Do one thing really well — this is how Zoom Drain & Sewer Service has grown to become a go-to provider for drain cleaning services. In today’s episode of Toolbox for the Trades, I sit down with Steve Solla (https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-solla-659b56171/), General Manager at Zoom Drain & Sewer Service (https://www.zoomdrain.com/). What we talked about: - Steve’s progression into the trades and his journey within Zoom Drain - Tools and training used by Steve, to improve his work in the trades - Zoom Drain’s service offering, way of working and growth over time - How Zoom Drain keeps employees engaged and motivated - What do trade business owners need to know about their Technicians? - Zoom Drain’s apprentice program Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Steve Solla’s LinkedIn profile (https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-solla-659b56171/) - Zoom Drain’s websit (https://www.zoomdrain.com/)e - Service Titan’s website (https://www.servicetitan.com/) - The Joe Rogan Experience (Podcast) (https://open.spotify.com/show/4rOoJ6Egrf8K2IrywzwOMk?si=4OJrPU8aTpmh4q-eRchanQ) - John Sanford’s Book List (http://www.johnsandford.org/listofbooks.html) Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here! (https://www.servicetitan.com/referrals) If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/). 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.

What do a computer mouse, airpods and your home’s insulation have in common? They were all invented by NASA. It’s proof that often the best improvements come from outside your business. Recognizing this in his hiring, marketing and strategy is one of the ways Josh Crouch (https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-crouch/), Founder at Relentless Digital (https://www.relentless-digital.org/) and Director of Sales, Marketing, and Business Development at Professional Services Port Washington (https://www.professionalservicestoday.com/), thinks differently as a marketer specializing in the trades. What we talked about: - Why you should look for talent, strategy and insights from outside your industry - Why you shouldn’t neglect existing customers for new business - The secrets to hiring the best talent If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/). 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.

It’s never easy for a family when a loved one dies. But if, like many in the trades, that loved one is in charge of the family business, it can make it even more difficult. That’s why you need succession planning. My guest today is Trevor Lively (https://ca.linkedin.com/in/trevor-lively-5ba250114), President at Blue Jay Irrigation (https://bluejayirrigation.com/), who, along with his dad who was diagnosed with cancer, suddenly felt the pressure for succession planning in the worst possible circumstances. The experience taught Trevor the importance of preparing for the unexpected. In this episode, we discuss: - Trevor’s experience with succession planning - How EOS helped ease the transition to new leadership - How Trevor is using video to grow the business. If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/). 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.

Let’s face it — most owners in the trades don’t like marketing. And it makes sense. Most people get into the trades because they like, well… the trades. But that doesn’t mean you have to hate marketing and branding. It just means you need to turn it into a game, not a chore. Take it from Crystal Williams (https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-williams-35835b114/), Creative Director at Lemon Seed Marketing Firm (https://www.facebook.com/lemonseedmarketing/) and an expert in winning the marketing game. She joined me in the latest episode to share her expertise and the secrets to branding and marketing every owner should know. What we talked about: - The benefits of seeing marketing as a game, not a chore - Where people in the trades go wrong with branding and marketing - Why, even in today’s digital world, not all branding and marketing needs to be digital If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/). 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.

Everyone wants the right people for the job. But in an industry facing a talent shortage, that’s not enough. It’s more important to hire the right personality for the job. That’s how President Josh Bigelow (https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-bigelow-76022b13/) approaches hiring at Great Dane Heating & Air Conditioning (https://greatdanehvac.com/), and that piece of wisdom has helped the company grow tremendously over the last two decades. In this episode, Josh and I discuss: - Why you should hire for personality - The value of consultancies - Why you need to join a peer-to-peer group Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - HVAC Spells Wealth (https://www.amazon.com/HVAC-Spells-Wealth-Ron-Smith/dp/142431481X) - The Go-Giver (https://www.amazon.com/Go-Giver-Expanded-Little-Powerful-Business/dp/1591848288) If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/). 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.

Some shops are happy trucking along as a lifestyle business. And there is nothing wrong with that. But if you want to grow aggressively, you need to learn about acquisitions. That’s one of the secrets John Wilson, Owner at Wilson Plumbing and Heating (https://www.linkedin.com/company/wilson-plumbing-&-heating-inc./about/), has learned rapidly growing the family business from its comparatively small roots into a sprawling operation. What we talked about: - The secrets to scaling - How to approach marketing - How to expand through acquisitions Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - The Making of an American Capitalist (https://www.amazon.com/Buffett-American-Capitalist-Roger-Lowenstein/dp/0812979273) - Rich Dad Poor Dad (https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Dad-Poor-Teach-Middle/dp/1612680194) - The Outsiders (https://www.amazon.com/Outsiders-Unconventional-Radically-Rational-Blueprint-ebook/dp/B009G1T74O/ref=sr_1_2?crid=27S3KN1H8BBMB&dchild=1&keywords=the+outsiders+ceo+book&qid=1615978236&sprefix=the+outsiders+ce%2Cstripbooks%2C188&sr=8-2) - The Millionaire Next Door (https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Next-Door-Surprising-Americas/dp/1589795474) If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/). 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.

No matter what you want to achieve in your business, there is no silver bullet that’ll get you there overnight. Success is a byproduct of crafting the correct systems and procedures. That focus is how Chisholm Brunner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chisholmbrunner/), Carrier and ICP National Accounts at Carrier Corporation (https://www.carrier.com/carrier/en/worldwide/), has gone from success to success throughout her career. In this episode, we discuss: - Why systems and processes are the key to everything - Why dispatchers make or break your business - Why your customers need options If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/). 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.

If you want loyal customers, you need to influence them. But how do you do that without feeling shady? In the latest episode, Keith Mercurio (https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-mercurio-994aa2a0), Sr. Director of Executive Success at ServiceTitan (https://www.servicetitan.com/) and Founder and CEO of Ethical Influence Institute (https://keithmercurio.com/speaking/), shares the secrets of ethical influence and how they can elevate your leadership. We discuss: - The power of ethical influence - How poor messaging shrinks your talent pool - How to inspire people - The value of powerful thinking Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - The Four Agreements (https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319) - The Allegory of the Cave (https://web.stanford.edu/class/ihum40/cave.pdf) - Tim Ferriss (https://tim.blog/) - The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People-Powerful/dp/0743269519) If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/). 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.

Have you thought about your exit strategy, or does the word sale sound too much like the end? Well, the truth is, there is a lot more to a sale than you may think. In this episode, Brian Cohen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cohen-88068647/), Business Strategist, SF&P Advisors (https://www.sfpadvisors.com/), covers the ins and outs of mergers, sales, and acquisitions. We discuss: - The many shapes a sale may take - Navigating private equity - The importance of knowing the value of your business If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/). 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.

How well is your marketing working? Which channels work best? What’s your cost per lead? If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it. That’s one of the first things Megan Bedford (https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-bedford-cfe-4b74833/), Owner at Mugyver Consulting (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mugyver-Consulting/107944594304467), looks at when assessing the marketing performance of a business. She joins me in the latest Toolbox for the Trades to go over how to market like a pro. We discuss: - Why internal systems are foundational to marketing - How to think about your website (including SEO) - Why email marketing still works If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938), Spotify (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades), or here (https://www.servicetitan.com/). 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.