO moment” for contractors07:00 — What RYNO’s Innovation Lab is discovering about ChatGPT rankings10:00 — The “trust game” between Google and AI14:00 — How AI search is reshaping local service discovery20:00 — Writing content that ChatGPT (and your customers) love25:00 — Off-site SEO: Which review sites matter most30:00 — How small contractors can beat Goliaths with AI35:00 — Proximity and local ranking in ChatGPT vs. Google40:00 — Tracking leads from ChatGPT and measuring ROI45:00 — What’s coming next: Paid search, Atlas, and monetized AI49:00 — Taylor’s crystal ball predictions for 2026 and beyond🔗 Resources MentionedAnswerThePublic.com - Find real customer questions to improve content.Free Website Analysis - https://rynoss.com/podcast-free-ai-rankings-analysis/?utm_source=To+The+Point&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=free_ai_ranking_analysis&utm_content=episode_296Thumbtack, Angi, BBB, ThreeBestRated - Review platforms ChatGPT pulls data from.Prolific Brand Design - Email marketing partner mentioned for automating review requests.RYNO Strategic Solutions - Learn more about RYNO’s digital marketing and AI innovation.🙌 Join the ConversationWhat do you think about AI changing home services marketing?Leave a comment with your thoughts or experiences using ChatGPT in your business!📢 If you found this episode valuable:✅ Subscribe to To The Point Home Services on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.⭐️ Thank you to our Sponsors!Rilla: https://www.rilla.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint👍 Like this video to support the show.💬 Comment your biggest takeaway below.🔁 Share this episode with another contractor who needs to hear it!

In this episode of To The Point Home Services Podcast, Chris and Chad sit down with Brian Gottlieb, founder of Renewal by Andersen, Jacuzzi Bath Remodel, and author of Beyond the Hammer. Brian’s story is one of true grit and growth — from starting at a plastic folding table with just $3,000 to leading teams of 600+ and generating nearly a billion dollars in lifetime sales.Brian opens up about:His journey from selling home improvements in Appleton, WI, to building nationally recognized brands.The pivotal leadership lessons that helped him scale multiple businesses successfully.Why culture is more than cheerleading — it’s about shaping how your team thinks, feels, and behaves when no one’s watching.How to turn chaos into profit by developing your people, simplifying systems, and creating “training organizations.”The truth about leadership: empowering decision-making, fostering healthy conflict, and leading with influence instead of control.He also breaks down his book, Beyond the Hammer, sharing how blue-collar leaders can elevate their mindset and build high-performing teams.⏱️ Episode Timecodes00:00 – Intro: Meet Brian Gottlieb02:30 – Starting with $3,000 and a folding table05:10 – Defining purpose and impact as an entrepreneur07:00 – Leadership and culture as the foundation for growth10:00 – Training managers as the custodians of company culture15:00 – Encouraging healthy conflict and open communication20:00 – Fixing bad culture: inspecting what you tolerate25:00 – Creating clarity through KPIs and business disciplines34:00 – Simplifying systems — “complexity is the enemy of execution”43:00 – Decision-making training and empowering teams44:00 – The story behind Beyond the Hammer and what it means48:00 – Mentoring, giving back, and legacy in the home services industry🔗 Resources Mentioned📘 Beyond the Hammer by Brian Gottlieb — Get the book on Amazon🎧 Beyond the Hammer Audiobook (read by Edoardo Ballerini & Brian Gottlieb) — available on Audible🌐 Follow Brian Gottlieb: LinkedIn | Website💡 Mentioned Event: Tommy Mello’s Vertical TrackThank you to our Sponsors!Rilla: https://www.rilla.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint💬 Join the ConversationWhat was your biggest takeaway from Brian’s journey? Drop your thoughts in the comments — we’d love to hear how you’re building leadership and culture in your business.👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, comment, and share it with another contractor or leader who needs to hear it.📲 Don’t forget to subscribe to To The Point Home Services Podcast for more powerful insights from the industry’s top minds!

In this episode, Chris welcomes back the legendary Ken Goodrich, founder of Goettl and now the force behind Generator Partners and the Kenerator brand — “your personal power plant.” Ken dives deep into the current home services landscape, the evolving generator market, and why he believes the next big wave for contractors is already here.From navigating uncertain economic times to the power of brand storytelling, this conversation is packed with insights from one of the trades’ most experienced leaders. Ken shares how he’s applying decades of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical knowledge to an entirely new industry — and how business owners can position themselves for growth even in tough markets.🔑 Key TakeawaysHow Ken scaled during past recessions and his advice for thriving in tough marketsWhy the generator market is the “next HVAC” opportunity for contractorsThe story behind the Kenerator and its emotional brand strategyHow AI, energy insecurity, and the aging power grid are reshaping home servicesBuilding and executing a thousand-day plan for business successLessons in leadership, systems, and scaling from one of the best in the industry🕒 Timecodes00:00 – Welcome back, Ken Goodrich04:00 – Market outlook: 2025–2026 and what contractors should prepare for07:00 – How Ken grew during recessions by pushing forward, not pulling back10:00 – Introducing the Kenerator and the personal power plant concept17:00 – Why Ken moved from HVAC to generators — and what he saw coming22:00 – The rise of home energy independence and the generator boom27:00 – Systems, processes, and the “thousand-day plan”33:00 – Retail vs. relationship sales in the trades39:00 – Using AI for business and process building46:00 – Selling the unseen: how to market products customers don’t know they need50:00 – The wave of private equity in home services53:00 – How roofing, HVAC, and generators are intersecting industries1:00:00 – Final insights from Ken and closing thoughts🔗 Resources & MentionsKenerator — https://kenerator.comTradeEngage: https://www.tradeengage.com/Follow Ken Goodrich on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-d-goodrich-ba580427/Listen to more To The Point episodes: https://rynoss.com/podcast/Thank you to our Sponsors!Rilla: https://www.rilla.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint💬 Join the ConversationIf you got value from this episode, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway!👍 Like the video, 🔔 subscribe for more real-world home service insights, and share this episode with someone in the trades who needs to hear it.

In this episode, hosts Chris Yano and Chad Peterman dive deep into one of the toughest parts of running and scaling a home services business—handling customer complaints and escalations. From miscommunications and missed appointments to leadership challenges and team accountability, they break down what it takes to turn fires into opportunities for growth.Chad shares his perspective as a business leader at Peterman Brothers on why it’s crucial to own your mistakes, build a culture of accountability, and train your team to prevent future issues rather than just put out fires. You’ll also hear real examples of how his company manages escalations, handles refunds, and empowers frontline staff to resolve problems quickly and confidently.💡 Key Takeaways:Why “the customer is always right” isn’t always true—and how to respond when they’re notHow to turn complaints into valuable process improvementsThe difference between fixing the issue vs. fixing the processHow to create a safe environment for employees to admit mistakesLeadership lessons for managing internal conflict and changeWhen to issue refunds, credits, or just an apologyThe role of communication in preventing small problems from becoming big fires⏱️ Timecodes:00:00 – Catching up & Halloween banter03:30 – Episode intro: Firefighting in business08:00 – Is the customer always right?10:30 – Fixing the issue vs. fixing the process13:00 – Preventing fires through training16:00 – Leadership challenges in change management20:00 – Creating safe spaces for feedback21:00 – Common fires at Peterman Brothers25:00 – The power of proactive communication28:00 – Escalation chains & customer care31:00 – Reading between the lines of complaints34:00 – Learning from fires to improve the business41:00 – Refunds vs. apologies: how to decide44:00 – When you’re right but the customer feels wronged46:00 – Accessibility & communication from leadership48:00 – Key lessons and closing thoughts🔗 Resources & Links:Visit https://www.petermans.comLearn more about RYNO Strategic Solutions: https://www.thinkryno.comFollow To The Point on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for more episodes!Thank you to our Sponsors!Rilla: https://www.rilla.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint📢 Call to Action:If you got value from this episode, subscribe, drop a comment about how your company handles escalations, and share this episode with another business owner or manager who needs to hear it. Let’s keep making the trades stronger, one conversation at a time. 💪

In this episode of To The Point, host Chris Yano sits down with Chad Peterman of Peterman Brothers to reveal the business playbook they wish they’d had a decade ago. From marketing strategy and branding to leadership, hiring, and operations, this episode is packed with proven lessons for contractors and home service business owners.💡 What You’ll Learn:The marketing channel Chad wishes he’d doubled down on earlyHow branding and storytelling built the Peterman Brothers nameThe importance of measuring ROI and tracking marketing performanceWhy your call center is your sales team (and how to train it like one)The hires that changed their business — and the bad ones that hurtThe turnover process that keeps installs flowing all yearActionable tips for smarter scaling, systems, and leadership⏱ Timestamps:00:00 – Intro + Halloween dad jokes06:00 – Marketing & branding insights20:00 – Hiring and leadership lessons31:00 – CSR coaching & AI tools41:00 – Operations and turnover process50:00 – Final takeaways🔗 Resources Mentioned:Peterman BrothersProlific Brand DesignRYNO Strategic SolutionsThank you to our Sponsors!Rilla: https://www.rilla.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint👉 Subscribe for more episodes on marketing, leadership, and growth in the home services industry.👍 Like the episode if you learned something new.💬 Comment your biggest takeaway below!🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

In this episode of To The Point Home Services Podcast, we sit down with Derek Cormier, owner of Climate Experts in Melbourne, Florida, to unpack how contractors can use social media to grow their business, recruit talent, and showcase company culture.Derek shares his unique journey from police officer to contractor, how he built a thriving HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company, and why leaning into humor and personality on platforms like TikTok and Instagram has been a game changer. We cover:Why brand awareness over chasing leads on social mediaHow Derek’s team cut recruiting costs by 60% thanks to TikTokThe role of entertainment vs. education in creating engaging contentTips for smaller contractors who don’t feel “funny” or “creative” enough.The importance of authenticity over polished productionGetting your employees involved (and why you should embarrass yourself first!)Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your marketing, Derek’s strategies prove you don’t need a Hollywood production budget to crush it on social. ⏱️ Timecodes00:00 – Intro & Pantheon shoutouts01:45 – Meet Derek Cormier (Climate Experts, Melbourne, FL)05:00 – From police officer to contractor10:00 – The Gary Vee inspiration to post every day18:00 – Adding service lines the smart way24:00 – Why social media is the new TV28:00 – Long-term brand awareness - chasing KPIs34:00 – In-house vs. outsourced marketing37:00 – Practical tips for contractors starting out42:00 – Employee participation & culture videos46:00 – Derek’s favorite viral-style campaigns52:00 – Wrapping up: authenticity & consistency 🔗 Resources & LinksLearn more about Climate Experts: https://www.climateexpertsac.com/Follow Climate Experts on TikTok & Instagram for inspirationConnect with To The Point Home Services Podcast Thank you to our Sponsors! Rilla: https://www.rilla.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, comment, and share with a fellow contractor who could use some fresh marketing ideas! #HVAC #HomeServices #SocialMediaMarketing

In this electrifying keynote, Chris Yano—CEO of RYNO Strategic Solutions—delivers an unforgettable presentation on the true power of words and how they shape our businesses, our people, and our lives. With humor, personal stories, and hard-earned lessons from nearly two decades in the home services industry, Chris reveals the secrets to capturing attention, building influence, and driving results in an ultra-competitive market.Whether you’re a contractor looking to grow, a leader wanting to inspire your team, or just someone needing a shot of motivation, this talk will leave you fired up and ready to win. 💪 💡 Key TakeawaysThe Power of Words: How what you say—and how you say it—can inspire, influence, or destroy.Attention is Everything: Why your first ROI must be Return on Influence before Return on Investment.4 Pillars of Getting Attention: Urgency, Savings, Trust, and Comfort—use these to drive action.Marketing Made Simple: Stop overthinking content—authenticity beats perfection every time.Self-Talk & Leadership: Why the words you say to yourself shape your mindset, performance, and ability to lead others.Focus on Winning: Why winners focus on winning, not on competitors. ⏱️ Timecodes00:00 — Opening energy & stage intro02:00 — The power of words and influence06:30 — Story: How one word changed a life11:00 — Return on Influence vs Return on Investment14:00 — The 4 pillars of attention: urgency, savings, trust, comfort19:00 — How to win on social media (Gary Vee’s two pillars)21:00 — “Ship My Pants”: What Kmart taught us about grabbing attention23:00 — Pay attention to your results, team, and self-service24:00 — The 3-words self-talk exercise29:00 — Words, tone, and their hidden meanings (fun live demo)31:00 — Recap: words matter + be mindful35:00 — Winners focus on winning, not competitors37:00 — Karaoke finale: All I Do Is Win 🎵 📌 Resources & MentionsRYNO Strategic Solutions — Digital marketing for contractorsGary Vaynerchuk — Entrepreneur & marketing expertToastmasters International — Public speaking trainingFollow Chris Yano on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisyano/ Thank you to our Sponsors! Rilla: https://www.rilla.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint 📣 Join the ConversationDid Chris’ talk inspire you? What’s one word that motivates you or your team? Comment below and share it with us! 💥 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on more powerful talks and home service business insights. 📢 Share this video with a friend or teammate who needs a boost today!

In this episode of To The Point Home Services Podcast, Chris and Chad welcome back their longtime friend and guest, Jason Buehler of Buehler Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Jason has been on quite a ride since first joining the show back in episode 90 and then again in episode 187 when he shared his incredible growth story: from $3M to $18M in just 4 years.Now, Jason is back to open up about what life looks like two and a half years post-acquisition after partnering with Legacy Service Partners—sharing the highs, the unexpected lows, and how he rediscovered his drive to lead and scale his business to over $24–25M in annual revenue at 20% EBITDA. This episode is packed with real talk on leadership, burnout, private equity partnerships, and reigniting your passion when the weight of growth starts to wear you down. Contractors and business owners thinking about selling, scaling, or stepping back into their business won’t want to miss this conversation. ⏱️ Episode Timecodes00:00 – 05:00 | Kicking off the show, travel talk, football season chatter, and dad jokes05:00 – 10:00 | Introducing Jason Buehler — his journey from Air Source America to Buehler Air and private equity with Legacy10:00 – 15:00 | Scaling from $3M to $18M and navigating post-acquisition reality15:00 – 20:00 | Hitting a wall: burnout, pressure, and lessons from tough quarters20:00 – 25:00 | Regaining confidence and perspective, learning from peers in the platform25:00 – 35:00 | Jumping back in as GM, re-engaging with the team, and fixing what drifted35:00 – 42:00 | Maintaining culture while driving growth, dealing with leadership turnover, and evolving as a leader42:00 – 50:00 | Deal structure insights: equity rollovers, betting on yourself, and thinking long-term50:00 – End | Jason’s advice for contractors eyeing private equity and his renewed vision for the future🔗 Resources & MentionsBuehler Air Conditioning & Plumbing: https://www.buehlerair.comLegacy Service Partners: https://www.legacyservicepartners.comTo The Point Home Services Podcast: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify Thank you to our Sponsors! Rilla: https://www.rilla.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint  💬 Enjoyed this episode?If Jason’s journey inspired you, let us know in the comments! 📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with other home service leaders who could use the motivation. #ToThePointPodcast #HomeServices #ContractorGrowth #Leadership #PrivateEquity #HVAC #BusinessGrowth

In this special episode of To The Point Home Services Podcast, Chris, Chad, and their good friend Aaron Gaynor (Eco Plumbers, Drains, Heating, & Cooling) dive deep into the pivotal turning points that shaped their businesses and personal journeys. From the early grind of starting out, to breakthroughs with Nexstar, writing down big goals, creating a Vivid Vision, and learning from both wins and failures—this conversation is full of raw, unfiltered insights every contractor and home service leader can relate to.You’ll hear about: The exact moments when each of them realized they had “a real business”Why writing down goals and building a strategy changed everythingHow to stay aligned with your vision during tough timesThe role of self-talk, affirmations, and personal growth in business successHard lessons learned from making the wrong hires (and how to fix it)Why culture, leadership, and energy transfer matter more than you thinkAnd of course—some dad jokes to keep things light.Whether you’re at $1M, $10M, or scaling toward $100M, this episode is packed with practical takeaways on leadership, growth, and resilience in the trades. ⏱️ Timecodes:00:00 – Intro & catching up with Aaron01:27 – The Turning Point: defining moments in business08:00 – Realizing you’re running a successful business12:00 – Writing down goals & building a long-term vision20:00 – Vivid Vision & EOS: how to align your team24:00 – Daily affirmations & self-talk for leaders30:00 – Handling challenges & negative chapters in business32:30 – Lessons from bad hires and how to avoid them40:00 – Sales leadership: coaching vs. cutting ties50:00 – Final takeaways on growth & leadership 📌 Resources & Mentions:Vivid Vision by Cameron HeroldDouble Double by Cameron HeroldEOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) frameworkEarl Nightingale – The Strangest Secret👉 Connect with us:🎧 Listen to more episodes: To The Point Home Services Podcast📲 Follow us on social media for updates, clips, and insights. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to:✔️ Subscribe to the channel✔️ Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway✔️ Share this video with another contractor or business owner who needs to hear it

This week on To The Point Home Services Podcast, Chris is joined by the full LSD crew (minus Hoffmann, who bailed!) for an unfiltered, high-energy conversation about business, personal growth, and what’s next in the trades.From hunting trips to industry conferences, the guys cover everything from the future of the market, AI’s role in profitability, and whether door knocking can really work in HVAC and other home services. They also get real about personal development, therapy, emotional intelligence, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. 👉 If you’re a contractor or home service leader looking for insights, laughs, and some hard truths, this episode is for you. 🔑 Key Topics Covered:Market optimism for 2025–2026 and deal flow in the trades (08:00)Door knocking: can roofing & solar strategies work in HVAC? (15:45)Personal development: fitness, therapy, and emotional intelligence (28:00)How to increase profit without adding headcount (planned but derailed 😉)RYNOx 2026 sneak peek + upcoming industry events🗓️ Events Mentioned:Nuve Network Event – October 17 at ServiceTitan HQ (VIP sold out; limited GA tickets left)Pantheon 2025 – September 17RYNOx 2026 Theme Reveal – Early rollout in September⏱️ Timecodes:00:00 – Welcome & the missing Hoffmann01:00 – Upcoming events: Nuve Network, Pantheon, RYNOx 202602:00 – Hunting trip recap04:45 – Topics rundown: market, personal growth, AI, pricing tactics06:00 – First Amendment chat & Cracker Barrel branding08:00 – Market outlook for 2025–202615:45 – Door knocking in roofing & HVAC: opportunity or risk?28:00 – Personal development: fitness, books, therapy, accountability40:00 – Emotional intelligence & therapy in leadership44:00 – Learning to be alone & building mental resilience47:00 – Surrounding yourself with the right people(Conversation runs long and wild from here—classic LSD crew!) 📌 Resources & Links:Nuve Network Event InfoServiceTitanTo The Point Home Services Podcast ⭐️ Thank you to our Sponsors! Rilla: https://www.rilla.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, comment, and share with other contractors and home service leaders. Let us know in the comments: Have you tried door knocking in your business? Did it work?

In this episode of To The Point Home Services Podcast, we dive into why some contractors hit a growth ceiling while others continue to scale. Hitting $5M, $10M, or even higher in revenue can feel like a huge win—but what happens when growth stalls? We break down the common pitfalls, mindset shifts, and operational strategies that separate the businesses that get stuck from those that keep scaling. 🎙️ Key Points Covered:The most common reasons home service businesses plateauThe role leadership and culture play in breaking through growth ceilingsWhy some owners unintentionally limit their company’s potentialLessons learned from contractors who scaled past $50MPractical steps you can take today to reignite growth📌 Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:To The Point Home Services Podcast Website: https://rynoss.com/podcast/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/to-the-point-home-services/Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/to_the_point_podcast/⏱️ Timecodes:00:00 – Intro02:15 – Why businesses stall at certain revenue milestones08:40 – The leadership factor: bottlenecks and breakthroughs15:20 – Building the right team culture for growth21:55 – Real-world examples: companies that broke through ceilings29:45 – Steps you can take to get unstuck36:10 – Final thoughts & key takeaways ⭐️ Thank you to our Sponsors! Rilla: https://www.rilla.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint 👍 If you found value in this episode, don’t forget to:Subscribe to the channel for more insightsLike this video to help others find itComment below with your biggest takeaway or question—we’d love to hear from you!Share this episode with a fellow contractor who needs to hear it