In this episode, John Wilson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/) returns to Toolbox for the Trades five years after his first appearance (https://www.servicetitan.com/podcasts/toolbox-for-the-trades/john-wilson-interview) to share what it really took to scale the Wilson Companies from under $5 million to more than $40 million in revenue in under five years. John walks through the messy middle of rapid growth, from tripling his team in a single year to realizing they did not yet have the systems, leadership, or structure to support it. What followed was a multi year reset focused on operations, hiring, and building a repeatable playbook. We also talk about what makes a good acquisition, why leadership is the true bottleneck to scaling, and how an internal leadership program became one of the company’s most important growth levers. Join us as we discuss:  [4:38] When to pause acquisitions to focus on operations  [11:00] How to build a leadership development program in-house [20:20] What makes a good acquisition versus a bad one [31:07] Why a podcast is a great marketing tool and the revenue vs EBITDA mindset shift Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Toolbox for the Trades Episode 46 (https://www.servicetitan.com/podcasts/toolbox-for-the-trades/john-wilson-interview) Owned and Operated Podcast (https://www.ownedandoperated.com/blog-categories/podcast) Nexstar (https://www.nexstarnetwork.com/) CertainPath (https://mycertainpath.com/) Sage Intact (https://www.sage.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.

In this episode, we sit down with Caren Bueno (https://www.linkedin.com/in/caren-bueno-3a0311268/), Service Division Coordinator, Corbett Irrigation (https://www.corbettirrigation.com/), to talk about what it looks like to build a life and a business from the ground up. Caren shares her journey from arriving in the U.S. as an au pair to leading a service division, building systems, and turning day-to-day chaos into something that actually works. She talks about learning in real time, creating structure where none exists, and why the right team matters more than any process or playbook. Join us as we discuss:  [2:59] An unlikely journey through the trades to leading a service division [15:42] How to use Aspire to track costs and get beyond “one big bucket” [25:36] How Green Gap reduces calls and improves technician confidence 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=e276) 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.

Mike Brewner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-brewner-40a0a512b/) (CEO), Sydney Biancardi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydney-biancardi-71307a255/) (COO), and Clint Hodge (https://www.linkedin.com/in/clintonhodge/) (CFO) of Iceberg Home Services (https://icebergcooling.com/) join the show to reveal how their distinct leadership styles created a high-performing trifecta. Mike, a trades veteran, started the business in a 12-by-12 shed and transformed it into a dominant force in Central Florida. He is joined by Clint, a non-industry hire from the gaming and finance sectors, and Sydney, a fresh business graduate who climbed the ranks from CSR to COO in just five years. Utilizing the Rocket Fuel framework, the trio explains how they divide responsibilities into the “What” (visionary), the “Why” (financial logic), and the “How” (operational execution). This episode is a masterclass in building a data-driven culture that prioritizes community, healthy conflict, and scaling big. Join us as we discuss:  [13:36] How learning resources and mentorship helped define Iceberg’s leadership [20:27] Defining visionary and integrator roles and knowing your lane [25:54] Conflict resolution and interpreting company values Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Rocket Fuel (https://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Fuel-Essential-Combination-Business/dp/1942952317?tag=ustxtaddt-20) by Gino Wickman and Mack C. Winters 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.

Amanda Portinari (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaportinari/), Director of Industry Transformation at Ambition Theory (https://ambitiontheory.com/), joins the show to discuss a critical leadership shift that is transforming the construction and trades industries. Amanda breaks down the fundamental differences between transactional leadership, which relies on top-down delegation, and transformational leadership, which inspires collaboration and innovation. A core focus of the episode is the distinction between mentorship (giving advice) and sponsorship (creating opportunities). Amanda explains that while women are often over-mentored, they are sponsored half as often as their male colleagues, leading to significant talent loss in the leadership pipeline. Tune in to hear how agencies like Ambition Theory are helping companies build more inclusive, high-capacity teams that retain top talent across all generations. Join us as we discuss:  [4:04] How transformational leadership can positively impact your retention [17:07] The key differences between employee mentorship and sponsorship [25:43] Why sponsors need to have skin in the game to influence real development 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.

Yi Wei (https://www.linkedin.com/in/yi-w-05ba7611a/), System Analyst at Southern Botanical (https://southernbotanical.com/), joins the show to discuss her unique role as the “cardiologist” for the heartbeat of her company's operations. She details Southern Botanical's massive shift from a heavy construction division to focusing exclusively on maintenance and how she helped build the bridge between their business and their software. Yi breaks down her approach to transforming raw data into strategy , including the implementation of 30 vital metrics and the creation of “gate checks” to catch simple errors before they snowball into major financial discrepancies. This episode is a masterclass in operational due diligence and proactive leadership. Join us as we discuss:  [3:40] Conducting “health checks” on your data to protect margins and forecast potential issues [11:43] Why “second opinions” are critical to confirming new SOPs ]17:07] How worksite audits can be an effective leadership tool [23:12]The importance of prioritizing personal career growth for your employees 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=e273) 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.

Carrie Kelsch (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-kelsch-61699720/), Founder and CEO of A-Plus Garage Doors (https://utahgaragedoors.net/service-areas/salt-lake-city/) in Utah, joins the show to discuss her journey from clandestine business owner to the leader of a $48 million enterprise. Carrie shares the specific tactics her team used to jump from $36 million to $48 million in a single year, including a unique “revenue bell” system that gamifies success for the entire office. She opens up about battling negative belief systems and imposter syndrome, explaining how she finally leaned into her identity as a woman leader in a male-dominated field. From professionalizing the garage door industry to successfully partnering with private equity through Guild Garage Group, Carrie provides a masterclass on balancing high-growth profitability with a thriving company culture. Join us as we discuss:  [4:36] How A-Plus accelerated their growth through business-wide revenue goals [12:41] Imposter syndrome and embracing the uncomfortable [16:24] Carrie’s personal mission to give the garage door business a glow up [22:36] The family business dynamic and making tough decisions Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Guild Garage Group (https://guildgaragegroup.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.

Stephanie Allen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrsstephallen/), CEO of Airworks Solutions (https://airworkssolutions.com/), and Jennifer Bagley (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferbagley/), CEO of CI Web Group (https://www.ciwebgroup.com/), join the show to discuss their collaborative mission: JustStart AI. This online community helps contractors move past the doomsday fear of artificial intelligence and into a world of massive operational leverage. Stephanie shares how she transformed her business after a difficult 2025 by cutting marketing spend by 50% and achieving an unprecedented 25% net profit through AI-enabled processes. Jennifer breaks down the technical math game of the modern web, explaining how AI agents can architect content for visibility in a shifting search landscape. From custom bedtime stories to high-level vibe coding, this episode serves as a roadmap for contractors ready to treat AI as their new superhero cape. Join us as we discuss:  [1:35] Confronting the hesitancy to engage with AI tools and leverage them for your business needs [14:09] Why the early AI adopters are positioned to win the long game [25:26] Curating marketing content for AI bots alongside human consumers [35:45] How to future-proof your trades business for an AI-infused workforce Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: JustStart (http://juststartai.io)AI.io (http://AI.io) 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.

Mark Pyrah (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-pyrah-a481814a/), President and Director of Client Care at Peak Landscape (https://www.peaklandscape.com/), shares a deeply personal account of transforming anxiety into a leadership tool. After 20 years in the industry, Mark discusses how he moved from being a “task master” focused on checkmarks to a leader driven by purpose and SOPs. He breaks down the financial shift that saved his sanity, moving focus from top-line revenue to free cash flow, and reveals how Peak Landscape is currently building custom AI assistants to decentralize decision-making and put the company’s collective brain into the hands of field technicians. Join us as we discuss:  [6:01] How Mark shaped his anxiety into a leadership strength [13:32] Why understanding your finances is critical to mental health [20:52] How Peak Landscape is using custom AI assistants to empower their team 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=e270) 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.

Brett Voccola, the Manager of Apprenticeship at Encon Heating & AC (https://www.goencon.com/), joins the show to share how one Connecticut-based HVAC company is solving the labor shortage by growing its own talent. With 350 employees and a legacy dating back to 1969, Encon recognized that relying on a small, competitive labor pool was no longer sustainable. Brett discusses the development of Encon University, an in-house apprenticeship program that recruits high school students through a work-based learning pipeline. By engaging with students early and often, Encon provides a clear path to becoming a licensed technician by age 19, often making these young pros the highest earners in their households. Brett explains the importance of layering mentorship and support for new hires to help them transition from the structure of high school to the freedom of the field. Join us as we discuss:  [4:42] Pitching opportunities for personal growth and stability over career choices [11:52] Building a talent pipeline through work-based learning programs [19:02] Why it’s important to start the trades recruitment pitch early and often [27:12] Encon University’s training timeline and initial challenges Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Encon University (https://www.goencon.com/encon-university) 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.

Abhishek Mathur (https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhimathur/), the newly appointed Chief Technology & Product Officer (CTPO) at ServiceTitan (https://www.servicetitan.com/), joins the show to discuss the transformative power of AI in the trades. With an impressive background at Microsoft, Meta, and Figma, Abhishek explains how AI serves as a force multiplier, automating mundane tasks so contractors can focus on their craft. The conversation focuses on real-world examples of AI efficiency, from voice agents handling 7,000 calls during a winter storm to intelligent routing and automated invoicing. Abhishek outlines his vision for ServiceTitan as an “AI operating system” that provides deeper business insights and acts as a digital chief of staff. Whether you are a tech enthusiast or nervous about automation, this episode offers a pragmatic look at why AI adoption is essential for staying competitive in the modern service economy. Join us as we discuss:  [5:48] Why AI is an accelerant for people in the trades, not a replacement [19:11] Four pillars of the AI-assisted operations funnel in the trades  [29:35] How AI will transform the work economy and why now is the best time to adopt it [33:17] Goals for AI implementation in ServiceTitan’s core product Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: ServiceTitan AI Voice Agents (https://www.servicetitan.com/features/pro/contact-center/voice-agents?utm_campaign=toolboxforthetrades&utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e268) JustStartAI Playbook (https://just-start-ai.circle.so/c/playbooks/juststartai-playbook-mastering-ai-powered-brand-authority-and-market-intelligence) 2026 State of AI in the Trades Report (https://www.servicetitan.com/guides/2026-ai-in-the-trades?utm_campaign=toolboxforthetrades&utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e268) 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.