Toolbox for the Trades

Are you staying ahead of the trends shaping the trades? In this episode, we talk with Alec Stevanovski, Editor at Homepros, the digital media outlet bringing sharp, real-time reporting to home services professionals. We dig into rising equipment costs, supply chain pressures, and how 2025’s tariff landscape is hitting the contractor’s bottom line. Plus, Alec offers a refreshingly grounded take on private equity in the industry and explains why so many contractors are tuning out the noise and doubling down on the fundamentals.Join us as we discuss: [6:38] The economy: HVAC price hikes, tariffs, and refrigerant costs[11:47] Rising material costs and the data behind consumer sentiment[17:46] Private equity in the trades: trends, timelines, and what’s nextCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:ServiceTitan Pantheon 2025You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Operational excellence is a key focus for Steven Harper, President and CEO at Spectrum Building Services of America. It's a philosophy that fuels his leadership style, his approach to customer service, and his strategic vision for long-term business success. Steven joins us for our final Green and Clean episode to share how lessons from powerhouse brands like Disney and FedEx shaped his leadership journey, why building a people-first company culture is non-negotiable, and why cash flow management is the true lifeline for any service business.Join us as we discuss: [3:25] How 25-plus years of experience have influenced Steven’s customer service philosophy[10:53] Cash management strategies for struggling business owners[15:50] Culture building and scaling within the commercial cleaning industryCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:AspireCEO Life LessonsYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Family business transformation takes on a whole new meaning when Tiffany Martin Peters joins us for another episode of our Green and Clean series. As President at North by Northwest Lawns in Austin, Texas, Tiffany walks us through her unexpected path into the family landscaping company, starting with a rocky internship and a firm "no" to working with family — but life had other plans. When Tiffany returned in 2014, she found herself building office operations from scratch, armed with only a QuickBooks tutorial from her dad and her own determination. She shares the uphill journey of implementing software, overcoming a steep learning curve, and evolving the business beyond Excel spreadsheets and paper files.Join us as we discuss: [5:33] Transitioning the office from old-school paper to modern processes[8:26] Navigating family dynamics while implementing new procedures[13:56] Adopting new software during the peak seasonal monthsCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:AspireTiffany’s Aspire JourneyYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Andrew Craft, CFO at Site Landscape Development, shares his insights on transforming a landscaping business through tech and efficient systems. He emphasizes how adopting Aspire and the EOS framework doubled revenue by automating processes and enhancing decision-making. Craft discusses the journey from video games to landscaping and the critical role of tailored strategies for growth. He also reveals how building a high-functioning scheduling system can prepare businesses for serious scaling challenges, proving that efficiency is a key growth engine.

Mentorship in the trades can drive lasting impact across careers, teams, and entire industries. In the first episode of our Green and Clean series, Jon Gohl, Director of Client Experience at Aspire Software, shares how early lessons in leadership and the mentorship of industry icons like Kevin Kehoe shaped his career trajectory. From recruiting international teammates to advancing software adoption in the field, Jon reflects on how empathy, trust, and bold action have fueled Aspire’s mission — and his own. This conversation explores the powerful ripple effect of mentorship and what it takes to inspire the next generation of trades professionals.Join us as we discuss: [11:21] Leadership lessons Jon took from some of the industry’s legends[17:46] Bringing technology to schools for the next generation of landscapers[24:30] Framing software platforms as an approachable toolCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Aspireacademy.youraspire.comYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join hosts Jackie Aubel and Amanda Salvatore as they talk to top service professionals to find out the best tips, tricks, and tactics to succeed in the home services industry.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Sample, longtime construction technologist and host of The ConTech Crew podcast, to talk about the challenges construction professionals face when adopting new tech. From the disconnect between flashy software and field usability, to the power of data-driven decision-making, Jeff shares hard-earned insights from a career spent bridging the gap between jobsite and back office. You’ll learn why "show me, don’t tell me" should be your mantra when evaluating tech, how to map processes before buying tools, and why trust in technology starts with solving real problems, not chasing the next shiny object. Join us as we discuss: [3:29] Why early construction software failed in the field[19:18] How to vet software: “Show me, don’t tell me”[23:24] Why IT leaders need to learn to “speak business”[31:47] Building tech with field outcomes in mindCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Pantheon 2025You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we sit down with Eduard Mirzoian, Owner of Restorez Emergency Services, the first emergency restoration services company to join the show! Eduard shares his incredible journey from family business beginnings to scaling a multimillion-dollar operation across multiple locations. He dives deep into the lessons he’s learned stepping into the CEO role, including why building repeatable processes is essential, how simplifying creates room for growth, and why culture and systems go hand in hand. Eduard also offers candid thoughts on "guru disease," software overwhelm, and what it really takes to make technology work for your business.Join us as we discuss: [8:15] How Restorez responded to the LA wildfires[20:23] Eduard’s take on “guru disease” and avoiding information overload[26:12] Why software alone won’t save your businessCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Pantheon 2025You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Kelly Mesaris, VP of Special Operations at LB Capital, shares her journey from HVAC business owner to leading operations across roofing brands. She reveals secrets to scaling a roofing business for private equity success, including the importance of quick decision-making and technology like ServiceTitan. Misconceptions about private equity are addressed, emphasizing that revenue isn’t everything. The podcast also covers strategies for solid partnerships, effective leadership, and optimizing structures for lasting growth and profitability.

Family business succession is never easy, but Karly Rolls has done it with heart, hustle, and a big dose of humility.As Vice President of Rolls Mechanical, a Michigan-based contractor with 200-plus employees, Karly shares how she scaled the service department from 3 to 80 techs, implemented new processes, and kept “old school” values alive in a modern operation. She discusses her journey from shop hand to VP, the importance of technical training for leadership credibility, and how the company continues to scale without sacrificing quality or culture.Whether you’re growing your family business or navigating generational leadership, Karly’s story is packed with lessons on grit, growth, and leading by example.Join us as we discuss:[5:54] Why having a technical background is important as a leader in the trades[10:38] Getting out of the business to make time to work on the business[16:41] Setting up a marketing budget and installing a branding campaignYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!Prometheus Award NominationsListening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.