Small vs. Big Markets: Benefits & Drawbacks for HVAC & Plumbing (Brandon Brown)
Description
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



