Toolbox for the Trades

Kelsey Whittenberg fell in love with being an electrician. She loves to understand how everything works and how to use both her technical expertise and tools to help solve problems in the field.She also posted videos on social media as a creative outlet while she was at job sites, and that quickly burgeoned into a great passion.As an industrial Electrician at Weifield Group Contracting, Kelsey provides professional electrical solutions across different industry sectors and also actively promotes her company on social media. She stops by to share her professional journey with us and talks about the challenges and opportunities she sees as a female technician. She also explains what motivated her to become active on social media and how her content has helped build a great community online.Join us as we discuss: [6:56]: Kelsey’s experience as a female technician[20:58] What inspired her to build a social media presence[34:30]: Advice to people who want to become influencers on social mediaCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Weifield Group ContractingThespicysparkykelsey (TikTok)ServiceTitanYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Sheena Palacios was truly built into the trades in every aspect since her father, brother, husband, and other family members are electricians by profession. For her, the trades are a passion and an opportunity for her to return that appreciation for something she didn’t have before.She is also a strong believer in data transformation and how data is a treasure trove that can be leveraged by teams to make impactful decisions. It also comes down to understanding, setting up, and streamlining your processes and workflows for greater success.As the owner and ServiceTitan Solutionist at NIFT Business Solutions, Sheena is on a mission to empower teams in the trades to make smart, data-driven decisions. She stops by to share her entrepreneurial journey with us and talks to us about how she found her niche in the trades.Join us as we discuss: 07:41: How to ensure a successful onboarding process20:56: Why IKEA's showroom is a perfect analogy for ServiceTitan workflows 24:09: Advice for customers struggling with their ServiceTitan accountsCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:NIFT Business SolutionsConnect With SheenaServiceTitanYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jackie Sorensen knows a thing or two about working in a family business and dealing with gender stereotypes in the trades. She’s passionate about making the trades more attractive and accessible to young women and is actively involved in local activities within her community.As the President of Thorson Heating, Jackie and her team endeavor to deliver exceptional heating and air conditioning services to customers in the Sioux Falls area. She stops by to share her entrepreneurial journey with us and talks about the challenges as well as opportunities running a family business. She also tells us how she promotes the HVAC profession to young women and provides some valuable advice for other female business owners.Join us as we discuss: [10:56]: Why Jackie decided to buy her family business[27:06]: How Jackie makes the trades more attractive for young women[38:27]: Jackie’s advice for other female business ownersCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Thorson HeatingServiceTitanYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Richard Lewis truly believes that building genuine connections with people in the trades is the key to long-term sustainable growth. His experience in the finance industry has also helped him to identify opportunities for growth across different sectors in the trades. He’s also enabled business owners to take a different approach to partnering with investors to grow their service business.As the Founder and CEO of Redwood Services, Richard is on a mission to build a robust ecosystem of partners in the trades across the United States that focuses on collaboration, operational excellence, and a people-first culture. He stops by to share his entrepreneurial journey with us. He highlights examples from his experience that motivated him to do things differently and explains why he believes in investing in partnerships.Join us as we discuss: 05:24: What makes Redwood different from other private equity firms12:00: Why Richard felt the partnership process could be done differently22:19: What an ideal investor partnership looks likeCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Redwood ServicesServiceMasterRite WayServiceTitanYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Ken Midgett is extremely passionate about continuous learning and believes that training is a critical component to the long-term growth of businesses in the trades.As a professional plumbing service entrepreneur, Ken successfully ran two businesses and helped make the plumbing program at a high school in eastern Pennsylvania one of the most sought-after for students joining the workforce.As the Plumbing Market Director at Interplay Learning, Ken is on a mission to help service-based businesses build a robust training culture. He stops by to share his entrepreneurial journey with us. He also talks about the importance of investing in training so that it not only turns businesses into profit generators but also helps to build employee confidence and reduce turnover.Join us as we discuss: 05:26: How Ken got students interested in the plumbing program19:16: The importance of implementing a training culture22:09: Why leadership needs to be involved in training28:00: How organizations can incentivize employees with trainingCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Interplay LearningAssociation for Career and Technical Education (CTE)ServiceTitanYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Devynn Thompson entered the trades with her husband after he decided to establish his own plumbing business.They faced many challenges along the way and realized they had to learn from their mistakes and embrace constructive criticism from their employees.By connecting with people in the trades, going through training, having a coach who keeps them accountable, and learning how to delegate tasks, they managed to grow and transform their business into the success story it is today.As the Operations Manager of Thompson Family Plumbing & Drain, Devynn is on a mission to deliver professional plumbing services to customers in California and Arizona. She stops by to share her entrepreneurial journey with us and how she learned to become a better leader. Devynn also shares her thoughts on comparison anxiety and elaborates on the importance of adopting a thriving mindset.Join us as we discuss: 05:06: How Devynn went from apprentice to business owner17:00: How to address comparison anxiety31:46: Devynn’s delegation process35:28: The importance of having a thriving mindsetCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Thompson Family Plumbing & DrainNexstar NetworkMasterClassServiceTitanYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Rebekah Hatcher entered the trades with her husband after he decided to set up his own business.They faced many adversities in the beginning as they tried to grow, and they even hit a plateau.They then decided to become an Aire Serv franchisee, and with the right training, systems, processes, and a lot of hard work, they managed to scale their business successfully.As the owner of Aire Serv of Aggieland, Rebekah strives to deliver professional HVAC repair and maintenance services to homeowners and businesses in the Brazos Valley in Texas. She stops by to share her entrepreneurial journey with us, how becoming a franchisee has positively impacted her business, and some of her most memorable marketing campaigns.Join us as we discuss:[08:57] How becoming a franchisee impacted growth[15:34] How the internal culture has changed and a key takeaway[27:10] Rebekah’s most memorable and successful marketing campaignCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Aire Serv of AggielandMarketingProfsCanvaServiceTitanYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Many family business owners eventually pass the leadership torch down to their children. Oftentimes, those transitions work out smoothly.But what about when they don’t?Mike Prencavage, Jr., Owner of The Family Plumber, dreamed of taking the reins of the family business after college, but he had to “fight like hell” with his father to see his vision come true. Now, he’s leveraging technology and networking to elevate his family’s legacy for future generations.Mike gives us a candid look back at his tumultuous shift into his current ownership role and how he’s bringing a new-school mindset to old-school values.Join us as we discuss:[7:31] Navigating a rocky family business takeover  [23:25] How to show future generations value in trades businesses[40:10] Bridging innovation and new ideas with traditionCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors AssociationNexstar NetworkInterplay LearningContractor MagazineYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Lance Bachmann had a tough childhood and had to work his way up.After spending several decades in advertising, he decided to start his own full-service digital marketing agency. He learned from his past mistakes, sold the business, shifted his mindset, and seized on different opportunities as he added different companies in the trades to his growing portfolio group.Over time, he not only became a great leader but also someone who had an innate talent to help companies scale and become incredibly profitable.As the owner of LB Capital Group, Lance is on a mission to change the roofing industry to make it more of a demand and retail business for greater success. He stops by to share his entrepreneurial journey with us, his take on technology, and what his golden business principles are.Join us as we discuss:[06:47] The “Why me?” versus the “Why not me?” mindset[10:44] How Lance decided he was going to change the roofing industry[16:27] Lance’s take on technology[18:41] Lance’s top golden business principlesCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:LB Capital GroupTommy MelloIsmael Valdez1SEOServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook GroupYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Many companies in the trades may view acquisitions with trepidation, but they can also provide businesses with incredible growth opportunities. To achieve that growth, you need to start by building trust and having the right plan in place.Angela Millerknows that there’s always an opportunity that you don’t anticipate. Together with her team, Angela helps to ensure that transitions are smooth and “business as usual.”As the VP of Integrations at Goettl Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Angela leverages her extensive experience to ensure that businesses that are acquired by her company are seamlessly integrated into their ecosystem. She stops by to share her professional journey with us, how she got into the trades, and what owners looking to sell their businesses or grow via acquisition should think about.Join us as we discuss:[08:05] Angela’s role and how her team is structured[19:14] Advice for businesses looking to grow via acquisitions[23:44] Angela’s most memorable acquisition [34:13] Theory vs. experience: The perks of an MBACheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Goettl Air Conditioning & PlumbingServiceTitanYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Ryan Kettering believes that if service businesses want to truly stand out in their market, they need to look beyond the visual aspects of their logo and website. They need to dive deeper and find something authentic to them that will resonate with their customers and employees.He helps customers achieve this by using the fractal brand identity framework, which consists of developing their core belief, brand personality archetype, and brand story.As the owner of Prolific Brand Design, Ryan uses his experience and know-how to deliver brand design solutions to service businesses nationwide. He stops by to share his entrepreneurial journey with us, how he got into the trades, and how he helps customers create brands that are clear, authentic, and uniquely differentiated in a crowded marketplace.Join us as we discuss:[04:35] How Ryan got into graphic design and branding[08:53] What a good brand looks like[14:07] How Ryan works with clients to create a brand[25:09] How service entrepreneurs should think about brandingCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Prolific Brand DesignServiceTitanYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jennifer Rose-Caudill really “hit the ground running” when she was asked to help out in her family’s plumbing business. Originally trained as a real estate appraiser, she proactively identified areas of improvement within the company and tried to find the right solutions.Over time, she learned from her mistakes, continuously learned about the trades, and with her two brothers, managed to grow the company and make it profitable.As the Owner of Emergency Plumbing Heating & Air, Jennifer leverages her experience and expertise to deliver professional HVAC and plumbing services to customers in the Greater Delaware, Ohio area. She stops by to share her adventurous entrepreneurial journey with us. Jennifer also talks about how she got into the trades and how she managed to turn her father’s company into an efficient, customer-centric operation.Join us as we discuss:[02:42] How Jennifer got into the trades[16:12] How the business started to grow [21:07] Some of the challenges that Jennifer faced along the way[24:42] Adding a new service line to the businessCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Emergency Plumbing Heating & AirThe E Myth HVAC Contractor by Michael E. Gerber and Ken GoodrichServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook GroupYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Krista Landen knows about change all too well. She has witnessed the company she works for growing exponentially over the years, and a big part of that is linked to continuous improvement. Over time, she has learned that embracing and adapting to change is key to being successful in the trades. To get ahead, you need to be able to learn new things as well as improve current systems and processes.As the Marketing & IT Manager at Gulfshore Air Conditioning and Heating, Krista utilizes her experience as well as her exceptional people skills to implement the changes necessary for her organization to scale effectively. She stops by to share her professional journey with us, how she got into the trades, and provides practical advice on how companies can navigate change seamlessly.Join us as we discuss:[07:34] How Gulfshore has grown during Krista’s tenure[11:25] Some big changes that Krista went through and how she managed them[23:15] How Krista manages her colleagues and gets output from themCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Gulfshore Air Conditioning and HeatingTitan AdvisorServiceTitan You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Lance Ball believes that if you don’t challenge yourself, you will never grow. His professional career is a testament to how someone can persevere, reinvent themselves, and seize untapped opportunities.He likes to assure customers that he has their best interests at heart and wants to give them control over their choices.As the owner of Aspen Mountain Plumbing, Lance uses his solid industry knowledge and experience to deliver professional plumbing solutions to customers in rural Wyoming. During our conversation, Lance shared how he got into the trades due to a tragedy and how he worked his way up and decided to start his own plumbing business.Join us as we discuss:[01:50] How Lance got into the trades[11:48] How the desire to deliver good customer service accelerated growth[17:41] Challenges that Lance faced and how he overcame them[28:56] Key lessons for business ownersCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Aspen Mountain PlumbingServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook GroupYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Katie Biddle believes that when an organization’s leadership shows that they care about their employees, they will be better motivated to provide excellent service to their customers. She proactively encourages her team to put themselves in their customer's shoes to anticipate their questions and understand their challenges or pain points.As the Head of Customer Experience at Call Dad AC & Heating, Katie leverages her experience and expertise in the trades to provide professional customer service and support to homeowners across North Carolina. During our discussion, Katie talked about how she got into the trades, managed a brand rollout, and what makes her so passionate about her work.Join us as we discuss:[04:37] What makes Katie so passionate  [16:28] What virtual assistants are and how to integrate them into your workflow[27:03] What differentiates a successful company from a stagnant one[29:02] An overview of D.A.D. UniversityCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Call Dad AC & HeatingD.A.D. UniversityTorch NetworkServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook GroupYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Ismael Valdez is a “Renaissance Man” in every sense of the word. Not only has he built a successful contracting business from scratch, but he’s also about to launch another business that will be a game changer for the trades.He has a simple yet very profound approach to running his businesses: know your numbers, pay your people well, take care of them, and always be one step ahead of your competitors.As Owner and CEO of Nexgen Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing, Ismael capitalizes on his experience and industry know-how to provide a comprehensive range of professional heating, cooling, and plumbing services to customers across southern California. During our discussion, Ismael talks about what business owners should do when they’re struggling, how to scale effectively, and what the key elements are to running a successful business.Join us as we discuss:[03:47] Ismael’s advice to contractors who are struggling[05:44] The importance of knowing your numbers[12:19] The BASIC plan and what it entails[20:51] How to manage your labor costsCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Nexgen Airconditioning, Heating, and PlumbingNuveService Avengers Facebook GroupServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook GroupYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Kristian Protic learned about running a business the hard way. He started his career in the trades as a salesman for a home service business. He then started two ventures before founding his current company, which focuses on providing heating, cooling, and plumbing services to customers.Over time, he learned to trust in his abilities, have more confidence, not over-rely on partners, and have the right team in place that would propel his business forward.As President and Co-Owner of 365 Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing, Kristian leverages his expertise to deliver professional HVAC and plumbing services to homeowners in southwestern Ontario, Canada. He stops by to share his entrepreneurial journey with us, how he got into the trades, and how he took his company from its humble beginnings to the success story it is today.Join us as we discuss:[02:14] Takeaways from Kristian’s past two businesses[15:44] How to hire the right people[24:05] The importance of asking others for helpCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:365 Heating, Cooling, and PlumbingProfit First by Mike MichalowiczThe E Myth HVAC Contractor by Michael E. Gerber and Ken GoodrichHome Service Millionaire by Tommy MelloVictor RancourServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook GroupYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Samuel Petrie began his career in the trades by working in his father’s business. He then went on to start his own company that focused on delivering technology and solutions that benefit the rural communities that he serves. It was through his business that he identified an underserved market needing urgent help - homeowners looking for someone to complete multiple simple tasks. As the General Manager at Red Barn Service LLC, Samuel leverages his experience and know-how to deliver HVAC and electrical services to homeowners in rural Wisconsin. He stops by to share his entrepreneurial journey with us, shares his thoughts about the trades, and reveals how he continues to educate himself to stay at the top of his game. Join us as we discuss: - [02:15] Getting started in the trades - [14:41] Filling the gaps in a business education - [16:40] How Samuel disrupted and improved his business - [27:40] The importance of networking and building connections Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Red Barn Service LLC - Profit First by Mike Michalowicz   - The E Myth HVAC Contractor by Michael E. Gerber and Ken Goodrich - Elevate: Build a Business Where Everybody Wins by Tommy Mello - Small Business Leaders Community Group - ServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook Group You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Paige Knowles, or “Plumber Paige,” has loved the trades since she first saw the construction wing of a tech school during a junior high tour. But she was dismayed by the stigma that surrounded her passion for blue-collar careers. So she took on the mantle of a trades advocate, spreading the word to boys and girls across the country that the trades are cool — and lucrative. The children’s author and social media darling shares why she fell in love with the trades and how old-school contractors can get the next generation into their shops.   Join us as we discuss: - [7:47] The blue-collar narrative in today’s schools - [18:09] How contractors can connect with young people - [29:08] A forward-thinking construction camp for girls - [37:40] Children’s books focused on the trades Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Plumber Paige Instagram - Plumber Paige: Let’s Fix a Running Toilet - Plumber Paige: Let’s Replace a Shower Head  - SkillsUSA  - Let’s Build Construction Camp for Girls You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jawad Olabi was riding high in a lucrative corporate finance career. But after COVID forced devastating layoffs at his global firm, he started searching for new opportunities. That’s when he found an underserved market that was ripe for much-needed accounting services — the trades. Now a Managing Partner at ServicePro CFO, Jawad uses his expertise to help contractors get their books in order so they can negotiate their services from a healthy financial position. He stops by to share his thoughts on accounting, private equity, and economic trends heading into 2024 and beyond. Join us as we discuss: - [11:35] The good, the bad, and the ugly of private equity - [22:06] Economic projections for the 2024 market - [29:07] How contractors can get ahead of financial trends - [36:00] If private equity will still be viable in the near future  Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:  - 3 Strategies to Unlock Success During Shoulder Months  - 50X Podcast (TransDigm)  - ServiceTitan Masterminds Facebook Group  You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.