To The Point - Home Services Podcast

This week on To The Point Home Services Podcast, Chris is joined by the full LSD crew (minus Hoffmann, who bailed!) for an unfiltered, high-energy conversation about business, personal growth, and what’s next in the trades.From hunting trips to industry conferences, the guys cover everything from the future of the market, AI’s role in profitability, and whether door knocking can really work in HVAC and other home services. They also get real about personal development, therapy, emotional intelligence, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. 👉 If you’re a contractor or home service leader looking for insights, laughs, and some hard truths, this episode is for you. 🔑 Key Topics Covered:Market optimism for 2025–2026 and deal flow in the trades (08:00)Door knocking: can roofing & solar strategies work in HVAC? (15:45)Personal development: fitness, therapy, and emotional intelligence (28:00)How to increase profit without adding headcount (planned but derailed 😉)RYNOx 2026 sneak peek + upcoming industry events🗓️ Events Mentioned:Nuve Network Event – October 17 at ServiceTitan HQ (VIP sold out; limited GA tickets left)Pantheon 2025 – September 17RYNOx 2026 Theme Reveal – Early rollout in September⏱️ Timecodes:00:00 – Welcome & the missing Hoffmann01:00 – Upcoming events: Nuve Network, Pantheon, RYNOx 202602:00 – Hunting trip recap04:45 – Topics rundown: market, personal growth, AI, pricing tactics06:00 – First Amendment chat & Cracker Barrel branding08:00 – Market outlook for 2025–202615:45 – Door knocking in roofing & HVAC: opportunity or risk?28:00 – Personal development: fitness, books, therapy, accountability40:00 – Emotional intelligence & therapy in leadership44:00 – Learning to be alone & building mental resilience47:00 – Surrounding yourself with the right people(Conversation runs long and wild from here—classic LSD crew!) 📌 Resources & Links:Nuve Network Event InfoServiceTitanTo The Point Home Services Podcast ⭐️ Thank you to our Sponsors! Rilla: https://www.rilla.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, comment, and share with other contractors and home service leaders. Let us know in the comments: Have you tried door knocking in your business? Did it work?

Discover why some home service businesses plateau at $5 million while others soar to $50 million. The podcast explores the leadership mindset necessary for growth, emphasizing the shift from an operator to a strategic leader. Learn about common pitfalls, the role of effective communication and technology, and real-world examples of companies that broke through revenue ceilings. Actionable strategies are shared to reignite growth, stressing the importance of team culture and accountability for lasting success.

In this engaging discussion, Erica Lehner, Director of Business Development for GoodLeap, shares her passion for customer service and financing solutions in home services. She emphasizes the critical role of financing amid today’s economic challenges and how soft credit pulls can ease the loan qualification process. Erica dispels common myths about customer preferences, clarifying that flexible 15-year loans are often more appealing than 0% interest offers. Her insights into integrating financing into business culture and enhancing customer education are particularly enlightening.

In this discussion, Paul Kelly, former CEO and creator of the Raising Goats Program, dives into his journey of transforming Parker & Sons into a top home services provider. He emphasizes developing strong leaders who can thrive independently within businesses. Paul explores the importance of fostering a winning culture, sharing humorous anecdotes, and highlights the innovative training programs aimed at empowering contractors. He shares insights on the role of technology in the industry and underlines the significance of simplicity in processes for sustainable growth.

Charles 'Charlie' Sanders, Co-founder of Arizona Trench Company, shares his incredible journey from a tough upbringing in Morristown, AZ, to building a $30M business. He discusses the essential leadership lessons he's learned about team culture and client relationships, along with the profound impact of losing his daughter to suicide. Charlie emphasizes the importance of mental health advocacy and the strength found in community support. His story is a powerful testament to resilience, hope, and the human spirit's ability to overcome tragedy.

Michael Franzese, a former top-ranking member of the Colombo crime family, shares his incredible journey from organized crime to motivational speaking. He reveals how he orchestrated a massive gasoline tax swindle, the dynamics of loyalty and leadership in the mob, and crucial lessons for entrepreneurs. Franzese discusses the importance of authenticity and effective delegation in both life and business. His story of faith and redemption offers compelling insights into building a legitimate empire from a tumultuous past, making this conversation a treasure trove for anyone seeking inspiration.

Josey Parks, CEO of SVG and the Win The Storm Conference, shares his insights as a serial entrepreneur in the home services industry. He reveals how he grew a sales team from 34 to 300 members, emphasizing the 'actioneer' mindset for decisive progress. Josey discusses the power of hiring rookies with raw talent over seasoned reps, highlighting the role of technology and data in modern sales strategies. He also expresses his passion for mentoring young contractors to lead responsibly and foster professionalism in the storm restoration field.

In this power-packed micro episode of To The Point, Chris Yano welcomes Zac Garside—President of Prolific and email marketing wizard—for a deep dive into why most home service businesses are sleeping on email marketing. Spoiler alert: it’s more powerful (and affordable) than you think.Chris and Zac break down exactly what contractors are missing, from deliverability issues to poor open rates—and how Prolific is flipping the script with 30–50% open rates and real lead generation. If you’re not using email marketing the right way, you’re leaving low-cost, high-converting leads on the table.Get ready to learn:Why your emails are going to spam—and how to fix itWhat open rates and conversions you should be hittingHow to turn your email list into a revenue-generating machineSimple tactics to increase replies, book more jobs, and stay top-of-mindWhy “reply to this email” may be your strongest CTAPlus, enjoy some classic dad jokes, behind-the-scenes insight into Zac’s career, and real success stories from top-performing contractors.🎯 Key Takeaways:✅ Email marketing isn’t dead—it’s just done wrong.📈 Targeted emails = higher opens, more replies, and more jobs.🛠 Technical setup matters: authentication, warm-up cycles, and sender domain reputation are game changers.💬 “Reply to this email” CTAs drive 30–100 leads within days.🔄 Open rate benchmark: 30–50%. Response rate: 1–2%.📅 Seasonal and weather-triggered campaigns = gold.⏱ Timecodes:00:00 – Intro & dad jokes06:45 – Why Zac joined Prolific08:30 – The untapped power of email marketing13:00 – What’s killing your deliverability16:50 – Why segmentation matters20:45 – Email vs. ads: ROI comparison25:00 – Best subject lines that actually get opens30:00 – Automation, drip campaigns, and personalization33:45 – How to measure real ROI36:00 – Getting out of spam folder: Setup & warm-up explained40:00 – Plain text vs. HTML email: What works41:00 – Chris roasts TTP’s email format 😂42:00 – Wrapping up + where to learn more🔗 Resources Mentioned:Learn more about Prolific: https://prolificbranddesign.com/Follow Chris Yano & RYNO Strategic Solutions: https://rynoss.comConnect with Zac Garside on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacgarside/⭐️ Thank you to our Sponsors!Rilla: https://www.rilla.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint📬 Stay Connected:Subscribe to the To The Point Home Services Podcast for more no-fluff insights to help your business grow.👍 Like this episode?💬 Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway!📲 Share this with your marketing team.🎯 Follow now and level up your marketing game—No. Zero. Days.🔔 Don’t forget to hit that bell so you never miss an episode.

In this powerhouse episode, Chris Yano sits down with Ismael Valdez, former CEO of NexGen, founder of Nuve, and straight-talking industry disruptor, to break down the REAL issues plaguing contractors today—and what it actually takes to grow and lead a successful home services business in 2025 and beyond. This isn't just another podcast episode. It's a masterclass in leadership, accountability, AI, branding, and the future of the trades. From calling out fake mentors and lazy operators to talking billion-dollar visions, robotic labor, and how personal branding is becoming a business necessity—this is the episode you didn't know you needed. 🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYS:Why most contractors operate like employees, not CEOs—and how to fix itThe accountability gap killing growth in small to mid-sized businessesWhy contractors are losing leads due to poor online reviewsThe rise of AI and robotics in trades: what’s coming and what to do about itThe future of branding (both personal and company) in an AI-dominated worldWhat separates real mentors from the frauds in the home services spaceHow Nuve is changing the game by listening to contractor feedback in real time ⏱️ TIMECODES:00:00 - Intro & Ishmael’s return00:51 - The economy, interest rates, and the outlook for 202602:05 - The real impact of immigration policies on the trades04:49 - Why Ishmael is still grinding after a big exit06:17 - Nuve’s mission and learning from contractor feedback08:00 - Yelp, Google, and the brutal truth about reviews10:01 - Every contractor messes up—what matters is how you respond14:45 - Most “CEOs” still think like employees17:08 - The rise of fake mentors & predatory coaches in the industry21:00 - Nobody is coming to save you—do the work24:14 - AI and the future of CSR & dispatch26:09 - Robotics in trades: the change is coming faster than you think31:06 - Brand is everything: company + personal brand strategy36:11 - Why you MUST get on camera (or find someone who will)42:05 - Why most contractors suck at social media—and how to fix it44:52 - The metric that matters most in social: SHARES47:30 - Final thoughts & actions to take now 🔗 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Nuve: https://www.nuvehome.com/Prolific Brand Design: https://prolificbranddesign.com/ Thank you to our Sponsors! Rilla: https://www.rilla.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint 🙌 CALL TO ACTION:Found this episode valuable? Then stop what you're doing and:✅ Subscribe to the podcast💬 Drop a comment below with your biggest takeaway🔁 Share this episode with a contractor who needs to hear it Let’s keep building—together. No. Zero. Days.

In this episode of To The Point, hosts Chris and Chad sit down with Peter Capuciati (Chairman & CEO of Bluon) and Taylor Distler (VP of Biz Dev) for a no-filter, technician-first conversation on how Bluon is reshaping the HVAC industry.What started as a research-driven mission to create better refrigerants turned into a full-blown tech solution that now serves over 150,000 technicians. From giving techs instant access to wiring diagrams and manuals, to drastically reducing callbacks and increasing billable hours, Bluon is more than an app—it's a tool for empowering the future of HVAC.If you're an HVAC owner, tech, or operator looking for practical ways to reduce burnout, increase profits, and retain your best people—this one's for you.🔥 Key Takeaways:[01:06:04] Why Bluon was born out of frustration with inaccessible data[01:07:00] How Peter went from physicist to HVAC disruptor[01:08:00] The evolution from refrigerant R&D to technician empowerment[01:10:00] Why HVAC techs were being "left blind" and how Bluon fixed it[01:14:00] Business use cases: time savings, fewer callbacks, and tech retention[01:15:00] How contractors are using Bluon as a recruiting advantage📲 Resources & Mentions:Learn more about Bluon: https://www.bluon.comWant to sponsor the show? Reach out to us!Special shoutout to Logan Marshall for connecting the dots📢 Enjoyed the episode?Smash that Like button, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and don’t forget to Subscribe to the channel for more real talk with industry leaders.Thank you to our Sponsors!Rilla: https://www.rilla.com/tothepointChiirp: https://chiirp.com/Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePointAvoca.ai: https://www.getavoca.ai/partners/ryno?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=ryno&utm_medium=podcast💬 Got thoughts or questions? We read every comment—drop yours below!📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for behind-the-scenes and bonus content.🚀 No. Zero. Days.