The Home Service Expert Podcast
Tommy Mello: $200 Million Founder|Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur Columnist
The Home Service Expert podcast is the No. 1 podcast for ambitious home service entrepreneurs, whether they are in plumbing, HVAC or another niche. In this show, Tommy Mello, a $200M business founder, will talk with the best entrepreneurs and experts in the home service industry and beyond, to share insights that have made them successful: from the newest marketing tools to the best scaling strategies. Previous podcast guests include Terry Nicholson (former national trainer of NYSE-listed home services company), Craig Smith (President of HomeAdvisor, a home services marketplace valued at $2B+), Cameron Herold (former COO of three $100M+ companies), etc.
Episodes
Mentioned books
27 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 1h 2min
How To Earn Trust and Influence According to Renowned Psychologist Robert Cialdini
Renowned social psychologist Robert Cialdini, author of the bestselling book 'Influence', shares insights on ethical persuasion and influence. He introduces key principles like reciprocity and commitment, revealing techniques to boost compliance and trust. Notably, he highlights the new principle of unity, emphasizing the power of 'we' language in fostering collaboration. Cialdini also discusses the emotional drivers behind human behavior and the importance of transparent metrics for building credibility. His clever anecdotes illustrate the practical applications of these concepts.
16 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 54min
Keeping the Blue Collar Spirit Alive with RJ Magee
RJ Magee, CEO of Sierra Group, shares insights from over 15 years in the home service industry. He discusses the importance of hiring smarter individuals and staying connected to the blue-collar workforce. RJ highlights leadership lessons, including servant leadership and effective communication. He addresses the impact of AI on operations and the significance of performance pay for technicians. Personal experiences profoundly shaped his approach, especially after a family tragedy, steering him towards fostering employee growth and community impact.
18 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 3min
The 4 Pillars of Leadership with Paul Kelly
In this insightful chat, Paul Kelly, a former CPA turned successful home-services executive, shares his journey from growing Parker & Sons to national prominence. He emphasizes critical thinking for better outcomes and the importance of ongoing training in enhancing decision-making. Paul outlines the four pillars of effective leadership—think, implement, operate, and lead—and discusses how to build a people-first culture. He also highlights the value of equity programs in creating wealth for employees and the risks of industry consolidation.
18 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 1h 1min
The Art of Leadership: Build Trust Overnight with Jeff Hancher
In this conversation, Jeff Hancher, a U.S. Army veteran and bestselling author, shares his insights on leadership development. He emphasizes the importance of discovering your 'why' and effective feedback as first steps in nurturing leaders. Jeff also discusses delivering tough conversations, the significance of one-on-one meetings, and the need for a coaching mindset over a traditional boss role. His personal journey reveals how invested leadership can transform lives and elevate organizational culture.
11 snips
Nov 4, 2025 • 42min
E440 Unlocking Buyer Psychology: The Key to Sales Success with Joe Cunningham
Joe Cunningham, an expert home-services consultant and trainer, dives into the psychology of buyers, revealing that they often don’t buy solutions to problems they don’t recognize. He discusses the importance of addressing perceived value in purchases and how personal biases can influence decisions. Joe shares key sales strategies, emphasizing the need for deep questioning and understanding customer priorities. Additionally, he introduces innovative checklist solutions that enhance technician performance and boost sales conversions, ensuring consistent and effective service delivery.
21 snips
Oct 27, 2025 • 1h 9min
E439 The Truth About Success: Scott Clary on Building Brands and Taking Ownership
Scott Clary, a serial entrepreneur and brand strategist, shares his insights on success beyond financial achievement. He emphasizes the importance of building personal brands for CEOs to humanize their companies. Clary discusses creating lasting content, prioritizing quality audience engagement over vanity metrics, and the need for authenticity in storytelling. He advocates for persistence in entrepreneurship, investing in education, and hiring the right talent. Clary's approach combines passion and strategy, aiming to empower others in their journeys toward meaningful success.
45 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 52min
Wealth Hacks and Motivation for Entrepreneurs with Tom Howard
Tom Howard, VP of Customer Experience at ServiceTitan with extensive experience in HVAC and plumbing, shares his insights into leadership and personal growth. He emphasizes the importance of swift follow-ups to maximize leads and discusses the competitive edge local operators have over private equity through grassroots marketing. Tom also dives into the significance of making strategic hires and managing setbacks, while offering advice on adapting to technological changes. Additionally, he highlights the link between effective branding and long-term success.
30 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 52min
Unlocking the Secrets of Cold Calling with Peter Roth
In this engaging discussion, Peter Roth, a serial entrepreneur and marketing director at Scalify, shares his expertise in the call center and home services industries. He delves into the art of cold calling, emphasizing the significance of targeting the right audience. Peter explains the role of AI and data-driven strategies in lead generation, while also exploring his diverse journey through solar, HVAC, and even the cigar business. The conversation wraps up with insights on resilience in entrepreneurship and the bright future of the call center sector.
Oct 6, 2025 • 50min
From Prison to Purpose: Peter Meyerhoff's Journey of Redemption
Peter Meyerhoff, a bestselling author and motivational speaker, shares his inspiring journey from prison to purpose. He reveals the harsh realities of prison life and how he overcame addiction after a near-fatal overdose. The conversation highlights his transition into entrepreneurship, including creating a prison curriculum app and a sober clothing line. Peter emphasizes the importance of mindset, resilience, and community support in transforming one's life. His story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to find purpose and make an impact.
25 snips
Sep 29, 2025 • 1h 7min
The Reality of Entrepreneurship: Challenges and Misconceptions with Cameron Herold
Cameron Herold, a serial entrepreneur and bestselling author, shares his insights on entrepreneurship's hidden struggles. He discusses the critical role of employee happiness, revealing its impact on business success. Cameron differentiates between coaching and mentoring, emphasizing the importance of optimizing operations for efficiency. He also explores personal growth and finding meaning beyond work. With anecdotes from his experiences, he highlights the significance of leadership in fostering a thriving company culture.
