Operational excellence is a key focus for Steven Harper (https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-harper-a539195a/), President and CEO at Spectrum Building Services of America (https://www.spectrumbsa.com/). 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 industry Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Aspire (https://www.youraspire.com/) CEO Life Lessons (https://www.linkedin.com/company/ceo-life-lessons/?viewAsMember=true) 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 by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Family business transformation takes on a whole new meaning when Tiffany Martin Peters (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-martin-peters-a50047137/) joins us for another episode of our Green and Clean series. As President at North by Northwest Lawns (https://www.nxnwl.com/) 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 months Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Aspire (https://www.youraspire.com/) Tiffany’s Aspire Journey (https://www.youraspire.com/blog/customer-north-by-northwest) 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 by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Process improvement is more than a buzzword to Andrew Craft (https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewc5/) — it’s a growth engine. In this second episode of our special series, Green and Clean, the CFO at Site Landscape Development (https://siteld.com/) in the Dallas-Fort Worth area shares how his team doubled revenue by investing in efficient systems, adopting Aspire, and implementing the EOS framework. Andrew brings his tech-forward thinking and financial discipline to the landscaping space, showing how automation, data, and scalable tools can transform operations. From building a high-functioning scheduling system to upgrading AP workflows with AI, he reveals how efficiency isn’t just about saving time — it’s about preparing for serious growth. Join us as we discuss:  [1:49] Why process improvements are critical for scaling your small business [6:21] How a CRM and EOS implementations helped Site double their revenue [15:31] Advice to small business owners trying to hurdle their scaling challenges Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Aspire (https://www.youraspire.com/go/aspire_landscaping_software?utm_campaign=ga_br_al_brand_search_web_dem_brand_CPC&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_source=google&utm_term=aspire%20landscape%20software&utm_content=rd_dyn_dynt_3&cid=701PM00000X1CfGYAV&utm_term=aspire%20landscape%20software&utm_campaign=ga_br_al_brand_search_web_dem_brand_CPC&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid-search&hsa_acc=6234924545&hsa_cam=20348537411&hsa_grp=151852382620&hsa_ad=719592303968&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-382637071080&hsa_kw=aspire%20landscape%20software&hsa_mt=e&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzYLABhD4ARIsALySuCQmpNEudvD2QlyDnStNM_D0_FglLEJEjFKYsXdMcEvQ4fgAHNEAznYaApK9EALw_wcB) EOS (https://www.eosworldwide.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) Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim! (https://pantheon.servicetitan.com/E1qa8V?rt=VaEbMI8SokmIjX6QgMESMQ&RefId=Podcast) Prometheus Award Nominations (https://www.servicetitan.com/company/titans-for-change?UTM_medium=earned&utm_source=podcast) 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.

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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-gohl-8b2793137/), Director of Client Experience at Aspire Software (https://www.youraspire.com/), 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 tool Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Aspire (https://www.youraspire.com/) academy.youraspire.com (http://academy.youraspire.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 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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ironmanofit/), longtime construction technologist and host of The ConTech Crew (https://thecontechcrew.com/) 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 mind Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Pantheon 2025 (https://pantheon.servicetitan.com/event/37ab70bb-3686-4479-a902-57a3f811cafc/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 by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What does it take to scale a roofing business and sell it to private equity in under 16 months? In this episode, Jackie sits down with Kelly Mesaris (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-mesaris-a2a47538/), VP of Special Operations at LB Capital (https://lbachmanncapital.com/), to unpack the fast-paced, no-nonsense model that’s turning trades companies into multimillion-dollar exits. Kelly shares her journey from HVAC business owner to leading special ops across seven roofing brands, breaks down the personal qualities LB Capital looks for in partners, and explains why private equity cares about a lot more than just revenue.  If you're building to sell or want to tighten your systems and scale, this episode is for you. Join us as we discuss:   [6:21] From $1.5M to $24.5M — the Mons Roofing case study [11:31] Why private equity is all in on roofing right now [21:23] Misconceptions about private equity and why it's not just about EBITDA Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Mastering ServiceTitan: Mastering Roofing Success with ServiceTitan (https://www.servicetitan.com/podcasts/mastering-servicetitan/kelly-mesaris-interview) ServiceTitan Pro (https://www.servicetitan.com/features/pro) LB Capital Shop Tour (https://lbachmanncapital.com/shop-tour/) LB Capital Mastermind (https://lbachmanncapital.com/mastermind/) Roofing Process Conference (https://roofconference.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) Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim! (https://pantheon.servicetitan.com/E1qa8V?rt=VaEbMI8SokmIjX6QgMESMQ&RefId=Podcast) Prometheus Award Nominations (https://www.servicetitan.com/company/titans-for-change?UTM_medium=earned&utm_source=podcast) Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Family business succession is never easy, but Karly Rolls (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karly-rolls-33b1ba287/) has done it with heart, hustle, and a big dose of humility. As Vice President of Rolls Mechanical (https://ljrolls.com/), 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 campaign 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) Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim! (https://pantheon.servicetitan.com/E1qa8V?rt=VaEbMI8SokmIjX6QgMESMQ&RefId=Podcast) Prometheus Award Nominations (https://www.servicetitan.com/company/titans-for-change?UTM_medium=earned&utm_source=podcast) 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 Courtney Greeley (https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-greeley-pmp-cf-apmp-882a93aa/), COO of Chesapeake Electric (https://cheselectric.com/) in Annapolis, MD, to explore the intersections of leadership, workplace culture, and cybersecurity. From her experience in the Air Force, NSA, and cybersecurity startups to leading a fast-growing trade business, Courtney brings her expertise on building a resilient team and protecting your business from digital threats.  We’ll dive deep into the hard lessons learned from toxic work environments, the importance of strong leadership in fostering a positive company culture, and why cybersecurity is no longer optional for business owners. Join us as we discuss:  [8:19] How to lead with values and create a no-toxicity workplace [14:39] Why letting go of high-performing employees might be necessary [25:32] Why cybersecurity is non-negotiable, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Vigilant Sec (https://vigilantsec.net/) Courtney’s Tips for Cybersecurity in Home Services (https://assets.ctfassets.net/3q1a0w8cwuwf/49IdGGUBKSV3Vgq7ewttcv/0a8b09729607ab1daf1687d553e8c566/Simple_Tips_for_CS_in_Home_Services.docx__1_.pdf) ServiceTitan Live Events (https://www.servicetitan.com/events) 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) Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim! (https://pantheon.servicetitan.com/E1qa8V?rt=VaEbMI8SokmIjX6QgMESMQ&RefId=Podcast) Prometheus Award Nominations (https://www.servicetitan.com/company/titans-for-change?UTM_medium=earned&utm_source=podcast) 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.