Firepreneurs

In this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we complete the "Unpacking of the Job Checklist" in the 12th and  final episode of the series, specifically covering “Financials" - This is where we keep score and show our team the results of their hard work. We also give our teams a better understanding of gross profit and production per hour. In each episode of this series we tackled a piece from the Job Checklist that Bennett and team use at Fire Dawgs, and explain why they include it on the job checklist and ways to utilize it within your company. This is a series of videos that will tackle one of the most important systems and processes in a home services company. Enjoy!

In this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we resume unpacking the Job Checklist in our 10th episode of the series, specifically “Collecting Payment & Closing Job Tasks" - This is your opportunity to give out a Loyalty Card and review sheet to get more reviews and testimonials for your business.  In each episode of this series, we are taking a piece from the Job Checklist that Bennett and team use at Fire Dawgs and explain why they include it on the job checklist and ways to utilize it within your company. This is a series of videos that will tackle one of the most important systems and processes in a home services company. Enjoy!

In this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we resume unpacking the Job Checklist in our 9th episode of the series, specifically “Price Acceptance, Doing the Work, and Wrapping Up the Work" - This is your opportunity to confirm the price, provide a quality positive service experience, and wrapping up the job with the customer. This is where your pros have an opportunity to shine!  In each episode of this series, we are taking a piece from the Job Checklist that Bennett and team use at Fire Dawgs and explain why they include it on the job checklist and ways to utilize it within your company. This is a series of videos that will tackle one of the most important systems and processes in a home services company. Enjoy!

In this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we resume unpacking the Job Checklist in our 9th episode of the series, specifically "Walk Around Tasks" - This is your opportunity to continue building customer rapport while getting a clear understanding of the work to be performed so that it is a clean transaction for both parties involved. This type of clear communication, and reviewing the scope of work, will cement an impression of professionalism with the customer.  Each episode in this series will take a piece from the Job Checklist that Bennett and team use at Fire Dawgs and explain why they include it on the job checklist and ways to utilize it within your company. This is a series of videos that will tackle one of the most important systems and processes in a home services company. Enjoy!

On this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we have the privilege on interviewing in person Casey Walsh from Stand Up Guys Junk Removal. Casey started in the junk removal business unofficially in 2008 with a beat up truck and a work ethic. Today, that operation has grown into a 31 truck, 11 location business in 6 states on pace to pass the $7M mark in revenue at the end of 2022.  There is a ton of relatable stories, wisdom, mistakes and much more in this interview with Casey. Look for Casey and Bennett together on stage at JunkCon in North Carolina October 12-14th! Enjoy the episode!

In this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we resume unpacking the Job Checklist in our 8th episode of the series, specifically "Arrival Tasks" - Using a Spotter, Body Language with the Customer, etc. This is tailored to home services companies, not just junk removal companies, as it pertains to SAFETY! It is also another foundational first impression for the field that should be generated when you are preparing to service the customer. How we greet or engage with customers while performing Safety tasks says a lot about your company. Using "hand signals" conveys a professional operation. We also discuss gathering tools and following steps into the CRM as we move into the "Customer Greeting" Each episode in this series will take a piece from the Job Checklist that Bennett and team use at Fire Dawgs and explain why they include it on the job checklist and ways to utilize it within your company. This is a series of videos that will tackle one of the most important systems and processes in a home services company. Enjoy!

In this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we resume unpacking the Job Checklist in our 7th episode of the series, specifically "In Transit Tasks" - This is tailored to home services companies, not just junk removal companies, as it is a foundational first impression for the field that should be generated when you are preparing to service the customer. Additionally, it presents an opportunity for the Leader to LEAD their troop and talk through the upcoming job. In the Fire Service, this is like a Scene Size Up. In Home Services, we call it a Job Size Up! Each episode in this series will take a piece from the Job Checklist that Bennett and team use at Fire Dawgs and explain why they include it on the job checklist and ways to utilize it within your company. This is a series of videos that will tackle one of the most important systems and processes in a home services company.   Enjoy!

This week on the Firepreneurs Podcast, Bennett talks to Firepreneur Seth Teagle. Seth is a 22 Year Career Firefighter out of Columbus, Ohio, having recently retired in June of 2022. Seth is a Principal in The Stream Group, which is a Real Estate Investment firm with $185M in Assets Under Management. He is also a Partner in Firehouse Bros, which is an educational platform for firefighters and their families. From his firefighting experience as a Lieutenant to his success as an investor and business leader, Seth is a great example of a Firepreneur.  Enjoy!

On this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we bring on guest Brian Hegarty. 33 Year Veteran of the Home Services Industry, Brian has endured and thrived in many of the financial crises over the last 3 decades. That type of resiliency gives him a confidence that says "Bring It On" to all this talk of a Recession. Hearing from those who have been there done that is a huge confidence builder for business owners and Firepreneurs who may be in the early stages of building their business, or are nervous about holding onto what they've already built. Brian's authenticity and positive attitude makes this a well timed interview for our audience; however, the lessons he describes in the interview will be applicable for years to come. Enjoy! 

In this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we resume unpacking the Job Checklist in our fifth episode of the series, specifically how to Implement and Utilize Door Hangers! This is tailored to home services companies, not just junk removal companies, as it is a foundational marketing impression that should be generated when you are out there doing the thing. It falls into Admin & Marketing/Sales processes within F.O.A.M. - If you don't like Boots on the Ground marketing then this may not click with you, but if you're looking to layer on your marketing tiers, then tune in! Each episode in this series will take a piece from the Job Checklist that Bennett and team use at Fire Dawgs and explain why they include it on the job checklist and ways to utilize it within your company. This is the first in a series of videos that will tackle one of the most important systems and processes in a home services company.  Enjoy!

In this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we resume unpacking the Job Checklist in our fifth episode of the series, specifically how to track Donation Receipts. This is tailored a bit more to junk removal companies, but the bones of why it is on the checklist are sound and applicable to any business. In our business, it's a matter of "Doing what you Say you're Going To Do!" This is a bit more of an Admin Process, but also a reminder for our teams that we inspect this task, meaning they need to respect it.  Each episode in this series will take a piece from the Job Checklist that Bennett and team use at Fire Dawgs and explain why they include it on the job checklist and ways to utilize it within your company. This is the first in a series of videos that will tackle one of the most important systems and processes in a home services company.  Enjoy!

In this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we resume unpacking the Job Checklist in our fourth episode of the series, specifically how to Use your Job Checklist to CREATE MARKETING PICTURES and VIDEOS! When done correctly, your team members are the best photographers and videographers money can buy. If you foster their fun and creative sides, they'll have fun, you'll get good content and you can use it to drive future customers to the business.  Each episode in this series will take a piece from the Job Checklist that Bennett and team use at Fire Dawgs and explain why they include it on the job checklist and ways to utilize it within your company. This is the first in a series of videos that will tackle one of the most important systems and processes in a home services company.  Enjoy!

In this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we resume unpacking the Job Checklist in our third episode of the series, specifically how to have your team MARKET to Your Customers! This creates a foundational layer of marketing impressions to the most important customer for your team, which is the customer they will be in front of at the moment. What good is it to market to win New customers when you aren't marketing to Keep your Existing customers?  Each episode in this series will take a piece from the Job Checklist that Bennett and team use at Fire Dawgs and explain why they include it on the job checklist and ways to utilize it within your company. This is the first in a series of videos that will tackle one of the most important systems and processes in a home services company.  Enjoy!

In this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we resume unpacking the Job Checklist in our second episode of the series, specifically how to annotate Fuel, what to do with the information and how it can be useful to sustained operations. Each episode in this series will take a piece from the Job Checklist that Bennett and team use at Fire Dawgs and explain why they include it on the job checklist and ways to utilize it within your company. This is the first in a series of videos that will tackle one of the most important systems and processes in a home services company.  Enjoy!

In this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we begin unpacking the Job Checklist. Each episode in this series will take a piece from the Job Checklist that Bennett and team use at Fire Dawgs and explain why they include it on the job checklist and ways to utilize it within your company. This is the first in a series of videos that will tackle one of the most important systems and processes in a home services company.  Enjoy!

In this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we explain an Acronym that we use at Firepreneurs and that Bennett uses in Fire Dawgs Junk Removal to simplify and break down the four quadrants of business: Financials, Operations, Admin, Marketing/Sales.  After a quick overview of F.O.A.M., we then discuss how this pertains to the first system/process that every home services company should deploy which is a Job Checklist. Over the next few months, our episodes will be using the Acronym of F.O.A.M. and unpacking the Job Checklist that Bennett uses in his business and taking it section by section to help listeners build one of the most important foundational processes in their home services business... the Job Checklist.  Enjoy!

In this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, Bennett introduces a new series called: "Tactical Tip Tuesday" The aim of the series is to discuss systems and processes, as well as tactical tips, that will help you advance your business to the next level. Speaking from experience, Bennett will tell you that it was systems and processes that catapulted Fire Dawgs to the next level in the great game of business, but it's also what gave him the confidence to build a structure that poised the Fire Dawgs team for decades long growth. If you feel like you're stuck, or don't know how to get to the next level, then tune in every Tuesday for a new video where Bennett and the Firepreneurs team will release content to get you there one week at a time.  In addition to simply being released on Tuesdays, you'll be able to identify these episodes on your Podcast listening device by the "TTT" designation at the front of future episodes. We will STILL be producing interviews from great entrepreneurs, as well as other helpful series along the way, but Tactical Tip Tuesday will be here to stay as long as our listeners continue to validate the Firepreneurs Podcast by tuning in! (Please message firepreneurs@gmail.com if you have suggestions for topics to cover) We hope you enjoy it!

On this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we are continuing on with our Financial Wellness Series with guest experts Greg Freeman and Chris Bauchle from Trust Wealth.  In this series, we are unpacking the 5 Common Mistakes that firefighters make when planning for retirement.  Mistake: #5  Trying to Time the Market In 2014, a Fidelity study found that the investors with the greatest returns from the volatile 2003-2013 stock market were either dead or had forgotten they had an account. Whether we recognize it or not, we are all subject to several behavioral biases including overconfidence, recency, and anchoring. Sometimes, the best move is no move at all! Enjoy the final episode of this series!

On this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we are continuing on with our Financial Wellness Series with Greg Freeman and Chris Bauchle of Trust Wealth where we are unpacking the 5 Common Mistakes that firefighters make when planning for retirement.  Mistake #4: Not Carrying Enough Life Insurance If you have anyone dependent on you like kids, a spouse who counts on your income or parents who rely on your care, you should have some sort of life insurance. Especially if you are a Firepreneur.  Having the proper amount of life insurance provides the peace of mind that your family will be able to accomplish every goal you had been working towards when your time runs out. 

On this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we are continuing on with our Financial Wellness Series with Greg Freeman and Chris Bauchle of Trust Wealth where we are unpacking the 5 Common Mistakes that firefighters make when planning for retirement.  Mistake #3: Being Overly Conservative Having money means having risk. Money in the stock market is subject to market risk, money in bonds is subject to the interest rate, and money in your savings account or under your pillow is subject to inflation. You have the choice in what type of risk is appropriate for you based on your own risk tolerance and capacity.  We will break these down and give more insight into how to invest depending on those factors, with the appropriate level of risk. 

On this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we continue on in our Financial Wellness Series unpacking the 5 common mistakes that Firefighters make when planning for retirement. We are on #2, which is "Buying Too Much House"  Our guest experts Chris Bauchle and Greg Freeman with Trust Wealth are back to break this down for us and insert some advice on how to avoid this pitfall.  Enjoy!

On this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we are continuing on with our Financial Wellness Series with Greg Freeman and Chris Bauchle of Trust Wealth where we are unpacking the 5 Common Mistakes that firefighters make when planning for retirement.  Mistake #1: Lacking Tax Diversification If you ask the average firefighter family what their greatest expense is, they would say it's their mortgage or their children's tuition - but both are likely wrong. Taxes are the #1 expense for more firefighter families.  Listen in to learn more and we'll release the next four over the next four weeks.  Enjoy!

Today we are excited to bring back our guest experts Greg Freeman and Chris Bauchle to get started in our Financial Wellness Series. Today's episode will unpack some easy wins to get started on the ladder to financial planning. Bennett, Greg, and Chris cover topics from starting an emergency fund, the importance of life insurance, the benefit of starting your savings early (how to have your money earn you a Million Dollars), the benefit of consistently saving, and how to live within your financial means. This episode gives a road map for Firepreneurs and young professionals to give them a good starting position as they save for retirement. After this episode, we will take the 5 Common Mistakes one at a time and take a deeper dive. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe as we continue our education in Financial Wellness!

We are excited to bring another series to the Firepreneurs Podcast, this time under the category of Financial Wellness. In this episode, Bennett brings on guest experts Greg Freeman and Chris Bauchle to talk about what the series will entail, as well as their background in retirement planning, financial wellness and their motivation for wanting to help others attain the knowledge to be prepared in retirement and in life.  Greg Freeman is President & CEO of TrustWealth Strategies. Greg has been focused on wealth management and financial planning for the entirety of his career. Before establishing TrustWealth, Greg spent 10 years of his career as a Partner and wealth advisor with WestPoint Financial Group where he built a successful financial planning practice and became a perennial Blue-Chip and Top of Council producer for MassMutual. Greg was named “Advisor of the Year” with WestPoint Financial in 2014 and remained amongst the top quintile of financial advisors nationwide. Greg comes to the Firepreneurs audience with a Firepreneur father who spent over 30 years in the fire service and ran a business on his days off. His younger brother is carrying on the tradition as well and is also a firefighter at IFD and planning to take over the family business.  Chris Bauchle is a financial planner with Trust Wealth Strategies. He holds a Master's of Science in Financial Services with a concentration in Retirement Planning. Chris is dedicated to helping clients build wealth by saving more, spending less, improving investment returns, and avoiding hardship through asset protection. He has completed the Retirement Income Certified Professional designation and has a knack for simplifying complex strategies for those who seek financial independence and the ability to retire early. The underpinnings of Chris' desire to serve others began in 2006 as an Air Force firefighter. He specializes in financial planning for public safety professionals, military members, and others with access to a pension. His experience also includes veteran's benefits, income tax optimization, and rental real estate. In his off time, Chris volunteers with the non-profit group Firefighters On A Mission and enjoys competing in triathlons, reading, and spending time with his wife and daughter.

This episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast comes from one of Bennett's Wednesday Morning Mentorship messages that he records at Fire Dawgs Junk Removal HQ and distributes to all the locations each week. The subject of this message was how leading with "bad breath" or negativity will impact your ability to lead, build future leaders and ultimately lead to you being an ineffective leader. We hope you enjoy this message.  Look for future Wednesday Morning Mentorship messages labeled with "WMM" at the front of the episode in the future.  Let's Get IT! 

On this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast, we pull a clip from the recently completed Fire Dawgs Academy put on at Fire Dawgs Junk Removal in Indianapolis. This session was on the subject of breaking the habit of negative thinking, negative energy and being aware about your energy in front of the team so that some of those negatives don't become contagious and create morale issues.  Here are two videos that were played in the session and inspired pieces of Bennett's session with the team:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJrcJUV8d20 Tony Robbins: How to Break your Negative Thinking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lCeWtXPKko Trevor Moawad: How to Control your Negative Thoughts

This week on the Firepreneurs podcast, we have Elena Ledoux. Elena is the Co-Founder of Superb Maids, Chief Operating Officer of Boss Security Screens and Business Coach at Conquer. She successfully started and scaled these companies after first completing 11 years as a Litigation Attorney for Insurance Defense. This episode is filled with an Amazing Story, as well as humor and simple truths. You will no doubt enjoy this episode!

We are excited to bring back Kedma Ough to the Podcast. She joined us early in the Podcast's history during our Beginning with the End in Mind Series where Kedma discussed funding your startup. Now, we interview Kedma the Entrepreneur. Kedma has over three decades of experience as an entrepreneur, as a business coach, is an international Author, a negotiation expert and a funding expert. She is also always on the move and begins filming on a TV show in April called America's Real Deal. Enjoy!

This week on the Firepreneurs Podcast,  Bennett talks to Firepreneur Anne Montgomery. Anne was a firefighter for 8 years in Hillsborough County Fire Department in Tampa where she attained the rank of Lieutenant. During that time, alongside her husband Jonathan, they formed First In Nutrition. As you'll learn after listening to this episode, Anne is a Get IT Done type of individual, so she added a complementary business to First In Nutrition called Fully Involved Training. Anne shares her experiences overcoming adversity, pushing through challenges on the job and the challenges of being an Entrepreneur. Enjoy!

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In this episode we discuss "What is Net Profit?"

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In this episode, we discuss "What are Legal and Professional?"

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In this episode we discuss "What are Phones, Internet, and Technology?"

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In the episode we discuss "What are Supplies and Equipment?"

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In this episode, we discuss “What are Rent and Utilities?”

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In this episode, we discuss "What is Auto and Maintenance?"

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In this episode, we discuss “What is Advertising and Promotions?”

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In this episode, we discuss “What is Administration Fuel?”

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In this episode, we discuss “What is Administration Labor?”

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In this episode, we discuss “What are Operating Expenses?”

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In this episode, we discuss “What is Gross Profit?”

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In this episode, we discuss “How do I classify Insurance in COGS?”

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In this episode, we discuss “How do I classify Insurance in COGS?”

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In this episode, we discuss “How do I classify Chemicals or Disposal in COGS?”

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In this episode, we discuss “How do I classify Fuel in my COGS?”

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In this episode, we discuss “What is Direct Labor or Technician Pay?” 

Welcome to Firepreneurs 101 - A series of short episodes to help you better understand your numbers and speak the language of business. Starting from the top of the Profit and Loss Statement all the way to the bottom line, we will unpack what the categories mean, how to use them as tools when running your business and how to ensure that your business turns a profit.  In this episode, we discuss “What is ‘Cost of Goods Sold' or COGS?” 

Welcome to a new series “Firepreneurs 101”. In the series Bennett dives deep into some of the essentials of running a business; in this case? Unpacking profit and loss statements and the details of why they are important for you to know. In this episode, Bennett explains what Gross Revenue is, walks through the differences between accrual and cash revenue, and makes the case of why you should teach your employees these principles. 

Today we have as guest CEO Nick Dinges from Dinges Fire Company. In addition to being a CEO and Entrepreneur, Nick is also an Assistant Chief for the Sublette Fire Protection District, an Advisor and an Investor in Small Businesses. He shares his firefighting journey, business journey, and knowledge that any aspiring entrepreneur can put to use in running a successful company.   Enjoy!

On this episode of the Firepreneurs podcast, Bennett talks about leadership and trees; hang with us, it will all make sense. Bennett dives deep into The dichotomy of adaptability versus principles as a leader and practically using both, and how to fail forward and trend in an upwards direction. Bennett asks you to look inward and ask yourself, are you a tree that is bearing good fruit? Enjoy!

Fitness is a key to be not only fit physically, but mentally as well. That's why today on the Firepreneurs podcast, Jonathan Montgomery, Co-Founder of First in Nutrition talks with Bennett about how he turned his passion for the fitness and health of his fellow firefighters into a career. A former firefighter and EMS First Responder, Jonathan founded First in Nutrition with his wife Anne Montgomery a little over 3 years ago, creating a program that brings the passion and community Firefighting brings to the nutrition world. With a unique perspective, Jonathan uses his skills to create a “Family first” approach, bringing a healthy level of accountability to personal goals, as well as results.  Throughout the episode, Bennett and Jonathan talk about their shared experiences as firefighters, the ins and outs of combing your passions and experiences into a career, the meaning behind being “First in”, and whether a “Cheat” meal is the right mindset to have.  Enjoy!

What do you do when you get really good advice on something you should be doing in your business, but you still feel so far away from being able to apply what you're learning? That's what we discuss in this episode of the Firepreneurs Podcast.