The Future of Small HVAC and PE Service Providers

Chris Hoffmann currently serves as the CEO at Deutschmann Lane Holdings (DLH), which operates a family of companies including Hoffmann Brothers, Ferguson Roofing & Exteriors, Deutschmann Lane Real Estate, and HBH Investment Company. Before joining DLH, Chris served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, leaving active duty in 2014.

On this episode, we discuss:

• Chris' experience in the Marine Corps
• Taking over the family business
• Scaling the business
• Retaining and training labor
• The future of the trades
• Scaling acquired businesses

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Links:

Chris Hoffmann on X

Chris Hoffmann on LinkedIn

Hoffmann Brothers

Nexstar Network

Tugboat Institute

ServiceTitan

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:03:19) - Chris’ time in the Marines

(00:10:17) - Taking over the family business

(00:14:41) - Scaling the business

(00:19:18) - The first year in the business

(00:23:04) - What metrics matter in your industry?

(00:25:25) - Scaling the business after $20mm

(00:27:30) - Successfully retaining labor & Hoffmann Brothers University

(00:32:43) - The future of the trades

(00:34:06) - Purpose-driven ownership vs. PE

(00:41:09) - What questions should sellers be asking buyers?

(00:45:12) - Scaling acquired businesses

(00:48:01) - Call centers

(00:50:34) - The future of marketing is not paid search

(00:51:58) - The importance of Google reviews

(00:52:29) - Is B2C harder than B2B?

(00:54:13) - Recession resistance

(00:57:06) - Business ideas: House managers

(00:59:29) - What do the next 10 years look like for Hoffmann Brothers?

(01:02:40) - The family dynamic within the business

(01:06:19) - Do you have a succession plan?

(01:09:03) - Mistakes made

(01:12:23) - What do you see for the future of your industry?

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