In this episode of The Kee To Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Chuck Worley for an inspiring, no-nonsense conversation about building a business rooted in personal branding, community, and character. Chuck shares his remarkable journey from growing up in a military town and struggling with school challenges, to breaking through industry stereotypes and scaling Whirley's from a small, struggling company into a $17 million local leader in home services.

 

Chuck and Jen dive deep into the "messy middle"—the real-life detours of entrepreneurship that don't get talked about enough. Chuck opens up about hitting rock bottom with bankruptcy and divorce, then rebuilding both his life and business by partnering with his son. Together, they share hard-earned truths about what it takes to lead a service business: everything from the emotional work of healing and realigning after failure, to practical systems for turning customers into lifelong clients through referral culture, relationship sales, and trust-based experiences.

 

Brand storytelling, visibility, and "Always Be Branding" are at the core of this episode. Chuck doesn't just talk about marketing—he lives it, showing up fully branded wherever he goes, from golf tournaments to galas to running into people at Home Depot. Jen explores how Chuck's extreme intentionality around branding and connection has turned Whirley's into the trades company everyone remembers (and refers). They also get tactical about brand awareness: trackable revenue from networking and personal referrals, the value of branded search, and why visibility in your local market matters more than chasing trends online.

 

Jen and Chuck round out the episode discussing the importance of giving back and elevating others in the trades through Chuck's 757 House Whisperer radio show and always be branding mastermind. From sustainable business development and mindset to leveraging systems, boundaries, and community relationships—the conversation is equal parts strategic and soul-fueling. Perfect for ambitious business owners, marketers, and anyone committed to growing with intention and heart.

 

Timestamps & Episode Guide

 

0:01 Chuck's branded style and first impression  

2:00 From Norfolk roots to trades career: chasing integrity and hands-on work  

4:30 Academic struggles and how adversity builds entrepreneurial grit  

7:00 Bankruptcy, heartbreak, and the path to rebuilding  

9:00 Partnering with his son and growing Whirley's from $300K to $17 million  

11:00 Raising referral rates, cross-selling services, and systemizing customer experience  

14:00 The nuts and bolts of multi-trade expansion  

17:00 "Always Be Branding"—visibility, local networking, and connections that last  

21:00 Understanding the real ROI of brand awareness and referrals  

27:00 Giving back: radio shows, masterminds, and lifting the next generation

 

Connect with Chuck Worley  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chuck.worley17  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cworley017/#  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chuck-worley-llc/  

 

Meet Your Host: Jen McKee  

Jen McKee is the founder of Kee Hart Marketing & Events, specializing in award-winning social media strategies for trade services. With expertise in content creation and personal branding, she helps businesses forge authentic connections with their audiences. As the host of the "Kee to Growth" podcast, Jen simplifies marketing strategies and empowers businesses to thrive. Tune in for actionable insights and inspiring stories to elevate your brand!  

Connect with Jen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.hartman.73/ or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-mckee-72114824/

 

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The Kee to Growth Podcast is Powered by: Kee Hart Marketing, the social media company for the trades. Learn more at www.keehartmarketing.com

 

This episode was produced and brought to you by the Skilled Trades Syndicate @ServiceBusinessMasteryPodcast https://www.servicebusinessmastery.com/