Titans of the Trades | Straight-Talk for Scaling Your Construction Business

Can you succeed in the HVAC industry without any experience? Brothers Michael Katz and David Katz did just that; scaling their company, Trio Heating and Air, from zero to over $10 million in revenue in just two years. In today’s episode, these innovative entrepreneurs share their remarkable journey, highlighting key strategies that can supercharge your growth, profitability, and market presence.Learn how embracing technology, strategic pricing, and relentless execution allowed them to attract A-players, outperform competitors, and dominate their market. Michael and David offer practical advice for overcoming common hurdles in construction and HVAC businesses, ensuring your company thrives even during challenging times.This is an inspiring story of passion, persistence, and the power of learning from industry leaders. If you’re looking to elevate your construction business, don’t miss this transformative episode!Key Takeaways01:29 – How two brothers with no HVAC experience built a multi-million-dollar business in under two years.03:42 – The critical importance of aligning visions within a family-run business.06:33 – The unexpected beginnings: From sleeping in a van to selling air filters door-to-door.08:57 – How attending industry conferences like Pantheon completely changed their business trajectory.13:19 – The harsh reality behind rapid business growth—and how to manage it sustainably.15:28 – Turning your lack of industry experience into your biggest competitive advantage.23:42 – Why raising your prices can dramatically boost your profitability (and customer satisfaction).28:21 – How to overcome pricing fears and dramatically increase your conversion rates.32:27 – The secret behind attracting and retaining A-player talent in construction.34:44 – Simple but powerful advice on how to replicate success: “Just copy and paste.”Connect With Michael & David:Website: https://trioheatingandair.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-katz-20b751109/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-katz-999319b5/ Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

In this episode of Titans of the Trades, host Ryan Englin talks with Josh Vitale, Founder of Project BUILT, about the unseen struggles facing the construction workforce.Josh shares staggering statistics on mental health challenges, the alarming suicide and opioid rates in the trades, and how leaders can step up to make a difference. You’ll hear actionable ideas on fostering connection, healing families, and building workplaces where people thrive, not just survive.If you’re a construction leader who cares about your team’s wellbeing and wants to build a healthier culture that drives productivity and loyalty, this episode is a must‑listen.Key Takeaways with Time Stamps[02:21] Shocking stats on suicide and opioid addiction in construction.[03:53] Why a lack of connection fuels despair in the trades.[06:57] What real suffering looks like for many mid‑level construction workers.[09:55] How leaders can model vulnerability to support their teams.[10:59] The hidden impact of toxic bosses on jobsite mental health.[12:27] Boundary setting and personal resilience when facing toxic leadership.[17:38] Balancing project metrics with emotional health and safety.[22:46] How to get involved with Project BUILT and Construction Suicide Prevention Week.Connect With Josh:Website: https://getbuilt.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-vitale-vitalchemy/ Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

Is your construction or service business drowning in software solutions that promised efficiency but delivered overwhelm? Jenny Benbrook, CEO and Founder of Powerhouse Consulting Group, joins the podcast to reveal how to finally make your technology work for you, not against you.In this powerful conversation, Jenny shares insider insights on overcoming common pitfalls contractors face when adopting field service management (FSM) software like ServiceTitan. Learn why your software implementations fail, how to leverage AI effectively, and practical strategies to streamline your operations, boost team productivity, and dramatically enhance your profitability.Whether you’re tech-savvy or resistant to change, Jenny’s straightforward advice can revolutionize how your construction business operates and thrives.Key Takeaways01:25 – Why most software implementations in construction overwhelm instead of streamline.02:47 – The truth behind why your FSM software isn’t the “Holy Grail” you expected.04:44 – Overcoming the two biggest mindset shifts contractors need for successful software adoption.06:51 – The secret behind Powerhouse Consulting’s approach to relieving software overwhelm.09:52 – A surprising way to automate accounts receivable and free up 15 hours a week.13:35 – Why mastering technology is essential for legacy building or selling your construction business.18:58 – Avoiding costly redundancies: How to stop buying software you don’t need.23:00 – The crucial mistake contractors make in managing complex tasks like inventory.24:40 – How AI will reshape the trades and how your business can lead instead of lag.27:16 – AI is a tool to enhance your team, not replace it.Connect With Jenny:Website: https://mypowerhouse.group/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennybenbrook/ Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

Are office inefficiencies holding back your construction or service business? Today’s guest, Lynn Wise from Contractor In Charge, reveals why most contractors lose valuable leads and struggle with productivity. From understanding the true cost of mismanaged phone calls to strategically using AI for your front-office tasks, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to streamline your operations.Lynn leverages over 50 years of experience in the trades, offering expert insights on optimizing your office roles, reducing chaos, and boosting profitability. If you’re looking to eliminate the frustration of missed opportunities and overwhelmed staff, this conversation is a must-listen!Key Takeaways01:18 – Lynn’s journey from dispatcher to CEO and how she built Contractor In Charge.03:50 – The real reason contractors lose leads despite spending money on marketing.05:28 – Why combining multiple roles into one job is damaging your productivity.07:09 – Only 28% of your incoming calls are bookable. Here’s why.09:34 – How AI can drastically improve call handling without replacing humans.12:08 – Using AI effectively to handle the 72% of non-bookable calls.15:13 – Why your current approach to staffing might be driving great employees away.20:07 – The hidden impact of poor planning on your business’ bottom line.23:53 – Two essential skills every successful contractor must master (and how most fail).27:27 – A simple strategy to instantly boost your customer loyalty through service calls.Connect With Lynn:Website: https://contractorincharge.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnwise/ Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

Michael Carey Jr., President of Carey Electric, shares his journey from high school apprentice to owner of a thriving design-build electrical firm. In this episode, Michael and Ryan explore how technology, standardization, and a commitment to education are reshaping construction jobs for the next generation. Learn why Carey Electric’s approach to training and design-build projects sets them apart in a competitive industry.Whether you’re a construction business owner, manager, or technician, you’ll walk away inspired and informed on how to lead with vision and purpose.Key Takeaways with Timestamps00:34 Michael’s origin story: family business roots and early exposure to the trades.02:15 How the construction labor landscape has changed over the last 40 years.04:05 What design-build means and why Carey Electric uses this approach.05:48 The value of being a partner, not just a subcontractor, on large projects.07:10 How systematizing processes boosts technician productivity and morale.12:50 How Carey Electric is reaching future tradespeople at schools and fairs.18:52 Why training can’t stop after apprenticeship. Continuous growth matters.19:58 Where to find Michael and learn more about Carey Electric’s impact.Connect With Michael:Website: https://www.careyelectricinc.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-carey-jr-221163107/ Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

In this episode of Titans of the Trades, Ryan Englin sits down with Danielle Putnam, President of The New Flat Rate, to break down how construction and home service contractors can boost revenue and retention by doing less. That’s right. Less.Danielle shares how giving technicians the power of choice through menu pricing not only increases average tickets but also reduces burnout, improves customer satisfaction, and builds stronger businesses. From ride-alongs to real-world coaching and a peer group called Freedom Builders University, Danielle reveals how her team is reshaping the trades, one call at a time.If you’re tired of running your techs ragged and still not seeing the profits, this episode is your roadmap to smarter growth.10 Key Takeaways with Timestamps:[01:00] Why menu pricing keeps families together and techs sane.[02:00] How technicians can triple impact with fewer calls per day.[03:15] The “Power of the Menu” explained with cheeseburgers.[06:45] Freedom Builders University and how it works.[08:40] What contractors learn from on-site peer group visits.[10:27] Why owners don’t want to be trainers, and shouldn’t have to be.[12:54] Don’t hire unicorns. Hire real people and give them tools.[18:08] The mindset shift that defines successful contractors today.[21:20] Why lack of follow-up is killing your construction business.[24:08] Danielle’s top tools for automating your way to freedom.Connect With Danielle:Website: https://thenewflatrate.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellekoop/  Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

What if recruiting for your construction business was as strategic as landing your next big client? In this episode of Titans of the Trades, host Ryan Englin sits down with seasoned business coach John Nieuwenburg of W5 Coaching. Together, they dive into one of the most overlooked but critical strategies in blue collar leadership: treating recruiting like marketing.John brings two decades of coaching experience, much of it with contractors and tradespeople, and delivers hard-hitting insights on how mindset, culture, and transformational leadership are the true game-changers in solving the trades’ labor crisis.From building a bench to exiting your business on your terms, this conversation is packed with real talk and practical strategies construction leaders can’t afford to miss.Episode Takeaways with Timestamps[02:24] The Real Definition of Coaching. John breaks down why coaching isn’t about giving advice but helping you own your solutions.[03:30] What W5 Really Means. Learn how the Socratic method shapes John’s coaching model.[05:49] Business Coaching is Personal Coaching. The deeper issues behind business problems (hint: it’s not the spreadsheet).[07:15] Recruiting Like You Sell. Why you must treat recruiting with the same urgency as sales.[08:35] Build a Bench Before You Need It. John’s retail story shows how to always be recruiting the right way.[11:04] Job Ads That Actually Work. A better way to write job postings that speak to real human pain points.[14:26] Transformational vs. Transactional Coaching. How to get the culture you deserve, not just the one you tolerate.[18:07] Leverage in Hiring. Why the person with more options always wins, and how to make sure it’s you.[20:16] Building a Self-Managing Business. What’s your business worth if you step away for 3 months?[25:48] Identity After the Exit. Why selling your business is as emotional as it is financial.Connect With John:Website: https://w5coaching.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/business-coach-canada/ Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

What if the biggest fix for your workforce shortage wasn’t another hire, but a training academy you built in-house?In this episode of Titans of the Trades: Stories of How to Win from Construction Powerhouses, Ryan Englin talks with Danielle Wernert, Owner of Upskilled Consulting and a leader in trades education, about how home service contractors can develop their own internal universities, even if they’ve never done it before.Danielle shares her story of going from an executive assistant to running one of the first home service academies in the industry, and how that experience evolved into helping businesses nationwide build training programs that actually work. You’ll learn how to fill your training classes, overcome tech resistance, and turn seasoned techs into effective mentors.Whether you’re just getting started or ready to take your academy to the next level, this episode will give you a practical roadmap to launch, scale, and succeed.Episode Takeaways[00:25] Danielle’s journey from executive assistant to industry training expert.[01:54] How she built one of the first in-house training academies in the home services space.[03:53] Why “ride-along training” is failing new hires, and what to do instead.[05:29] The critical mistake most companies make: not training the trainers.[07:21] What to do if you’re afraid to train because “they might leave.”[10:35] How gamified training boosts engagement and knowledge retention.[16:11] Capturing tribal knowledge before your top techs retire.[19:17] How to overcome team resistance to new training tech and processes.[23:07] How to fill your training classes - Danielle had 2,000 applicants for 43 seats.[26:32] Details on Danielle’s upcoming book and how to connect with her directly.Connect With Danielle:Website: https://upskilledconsulting.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-wernert/ Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

What if the labor shortage in construction could be solved by tapping into a powerful, often overlooked workforce? In this episode of Titans of the Trades, Ryan Englin talks with industry leadership expert Dr. Gretchen Gagel, CEO and Founder of Greatness Consulting, about why bringing more women into construction isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s essential for the future of the trades.Dr. Gagel shares her incredible journey from being disowned for studying engineering to leading multimillion-dollar construction projects and now authoring a groundbreaking book: Building Women Leaders. She opens up about unconscious bias, microaggressions, and how businesses can transform their culture to be more inclusive, respectful, and productive…for everyone.If you’re serious about building a sustainable workforce and evolving leadership in the trades, this episode is your blueprint.Episode Takeaways:[00:16] Why Gretchen left a Harvard acceptance to study engineering and never looked back.[02:01] What inspired Building Women Leaders, and why it’s not just for women.[04:47] Understanding unconscious bias and how it shows up on job sites and in hiring.[08:36] Tips for recognizing and reducing unconscious bias in your company.[14:31] Is construction getting better for women? Here's what the data says.[16:52] What makes women in the trades feel exhausted and how leadership can change it.[17:27] The small ways male allies can make a big difference in workplace culture.[20:38] Advice for aspiring women leaders entering the trades.[24:28] How construction businesses can take real steps toward inclusion and representation.Connect With Dr. Gagel:Website: https://gretchengagel.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-gagel/Book: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Women-Leaders-Blueprint-Construction/dp/1394251386 Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

Can investing in your employees' personal dreams actually improve performance and company culture?In this powerful episode of Titans of the Trades, Ryan Englin sits down with Collin Jewett, Dream Manager at The Annex Group, to talk about what it really means to care for your people. Collin shares how his role, focused solely on helping employees pursue their personal goals, is transforming team morale, engagement, and retention in the construction and property management space.They dive into the logistics of running a Dream Manager program, how to scale it, and why you don’t need a big budget to start creating space for personal growth in your workplace.Whether you’re in construction, the trades, or any people-first business, this episode will challenge you to rethink leadership.Episode Takeaways:[00:32] What is a Dream Manager and how does it fit in a construction company?[01:31] From engineer to employee advocate: Collin's journey into coaching and development.[05:09] How The Annex Group launched its Dream Manager program and how it actually works.[07:48] Why separating job performance from personal goals matters more than you think.[08:38] The first step any company can take to implement a Dream Manager mindset.[12:25] The simple metrics that show if your team is really growing.[15:03] What triggered leadership at The Annex Group to invest in this initiative.[17:38] Managing relationships with 130+ employees.[22:35] Why presence matters more than strategy.Connect With Collin:Website: https://www.theannexgrp.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collinjewett/ Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.