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The Flywheel Effect is a podcast designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and professionals seeking to win in luxury home services businesses. Each episode dives into the nuances of growth, profit and prosperity, offering insights on leveraging data for informed business decisions. Through a mix of candid conversations and interviews with industry veterans, suppliers, and service providers, the podcast aims to inspire listeners to think bigger and transition from technicians to visionaries. This podcast is a guide to refining business acumen and achieving competitive excellence.
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In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, host Brent Sonnek-Schmelz sits down with Andy Seeley, CEO and co-owner at Creatively Disruptive. They explore the real work of building and scaling a small business, focusing on what business owners miss when it comes to agency partnerships, systems, and growth. Andy shares how many owners underestimate the responsibility and constant demands that come with running a business. He explains why most failures come from a lack of preparation, not from the ...
In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, host Brent Sonnek-Schmelz welcomes Matt Bernath from VITAL for a candid conversation that starts with Brad Jacobs’ business book and unfolds into something deeper. What begins as a book club discussion turns into a reflection on entrepreneurship, education, and what it really means to build a successful business—and a meaningful life. Matt shares why traditional education often fails to prepare people for entrepreneurial thinking. He and Brent explore h...
In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, host Matt Bernath from VITAL talks with photographer and director Stewart Cohen about the business power of storytelling. Stewart shares how visual content shapes brand perception and why authenticity matters more than ever. From high-end home services to major hotel brands, Stewart has seen how investing in quality photography and video impacts sales, trust, and long-term growth. He explains why documenting projects—before, during, and after completion...
In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, hosts Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath talk with Carlos Samaniego, a tax expert and founder of Tax Debt Consultants, LLC. They discuss the realities of unfiled taxes and the consequences business owners face when they ignore the IRS. Carlos shares his personal story of not filing for eight years and the fear that comes with it. The conversation explores common mistakes that trigger audits and collections. For contractors, the IRS can levy 100% of t...
In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, hosts Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath talk with Ron Callis, founder and CEO of One Firefly, about building a resilient business. He details the early days of his engineering services company and the hard lessons learned from launching a business without proper market research, which led to a near-total failure in 2015. Facing a critical moment, Ron made the courageous decision to eliminate 95% of his company. He pivoted to focus on a small but suc...
In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, Brent Sonnek-Schmelz sits down with Joe Crisara, founder of Service MVP, to unpack how service-based thinking can unlock hidden revenue in home service businesses. Drawing from decades of experience across plumbing, HVAC, and beyond, Joe makes a compelling case for building recurring revenue models—even in traditionally project-based industries. Joe explains how companies often overlook ongoing service opportunities that customers are already asking for...
On this episode of The Flywheel Effect, Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath dissect the challenges preventing home service businesses from achieving sustainable growth. They pinpoint three core problems: inconsistent sales, people problems, and inefficient operations. Matt, drawing from his work with VITAL clients, explains how these issues manifest at different stages of business development. Matt highlights the crucial role of sales certainty, achieved through a reliable lead engine, a ro...
On this episode of The Flywheel Effect, Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath discuss the concept of the "perfect exit" for business owners, particularly those in home services. They explore various exit strategies, including selling to family, employees, or external buyers. Matt emphasizes the importance of building a business that can function independently of the owner. This allows for more flexibility and options when the time comes to transition. Matt shares examples of successful exits,...
In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath welcome Jason Sayen, Owner of I Am Sayen. They delve into the critical role of process in business growth, especially for custom integrators and home service providers. Jason explains his use of process visualization to pinpoint and rectify flawed systems within companies, ultimately boosting efficiency and profits. He emphasizes how businesses often mistakenly purchase software to solve process problems without add...
Nick Berry, CEO of Origin Acoustics, joins Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath to unpack the real-world impact of tariffs on manufacturing, pricing, and the entire CI channel. From raw materials to tooling logistics, Nick explains why moving away from China isn’t as simple—or as cost-effective—as many believe. The conversation explores the complex web of contract manufacturing, the myth of identical off-the-shelf products, and the financial strain tariffs place on vendors who must absorb ri...
In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath explore the power of coaching and reflective inquiry. Brent and Matt discuss Marcia Reynolds' book, Coach the Person, Not the Problem, diving into the art of reflective inquiry and its impact on leadership. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding individual limitations and embracing discomfort for growth. The hosts delve into practical applications of coaching, emphasizing the need for psycholog...
In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, hosts Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath dive into the importance of mindset and systems in business growth. Matt shares his transformative experience climbing Mount Whitney, pushing through physical and mental barriers, and discovering new personal limits. His journey becomes a fitting analogy for business owners looking to scale—highlighting the value of preparation, persistence, and adaptability. The discussion then shifts to the differences betw...
Join Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath in this episode of The Flywheel Effect as they examine how recent policy changes affect home service businesses. The hosts explore tariffs on imported goods, supply chain disruptions, and their impact on pricing across the industry. A key focus of their discussion centers on workforce challenges in the trades. Brent and Matt address how immigration policies create labor shortages, particularly in states like New Jersey and California where many skill...
This episode of The Flywheel Effect explores the crucial role of advocacy in the custom integration industry. Brent Sonnek-Schmelz hosts Will Breaux, Director at Casa Houston and CEDIA Government Affairs Committee Chair, for a look into the importance of engaging with local and national government. Will shares his experience successfully fighting against regulations that would have required permits for low-voltage work in Houston. Will's story highlights the impact integrators can have by spe...
Coaching, mentorship, and peer groups—how do they shape personal and business growth? In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, hosts Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath dive into the critical role these support systems play in leadership and decision-making. They explore why trust is the foundation of any successful coaching relationship and how constructive conflict leads to meaningful progress. Matt shares his experiences as both a coach and a coaching client, offering insights into why ev...
In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, hosts Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath introduce their 2025 Book Club initiative and discuss key strategies for year-end business planning. They emphasize the value of continuous learning and strategic financial decision-making to set businesses up for success. They challenge the idea of tax-driven spending sprees, urging business owners to make intentional investments rather than unnecessary purchases. The discussion highlights how Q4 can be a hig...
In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, hosts Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath sit down with John Seiffer, CEO of CEO Bootcamp and author of Output Thinking. Drawing from over 40 years as a serial entrepreneur and coach, John shares his framework for redefining productivity, leadership, and management in small businesses. From understanding why customers truly pay you to defining success through outputs, John’s insights offer practical strategies for business owners navigating growth cha...
In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, hosts Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath break down the evolving landscape of home integration and luxury home services as institutional investment reshapes the industry. They explore why private equity and venture capital are entering this space and what it means for independent businesses. With examples from sectors like HVAC and roofing, the discussion highlights the strategies behind rollups, the appeal of professionalized operations, and the ris...
In this episode of The Flywheel Effect, Brent Sonnek-Schmelz and Matt Bernath tackle the crucial topic of accounting talent for small businesses. Brent and Matt emphasize that strong accounting practices are essential for growth and offer practical advice on how to build a reliable financial team. Matt explains the common mistakes business owners make when hiring accounting personnel, such as prioritizing trust over capability. He provides insights on establishing systems for oversight, crea...
Chris Sterle, Founder and CEO of Acoustic Design Systems, joins The Flywheel Effect to share his unconventional journey to success. Chris openly discusses his early career struggles, marked by a "that's not my problem" attitude and a resistance to authority. After facing the harsh realities of the 2008 recession, Chris realized the importance of building a company culture that values its employees. Chris prioritized creating detailed processes for every aspect of his business, empowering his...
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