Running a family business isn’t always smooth sailing — especially in the trades. Morgan Chapman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-chapman-381513333/), VP at Friend's Plumbing (https://friendsplumbing.com/) in Tampa, Florida, has navigated the challenges of leadership, company culture, and family dynamics in a way that has helped propel the business forward. Morgan shares her journey from working in sales to stepping into a leadership role at her family’s plumbing company. She unpacks some of the challenges she’s faced in hiring the right people, improving customer service, and balancing relationships with her father and brother, both of whom are integral parts of the business. Join us as we discuss: [4:46] Breaking into the family business and retooling the culture [9:56] Setting clear boundaries and the evolution of family dynamics [17:18] Why neglecting your self-care does your employees a disservice Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: LadyTitans (https://ladytitans.org/) 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.

Jay (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-mahaffey-b5ab9450/) and Amanda Mahaffey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandamahaffey/) didn’t just step into ownership when they purchased Tuck & Howell Plumbing (https://www.tuckandhowell.com/) in Greenville, SC, from Jay’s uncle — they transformed it. In less than two years, they scaled the business from $4M to $11M by making tough decisions, rebranding, and streamlining operations. Jay and Amanda share their journey from employees to owners, the challenges of modernizing a 55-year-old business, and how they handled team transitions, rapid growth, and technology adoption. Tune in to hear how their fast decision-making, financial acumen, and leadership strategies helped them rebuild Tuck & Howell into a powerhouse. Join us as we discuss: [1:54] The importance of implementing new systems quickly [11:37] Treating employee retention as a rehiring process [18:00] Opening a new service division and leveraging KPIs Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Branded Not Blanded: KickCharge Your Home Service Brand by Dan Antonelli (https://www.amazon.com/Branded-Not-Blanded-KickChargeTM-Service-ebook/dp/B0BBL1CCJ9) WhoHire (https://www.whohire.com/) Clover (https://www.clover.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.

Adrian Fadini (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tradie-profit-coach/?originalSubdomain=au), Founder of TradesFormation (https://www.tradesformation.com.au/), knows firsthand how challenging it can be to build a successful trades business. After starting as a plumber, he faced financial struggles that forced him to sell his family home. But instead of giving up, he used the experience to transform his approach — learning from experts, refining his business model, and ultimately selling his plumbing company in 2012 to become a coach.  Now, through TradesFormation, Adrian coaches other trades professionals on how to avoid common pitfalls and build profitable, resilient businesses. He shares his journey from tradesman to business coach, why data-driven decision-making is essential, and how staying the course (without repeating mistakes) leads to long-term success. Join us as we discuss: [2:08] Why your willingness to evolve matters more than experience [15:02] Balancing empathy for your team with data-driven decisions  [26:49] Quality questions you should be asking during every sale Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: 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 by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

We’re heading to “the land down under” to chat with Scott and Vicky Irwin, co-owners of Network Plumbing (https://www.networkplumbing.com.au/) in Sydney, Australia, about their nearly 40-year journey of building a thriving plumbing business. They discuss how they navigated the 2008 financial crisis, the importance of hiring the right people, and the unique challenges of working as a married couple in business. Scott and Vicky bring their signature humor and optimism as they break down the lessons learned from decades in the industry. Tune in to hear how Network Plumbing pivoted from commercial to residential work, why company culture and mindset matter, and how they keep things fun while running a successful business. Join us as we discuss: [2:54] Overcoming a financial crisis and the power of optimism [9:54] Why profit is secondary to the health of your company culture [16:29] The challenges that come with adding new residential services Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: 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 by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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

Continuous growth is a goal for many home service businesses, but it’s no easy feat. In this special episode recorded live at Pantheon, we welcome back Matt LaMartina (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-lamartina-82678248/), President and Owner of Tony LaMartina Plumbing (https://www.tonylamartinaplumbing.com/) in St. Louis. Matt returns to share the strategies that helped his company achieve rapid success, including growing 45% year over year. From overcoming cramped office space to opening new divisions like drain services, Matt dives into the practical and leadership lessons that made it possible. He discusses the importance of training across all roles, the power of delegation, and his approach to balancing innovation with core operational fundamentals. Tune in for a candid conversation packed with insights to help your trades business scale sustainably. Join us as we discuss: [2:35] Coaching partnerships and the importance of continuous learning [8:34] An update from the St. Louis apprenticeship legal battle [14:08] The importance of personal care and making space to decompress Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Check out our previous interview with Matt LaMartina here (https://www.servicetitan.com/podcasts/toolbox-for-the-trades/matt-lamartina-interview)! Nexstar Network (https://www.nexstarnetwork.com/) Register now for Pantheon 2025 in Anaheim, CA here (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.

Chris Ramsay has seen it all — growing up in a successful family business, navigating exits, and starting anew in the trades. Now the Operations Manager at ICE Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing (https://www.iceaclv.com/) in Las Vegas, NV, Chris joins us on our Pantheon set to share his incredible journey, from sweeping floors in his teens to scaling a 40-employee company. Chris reveals the lessons learned from simplifying processes, adopting scalable technology, and prioritizing company culture to retain top talent. He also explains why he returned to ServiceTitan to grow his business sustainably and efficiently. Whether you’re in HVAC, plumbing, or another service trade, Chris’s insights will inspire you to rethink your processes and focus on scalable growth. Join us as we discuss: [1:50] Rocky exits and failed business partnerships [7:20] Implementing new tech stacks and preventing future hiccups [16:39] Game-changing software that’s driving efficiency   Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: ServiceTitan (https://www.servicetitan.com/) Dispatch Pro (https://www.servicetitan.com/features/pro/dispatch) Facebook Torch Network (https://www.facebook.com/groups/torchnetwork/) Facebook ServiceTitan Masterminds (https://www.facebook.com/groups/servicetitanmastermind/) Register now for Pantheon 2025 in Anaheim, CA here (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.

Elliot Palmer (https://www.linkedin.com/company/eco-plumbers-electricians-hvac-technicians/), Chief Technology Officer at The Eco Plumbers (https://geteco.com/) out of Columbus, OH, brings a wealth of experience from retail to the trades.  Elliot shares how data-driven decision-making is transforming the trades industry. From IT crisis management and reporting to fostering a transparent culture, he details actionable strategies that empower teams to optimize performance. Elliot also highlights the importance of preparation for emergencies and how similar metrics can drive success in both retail and trades.  Don’t miss this insightful conversation — straight from the floor of Pantheon — with a tech leader driving growth in the service sector. Join us as we discuss: [2:33] Bringing skills from outside the service industry to the trades [9:47] Taking action on data trends and the importance of transparency  [14:23] Why the service industry is ripe for IT job opportunities Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Register now for Pantheon 2025 in Anaheim, CA here (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.

Matt DiBara (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewdibara/) comes from a long line of professionals in the construction industry, taking over DiBara Masonry (https://www.dibaramasonry.com/) family business from his father. Matt identified a significant challenge a few years ago that he has turned into an opportunity with his new company The Contractor Consultants (https://thecontractorconsultants.com/) — find and retain qualified people for construction companies. He stopped by to discuss his professional and entrepreneurial journey and provided some expert tips on generating candidate demand, the hiring process, how to vet people quickly, and retaining the best talent. Join us as we discuss: [09:28] What inspired Matt to start The Contractor Consultants [12:43] Matt’s tips for hiring good and qualified people [20:49] Speed to lead - treating candidates like customers [28:37] The importance of talent retention Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: DiBara Masonry (https://www.dibaramasonry.com/) The Contractor Consultants (https://thecontractorconsultants.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 by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jordan Martin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-martin-6b3a21176/) worked with his father as a young boy and gradually joined the family’s landscaping business, North By Northwest Lawns, LLC (https://www.nxnwl.com/). He eventually convinced his brother and sister to join the company as well, and they made some disruptive changes that enabled the business to experience phenomenal growth. Today, they’re one of the largest landscaping services in Austin, Texas. Jordan stopped by to discuss his professional and entrepreneurial journey, how they made the difficult yet highly profitable decision to focus on commercial work, and the importance of bringing a fresh vision of hope to families in need. Join us as we discuss: [06:29] The challenging decision to focus only on commercial work [13:34] The changes that the family had to make for the business to grow [21:28] Navigating family dynamics and charitable projects Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: North By Northwest Lawns, LLC (https://www.nxnwl.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 by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.