Power Tools and Profit - Marketing Podcast

SummaryIn this conversation, Michael Gabriel and Zach Wendt guide Ian through an audit of his business, focusing on growth strategies, defining success, and the importance of lead generation. They discuss the balance between financial goals and the impact of the business on the community, emphasizing innovative approaches like a display trailer for showcasing work. The conversation also highlights the significance of maintaining a database for customer engagement and leveraging tools like Google Business Profile for increased visibility.TakeawaysDefine your end goal to guide your business strategy.Impact can be more important than financial success.Innovative marketing strategies can set you apart from competitors.Understanding your lead generation process is crucial for growth.Building a sustainable business model requires planning and systems.Utilizing a database can enhance customer engagement and referrals.Google Business Profile is essential for local visibility.Networking and community involvement can generate leads.Measure success not just in dollars, but in impact.Continuous learning and adaptation are key to entrepreneurship.

Most roofing companies wait for a leak to jump out and say, "Hey, fix me!" Dan flipped the script — now he's building trust before the drips show. From starting in the cold Michigan winter to landing his first big jobs, he shares the secret sauce: genuine service, local networking, and staying present when it counts. Turns out, the best lead generator is showing up—literally—being there on install day, not vanishing after the sale.You'll discover how Dan turned a "new guy" label into a trusted local hero with a personal touch—door knocking, neighborhood prospecting, and that secret weapon: building relationships that last. We break down his clever marketing moves, from chamber alliances to Roof Day mastermind groups, and how he leverages Google free traffic while dodging pricey leads from platforms like Angie's List. Spoiler: Organic reviews and local SEO are his best friends.Dan’s story is perfect for anyone feeling stuck or overwhelmed by digital marketing, or just tired of the same old "high-cost" lead gen traps. If you’re fueled by hustle, love serving your community, and want a business that grows not just in revenue but in reputation, this episode is your new favorite toolbox.And here’s the kicker—his approach isn’t complicated, it’s just real. No shortcuts, just trust, consistency, and showing up. Ready to take your roofing or contracting biz to the next level? Hit play and get inspired by a guy who’s proof that in trades, your reputation really is everything.

Think you need a massive team to build a six-figure deck empire? Think again. Ian’s journey from remodeling to mastering the art of high-end decks—living proof that niching down can turn a one-man show into a thriving business—and all without losing your mind or your body. Plus, concrete strategies for attracting the right clients, leveraging social proof, and scaling smarter, not harder.You'll discover:How Ian went from doing everything himself to landing big contracts by focusing solely on decks (and why fear was his biggest motivator).The secret sauce of building momentum through organic marketing, yard signs, and killer social proof—spoiler: Reddit reviews are more powerful than you think.Why choosing your niche can make you more appreciated (and profitable), and how to overcome the fear of niching out.The importance of developing a leadership mindset—becoming a 9 or 10 on your own scale to attract top talent—and how that leads to explosive growth.If you're tired of burning out, missing growth opportunities, or just want a step-by-step on turning your side hustle into a scalable empire, this episode is your new playbook. Perfect for service-based entrepreneurs ready to master their craft, attract high-quality clients, and build a legacy—without losing their sanity along the way.Ian Gabriel is a deck specialist, business growth advocate, and spiritual seeker who proves that the best power tools for profit are mindset and marketing. Ready to take your business from good to legendary? Hit play now.

Most home service businesses are one missed phone call away from losing thousands — but what if you could turn that into your secret weapon?In this eye-opening episode, Zach and Michael reveal the three killer metrics that will keep your seasonality struggles at bay and turn your slow months into profits. Spoiler alert: ignoring your answer rate and booking stats is like leaving cash on the curb.You'll discover:Why missing just 1 in 5 calls could be costing you hundreds — and how to fix it with AI and tech tools that are cheaper and smarter than ever.The secret sauce for turning 60% booking rates into 90%, so you're not leaving money on the table or your competition’s doorstep.And the game-changing strategy to bump your average ticket value without feeling like a shark.This ain't just for the big players—whether you’re pulling in half a million or pushing $50 million, these metrics are your golden tickets to consistent, predictable profit.Picture this: a steady stream of loyal customers, higher revenue, less seasonality stress — and maybe even a snowstorm that isn’t so scary after all. If you're tired of feast or famine and ready to dominate your market with data-driven swagger, this episode is your playbook.CruxLocal’s resident experts share how to leverage AI, improve your call-answering game, and build recurring revenue that smooths out those wild peaks and valleys. Perfect for smart entrepreneurs ready to level-up — hit play and start turning your home service biz into a well-oiled, profit-generating machine.

Most home service businesses don’t lose because they’re bad at their craft — they lose because they’re invisible online.In this episode of Power Tools & Profit, guest host (stepping in for Zach) interviews marketing expert Michael Gabriel on what actually drives consistent leads for plumbers, roofers, remodelers, window installers, and home contractors.Michael breaks down three high-impact strategies every home service business must get right:Google Business Profile optimization — why local visibility is everything and how simple tweaks can double inbound calls.Social proof that converts — how before/after content and testimonials increase trust and boost conversions by over 30%.Smart paid ads — how to meet customers where they are in their buying journey and achieve up to a 4:1 return on ad spend.If you’ve ever wondered why your competitors are winning more jobs — this episode reveals exactly what they’re doing differently.Whether you run a plumbing company, remodeling business, or roofing service, this conversation will change how you think about marketing.Want a custom roadmap for your business? Book a free strategy call with Michael Gabriel and get clarity on how to turn your marketing into a reliable lead engine.

What Is the Value of a Brand?A brand is more than a logo, a color palette, or a catchy tagline. It’s the trust people place in you before you ever speak. It’s the story they believe, the feeling they associate, and the decision they make when options are equal.In this episode, we break down what brand value really means and why it’s one of the most powerful assets a business or individual can build. We explore how perception drives opportunity, why consistency creates credibility, and how strong brands influence decisions long before price or logic enters the conversation.If you’ve ever wondered why some brands command loyalty, attention, and premium positioning while others struggle to be noticed, this conversation will bring clarity. This episode is for leaders, entrepreneurs, and creators who want their brand to mean something and last.

the New Year is here and are you prepared...

In this episode, we break down The Local Edge, the invisible advantage that determines which businesses get found, trusted, and chosen first when customers are ready to buy. Most business owners assume great work alone is enough, but the reality is that visibility decides who gets the call long before skill is ever evaluated. We’ll uncover why some companies stay consistently booked while others struggle for attention, and how small shifts in presence can quietly create outsized results. If your business relies on local customers and you want to understand what actually turns visibility into booked jobs, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.Visit : cruxlocal.com - to get your free local presence audit

This episode is an invitation to slow down and listen before the calendar flips. Instead of rushing into resolutions or hustling into another to-do list, we explore a different question: What is the coming year quietly calling you toward?We’ll talk about intention, clarity, and the unseen patterns that shape our choices. You’ll walk away with a fresh way to think about planning — one that feels grounded, purposeful, and aligned with what truly matters, not just what sounds productive.If you’re ready to step into the new year with more meaning and less noise, this conversation is for you.Would you like me to make it sound a bit more business-focused, faith-rooted, or conversational?

Most people are taught to work harder to make more money. In this video, we break down why that mindset keeps you stuck and how working smarter can literally explode your hourly wage. We use the hotel example to show the difference between labor income and ownership income. The hardest workers turn the rooms, but the investors make the real money. When you stop treating your work like a job and start running it like a business, everything changes. This video will help you rethink time, income, leverage, and how to build real financial momentum without burning out. www.CruxLocal.com

Behind every purchase there are three silent motivators. The desire to live stronger the desire to prosper and the desire to belong. Health. Wealth. Relationships. When you speak to these through your brand content and offers you stop feeling like you are begging for business and start attracting people who already want what you do. In this training we show you how to activate these desires inside your target market and bring new business directly to you. To launch this inside your business visit CruxLocal.com.

Why Your Brand Will Stay Stuck - Unless You Embrace Your Attractive Character

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What is FOMO?

We share how we got started in marketing, and the secrets we used to build 7 figure businesses.