Exit Rich: Home Service Secrets with Lance Bachmann

We are back again with another entertaining and more importantly informative podcast just for you! In this episode, Nate sits down to share the raw truth behind explosive growth in the roofing industry: the sleepless nights, the clash of personalities, the pivotal conversations that nearly made him quit, and the mindset shift that kept him in the fight. From wrestling discipline to business warfare, Nate explains how he navigated a high-stakes merger, rebuilt company culture, shifted from insurance work to retail, and learned the power of financing and systems like ServiceTitan to scale without breaking. A Little Background on Nate: Nate Link’s story starts in small-town Pennsylvania, running a modest $1.3M roofing business with his brother. One year later, he’s on track to do $20M in revenue—an achievement that took relentless sacrifice, uncomfortable leadership roles, and a willingness to bet on the right partnership. You’ll hear: -The real conversation that convinced Nate to give up 50% of his company -Why the first 90 days of a merger feel like a rodeo—and how to survive it -How a dinner in Marco Island turned conflict into alignment -The “leader’s burden” and why quitting was almost the choice -Why cheap roofs cost homeowners far more in the long run -How financing options can transform your close rate and customer base -The importance of character in partnerships and leadership -Why black-and-white thinkers and gray-area thinkers can still win together If you’ve ever dreamed of scaling your business fast—or if you’re in the middle of that whirlwind right now—this is the unfiltered playbook of what it really takes. Follow my guest at: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturenate149/?hl=en  -Website: https://www.planetroof.com/altoona/  -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Theplanetroof/  Follow me on all Social Media: @LanceBachmann Exit Rich: Home Service Secrets with Lance Bachmann Don’t wait! Get your ticket for The 7th Annual Roofing Process Conference so you can learn to grow, scale and sell your business to private equity:  https://roofconference.com/ December 3-5, 2025 JW Marriott - Marco Island, FL Sign up for a 2 day Mastermind: https://lbachmanncapital.com/mastermind/ Sign up for a free Shop Tour: https://lbachmanncapital.com/shop-tour/ Join Our Coaching Group, the LFG Winners Circle: https://lbachmanncapital.com/lfg-winners-circle/ Follow us: https://beacons.ai/lance_bachmann YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lancebachmann IG: lancebachmann Facebook: LanceBachmannOfficial X: @lancebachmann TikTok: @lancebachmann Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-roofing-ceo-playbook-build-it-to-sell-it-with/id1778011846 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56A2PiqKz3NP6sj1nfSloP?si=f44f4d095aa64406&nd=1&dlsi=98967f24de074a6a Leave us a review! Website: https://lbachmanncapital.com/ LFG #roofing #business #entrepreneurship

Everyone thinks they’re “just” a contractor, or “just” a sales trainer. Let me break it to you — you’re a marketing company, a sales company, a recruiting company, a tech company, and a leadership company. Nail those five, or nothing else matters. Today I’ve got Gene Slade — an awesome guy who went from top HVAC tech to selling his own company for just under $2 million, and now runs one of the most recognized sales training companies in HVAC and plumbing. We get into how he used a two-hour radio show about AC units to pull in 2,000 leads a year, why most training programs fail, and the one massive leadership lesson that changed how he builds people. This isn’t a “feel-good” chat. We talk about salespeople who don’t believe in what they sell, owners who have no real training culture, and why chaos ruins scaling. If you want to break past that $2M-$3M ceiling, double your average ticket, and actually build a company worth exiting — this is the blueprint. We get into: -Why most companies throw money at marketing but skip sales training — and how that destroys profits -The #1 skill missing in salespeople (hint: it’s not product knowledge) -The leadership blind spot that almost cost him his culture — and how he fixed it -Why brand equity beats every short-term lead gen hack, and how to get it without wasting a decade -His next big play: partnering with home service companies, doubling their average ticket, and taking a cut of the increase — no upfront fee This episode is your wake-up call!  Stop blaming the market. Stop blaming the labor pool. Start mastering the five businesses you’re really in — and watch everything change. Follow my guest at: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geneslade/  -Website: https://geneslade.com/  -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadNinja/  -TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@geneslade  -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@geneslade  Follow me on all Social Media: @LanceBachmann Exit Rich: Home Service Secrets with Lance Bachmann Don’t wait! Get your ticket for The 7th Annual Roofing Process Conference so you can learn to grow, scale and sell your business to private equity:  https://roofconference.com/ December 3-5, 2025 JW Marriott - Marco Island, FL Sign up for a 2 day Mastermind: https://lbachmanncapital.com/mastermind/ Sign up for a free Shop Tour: https://lbachmanncapital.com/shop-tour/ Join Our Coaching Group, the LFG Winners Circle: https://lbachmanncapital.com/lfg-winners-circle/ Follow us: https://beacons.ai/lance_bachmann YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lancebachmann IG: lancebachmann Facebook: LanceBachmannOfficial X: @lancebachmann TikTok: @lancebachmann Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-roofing-ceo-playbook-build-it-to-sell-it-with/id1778011846 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56A2PiqKz3NP6sj1nfSloP?si=f44f4d095aa64406&nd=1&dlsi=98967f24de074a6a Leave us a review! Website: https://lbachmanncapital.com/ LFG #roofing #business #entrepreneurship

Most schools are built to pump out compliant employees—not problem-solvers, leaders, or business owners. They’re still running the same outdated playbook from a century ago: memorize, regurgitate, get the grade, move on. And here’s the kicker—none of it prepares kids for the real world. Most schools are still running on a 100-year-old factory model—designed to pump out employees, not entrepreneurs. That’s why I brought on Michael Marrone, founder of Liguori Academy, a private school in Philly that’s flipping the script on education. Mike isn’t just giving kids grades—he’s giving them real-world skills that pay. We’re talking: Cybersecurity Web design Healthcare careers And a full-blown trades program for construction, plumbing, and more If you’re a parent, business owner, or just someone who’s tired of watching kids graduate with zero life skills—this will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about school. The future belongs to the kids who learn how to think, build, and lead. The question is—are we going to teach them right? Follow my guest at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liguoriacademy/  Webpage: https://www.liguoriacademy.org/meet-the-team  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Liguoriacademy  Follow me on all Social Media: @LanceBachmann Exit Rich: Home Service Secrets with Lance Bachmann **Watch the full video episode on Lance’s Youtube.

You ever meet someone and know instantly—they’ve got it?  I don’t care how good your pitch is—if you’re wearing someone else’s brand on your head, you’ve already lost the sale. That’s how I met Miguel Mota Flores from Excel Roofing… wearing a Top Golf hat on our first FaceTime. I told him to take it off or I’d hang up. Why? Because success starts with owning your identity. In this episode, you’re getting an unfiltered deep dive into what real business growth looks like—from the habits, systems, and mindset shifts that took Miguel from hustling insurance work to building a $7M+ retail roofing empire. Here’s what we unpack: -The mindset that took Miguel from guessing to scaling -How journaling and daily reflection guide million-dollar decisions -Why discipline and alignment—not motivation—are what truly move the needle -The transition from door-knocking to strategic marketing -Hiring, training, and building a team that hits goals -The pain of insurance jobs vs. the freedom of retail work -Real talk on knowing your numbers and building a business to sell 🔥Make the shift or keep watching other people win. Your move…. Follow my guest at: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excelroofingsolutionsnc  -Webpage: https://excelroofingsolutions.com/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excelgreensborotriadroofing  Follow me on all Social Media: @LanceBachmann Exit Rich: Home Service Secrets with Lance Bachmann Don’t wait! Get your ticket for The 7th Annual Roofing Process Conference so you can learn to grow, scale and sell your business to private equity:  https://roofconference.com/ December 3-5, 2025 JW Marriott - Marco Island, FL Sign up for a 2 day Mastermind: https://lbachmanncapital.com/mastermind/ Sign up for a free Shop Tour: https://lbachmanncapital.com/shop-tour/ Join Our Coaching Group, the LFG Winners Circle: https://lbachmanncapital.com/lfg-winners-circle/ Follow us: https://beacons.ai/lance_bachmann YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lancebachmann IG: lancebachmann Facebook: LanceBachmannOfficial X: @lancebachmann TikTok: @lancebachmann Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-roofing-ceo-playbook-build-it-to-sell-it-with/id1778011846 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56A2PiqKz3NP6sj1nfSloP?si=f44f4d095aa64406&nd=1&dlsi=98967f24de074a6a Leave us a review! Website: https://lbachmanncapital.com/ LFG #roofing #business #entrepreneurship

Do you ever see those glossy 3D renderings of backyards with infinity pools, fire pits, and outdoor kitchens that look like a five-star resort? Me too… And that’s everyone wants in a luxury backyard. But 99% of the time, they can’t execute. That’s where Steve Griggs comes in… Check it out.. I sat down with the man turning high-end backyards into luxurious, livable DREAMSCAPES—and charging top dollar to do it. Steve Griggs isn’t the cheapest. He’s not even trying to be. He’s built his brand on delivering high-touch, high-ticket experiences—and his clients LINE UP for it. Because who doesn’t wanna feel like they’re on vacation just steps outside their back door? We get into: -Why execution separates dreamers from real business owners -How Steve closes $400K+ backyard projects and turns clients into lifelong fans -Why selling your time is the dumbest thing you can do -How his fence company does $1.5M with almost zero headaches -The myth of the "picky luxury client"—and why rich people just want results -The business model that runs without him—and the one that still needs his “magic fairy dust” -Lessons from Grant Cardone, Dr. Oz, and a guy named George Fox who only does 12 jobs a year… and lives like a king I challenge Steve to think about scaling. He challenges me right back. This isn’t some fluff convo about landscaping. It’s about pricing, positioning, execution, and how to build businesses that don’t own you. If you’re in home services.. Especially the landscaping biz, sales, or just tired of chasing low-ticket work that leaves you broke and bitter—This episode is just for you! Follow my guest at: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevegriggsdesign/  -Website: https://stevegriggsdesign.com/  -X: https://x.com/stevegriggsdsgn  -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteveGriggsDesign/  -Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@stevegriggs7740  Follow me on all Social Media: @LanceBachmann Exit Rich: Home Service Secrets with Lance Bachmann Don’t wait! Get your ticket for The 7th Annual Roofing Process Conference so you can learn to grow, scale and sell your business to private equity:  https://roofconference.com/ December 3-5, 2025 JW Marriott - Marco Island, FL Sign up for a 2 day Mastermind: https://lbachmanncapital.com/mastermind/ Sign up for a free Shop Tour: https://lbachmanncapital.com/shop-tour/ Join Our Coaching Group, the LFG Winners Circle: https://lbachmanncapital.com/lfg-winners-circle/ Follow us: https://beacons.ai/lance_bachmann YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lancebachmann IG: lancebachmann Facebook: LanceBachmannOfficial X: @lancebachmann TikTok: @lancebachmann Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-roofing-ceo-playbook-build-it-to-sell-it-with/id1778011846 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56A2PiqKz3NP6sj1nfSloP?si=f44f4d095aa64406&nd=1&dlsi=98967f24de074a6a Leave us a review! Website: https://lbachmanncapital.com/ LFG #roofing #business #entrepreneurship

Welcome back to the Exit Rich podcast. Today, I sat down with someone who’s not just talking the talk—Chris Lee actually did it! He sold his home service company for $340 million after scaling it from his garage to 1,100 employees in just four and a half years!! We broke down everything most people will never tell you about selling a company to private equity: the brokers who fumble deals, the $42M inventory mistake that cost Chris a fortune, and why “market standard” is often code for “you’re getting played.” Get comfortable, you are not gonna wanna miss a second of this one! I pressed Chris on: -Why most coaching groups are run by people who’ve never exited anything -How wrestling shaped his mental toughness -The difference between playing chess and checkers in M&A -How he lost $70 million by signing the wrong LOI—and what you must know to avoid it -Why debt-leveraged deals destroy growth -The rise of AI in blue-collar business and why those who ignore it are toast We also get real about coaching: why the best advice comes from operators, not influencers, and how his group at Next Level Coaching is building $125 billion in enterprise value by focusing on real-world execution—not fluff. This episode is a blueprint for anyone trying to grow, scale, or sell their business. If you’ve got a seven-figure company and you think you’re ready for eight—listen twice… Follow my guest at: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisleeqb/?hl=en  -Website: https://gonextlevelpros.com/home-page  -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qboflife/  -TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisleeqb  Follow me on all Social Media: @LanceBachmann Exit Rich: Home Service Secrets with Lance Bachmann Don’t wait! Get your ticket for The 7th Annual Roofing Process Conference so you can learn to grow, scale and sell your business to private equity:  https://roofconference.com/ December 3-5, 2025 JW Marriott - Marco Island, FL Sign up for a 2 day Mastermind: https://lbachmanncapital.com/mastermind/ Sign up for a free Shop Tour: https://lbachmanncapital.com/shop-tour/ Join Our Coaching Group, the LFG Winners Circle: https://lbachmanncapital.com/lfg-winners-circle/ Follow us: https://beacons.ai/lance_bachmann YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lancebachmann IG: lancebachmann Facebook: LanceBachmannOfficial X: @lancebachmann TikTok: @lancebachmann Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-roofing-ceo-playbook-build-it-to-sell-it-with/id1778011846 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56A2PiqKz3NP6sj1nfSloP?si=f44f4d095aa64406&nd=1&dlsi=98967f24de074a6a Leave us a review! Website: https://lbachmanncapital.com/ LFG #roofing #business #entrepreneurship

Think you’re profitable? Think again. This episode might save your business—before the numbers tell a different story! You guys thought you were making money, didn’t you? Owner of Hail King Professionals Roofing- Landon Stokes along with Cameron are here to expose the raw truth! I sit down with this crew, straight out of Texas, to uncover the real challenges keeping this company—and most other contractors—stuck. They’re sharp, humble, and hungry to grow, but like many business owners, they were facing hidden landmines: subcontractor chaos, budget breakdowns, commission confusion, and the stress of carrying too much on too few shoulders. We break it down like this: -Why subcontractors will eat your margins alive if you don’t get control -The mindset shift from running with heart to building with strategy -How budgeting, systems, and team-building aren’t just buzzwords—they’re survival tools -The power of surrounding yourself with the right people—and why access = acceleration -This is real talk from the trenches. No sugarcoating. No theory. Just two hard working guys facing the truth, making moves, and learning fast. Follow my guest at: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hailkingroofing  -Website: https://hailkingpros.com -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hailkingpros  -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HailKingProfessionals -TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hailkingprofessionals  Follow me on all Social Media: @LanceBachmann Exit Rich: Home Service Secrets with Lance Bachmann Don’t wait! Get your ticket for The 7th Annual Roofing Process Conference so you can learn to grow, scale and sell your business to private equity:  https://roofconference.com/ December 3-5, 2025 JW Marriott - Marco Island, FL Sign up for a 2 day Mastermind: https://lbachmanncapital.com/mastermind/ Sign up for a free Shop Tour: https://lbachmanncapital.com/shop-tour/ Join Our Coaching Group, the LFG Winners Circle: https://lbachmanncapital.com/lfg-winners-circle/ Follow us: https://beacons.ai/lance_bachmann YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lancebachmann IG: lancebachmann Facebook: LanceBachmannOfficial X: @lancebachmann TikTok: @lancebachmann Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-roofing-ceo-playbook-build-it-to-sell-it-with/id1778011846 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56A2PiqKz3NP6sj1nfSloP?si=f44f4d095aa64406&nd=1&dlsi=98967f24de074a6a Leave us a review! Website: https://lbachmanncapital.com/ LFG #roofing #business #entrepreneurship

You can go fast alone—but if you want to go far, you better find your crew. In this week’s power-packed episode, I sat down with my good friend and fellow entrepreneur Doug McCay from Patriot Heating, Air & Fuel Oil in Bucks County, PA. Today, in the shorter but AWESOME episode we dove headfirst into the real challenges business owners often face daily— and we don’t hold back on the truth here… Doug’s running multiple companies, raising a family, and still finds time to weld a pipe if the job needs doing. Sound familiar? Here’s what’s coming your way: -The 3 biggest hurdles every entrepreneur faces—and how Doug’s navigating them while scaling oil, HVAC, popcorn, and tank businesses. -Why marketing isn’t optional—and why you run out of friends & family real quick when it comes to customer base. -What it really takes to shift from operator to true owner—and why staying in the trenches might be killing your growth. -The brutal truth about stress, sacrifice, and those long days that don’t end when you leave the office. -Lance’s honest take on selling his first big company and why the sale didn’t bring the joy he thought it would—but gave him something even better: a business PhD. -A wisdom-packed reminder for every entrepreneur grinding solo: “When their mission becomes more important than your mission, the loyalty ends.” This one’s not just about business. It’s about loyalty, leadership, and learning how to let go so you can finally level up. Because let’s face it—being the boss is lonely, stressful, and messy. But when you learn from guys like Doug, you realize: you're not alone, and there's a smarter way to win! Follow my guest at: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patriotheatingairfueloil/  -Website: https://callpatriotheating.com -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Patriotheatingairfuel/  Follow me on all Social Media: @LanceBachmann Exit Rich: Home Service Secrets with Lance Bachmann Don’t wait! Get your ticket for The 7th Annual Roofing Process Conference so you can learn to grow, scale and sell your business to private equity:  https://roofconference.com/ December 3-5, 2025 JW Marriott - Marco Island, FL Sign up for a 2 day Mastermind: https://lbachmanncapital.com/mastermind/ Sign up for a free Shop Tour: https://lbachmanncapital.com/shop-tour/ Join Our Coaching Group, the LFG Winners Circle: https://lbachmanncapital.com/lfg-winners-circle/ Follow us: https://beacons.ai/lance_bachmann YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lancebachmann IG: lancebachmann Facebook: LanceBachmannOfficial X: @lancebachmann TikTok: @lancebachmann Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-roofing-ceo-playbook-build-it-to-sell-it-with/id1778011846 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56A2PiqKz3NP6sj1nfSloP?si=f44f4d095aa64406&nd=1&dlsi=98967f24de074a6a Leave us a review! Website: https://lbachmanncapital.com/ LFG #roofing #business #entrepreneurship

QUESTION FOR LISTENERS: Would you give up 20% of your business if it meant scaling 10x faster? Let us know in the comments.. Be honest—yes or no? Most people guard success like it’s a secret.  Joe Boyd from Elite Roofing? He’s flipping the table and handing out equity. After nearly 20 years in the game, Joe came to the mastermind ready to shift. From insurance to retail. From chaos to clarity. And from control to true leadership.  The result? A roofing business that's about to explode—and a team that’s about to eat. We went rapid-fire in this episode and broke down: -Why holding 100% of a company might be your dumbest move -The real reason order takers can't survive in the new roofing world -How phantom stock deals are the hidden weapon in retention -And what makes this mastermind different from the 10X rah-rah circus We’re not talking theory here.  This is real strategy, from real people, doing real numbers. If you’re trying to build a company that lasts—hit subscribe.  Drop a comment with the one move you’re making next.  Or just tell us how many people at your table are eating with you. So if you’re still trying to hoard the whole pie, wondering why your team’s starving and your business is stuck this episode might sting a little… but it’ll wake you up! Follow my guest at: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EliteRoofing -Webpage: https://eliteroofer.com -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mseliteroofing  -TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eliteroofing  Follow me on all Social Media: @LanceBachmann Exit Rich: Home Service Secrets with Lance Bachmann Don’t wait! Get your ticket for The 7th Annual Roofing Process Conference so you can learn to grow, scale and sell your business to private equity:  https://roofconference.com/ December 3-5, 2025 JW Marriott - Marco Island, FL Sign up for a 2 day Mastermind: https://lbachmanncapital.com/mastermind/ Sign up for a free Shop Tour: https://lbachmanncapital.com/shop-tour/ Join Our Coaching Group, the LFG Winners Circle: https://lbachmanncapital.com/lfg-winners-circle/ Follow us: https://beacons.ai/lance_bachmann YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lancebachmann IG: lancebachmann Facebook: LanceBachmannOfficial X: @lancebachmann TikTok: @lancebachmann Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-roofing-ceo-playbook-build-it-to-sell-it-with/id1778011846 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56A2PiqKz3NP6sj1nfSloP?si=f44f4d095aa64406&nd=1&dlsi=98967f24de074a6a Leave us a review! Website: https://lbachmanncapital.com/ LFG #roofing #business #entrepreneurship

You ever meet someone and just know they’re built different? That’s what happened when I met Ben Pacheco from Upstanding Roofing out of Houston, Texas. Less than a year ago, this guy was running a hydraulics company. He told me, “Lance, I want to sell this thing and break into roofing.” Most people talk a big game. Ben executed. Fast forward to today…  He just signed an LOI. Eight figures.  And in his first year in roofing, he’s on pace to do $6 million—all retail. In Texas, where everybody says “you can’t.” In this episode, we break down: -How he scaled from scratch using our exact playbook -Why leadership is the make-or-break factor in growth -The real reason most partnerships fail—and how to choose the right ones -Why taking care of your team (and your ex) is part of winning big This one’s powerful—because it’s real. No fluff, no fake gurus, just two business guys talking about what it really takes to build, scale, and sell. If you’re tired of hype and want the truth from people actually doing it—subscribe now. So if you're still sitting on the sidelines, making excuses, or waiting for someone to hand you permission—this episode ain’t for you. But if you’re hungry…  If you’re ready to sell the old story, build something real, and put your name on a win— Hit subscribe, drop a comment, and buckle up. Because this ain't motivation. This is a blueprint! Don’t wait! Get your ticket for The 7th Annual Roofing Process Conference so you can learn to grow, scale and sell your business to private equity:  https://roofconference.com/ December 3-5, 2025 JW Marriott - Marco Island, FL Sign up for a 2 day Mastermind: https://lbachmanncapital.com/mastermind/ Sign up for a free Shop Tour: https://lbachmanncapital.com/shop-tour/ Join Our Coaching Group, the LFG Winners Circle: https://lbachmanncapital.com/lfg-winners-circle/ Follow us: https://beacons.ai/lance_bachmann YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lancebachmann IG: lancebachmann Facebook: LanceBachmannOfficial X: @lancebachmann TikTok: @lancebachmann Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-roofing-ceo-playbook-build-it-to-sell-it-with/id1778011846 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56A2PiqKz3NP6sj1nfSloP?si=f44f4d095aa64406&nd=1&dlsi=98967f24de074a6a Leave us a review! Website: https://lbachmanncapital.com/ LFG #roofing #business #entrepreneurship