Ryan Nelson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-nelson612/), Senior Operations Manager of Integration at Visterra Landscape Group (https://www.vlgllc.com/), joins the show to unpack how landscape businesses can scale by choosing simplicity over complex configuration. Drawing from a unique career path that spans construction, field management, branch operations, software implementation, and corporate leadership, Ryan shares the harsh realities of software adoption. He outlines why over-engineering estimating kits and tracking every micro-cost causes teams to fail, advocating instead for streamlined metrics and a realistic three-year timeline for total system mastery. Additionally, Ryan addresses the pervasive management training gap in the trades, giving actionable advice on shadow programs, asking “annoying” questions, and maintaining a grounded perspective on emerging technologies like autonomous mowers and AI. Join us as we discuss:  [3:23] Why adapting to new software never truly stops after implementation[10:44] Keeping software setups simple versus over-engineering your operations[17:05] Why manager training is one of the trades’ biggest opportunity gaps Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Aspire (https://www.youraspire.com/?utm_campaign=toolboxforthetrades&utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e290) You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/76wMZ1SJV4OAql9HzbnQ87?si=85dc59f7c6e244b2), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/podcast). Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals) Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Chad Colony (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-colony-1077182/), CEO at TrussPoint Roofing & Exteriors (https://trusspt.com/), joins the podcast to unpack the operational leverage points that turn regional roofing contractors into national platforms. Drawing on his extensive background across 13 states and multiple trades, Chad details TrussPoint’s disciplined growth strategy across organic expansion, greenfield locations, and selective acquisitions. He shares why his team prioritizes retail-focused businesses with strong, active leadership over simple financial roll-ups when making an acquisition. Chad also breaks down takeaways from TrussPoint's L40 Leadership Summit, stressing the critical need for mid-level management training and transparent “Day One” communication after an acquisition. Join us as we discuss:  [3:47] The three pathways to achieving business growth: organic, greenfield, and acquisition[12:07] What role a company’s tech stack should play in evaluating a potential acquisition[17:42] The key to gaining employees’ trust after acquiring a new business You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/76wMZ1SJV4OAql9HzbnQ87?si=85dc59f7c6e244b2), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/podcast). Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals) Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Growing a commercial landscaping business is one thing. Building a company that can scale without consuming your life requires a strategy. In this episode, Tony Lisa (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-lisa-672a9512/), CEO of CAM Partner Holdings (https://www.campar.com/), joins the show to discuss how he transformed a traditional landscaping company into a diversified property services business serving commercial real estate across New England. Tony shares how listening to customers led to new service offerings, why investing in people was the key to sustainable growth, and what business owners should know before pursuing acquisitions or expanding into new markets. Join us as we discuss:  [5:01] Why you’re only as good as the job you’re doing right now[14:52] Why a functional business partnership is like a marriage[21:59] When you lose a customer’s trust and first steps to recovery [27:16] Inside CAM Partners' acquisition strategy and advice for owners scaling from $5M to $10M  Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Aspire (https://www.youraspire.com/?utm_campaign=toolboxforthetrades&utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e288) You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/76wMZ1SJV4OAql9HzbnQ87?si=85dc59f7c6e244b2), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/podcast).  Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals) Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

High season is heating up and this summer we're bringing you some of the best episodes from both our shows on the ServiceTitan Podcast Network. Between new episodes, ones from the past you might have missed, and conversations and checkins from over 5 years and 280 episodes - there's so much to learn about running your trades business better than ever. Originally Aired 1/20/2026 What if helping other contractors grow could earn you real rewards? In this episode, we’re joined by ServiceTitan leaders Naomi Menzer (https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-mendzer-6b2107129/) and Ellen Rohr (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-rohr-5052101/) to break down two powerful ways contractors can engage with the ServiceTitan community: the referral program and the brand ambassador program. From cash bonuses and cars to brand-building opportunities and industry visibility, Naomi and Ellen explain how these programs work, who they’re for, and why community-driven contractors tend to benefit the most. Join us as we discuss:  [4:06] The ins and outs of ServiceTitan’s referral program [7:24] Why the referral race to win a new truck is closer than you think [13:01] What makes a great ServiceTitan brand ambassador Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: ServiceTitan Referral Program (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals) Aspire Referral Program (https://www.youraspire.com/industry-partners/partner-referral-program) FieldRoutes Referral Program (https://www.fieldroutes.com/lp/referrals) ServiceTitan’s Referral Winner 2025 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f1T0VwW8SY) Become a ServiceTitan Brand Ambassador (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals/brand-ambassador) You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/76wMZ1SJV4OAql9HzbnQ87?si=85dc59f7c6e244b2), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/podcast).  Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals) Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

High season is heating up and this summer we're bringing you some of the best episodes from both our shows on the ServiceTitan Podcast Network. Between new episodes, ones from the past you might have missed, and conversations and checkins from over 5 years and 280 episodes - there's so much to learn about running your trades business better than ever. Original Air Date 05/20/2025 In this episode, we sit down with Eduard Mirzoian (https://www.linkedin.com/in/eduard-mirzoian-70152388/), Owner of Restorez Emergency Services (https://restorerz.com/), 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 business Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Pantheon 2025 (https://pantheon.servicetitan.com/event/2025/home) You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/76wMZ1SJV4OAql9HzbnQ87?si=85dc59f7c6e244b2), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/podcast).  Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals) Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jon Gohl (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-gohl-8b2793137/), Director of Client Experience at Aspire Software (https://www.youraspire.com/), and Travis Wills (https://www.linkedin.com/in/traviswills/), Aspire’s Sr. Director of Client Success, join host Amanda Salvatore for a high-impact session on surviving and thriving during the mid-season grind. Broadcasting live, the trio addresses the immediate macroeconomic pressures landscape contractors are facing, from unexpected fuel and fertilizer volatility to late visa worker shortfalls. Jon and Travis explain why waiting until December to check your financial numbers is a fatal error, urging business owners to conduct a thorough mid-season audit right now. They unpack tactical strategies to protect shrinking margins, including building strict purchasing processes, optimizing route density, and shifting away from strict mentorship toward active operational sponsorship of your crew leaders. Finally, they address the growing soft-skills gap, showing how face-to-face communication, role-playing, and being “steady in the storm” will ultimately separate thriving landscape operations from the rest. Join us as we discuss:  [3:22] The logistical and labor struggles of landscaping businesses in 2026 [10:57] Ongoing recruitment challenges and work visa hurdles [19:04] Why landscapers need to start appealing to younger talent [26:31] Why waiting till end of year to review your margins is a mistake You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/76wMZ1SJV4OAql9HzbnQ87?si=85dc59f7c6e244b2), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/podcast). Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals) Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

High season is heating up and this summer we're bringing you some of the best episodes from both our shows on the ServiceTitan Podcast Network. Between new episodes, ones from the past you might have missed, and conversations and checkins from over 5 years and 280 episodes - there's so much to learn about running your trades business better than ever. Original Air Date 11/12/2024 Alan O'Neill (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-o-neill-059b0012/) 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 (https://www.wrenchgroup.com/) 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 firms Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: The Wrench Group (https://www.wrenchgroup.com/) ServiceTitan (https://www.servicetitan.com/) You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/76wMZ1SJV4OAql9HzbnQ87?si=85dc59f7c6e244b2), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/podcast).  Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals) Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Property data is becoming one of the most powerful tools in the trades, but many contractors are only scratching the surface of what's possible. Brady Campbell (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brady-campbell-b11a2b33/), Vice President of Business Development at EagleView (https://www.eagleview.com/), discusses how contractors are using property intelligence to find better leads, target smarter markets, and make more informed business decisions. Brady shares how EagleView evolved from an aerial imagery company into a data powerhouse, why the best contractors focus on the structure as much as the homeowner, and how property data can improve everything from lead qualification to expansion planning. Join us as we discuss:   [3:06] How the smartest contractors use property data to find better opportunities [8:56] Why Eagleview changed the direction of their product strategy [13:59] Specific use cases of lead enrichment and market targeting [19:32] How property data helps other exterior trades like landscaping You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/76wMZ1SJV4OAql9HzbnQ87?si=85dc59f7c6e244b2), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/podcast).  Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals) Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

High season is heating up and this summer we're bringing you some of the best episodes from both our shows on the ServiceTitan Podcast Network. Between new episodes, ones from the past you might have missed, and conversations and checkins from over 5 years and 280 episodes - there's so much to learn about running your trades business better than ever. Original Air Date 3/18/2025 How do you create a high-performance environment in the trades? Kathryn Howard (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynhoward28/), Head of Mergers and Acquisitions at Lee's Air, Plumbing, Heating, & Roofing (https://leesair.com/) in Fresno, CA, tells us how, while sharing her journey from direct sales to leading a growing service business.  She discusses the importance of developing high-performing teams, how she built an international call center in Armenia, and why understanding customer purchasing behavior is key to sales success. Kathryn also dives into her leadership philosophy, her unique experiences in network marketing, and how she helped scale Lee’s Air with structured processes and strategic growth initiatives. Tune in for an insightful conversation on building culture, driving business success, and unlocking peak performance in the trades. Join us as we discuss: [4:12] Teaching technicians not to sell within their own budgets [13:40] How to create a high-performance environment for your team [22:19] Why personal development is critical to your team’s success [28:38] Creating pathways for underrepresented groups in the trades Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: From Prospecting to Closing: Tips to Improve Your Sales Performance (https://www.servicetitan.com/podcasts/toolbox-for-the-trades/phil-filaski-inteview) Register today (https://web.cvent.com/event/0a1fa394-a8f8-46ed-b32c-7794a9a2f4d5/summary) for our inaugural World of Titans event in Sydney, Australia on Thursday-Friday, April 3-4, 2025! You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/76wMZ1SJV4OAql9HzbnQ87?si=85dc59f7c6e244b2), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/podcast).  Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals) Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What does it take to break through the $4-5 million ceiling that many landscaping companies face? In this episode, we talk with Emily Nickel, Director of Business Applications at Perennial Services Group, to discuss how technology and data can help companies scale smarter, improve profitability, and make better business decisions. Emily shares lessons from her career in landscaping and software, including how one company uncovered $40,000 in missed revenue through better reporting, why delegation matters for growth, and how tools like AI cameras, GPS tracking, mobile apps, and analytics are shaping the future of the industry. Join us as we discuss:  [10:11] Why so many landscaping companies stall at the $4-5 million mark [16:18] How clean data uncovered $40,000 in missed revenue [22:19] The future of AI, analytics, virtual reality, and drones You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/76wMZ1SJV4OAql9HzbnQ87?si=85dc59f7c6e244b2), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/podcast).  Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals) Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.