Kristian Protic learned about running a business the hard way. He started his career in the trades as a salesman for a home service business. He then started two ventures before founding his current company, which focuses on providing heating, cooling, and plumbing services to customers.Over time, he learned to trust in his abilities, have more confidence, not over-rely on partners, and have the right team in place that would propel his business forward.As President and Co-Owner of 365 Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing (https://365heatingcooling.com/), Kristian leverages his expertise to deliver professional HVAC and plumbing services to homeowners in southwestern Ontario, Canada. He stops by to share his entrepreneurial journey with us, how he got into the trades, and how he took his company from its humble beginnings to the success story it is today.Join us as we discuss:[02:14] Takeaways from Kristian’s past two businesses[15:44] How to hire the right people[24:05] The importance of asking others for helpCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:365 Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing (https://365heatingcooling.com/)Profit First by Mike Michalowicz (https://www.amazon.ca/Profit-First-Transform-Cash-Eating-Money-Making/dp/073521414X/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=671273119560&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9000905&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=237617922342153640&hvtargid=kwd-306367116610&hydadcr=22488_13497866&keywords=profit+first+by+mike+michalowicz&qid=1701210146&sr=8-1)The E Myth HVAC Contractor by Michael E. Gerber and Ken Goodrich (https://www.amazon.ca/Myth-HVAC-Contractor-Companies-About/dp/1618350404/ref=sr_1_2?hvadid=599429854475&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9000905&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14895146132126824512&hvtargid=kwd-306966486166&hydadcr=16931_13463044&keywords=e+myth+contractor&qid=1701210295&sr=8-2)Home Service Millionaire by Tommy Mello (https://homeservicemillionaire.com)Victor Rancour (https://www.callprofitrocket.com/victor-rancour/)ServiceTitan Masterminds (https://www.facebook.com/groups/servicetitanmastermind/) Facebook GroupYou 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.

Samuel Petrie (https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-petrie-9a8600190/) began his career in the trades by working in his father’s business. He then went on to start his own company that focused on delivering technology and solutions that benefit the rural communities that he serves. It was through his business that he identified an underserved market needing urgent help - homeowners looking for someone to complete multiple simple tasks. As the General Manager at Red Barn Service LLC (https://www.redbarntoday.com/), Samuel leverages his experience and know-how to deliver HVAC and electrical services to homeowners in rural Wisconsin. He stops by to share his entrepreneurial journey with us, shares his thoughts about the trades, and reveals how he continues to educate himself to stay at the top of his game. Join us as we discuss: - [02:15] Getting started in the trades - [14:41] Filling the gaps in a business education - [16:40] How Samuel disrupted and improved his business - [27:40] The importance of networking and building connections Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Red Barn Service LLC (https://www.redbarntoday.com/) - Profit First (https://www.amazon.ca/Profit-First-Transform-Cash-Eating-Money-Making/dp/073521414X/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=671273119560&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9000905&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=237617922342153640&hvtargid=kwd-306367116610&hydadcr=22488_13497866&keywords=profit+first+by+mike+michalowicz&qid=1701210146&sr=8-1) by Mike Michalowicz   - The E Myth HVAC Contractor (https://www.amazon.ca/Myth-HVAC-Contractor-Companies-About/dp/1618350404/ref=sr_1_2?hvadid=599429854475&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9000905&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14895146132126824512&hvtargid=kwd-306966486166&hydadcr=16931_13463044&keywords=e+myth+contractor&qid=1701210295&sr=8-2) by Michael E. Gerber and Ken Goodrich - Elevate: Build a Business Where Everybody Wins (https://www.amazon.ca/Elevate-Build-Business-Where-Everybody/dp/B0BWSNBQZV) by Tommy Mello - Small Business Leaders (https://community.servicetitan.com/t5/Small-Business-Leaders/cmp-p/grouphub:162) Community Group - ServiceTitan Masterminds (https://www.facebook.com/groups/servicetitanmastermind/) Facebook Group 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.

Paige Knowles (https://www.plumberpaige.com/about), or “Plumber Paige,” has loved the trades since she first saw the construction wing of a tech school during a junior high tour. But she was dismayed by the stigma that surrounded her passion for blue-collar careers. So she took on the mantle of a trades advocate, spreading the word to boys and girls across the country that the trades are cool — and lucrative. The children’s author and social media darling shares why she fell in love with the trades and how old-school contractors can get the next generation into their shops.   Join us as we discuss: - [7:47] The blue-collar narrative in today’s schools - [18:09] How contractors can connect with young people - [29:08] A forward-thinking construction camp for girls - [37:40] Children’s books focused on the trades Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Plumber Paige Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/plumber_paige/?hl=en) - Plumber Paige: Let’s Fix a Running Toilet (https://www.amazon.com/Plumber-Paige-Running-toilet-Bathroom/dp/B0B7QDFV12/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1660582140&refinements=p_27%3APaige+Knowles&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Paige+Knowles) - Plumber Paige: Let’s Replace a Shower Head (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09BYDSSZJ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B09BYDSSZJ&linkCode=as2&tag=plumberpaig00-20&linkId=c23d4cf35132113a11cd9ec6edd8ab02)  - SkillsUSA (https://www.skillsusa.org/?_gl=1%2A61wllr%2A_up%2AMQ..%2A_ga%2AMTQ5ODU0Mjg1LjE3MDExMjY5NzQ.%2A_ga_B4VZDKCC95%2AMTcwMTEyNjk3Mi4xLjEuMTcwMTEyNjk3NS4wLjAuMA..)  - Let’s Build Construction Camp for Girls (https://www.letsbuildcamp.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.

Jawad Olabi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jawado/) was riding high in a lucrative corporate finance career. But after COVID forced devastating layoffs at his global firm, he started searching for new opportunities. That’s when he found an underserved market that was ripe for much-needed accounting services — the trades. Now a Managing Partner at ServicePro CFO (https://serviceprocfo.com/), Jawad uses his expertise to help contractors get their books in order so they can negotiate their services from a healthy financial position. He stops by to share his thoughts on accounting, private equity, and economic trends heading into 2024 and beyond. Join us as we discuss: - [11:35] The good, the bad, and the ugly of private equity - [22:06] Economic projections for the 2024 market - [29:07] How contractors can get ahead of financial trends - [36:00] If private equity will still be viable in the near future  Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:  - 3 Strategies to Unlock Success During Shoulder Months  (https://www.servicetitan.com/webinar/strategies-shoulder-month-servicepro-cfo?utm_campaign=toolboxforthetrades&utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e154) - 50X (https://www.50xpodcast.com/episodes/) Podcast (TransDigm)  - ServiceTitan Masterminds (https://www.facebook.com/groups/servicetitanmastermind/) Facebook Group  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.

Facilities management often isn’t top of mind in the day-to-day bustle of contractors and business owners. But Sid Shetty (https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddarthshetty/), Chief Business Development Officer at ServiceChannel (https://servicechannel.com/), believes it’s a pillar of the customer experience. Not only does proactive facilities management delight customers, but it can take your company’s workflows to the next level. Sid shares how he’s been using his breakout podcast, Elevating Brick & Mortar, to empower managers, contractors, and technicians to get proactive and maximize their assets. Join us as we discuss: - (2:40) Using podcasts to spread awareness around the trades - (9:04) Challenging the brick-and-mortar industry narrative - (20:20) Elevating the customer experience in facilities management - (33:57) How commercial contractors can better serve facilities managers Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Elevating Brick & Mortar (https://servicechannel.com/podcast/elevating-brick-mortar/) Podcast  - ServiceTitan x ServiceChannel Integration  (https://www.servicetitan.com/partners/servicechannel?utm_campaign=toolboxforthetrades&utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e153) - ConnexFM (https://www.connexfm.com/)  - SmartAC.com (https://www.smartac.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.

Depending on the municipality, inspections and permits can be the bane of contractors. While construction giants often have the luxury of an engineering firm on-site, small to mid-sized owner-operators usually have to wait for a local inspector to certify their work. And time is money. It was a constant struggle for Anthony Perera (https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyperera/), Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Air Pros USA (https://airprosusa.com/), and his team. So they set out to solve the problem. Tune in to hear the practical solutions Anthony and his colleagues created for speeding up the inspection and permit process, all while driving incredible growth for his business.      Join us as we discuss: - (7:22) Retaining equity by raising debt capital to accelerate growth - (17:59) Smoothing out the home inspection and permit process - (29:00) Why new entrepreneurs shouldn’t be afraid to work in the business Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Inspected.com (https://inspected.com/)  - Permit Hub (https://www.inspected.com/permit-hub/)  - Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business (https://www.amazon.com/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business/dp/1936661837/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?hvadid=580635414432&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9018911&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=229379031061222798&hvtargid=kwd-309072233983&hydadcr=22564_13493296&keywords=traction+by+gino+wickman&qid=1690579214&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1) by Gino Wickman  - Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't (https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2HDA3JHH4BHZA&keywords=good+to+great+by+jim+collins&qid=1690579343&sprefix=good+to+great%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1) by Jim Collins  - The Innovator’s Dilemma (https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Dilemma-Revolutionary-Change-Business/dp/0062060244/ref=sr_1_4?crid=130Y4EETCFI0P&keywords=the+innovator%27s+dilemma&qid=1690579436&sprefix=the+innovator%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840) by Clayton M. Christensen  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.

Contractors used to have to scout the competition in person if they wanted a sense of how they were stacking up with the rest of the field. But now, business owners can just check the data — if they know where to look. Great news, listeners! Angie Snow (https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiesnowsuccesscoach/) and Chris Hunter (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterhvac/), two of ServiceTitan’s star Principal Industry Advisors, join the show to break down our latest Residential Contract Report. You won’t want to miss out on the surprising finds from our latest poll of hundreds of contractors nationwide across over a dozen trades, from HVAC to pest control.   Join us as we discuss: - (5:59) How ServiceTitan compiled the Residential Contract Report - (11:56) Using data to make people-based decisions - (18:27) Surprising findings around word-of-mouth referrals - (30:33) Why membership programs are far from obsolete Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Residential Contractor Report (https://www.servicetitan.com/guides/residential-service-report-2023?utm_campaign=toolboxforthetrades&utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e151) - Unlock the Power Webinar Registration Link (https://www.servicetitan.com/features/pro/unlock-the-power) (Nov 30th)  - Thrive Analytics (https://thriveanalytics.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.

Siblings Khadija J. Head (https://www.linkedin.com/in/khadijajhead/) and Odari Head (https://www.linkedin.com/in/odari-head-41482922/), Co-Owners of Head’s Plumbing Sales and Service (https://headsplumbing.com/), are proud to succeed their parents in running the oldest black-owned plumbing company in Atlanta, Georgia. So when the time came to kick off a rebrand for the third-generation business, they wanted to honor their family’s legacy while keeping an open mind. Khadija and Odari share their family’s story of resilience and talk about the lack of minority representation in an industry that is starving for talent.   Join us as we discuss: - (8:51) The burden of entrepreneurship and their company’s origin story - (17:40) Why they pride themselves as “the plumber’s plumbers” - (25:19) Making the bold decision to rebrand the family business logo - (33:08) How owners can attract more young people to the trades 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.

ServiceTitan is loaded with solutions for contractors’ pain points. But a common hurdle to maximizing its potential is these entrepreneurs are spending most of their day… well, trying to run a business. Time is money, and it takes time to learn everything the platform has to offer. But it takes a hell of a lot less time if you’ve got a ServiceTitan Professional Service Partner (PSP) helping you through it. ServiceTitan’s PSPs and Cofounders of Powerhouse Consulting Group (https://mypowerhouse.group/), Jenny Benbrook (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennybenbrook/) and Pam Duffy (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisispamduffy/), talk about how these certified partners can help you utilize ServiceTitan to the fullest.              Join us as we discuss: - (19:47) 3 types of contractors who need Professional Service Partners  - (27:00) What sets PSPs apart from other ServiceTitan consultants - (41:31) How PSPs can help you discover missed opportunities - (51:16) Key indicators that your data sets are broken Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:   - Society of Women Engineers (https://swe.org/) (SWE) - ServiceTitan Professional Service Partners: Powerhouse Consulting Group (https://marketplace.servicetitan.com/partner/powerhouse-consulting-group) - Nexstar Super Meeting 2023 (https://www.nexstarnetwork.com/super-meeting/) 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.

For many contractors experiencing growth, inventory management is often the elephant in the room. No one likes dealing with it, but as Jeremy Wickenhauser (https://www.gotimesuccessgroup.com/webapp/p/260/jeremy-wickenhauser), Certified ServiceTitan Coach with Go Time Success Group (https://www.gotimesuccessgroup.com/), said, it’s an integral part of every technician’s workflow. We caught up with Jeremy at Pantheon 2023 so he could tell us how he and his fellow coaches are helping contractors and their teams implement ServiceTitan’s integrations smoother and faster. Jeremy also demystifies some common inventory issues and explains why part-hunting is one of the trades’ biggest money sinks.    Join us as we discuss: - (4:22) Why coaching is an important part of customer implementation - (11:41) How poor inventory management erodes trust in a business - (18:46) Advice for contractors considering a coaching collaboration Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - ServiceTitan Professional Service Partners (https://marketplace.servicetitan.com/partner) 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.