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.

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) 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.

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) 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.

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) 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.