Next Level Pros #148: Can the Trades Take You Farther Than a Degree // Dustin Van Orman, Ismael Valdez // Next Level Pros
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! Today’s episode is a powerhouse roundtable featuring Ismael Valdez and Dustin Van Orman, two giants in the trades game who have each scaled service businesses to over $100 million in revenue. They join Chris and the team to talk about the real impact of private equity in the trades, the myths, the opportunities, and how the right mindset and sales driven culture can launch your business from $2M to $100M+. If you’ve been skeptical, or scared about private equity, this episode might just change your mind.
Highlights:
“AI won’t replace the trades. People still want humans in their homes.”
“The loudest voices attract the most labor.”
“We don’t have an information problem. We have an accountability problem.”
“You’re not selling out. You’re building up.”
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome & Introductions
03:12 From Zero to $108M: Ismael’s Growth Story
08:30 The Private Equity Boom in Trades
13:10 Tackling the Labor Shortage
19:45 California vs. Washington: Tough Markets, Big Upsides
26:30 Sales-Driven Culture: The Real Growth Lever
32:58 How to Attract Top Sales Talent
39:15 Picking the Right Coach (and Avoiding Scams)
45:00 The Power of Accountability & Coaching
51:25 What Drives These Founders Today
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