From the Yellow Chair

Discover why brand reputation is the key to success in home services, as companies with trust thrive while others falter. Learn how emotional connections drive customer choices during emergencies. Crystal presents a three-part framework for building trust through authentic branding, community presence, and aligning customer experiences with brand promises. Explore the importance of small details, like truck appearance and CSR interactions, that can either strengthen or weaken your brand's foundation.

Tired of tire kickers? Discover strategies to filter out price-sensitive clients with marketing that emphasizes value. Learn how branding can attract clients who appreciate quality over cost. Crystal shares practical tips, like using before-and-after images and powerful testimonials, to enhance your brand's perception. Plus, get insights on positioning language that sets you apart as premium. Transform your lead quality and boost confidence in pricing discussions!

Discover how to keep your business thriving even as summer winds down. Learn to assess your marketing strategies and focus on high-value customers instead of just chasing leads. Get tips on adjusting your messaging to reach busy decision-making moms before back-to-school. Find out how to set the stage for fall with targeted campaigns and database cultivation. Plus, explore ways to maintain local visibility and community engagement to ensure a strong transition into autumn.

Send us a textThe difference between a thriving home service business and one where the owner works endless hours isn't marketing or sales tactics—it's solid operational systems. Terry Nicholson, industry veteran and visionary behind Praxis S10, joins Crystal to reveal the hidden power of processes in creating sustainable growth.Terry pulls back the curtain on what he calls "the hero trap"—that addictive feeling of being needed for every decision that eventually becomes a prison, preventing both business growth and personal freedom. "You're no longer building a company," Terry explains, "You're building a job that you can't replace yourself from." This resonates deeply with contractors caught in the daily grind of firefighting instead of strategic growth.What makes this conversation particularly valuable is Terry's practical approach to implementation. Rather than overwhelming business owners with complex system overhauls, he advocates starting small: "Pick one thing that's going to have a major impact on your business and focus on that." He shares a powerful case study of a company that went from four consecutive months of losses to earning $183,000 in profit through implementing just two targeted processes.The discussion takes a fascinating turn when exploring how processes intersect with hiring practices. Terry outlines his three-step framework for leadership success—hire the right people, educate them properly, and hold them accountable—while emphasizing the importance of finding team members whose values align with the company. As he puts it, "If you try to hire a duck and attempt to turn that duck into an eagle, what do you think the probability of success is going to be?"For contractors looking to escape the daily grind while building more profitable businesses, this episode delivers actionable wisdom from someone who's helped countless home service companies make the transition from chaos to freedom through systems. The real question becomes: are you ready to work ON your business rather than IN it?If you enjoyed this chat From the Yellow Chair, consider joining our newsletter, "Let's Sip Some Lemonade," where you can receive exclusive interviews, our bank of helpful downloadables, and updates on upcoming content. Please consider following and drop a review below if you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. From the Yellow Chair is powered by Lemon Seed, a marketing strategy and branding company for the trades. Lemon Seed specializes in rebrands, creating unique, comprehensive, organized marketing plans, social media, and graphic design. Learn more at www.LemonSeedMarketing.com Interested in being a guest on our show? Fill out this form! We'll see you next time, Lemon Heads!

Send us a textCrystal welcomes her sister Tiffany Nash, general manager of Spot On Pest Control, to discuss their journey of rebranding a pest control company and driving explosive growth in East Texas.• Growing up in a family heating and air conditioning business that started in 1974• Tiffany's transition from 15 years in education to joining Lemon Seed Marketing• Acquiring Lone Star Pest and Termite, a successful one-man operation with minimal marketing• Creating the "Spot On" brand with Johnny the ladybug mascot, named after their grandfather• How the mascot brings joy while raising awareness for mental health issues affecting their family• Investing $80,000 in initial marketing including a mascot costume, jingle, billboards, and radio ads• Implementing subscription-based payments and premium services like dewebbing• Achieving 275% revenue growth in their first year through consistent brand implementation• Building value to justify premium pricing in a market full of cheaper competitors• The importance of trusting the process, taking calculated risks, and pivoting when necessaryVisit spotonpestcontrol.com to see the brand in action or email Tiffany at tiffany@spotonpestcontrol.com with questions. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Google or your preferred podcast platform.If you enjoyed this chat From the Yellow Chair, consider joining our newsletter, "Let's Sip Some Lemonade," where you can receive exclusive interviews, our bank of helpful downloadables, and updates on upcoming content. Please consider following and drop a review below if you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. From the Yellow Chair is powered by Lemon Seed, a marketing strategy and branding company for the trades. Lemon Seed specializes in rebrands, creating unique, comprehensive, organized marketing plans, social media, and graphic design. Learn more at www.LemonSeedMarketing.com Interested in being a guest on our show? Fill out this form! We'll see you next time, Lemon Heads!

Send us a textCrystal discusses why many contractors feel their marketing is random and ineffective, and provides practical solutions for creating a strategic, cohesive marketing plan that aligns with business goals.• Marketing without strategy leaves contractors feeling unsettled and disorganized• True marketing encompasses branding, advertising, content, and community involvement• Many contractors have advertising plans but lack comprehensive marketing strategies• Reactive marketing happens when you scramble for leads instead of planning ahead• Plan marketing at least one quarter at a time with themes, tactics, budget, and creative elements• Average ticket values and conversion rates must be tracked to evaluate marketing effectiveness• Successful marketing requires both consistency of message and frequency of delivery• Brand-forward (not tactic-forward) approaches create recognition and trust• Different marketing tactics serve different purposes and should be measured accordingly• Tracking and measurement systems prevent wasting money on ineffective marketing• Marketing is "a game of chess that you sit down and never get to get up" - always evolvingIf you've enjoyed this episode of From the Yellow Chair, please leave a review. If you need help creating an organized marketing strategy, contact Lemon Seed Marketing to work with Crystal directly.If you enjoyed this chat From the Yellow Chair, consider joining our newsletter, "Let's Sip Some Lemonade," where you can receive exclusive interviews, our bank of helpful downloadables, and updates on upcoming content. Please consider following and drop a review below if you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. From the Yellow Chair is powered by Lemon Seed, a marketing strategy and branding company for the trades. Lemon Seed specializes in rebrands, creating unique, comprehensive, organized marketing plans, social media, and graphic design. Learn more at www.LemonSeedMarketing.com Interested in being a guest on our show? Fill out this form! We'll see you next time, Lemon Heads!

Send us a textToday we explore how contractors can use AI to enhance personal connections with customers while maintaining their unique brand identity. Michael Wheelock from Affiliated Tech shares how their AI tools analyze customer interactions to improve service quality, identify at-risk clients, and boost retention rates without sacrificing the human touch.• AI can analyze calls to identify customers at risk of leaving or sales opportunities without replacing human interaction• Personalized service consistently outperforms rushed customer interactions in closing deals and building relationships• Call recording and analysis helps enforce brand standards across all customer touchpoints• Technology can transcribe calls, summarize interactions, and integrate with existing software systems• Using sentiment analysis allows companies to address negative experiences before they become poor reviews• Call recordings provide training opportunities and recognition for excellent customer service• Successful implementation requires transparency with both customers and employees about recording purposes• The right AI approach helps contractors scale while maintaining their unique brand voice and valuesReady to explore how your business can grow without losing your brand voice? Reach out to the team at Affiliated Tech via sales@affiliatedtech.com to learn how their solutions can help improve your operations.If you enjoyed this chat From the Yellow Chair, consider joining our newsletter, "Let's Sip Some Lemonade," where you can receive exclusive interviews, our bank of helpful downloadables, and updates on upcoming content. Please consider following and drop a review below if you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. From the Yellow Chair is powered by Lemon Seed, a marketing strategy and branding company for the trades. Lemon Seed specializes in rebrands, creating unique, comprehensive, organized marketing plans, social media, and graphic design. Learn more at www.LemonSeedMarketing.com Interested in being a guest on our show? Fill out this form! We'll see you next time, Lemon Heads!

Send us a textConnor and Caroline of Wingman Heating and Cooling share how they transformed their company through rebranding, from their former identity as Auburn Premier Air to creating a distinctive brand that reflects their family values and company culture.• Making the decision to rebrand despite fears and uncertainties• Choosing a name and identity that allows for future market expansion beyond Auburn• Creating a brand centered around their family dog Kai as the company mascot• Building a brand that makes customers feel comfortable and safe• Involving team members in the rebranding process to build buy-in• Using vehicle wraps and consistent branding to increase visibility• Recognizing that marketing serves dual purposes: attracting customers and future employees• Seeing positive responses from both children and adults to their distinctive brand• Recently acquired another local company and moved into a new buildingIf you're considering a rebrand for your business, reach out to Connor or Caroline at conner@wingmanac.com or caroline@wingmanac.com. Check out their brand at wingmanac.com or visit lemonseedmarketing.com if you're ready to create your own distinctive brand.If you enjoyed this chat From the Yellow Chair, consider joining our newsletter, "Let's Sip Some Lemonade," where you can receive exclusive interviews, our bank of helpful downloadables, and updates on upcoming content. Please consider following and drop a review below if you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. From the Yellow Chair is powered by Lemon Seed, a marketing strategy and branding company for the trades. Lemon Seed specializes in rebrands, creating unique, comprehensive, organized marketing plans, social media, and graphic design. Learn more at www.LemonSeedMarketing.com Interested in being a guest on our show? Fill out this form! We'll see you next time, Lemon Heads!

Send us a textEver feel like you're throwing marketing dollars into a black hole and praying something works? You're not alone. In this refreshingly honest episode, we're peeling back the layers on what's really holding home service contractors back from marketing success.Marketing for contractors has become a chaotic landscape of conflicting advice, flashy trends, and endless "must-try" tactics. It's exhausting trying to keep up! But after working with hundreds of home service businesses, we've identified three critical mistakes that even successful contractors make with their advertising – mistakes that silently sabotage growth and waste precious marketing budgets.The first pitfall we tackle is "Spray and Pray Marketing" – that haphazard approach where you throw content everywhere without strategy or tracking. Next, we dive into "Promo Sapiens Syndrome," the prehistoric attachment to basic promotions (hello, $49 tune-up!) that keeps contractors in a race to the bottom. Finally, we examine the "Vanishing Brand Act," where inconsistent visuals and messaging prevent customers from truly recognizing your brand.The good news? These mistakes are entirely fixable. We break down practical solutions that don't require a marketing degree – from dialing in your ideal customer avatar to building campaigns that showcase your unique value proposition. Whether you're struggling to break through revenue plateaus or just tired of spending money on marketing that doesn't work, this episode provides the framework to transform your approach.Ready to build a brand that sticks? Pour yourself some lemonade and join us for a conversation that could completely change how you think about your marketing strategy. Your competitors will wonder what hit them.If you enjoyed this chat From the Yellow Chair, consider joining our newsletter, "Let's Sip Some Lemonade," where you can receive exclusive interviews, our bank of helpful downloadables, and updates on upcoming content. Please consider following and drop a review below if you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. From the Yellow Chair is powered by Lemon Seed, a marketing strategy and branding company for the trades. Lemon Seed specializes in rebrands, creating unique, comprehensive, organized marketing plans, social media, and graphic design. Learn more at www.LemonSeedMarketing.com Interested in being a guest on our show? Fill out this form! We'll see you next time, Lemon Heads!

Send us a textEver wonder what $150,000 in professional branding and business resources could do for a contracting company? The answer might surprise you—it could completely transform their trajectory.When Lemon Seed Marketing dreamed up the Great American Brand Story initiative, they knew they needed powerful partners to make it truly impactful. Enter Service Nation, whose decade-long mission of helping contractors grow made them the perfect presenting sponsor. Together, they've assembled an extraordinary opportunity worth over $150,000 for one deserving contractor in the plumbing, HVAC, or electrical trades.Nicole Norris from Service Nation joins Emily to unpack why this initiative matters so deeply. "We want to be instrumental in the lives of contractors," Nicole explains, highlighting how proper branding goes far beyond aesthetics. A thoughtfully crafted brand communicates trust and value to homeowners making significant investments in their properties. As both hosts agree—nobody wants the cheapest contractor handling their essential home systems.The prize package is comprehensive by design: Lemon Seed's complete rebrand services, Service Nation's business coaching and membership benefits, plus contributions from multiple partners including website development, PR campaigns, direct mail marketing, digital analytics, and more. The transformation journey will culminate in a grand reveal at Service World Expo in Las Vegas this October, professionally documented from start to finish.For contractors listening, this represents more than just a marketing opportunity—it's potentially life-changing. The initiative targets privately-owned businesses with $1-5M in revenue who are open to creative transformation. As Nicole powerfully states: "If you want to grow, you need to be open to change. If you're not going to change, you're going to die."Ready to see if this transformation could be yours? Applications close May 15th at midnight. Visit greatamericanbrandstory.com to apply and join a movement that's elevating the trades one contractor at a time.If you enjoyed this chat From the Yellow Chair, consider joining our newsletter, "Let's Sip Some Lemonade," where you can receive exclusive interviews, our bank of helpful downloadables, and updates on upcoming content. Please consider following and drop a review below if you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. From the Yellow Chair is powered by Lemon Seed, a marketing strategy and branding company for the trades. Lemon Seed specializes in rebrands, creating unique, comprehensive, organized marketing plans, social media, and graphic design. Learn more at www.LemonSeedMarketing.com Interested in being a guest on our show? Fill out this form! We'll see you next time, Lemon Heads!