Toolbox for the Trades

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!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.

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!

Aizik Zimerman, CEO of J. Blanton Plumbing, shares his remarkable journey from finance to plumbing, highlighting how he tripled the size of his company by fostering a positive culture and effective hiring practices. Joe Papa, founder of TruVersity, discusses the integration of AI tools in the trades and how they can enhance employee capabilities. The duo emphasizes the importance of resilience, continuous training, and adapting to change in a rapidly evolving industry, offering practical tips for business leaders to innovate and grow.

Lacey Coleman truly has a talent for moving past negative experiences and turning adversities into opportunities.Beginning her career in the trades at an early age, she had to prove herself to her customers and colleagues.Now the CEO at Coastal Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning in Salisbury, MD, Lacey joined us to discuss her professional and entrepreneurial journey, how she defied gender stereotypes to create and scale her thriving HVAC business and foster a collaborative work culture where her team can grow and build a successful career.Join us as we discuss:[07:44] The biases that Lacey encountered and how she dealt with them[12:13] The importance of turning negative experiences into positive opportunities[21:13] How building a strong work culture can lead to successYou 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.

Alan O'Neill truly has what many would say is “the luck of the Irish.” Alan started his career in Dublin as an apprentice plumber and worked his way up in the trades. He then moved to America with his family and founded a plumbing service company with his mentor, which he later sold to private equity.He truly believes in building solid relationships and taking care of his team and that the trades have the power to positively impact lives.The consultant with The Wrench Group stops by to discuss his professional and entrepreneurial journey, the importance of loyalty, and some practical advice for business owners thinking of selling or partnering with private equity firms.Join us as we discuss:[7:13] Alan’s incredible testament to the American Dream[20:41] The importance of loyalty in a business[26:57] Why you should take control of your own destiny[38:05] Advice for business owners planning to sell or partner with private equity firmsCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:The Wrench GroupServiceTitanYou 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.

Did you know the ServiceTitan Podcast network has other shows that can really help you not only grow your business but learn more about and use ServiceTitan even better?We've come out with additional shows to help folks all over your organization get the most out of your time working with us and our platforms.Today we have a guest episode from our sister show "Mastering ServiceTitan", designed to help the folks at your HQ learn to use the ServiceTitan platform better from day one.Originally Aired 8/20/2024ServiceTitan is a powerful tool, but just like any major piece of equipment in your shop, you have to know how to use it to get the most out of it.Lorenzo Plaath, a Certified ServiceTitan Coach with Go Time Success Group, brings his experience to the table to help new users who are implementing ServiceTitan.Lorenzo shares his top tips on how to take it from a new and unfamiliar system to something that changes the very fabric of your business year after year.Join us as we discuss:[6:39] Setting up a mock “go live” in ServiceTitan for your team  [19:00] The benefits of using both an implementation manager and a coach[31:10] Keeping your team happy during major transitionsYou 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!Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!Prometheus Award NominationsListening 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.

David and Natascha Manley, co-owners of ProLift Garage Doors in Amarillo, Texas, share their inspiring journey from retail careers to franchise ownership and how they have built philanthropy into the core of their business. Through their small business, the Manleys have made a substantial impact on their community by supporting organizations like Fill with Hope, which addresses food insecurity in local schools. Tune in to hear their practical tips on how they integrated giving back into business culture and how even small teams can make a big difference in their communities.Join us as we discuss:[4:34] How an entrepreneur coach helped the Manleys start a business[8:09] Business philanthropy and giving back to the community[20:11] Advice for contractors wanting to integrate giving into their cultureCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Titans for Change Prometheus AwardFill With HopeThe Entrepreneur’s Source - Amarillo Chamber of CommerceInnovaIf you’d like to help fight food insecurity in Texas schools, check out David and Natascha’s donation wishlist here. The Prometheus AwardYou 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.

Marcia Barnes feels the way companies have been buying marketing and the way agencies sell marketing is broken.She identified an opportunity to reorient this challenge by getting customers to look at the math before investing in marketing. With a solid data-driven foundation, people can see the results, know they’re growing profitably, and have the power of their marketing dollar back.The CEO and Founder of Valve+Meter Performance Marketing stops by to talk about her entrepreneurial journey, shares some great marketing tips, and highlights the importance of understanding your target audience and having a good website.Join us as we discuss:[04:28] The marketing activities of successful home service companies[07:47] Why having a good website is important[17:52] Three marketing KPIs to see the health of a businessCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Valve+Meter Performance MarketingHere We Grow: The Marketing Formula to 10x Your Business and Transform Your FutureServiceTitanYou 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.

Phillip Filaski believes leading by example is the key to being successful in sales. You need to be good at listening to prospects, ask the right questions, provide a consultative approach, and know how to handle objections professionally.He also believes in working hard, having a disciplined lifestyle, and having the right mindset that prepares you for success and enables you to bounce back from adversities.The Sales Supervisor at Lee’s Air stops by to talk about how he supports and coaches his team, his winning sales methodology, how he handles objections, and how he stays motivated when facing rejections.Join us as we discuss:[05:00] Phil’s secret to success in closing sales[13:13] How Phil trains his team and his sales methodology [23:16] The most common sales objections and how to handle themCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Lee’s AirServiceTitanYou 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.