Toolbox for the Trades

Cris Dutelle is a fourth-generation plumber who grew up in the trades and went on to start his own plumbing business, Service Plumbing.When faced with incredible adversity, Cris’s perseverance and a visit to Pantheon completely changed everything for him and his business.Cris stopped by to discuss his professional and entrepreneurial journey, how he found a very lucrative niche, and the importance of continuous improvement and knowing when to ask for help.Join us as we discuss:[05:18] How Cris found his niche in the hospitals and medical gas space[11:08] How a major life event changed the way Cris viewed his business[14:29] How Pantheon helped change Cris’s perspective on work and lifeCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Service PlumbingServiceTitanYou 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 dive into an inspiring conversation with Stephanie Allen, CEO of Airworks Solutions, a unique player in the trades. Stephanie takes us on her journey — from law school to leading a thriving family-run business that’s redefining plumbing and HVAC.You’ll learn how Airworks’ community-first mindset, flexible workplace culture, and mom-approved branding create a lasting impact in the industry. We also spotlight Airworks’ charitable ventures, including a remarkable collaboration with ServiceTitan’s Power the Nation program, proving that giving back is at the core of their success. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about a positive culture, family, and making a difference.Join us as we discuss: [16:16] The story behind a family-run, Mom-approved brand[24:46] Why Airworks is in the people development business[27:57] The impact your business can have on community initiativesCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:ChatGPTMasterclass on ChatGPTToolbox for the Trades Episode 87, featuring  Dan AntonelliServiceTitan’s Power the Nation4 Kids 2 KidsYou 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.

Dan Lizette, the Director of Process Improvement at Mattioni Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, shares his expertise in scaling operations in the trades. He dives into the importance of robust documentation and training systems for business growth. Listeners will gain insights on optimizing call center processes, creating clear career paths for employees, and implementing performance incentive programs. Dan also highlights the value of bringing in fresh talent from outside the industry to foster innovation and diverse perspectives.

Gilbert Ayala, President, and Victor Ayala, GM, of Five or Free Electrical Services in Sacramento, CA, join us to share their inspirational journey of transformation and perseverance.With roots in chimney sweeping and window cleaning, the Ayala brothers built a thriving electrical business dedicated to helping others. They discuss the challenges of overcoming a tumultuous upbringing, their entrepreneurial spirit, and their commitment to giving second chances to those rebuilding their lives.Tune in to hear how family, faith, and a passion for the trades can lead to remarkable growth — both personally and professionally.Join us as we discuss:[3:39] How customer reviews impacted a service business’s branding[10:20] Breaking into the trades and redemption stories[18:52] Supporting company team members’ self-improvement[24:40] Why everyone deserves a second chanceYou 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.

HVAC techs, how many times have you serviced an outdated unit with no manual to be found — anywhere? Bluon is changing that.Peter Capuciati, CEO of Bluon, shares how his company built the world’s largest HVAC database to provide technicians with the technical data and support they need. From wiring diagrams to troubleshooting tips, Bluon’s platform saves time, reduces frustration, and empowers techs in the field.Discover the story behind how Bluon’s data-driven approach has transformed the HVAC service industry by helping professionals work smarter, not harder.Join us as we discuss:[2:36] How Bluon realized the need for their HVAC diagnostic platform [9:46] Getting your team on board during serious change management[20:07] Building and supporting a massive software databaseYou 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.

Ring in the New Year with a crossover from one of our other fantastic shows, Pest in Class.Hosted by Amanda Salvatore, even if your day to day doesn't involve squashing bugs, there's tons to be learned about running a service business from these interview.We'll be back next week with brand new chats for 2025 with business owners from across the industry, and thanks for spending a great 2024 with us.Originally Aired 12/3/2024:Aaron Curtis, CXO of Alta Pest Control, has helped propel the company to remarkable growth by centering on customer experience (CX) and fostering a strong, unified company culture. Aaron discusses Alta’s mission to create a “better experience by becoming better people” and explains how customer retention is directly influenced by employee engagement. Whether you're looking to improve customer service or inspire company-wide accountability, Aaron shares actionable steps to make CX a driving force in your business.Join us as we discuss:[8:00] Creating value by elevating the customer experience[15:08] Why customer satisfaction is everyone’s job[20:53] The symbiotic relationship between customer and employee retention[31:21] Relieving customer friction through notification updatesCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Top 6 Automation Hacks to Get Your Time BackYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Happy Holidays from all of us at the ServiceTitan Podcast Network. We've been planning quite a 2025 for you, dear listener, and as part of that we want to make sure you know about the other great resources and shows we have for your service business. This episode is hand selected to make for a great learning experience, especially if you work with commercial accounts.Originally aired 11/21/2024 and recorded LIVE at Pantheon 2024:In this episode of Mastering ServiceTitan, we’re joined by Kyle Urquhart, Director of Account Management at Pierce Property Services. Kyle explains how they've leveraged ServiceTitan to fuel success in the building envelope maintenance industry. He also reveals how his company transformed its operations by creating a dedicated account management department, restructuring service agreements for maximum efficiency, and empowering technicians with the ServiceTitan mobile app. Whether you're looking to streamline your processes or get inspired by cutting-edge strategies, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you elevate your service business with ServiceTitan.Join us as we discuss: [3:44] How to structure ServiceTitan for account management[19:57] Using ServiceTitan to stand out among competitors[26:17] Getting into ServiceTitanBetas for early access to new featuresCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:ServiceTitan Beta WaitlistYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Mastering ServiceTitan 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 Mastering ServiceTitan in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Paul Olsen, CEO of Koala Cooling, and Kyle Sattler, COO, share their dynamic partnership that has led to impressive growth in the HVAC and plumbing industry. They discuss the importance of operational checklists and innovative marketing strategies, including effective use of Google Maps to drive visibility on a budget. Their personal journeys in the trades provide insight into transforming challenges into opportunities. Emphasizing strong communication and trust, they reveal how these elements foster a successful culture and navigate business partnerships.

It’s possible that your company is performing well and is profitable, but a ceiling is preventing it from taking the next step. The evolution from a healthy business to one that’s thriving, bringing in eight figures in yearly revenue, can meet a lot of invisible barriers. Justin White joins us to discuss how to take the next step with your company. Since becoming CEO of K&D Landscaping in 2015, Justin has grown the business into a multi-million dollar company. He’s joined us to talk about the importance of adjusting and communicating your company’s vision, creating a robust leadership team, and how to avoid falling into slumps of growth. Join us as we discuss: [9:43] The importance of self-trust for company leaders[20:03] Why many companies stagnate in yearly revenue[27:31] How to communicate, cultivate, and modify your company’s vision [35:00] Finding and exploiting “unfair advantages” for your companyCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Disruptors CommunityYou 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.

Lincoln Walpole, Chief Business Officer at Any Hour Group, shares his wealth of experience in KPI tracking and business scaling. He discusses how daily tracking of key metrics can revolutionize profitability for service businesses. Lincoln highlights the essential KPIs for success, including lead funnel efficiency and employee retention. He also emphasizes the importance of benchmarking to maximize gross profit margins and the beneficial role of private equity in shaping effective KPI strategies. Tune in for insights on optimizing operations and enhancing team culture!