Gilbert Ayala, President, and Victor Ayala, GM, of Five or Free Electrical Services (https://5orfreeelectrical.com/) in Sacramento, CA, join us to share their inspirational journey of transformation and perseverance. With roots in chimney sweeping and window cleaning, the Ayala brothers built a thriving electrical business dedicated to helping others. They discuss the challenges of overcoming a tumultuous upbringing, their entrepreneurial spirit, and their commitment to giving second chances to those rebuilding their lives. Tune in to hear how family, faith, and a passion for the trades can lead to remarkable growth — both personally and professionally. Join us as we discuss: [3:39] How customer reviews impacted a service business’s branding [10:20] Breaking into the trades and redemption stories [18:52] Supporting company team members’ self-improvement [24:40] Why everyone deserves a second chance 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

HVAC techs, how many times have you serviced an outdated unit with no manual to be found — anywhere? Bluon (https://www.bluon.com/) is changing that. Peter Capuciati (https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-capuciati-9625b4206/), CEO of Bluon, shares how his company built the world’s largest HVAC database to provide technicians with the technical data and support they need. From wiring diagrams to troubleshooting tips, Bluon’s platform saves time, reduces frustration, and empowers techs in the field. Discover the story behind how Bluon’s data-driven approach has transformed the HVAC service industry by helping professionals work smarter, not harder. Join us as we discuss: [2:36] How Bluon realized the need for their HVAC diagnostic platform  [9:46] Getting your team on board during serious change management [20:07] Building and supporting a massive software database 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Ring in the New Year with a crossover from one of our other fantastic shows, Pest in Class. Hosted by Amanda Salvatore, even if your day to day doesn't involve squashing bugs, there's tons to be learned about running a service business from these interview. We'll be back next week with brand new chats for 2025 with business owners from across the industry, and thanks for spending a great 2024 with us. Originally Aired 12/3/2024: Aaron Curtis (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aacurtis/), CXO of Alta Pest Control (https://www.altapestcontrol.com/), has helped propel the company to remarkable growth by centering on customer experience (CX) and fostering a strong, unified company culture.  Aaron discusses Alta’s mission to create a “better experience by becoming better people” and explains how customer retention is directly influenced by employee engagement.  Whether you're looking to improve customer service or inspire company-wide accountability, Aaron shares actionable steps to make CX a driving force in your business. Join us as we discuss: [8:00] Creating value by elevating the customer experience [15:08] Why customer satisfaction is everyone’s job [20:53] The symbiotic relationship between customer and employee retention [31:21] Relieving customer friction through notification updates Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Top 6 Automation Hacks to Get Your Time Back (https://www.fieldroutes.com/resources/tips-and-tools/top-6-automation-hacks-to-get-your-time-back) You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/field-famous/id1672665453), on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/0xgfGTzqcCflFqwa3e1F0T?si=3727553614b145fd), or here (https://www.fieldroutes.com/resources/podcast).  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 Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Happy Holidays from all of us at the ServiceTitan Podcast Network. We've been planning quite a 2025 for you, dear listener, and as part of that we want to make sure you know about the other great resources and shows we have for your service business. This episode is hand selected to make for a great learning experience, especially if you work with commercial accounts. Originally aired 11/21/2024 and recorded LIVE at Pantheon 2024: In this episode of Mastering ServiceTitan, we’re joined by Kyle Urquhart (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-u-725b0b28/), Director of Account Management at Pierce Property Services (https://piercepropertyservices.com/).  Kyle explains how they've leveraged ServiceTitan to fuel success in the building envelope maintenance industry. He also reveals how his company transformed its operations by creating a dedicated account management department, restructuring service agreements for maximum efficiency, and empowering technicians with the ServiceTitan mobile app.  Whether you're looking to streamline your processes or get inspired by cutting-edge strategies, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you elevate your service business with ServiceTitan. Join us as we discuss:  [3:44] How to structure ServiceTitan for account management [19:57] Using ServiceTitan to stand out among competitors [26:17] Getting into ServiceTitanBetas for early access to new features Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: ServiceTitan Beta Waitlist (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBOlPjbGX-kWd_sRr0OIWOQkMsO-zd-AB2mrf7S6TajUJvGQ/viewform) You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Mastering ServiceTitan on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mastering-servicetitan/id1756584904), on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/20Ixfbny473CVB2PizMIir?si=e148f7ac2b7d4c02), or here.  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 Mastering ServiceTitan in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Paul Olsen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-olsen-42960082/), CEO, and Kyle Sattler (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylesattler/), COO, of Koala Cooling (https://koalacooling.com/) (Round Rock, TX), share how their complementary leadership styles have driven their HVAC and plumbing business to impressive growth.  From overhauling operational efficiencies to executing a strategic marketing approach with just a 3% spend, the duo has propelled Koala Cooling to exceed $3.3 million in annual revenue. Paul discusses the importance of operational checklists, while Kyle dives into brand-building strategies that connect with customers. Discover how their partnership inspires innovation and fosters a dynamic culture of success in the trades. Join us as we discuss: [7:32] Planting the seeds for a dynamic business partnership [11:21] “Never misses” and driving business efficiencies [16:21] A marketing focus on brand-building and SEO map packs [26:52] Resolving disagreements and the private equity question Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Email Kyle at kyle@koalacooling.com (mailto:kyle@koalacooling.com) for a copy of his marketing E-book or download it directly here (https://sogoodteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Pindrop-Profit.pdf). 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

It’s possible that your company is performing well and is profitable, but a ceiling is preventing it from taking the next step. The evolution from a healthy business to one that’s thriving, bringing in eight figures in yearly revenue, can meet a lot of invisible barriers.  Justin White (https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-white-%E2%98%85-35b7a210b/) joins us to discuss how to take the next step with your company. Since becoming CEO of K&D Landscaping (https://www.linkedin.com/company/k-&-d-landscaping-inc.) in 2015, Justin has grown the business into a multi-million dollar company. He’s joined us to talk about the importance of adjusting and communicating your company’s vision, creating a robust leadership team, and how to avoid falling into slumps of growth.  Join us as we discuss:  [9:43] The importance of self-trust for company leaders [20:03] Why many companies stagnate in yearly revenue [27:31] How to communicate, cultivate, and modify your company’s vision  [35:00] Finding and exploiting “unfair advantages” for your company Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Disruptors Community (https://www.jwhitegroup.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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Lincoln Walpole (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lincolnwalpole/), Chief Business Officer atAny Hour Group (https://anyhourgroup.com/), joins us to unpack the importance of KPI tracking in scaling operations and boosting profitability. He recounts his journey from helping run a $10 million service business to overseeing over 2,000 employees as part of a private equity group spanning 30 locations. Lincoln shares the key metrics that drive his business, from lead funnel efficiency to retention benchmarks, and explains how tracking KPIs daily can transform your service business. Join us as we discuss: [5:15] The top KPIs for tracking a service business’s success [14:51] Benchmarking your KPIs to maximize your gross profit margins  [20:31] Why you should closely track your employee retention [26:37] Day-to-day efficiencies and managing big investments Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Any Hour Services (https://anyhourservices.com/) (Orem, Utah) ServiceTitan Dispatch Pro (https://www.servicetitan.com/features/pro/dispatch?utm_campaign=toolboxforthetrades&utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e203) 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Earlier this fall, we recorded a ton of great conversations at Pantheon 2024, and we’re back with a pair of industry experts to extend another piece of the community present at Pantheon to our listeners. Aizik Zimerman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aizik-zimerman-7a758963/), the CEO and owner of J. Blanton Plumbing (https://www.linkedin.com/company/j-blanton-plumbing/), tells his story of how he bought a plumbing company with no experience in the industry and tripled the size of his business by cultivating a winning company culture.  But that's not all! Joe Papa (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjoepapa/), the founder of TruVersity (https://www.linkedin.com/company/truversity/), gives advice to business owners who are unsure of how their company can use AI tools to help their business run more efficiently. Join us as we discuss:  [6:49] The how and why of hiring internationally [17:52] How business leaders can cultivate a healthy, learning mindset [28:05] How AI can improve your employees' capabilities.  [31:38] Smoothly introducing AI tools into your team's workflow Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: ChatGPT (https://chatgpt.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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Lacey Coleman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceycolemancc/) truly has a talent for moving past negative experiences and turning adversities into opportunities. Beginning her career in the trades at an early age, she had to prove herself to her customers and colleagues. Now the CEO at Coastal Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning (https://coastalcomfort.com/) in Salisbury, MD, Lacey joined us to discuss her professional and entrepreneurial journey, how she defied gender stereotypes to create and scale her thriving HVAC business and foster a collaborative work culture where her team can grow and build a successful career. Join us as we discuss: [07:44] The biases that Lacey encountered and how she dealt with them [12:13] The importance of turning negative experiences into positive opportunities [21:13] How building a strong work culture can lead to success 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Alan O'Neill (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-o-neill-059b0012/) truly has what many would say is “the luck of the Irish.”  Alan started his career in Dublin as an apprentice plumber and worked his way up in the trades. He then moved to America with his family and founded a plumbing service company with his mentor, which he later sold to private equity. He truly believes in building solid relationships and taking care of his team and that the trades have the power to positively impact lives. The consultant with The Wrench Group (https://www.wrenchgroup.com/) stops by to discuss his professional and entrepreneurial journey, the importance of loyalty, and some practical advice for business owners thinking of selling or partnering with private equity firms. Join us as we discuss: [7:13] Alan’s incredible testament to the American Dream [20:41] The importance of loyalty in a business [26:57] Why you should take control of your own destiny [38:05] Advice for business owners planning to sell or partner with private equity firms Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: The Wrench Group (https://www.wrenchgroup.com/) ServiceTitan (https://www.servicetitan.com/?utm_campaign=toolboxforthetrades&utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e200) 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.