Plumbing & HVAC Hustle Podcast

Guest: Mike Venidis – Co-Owner, Good Golly Garage Doors & Former Partner at Rhino Digital MarketingGuest Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mvenidis/ Good Golly Garage Doors: https://goodgollygaragedoors.com MikeVenidis.com: https://mikevenidis.comThis episode explores how Mike Venidis, after 15 years building one of the most respected digital marketing agencies in the home service space, is now applying that expertise to launch Good Golly Garage Doors with a level of strategic precision rarely seen in this industry. The episode dives into his data-driven market planning, Census Bureau research, demographic and home-value mapping, neighborhood selection psychology, pricing and margin modeling, supplier negotiations, and the mindset required when transitioning from marketer to operator. It also unpacks how AI is reshaping search behavior, why reputation platforms heavily influence AI recommendations, how AEO and GEO play into the future of local SEO, the emerging importance of Reddit and Quora authority, the role of wearables in reshaping search, and how zero-click search will change the traffic landscape. The episode highlights his views on building brand affinity long before launch, the power of word-of-mouth compounding, the surprising resurgence of lead aggregators, and why customer experience is becoming the most defensible asset in home services. It also touches on the personal events that pushed Mike into entrepreneurship, the balance of working with his spouse, and how he is building a modern home service brand from scratch with intention rather than improvisation.

Guest: Andrew Dobbins – Founder & CEO, Intelligent Design Air Conditioning & Heating (Tucson, AZ)Guest Links: Company Website: https://www.idesignac.com Podcast & Content: Sales Wars with Andrew Dobbins (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook)This episode explores the real inflection point many home service owners face: when stepping out of sales and sales leadership becomes necessary for scale rather than a liability. Using Andrew Dobbins’ journey building Intelligent Design into a multi-trade operation across HVAC, plumbing, roofing, and electrical, the episode breaks down why top closers often become bottlenecks, how sales performance can mask deeper operational issues, and why replacing yourself requires far more than hiring another “good salesperson.” The episode dives into the discipline required to reinvest profits instead of “acting rich,” the long-term advantage of living below your means, and why significance, not money, becomes the real driver at higher levels of success. It unpacks how call-by-call management radically multiplied revenue, why A-level leaders require giving up equity or upside, and how bringing in elite operators and sales leadership unlocked exponential growth without constant owner involvement. Additional themes include adding new trades the hard way, the leadership mistakes that make new departments fail, the psychology behind premium pricing and belief-based selling, and why conviction in being truly better—not cheaper—is the cornerstone of elite sales teams. The episode ultimately lays out a roadmap for founders transitioning from sales warrior to strategic CEO while preserving culture, profitability, and long-term stability. 

Guest: Bob Beall – Founder, Bob Is The Plumber / Master Plumber licensed in 5 statesGuest Links: Website & Training Programs: https://bobistheplumber.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Bobistheplumber This episode explores how Bob Beall built one of the fastest-scaling plumbing companies in his region, growing from a single truck to more than 40 by implementing systems, disciplined hiring processes, strong field management, and a training-first culture. The episode covers his early breakthrough after plateauing at five trucks, the moment he realized he had to release control to grow, and how he built leadership layers to support scaling. It also dives into Bob’s personal story of entering the trade legally blind, how “plumbing by feel” shaped his credibility with his team, and the unique challenges and advantages that came with operating in the field. The conversation moves through major operational pillars—adding management layers at the right time, balancing systems with smart decision-making, creating accountability through checklists, building an industry-leading onboarding pipeline, and maintaining 25 years without layoffs. Bob explains the realities of hiring today’s workforce, the creativity behind recruiting on Facebook Marketplace and TV commercials, and why culture built on working with people instead of above them drives retention. The episode also examines scaling decisions, methodical truck-adding strategies, KPIs for leadership evaluation, remote-office management lessons, fast termination frameworks, and why owners harm the entire team when they avoid tough decisions. Finally, Bob shares advice for young plumbing business owners navigating hard seasons—emphasizing perseverance, cash-flow discipline, reinvestment, and the systems he teaches through Service MVP as a certified partner. 

Guests: Dustin Mitchell – Co-Owner, Half Moon Plumbing Tiffany Mitchell – Co-Owner, Half Moon PlumbingGuest Links: Dustin Mitchell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-mitchell-364310250/ Half Moon Plumbing Website: https://HalfMoonPlumbing.comIn this episode of The HVAC & Plumbing Hustle, Tim talks with Dustin & Tiffany Mitchell from Half Moon Plumbing in the Tulsa Metro. After years of steady but stagnant growth, they recently hit $10M+ in plumbing-only revenue, placing them in rare company. They break down the mindset shift, business acumen, leadership development, and operational changes that made it possible.What We CoverHow Half Moon Plumbing went from stagnant to scalingThe mindset shift behind their $3M → $10M breakthroughThe marketing leap that changed everythingWhy technical excellence became a growth limiterBuilding leaders internally as they scaledTheir in-house technician training universityCulture challenges at $10M vs. $3MWhy strategy + intention beats relying on skill aloneThe personal growth required to grow a company👉 Subscribe for more home service growth episodes 👉 Learn more about Hook Agency: https://HookAgency.com

19-year-old phenom Jason Melendez Jr. (Legend Air, Dallas) breaks down the five-step sales system that drove $2M in his first year—and how he’s gunning for $5M next year. He talks service-first selling, the “pullback/takeaway,” momentum resets, and making HVAC fixes understandable with kid-level analogies. Guest links: Legend Air (legendairtx.com) and Jason’s LinkedIn (see profile below). Guest: Jason Melendez Jr., Legend Air — LinkedIn profile (search “Jason Melendez – Aubrey, TX”) and company site: legendairtx.com. (Company pages corroborate Legend Air ownership/family business.) LinkedIn+1What you’ll learnThe 5 steps: identify problem → make customer aware → stimulate pain → present options → ask for the sale (without sounding salesy). The “pullback/takeaway” that lowers resistance and increases trust. Service-first mindset (and faith/family anchor) that keeps ethics front and center—even on commission. Turning tough weeks around with momentum “resets” you can do in the truck. Explaining HVAC like a 5-year-old could get it—so customers decide fast and feel good. Shoutouts: Sales mentor Devon Murphy (Reignite Sales)—on-site coaching & call-by-call support. (Industry refs: Reignite Sales & author page) LinkedIn+1Subscribe for more no-BS growth tactics for home service pros.

From $0 to a market leader in an ~80k city: Brandon Brown (Brown’s Heating, Air, Plumbing & Electrical) breaks down winning in tight markets, getting out of the truck after 12 years, retaining techs with culture (paid birthday off, real appreciation days), and building community ties that compound referrals. We dig into pricing discipline, adding trades the right way, and recruiting from trade schools & farm kids for grit. Guest: Brandon Brown — Brown’s Heating, Air, Plumbing & Electrical (Lynchburg, VA): brownsheatingair.com Brown's Heating Air Plumbing Electrical | Book: Cool Success: Navigating the Highs and Lows of HVAC & Life (Amazon)  If you’re a home-service owner with real wins (not just theory), apply to be on the show at Hook Agency.What you’ll learn:Why 80k–100k “cluster markets” beat mega-metros for brand diffusion and CAC efficiency The moment Brandon left the field (family > phone ringing 24/7) and how he scaled ops with a 30-day trial ramp Culture moves that keep techs from jumping for +$5/hr (paid birthday off, shut-down appreciation days, Dirty Santa) Community flywheel: giveaways, trade-school pipelines, nonprofit visibility that drives membership wins

Homeowners push on price. Pros protect position. In this Plumbing Hustle episode, Jeff Cronin who sold $8.8M in one year breaks down how to neutralize price objections without discounting, anchor with commitments, and close with financing like a pro. We cover: qualifying for trust, future pacing timelines, dismantling “3 bids,” and the Duck-Duck-Goose mindset for breaking a slump. Guest: Jeff Cronin — Prime Time Consulting → https://primetimeconsulting.net Why watch: Protect your price, present with commitments + financing, and stop selling from your own wallet.

From gutter company exit to building a high-performance plumbing team, Mike Braun (Plumbing Director at Randy’s Electric & Plumbing) breaks down the mindset, routines, and processes that turn techs into top producers and salespeople into effective managers. We cover confidence on the call, re-engagement tactics, feedback loops, and leading with consistency.

Want to take your plumbing/HVAC startup from $300k–$500k to $1M+? Tim Brown sits down with Mitch Smedley (Smedley Plumbing) to break down the playbook: three-option pricing, frictionless payments, 10,000-hour tech guarantee, community “Family First” days, and YouTube + SEO tactics that compound growth. You’ll hear why to use AI for production—but never replace the customer intake—and how to turn every job into five-star review flywheels. Watch for concrete scripts, pages to build, and where to invest first to dominate local search and social. Subscribe for more home-service growth ops.

Home service leaders: want higher retention, stronger leadership, and a culture that actually wins? Laura Kelly (Clover Growth Partners) joins Tim Brown to break down transparent systems, solution-oriented surveys, daily EOD check-ins, the DP (Daily Progress) report, and SOPs via Loom. We also cover mental fitness (walks, priming, loving-kindness), scaling psychology vs. strategy, and the “3 Promises” that keep A-players for years. Watch for tactical frameworks you can deploy this week to boost revenue, profit, and quality of life—without losing control. Call to action: Comment your next culture move and grab the survey prompt template in the description.Laura Kelly links:https://growwithclover.com/https://www.instagram.com/the.laura.kelly/?hl=en

Plumbing owner Nick Sambrick (Revelation Plumbing – Pittsburgh, PA) shares the exact priorities that helped him double year after year: learn faster than the business grows, define (and fire) the wrong customer, align tech incentives without nuking margin, make service wildly profitable, and price with gross profit first. We also hit CAC:LTV, option pricing, and why you should market harder when you’re busy.Guest – Nick SambrickFacebook & YouTube:  ⁨@RevelationPlumbing⁩  Company: Revelation Plumbing (Pittsburgh, PA)What you’ll learn:- The 5 priorities to go from $1M → $2M- Avatar shift: landlords → homeowner service- Performance pay that protects profit- Service tickets from $300 → $1,200 with options & education- Pricing off gross profit, not revenue

Interested in working with a niched Google Specialized Marketing Team?YOUTUBE DEAL - Book here for $1,000 off: https://hookagency.com/youtube-deal/Most home service owners plateau because they try to scale chaos instead of systems. In this episode, Chuck Staszkiewicz breaks down the mindsets, cadence, and leadership frameworks that actually move an HVAC/plumbing company from $5–$7M moguls to a clean path to $10M—without burning out your team. We cover letting go vs. micromanaging, the 1-3-1 decision method, running a monthly Shareholder Day, and how to avoid chasing shiny playbooks. If you’re stuck in field fires and Facebook group advice, this will reset your operating system.Our Website: https://hookagency.com/Connect with Tim on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/invigoratedOur meme page: https://www.instagram.com/roofermemes/DIY Website / SEO guide: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaGuWc-oMSAr_vhmT-TgFkLYyC0Uikmcf&si=8-ocEQ9G5Xw2vznR

HVAC owner Derek Cormier (Climate Experts) breaks down how entertainment-first short-form content drives real business: recruiting, sales, and brand trust. We cover AI workflows (Zapier → OpenAI), TikTok hooks, personal vs. company pages, TBO (Total Brand Optimization), and why “fun + thorough” beats cookie-cutter posts. If you market plumbing/HVAC/electrical, this playbook will help you grow faster and hire better.What you’ll learn:- Entertainment → education → conversion content ladder- Personal branding that recruits A-players (60%+ of applicants from social)- Local list building for AEO/AI search wins- AI tools to buy back time and boost output

Selling HVAC Online vs. In Person: Pros & Cons with Marko Sipila Should HVAC companies put pricing online—or stick to in-home sales? In this episode, Tim Brown sits down with Marko Sipila, founder of QuoteDaddy, to break down the future of HVAC sales.You’ll learn:Why 97% of website visitors leave without contacting youHow online pricing tools can increase lead volume & qualityThe pros and cons of selling HVAC online vs. traditional salesWhy “range pricing” beats exact pricingHow tools like QuoteDaddy can help filter out tire kickersWhether you’re running an HVAC or plumbing business, you’ll get actionable advice on how to sell smarter, shorten your sales cycle, and give customers the transparency they want—without racing to the bottom.📌 Learn more about HVAC Quote: https://hvacquote.ai/ 📌 Marketing help for contractors: https://hookagency.com

How to Kill Your HVAC Company in 16 Weeks (and How to Save It) | Tim Cotten What are the fastest ways to destroy your home service business—and how do you avoid them? In this eye-opening episode, Tim Brown talks with Tim Cotten, business coach and former HVAC owner, about the three most common mistakes that crush companies and how to flip them into growth strategies.You’ll learn:The real numbers you should track (and what “healthy profit” actually means)Why owners pull out of marketing too soonThe danger of squeezing too much profit too fastHow to balance customer service, growth, and marginsSmart marketing budget benchmarks for contractorsWhether you’re running HVAC, plumbing, or another home service business, these lessons will help you stay profitable, grow sustainably, and avoid business-killing traps.  📌 Connect with Tim Cotten: https://timcotten.com

Can’t Find Plumbers or Techs? Here’s How to Fix It | Go Green Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical Struggling to find skilled plumbers or HVAC techs? You’re not alone. In this episode, Tim Brown sits down with Alicia and Peter Green, owners of Go Green Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, to talk about the skilled labor shortage—and the creative strategies that are actually working.You’ll learn:Why the “talent shortage” is worse than most admitHow to grow your own techs with in-house trainingThe apprenticeship model that works in today’s marketHow company culture can make or break recruitingWhy retention starts long before the first paycheckWhether you’re in plumbing, HVAC, or another home service, these tips can help you build a steady pipeline of skilled, loyal employees.📌 Learn more at: https://hookagency.com 📌 Connect with Go Green: https://gogreenplumb.com

Why Scaling DOWN Made This Plumbing Company More Profitable | Robbie AbruscatiEveryone talks about scaling up—but what if the real money is in scaling down? In this episode, Tim Brown sits down with Robbie Abruscati, owner of Paramount Plumbing Solutions, to talk about why he intentionally made his company smaller… and way more profitable.You’ll learn:Why chasing size can destroy marginsHow to identify your most profitable work (and drop the rest)The dangers of growing too fast in plumbing & HVACHow Robbie doubled profits by simplifying operationsTips for building a lean, efficient home service businessIf you’ve ever felt trapped in “bigger is better” thinking, this episode will change how you see growth.

7 Costly Mistakes Adding HVAC to a Plumbing Company | Go Green’s Hard Lessons Thinking about adding HVAC to your plumbing business? Stop and watch this first. In this episode, Tim Brown sits down with Alicia and Peter Green, owners of Go Green Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, to reveal the biggest mistakes they made expanding into HVAC—and what you need to do differently.What you’ll learn:Why HVAC and plumbing are NOT the same business modelThe mistake of underestimating support staff needsThe vendor relationships that make or break profitabilityWhy quick decision-making is critical when scalingHow to avoid leadership missteps when adding a new tradePlus, we cover ideal hiring strategies, operating capital needs, and the roadmap for a smooth expansion.📌 Learn more at: https://hookagency.com 📌 Connect with Go Green: https://gogreenplumb.com

$8M Plumber Shares His Exact Plumbing Sales Process (No Fluff)How does one plumber sell $8 MILLION in plumbing services in a single year? In this episode, Tim Brown sits down with Jeff Cronin, founder of Prime Time Consulting, to break down the mindset, process, and tactics behind his record-breaking success.You’ll learn:The plumbing sales process that generated $8MWhy financing is the real hack (and how to sell it)How to handle objections without sounding “salesy”Why homeowners pay for peace of mind, not partsThe truth about mindset, margins, and avoiding “cheap work”🔥 If you want to double your plumbing or HVAC sales, watch this NOW.