Podcast appearances and mentions of eric sprague

What is it REALLY like to work for you?This week on the podcast, we're joined by Eric Sprague, owner of Super Tech University, to dive into the inspiration behind his recent C&R article, “What It's Like to Work For You, and Why It Matters More Than You Think.”Eric shares what led him to turn the mirror inward and how doing the personal work transformed not just his leadership—but his entire company culture. Michelle and Eric talk about the moments that revealed areas needing growth, how to respond to business owners who think this kind of work is too “woo,” and why blaming the workforce isn't a strategy.Plus, how can you tell if your people actually enjoy working for you? Eric shares the real signs to watch for—and the small shifts that make a big difference.Don't miss this honest, practical convo about leadership, accountability, and building a company people are proud to work for.

What is it REALLY like to work for you?This week on the podcast, we're joined by Eric Sprague, owner of Super Tech University, to dive into the inspiration behind his recent C&R article, “What It's Like to Work For You, and Why It Matters More Than You Think.”Eric shares what led him to turn the mirror inward and how doing the personal work transformed not just his leadership—but his entire company culture. Michelle and Eric talk about the moments that revealed areas needing growth, how to respond to business owners who think this kind of work is too “woo,” and why blaming the workforce isn't a strategy.Plus, how can you tell if your people actually enjoy working for you? Eric shares the real signs to watch for—and the small shifts that make a big difference.Don't miss this honest, practical convo about leadership, accountability, and building a company people are proud to work for.

Learn how to build a successful home service business with insights from Eric Sprague and Katie Harris. Their book, "The Road to Seven Figures: Your Guide to Home Service Success," provides a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs. Learn about self-care, financials, repeatable systems, digital marketing, and team building to achieve seven-figure success. Don't miss out on expert advice to grow your business effectively.

Are you using Facebook ads but not seeing the results you hoped for?  This episode breaks down how to navigate Meta platforms like Facebook to maximize your marketing success. If you're looking to build a strong foundation, connect with your audience, and create winning ad campaigns, this conversation is packed with insights for you.  You will: - Learn how understanding your audience is the key to effective Facebook marketing.  - Discover why live video is a game-changer for engagement and connection.  - Get tips on building a solid strategy before investing in ads to ensure a higher ROI.  Tune in now to learn how to turn your Facebook marketing into a powerful tool for business growth!  Interested in learning how to use the 4 numbers exercise Brian discusses in this episode? Check it out here: https://www.thewealthycontractor.com/4numbersConnect with Joshua at:The WebsiteThe Facebook GroupSales Master ClassesTune into this podcast where a seasoned craftsman shares expert communication skills, strategies for overcoming stress and overwhelm, and insights on building a profitable business in landscaping and hardscaping, with tips on how to sell, close more deals, and achieve financial freedom to retire early as a successful business owner in the design/build and outdoor living industry.

Struggling to make your business stand out online?  In this episode, you'll learn how to boost your online visibility and attract your ideal audience through smart marketing strategies. Whether you're aiming to rank higher on Google, master social media, or optimize your website for conversions, this discussion has actionable insights for you.  You will:  - Uncover proven tactics to improve your Google rankings and attract more organic traffic.  - Learn how to create engaging, helpful content that resonates with your audience.  - Discover the power of paid ads and conversion tracking to maximize your marketing ROI.  Don't miss this episode to gain the tools and strategies you need to elevate your online presence and grow your business!  Connect with Joshua at:The WebsiteThe Facebook GroupSales Master ClassesTune into this podcast where a seasoned craftsman shares expert communication skills, strategies for overcoming stress and overwhelm, and insights on building a profitable business in landscaping and hardscaping, with tips on how to sell, close more deals, and achieve financial freedom to retire early as a successful business owner in the design/build and outdoor living industry.

Do you feel like your business is running you instead of the other way around?  This episode dives into how implementing the right systems can transform chaos into efficiency, helping entrepreneurs achieve sustainable growth. If you're ready to take control, boost accountability, and track meaningful results, this episode has the insights you need.  You will:- Discover how systems and KPIs can help you achieve clarity and control in your business.  - Learn why embracing your weaknesses is a strength in building a thriving enterprise.  - Find out how to protect yourself as a vital asset while growing your business and pursuing personal development.  Listen now to master the systems and strategies that will propel your business to the next level!  Connect with Joshua at:The WebsiteThe Facebook GroupSales Master ClassesTune into this podcast where a seasoned craftsman shares expert communication skills, strategies for overcoming stress and overwhelm, and insights on building a profitable business in landscaping and hardscaping, with tips on how to sell, close more deals, and achieve financial freedom to retire early as a successful business owner in the design/build and outdoor living industry.

Are you ready to unlock the secrets to growing your business while maintaining a balanced, fulfilling personal life?  In this episode, you'll discover how to tackle the fear of losing control, overcome the challenges of risk-taking, and create a sustainable work-life balance. If you're striving to grow your business without sacrificing your health or relationships, this conversation is for you.  You will:- Learn actionable strategies to embrace risk and evolve your identity as a business owner.  - Discover how physical activity can supercharge your mental clarity and decision-making.  - Understand why systems and support are the keys to scaling your business without losing sight of your priorities.  Tune in now to transform how you approach business growth and reclaim control of your success and happiness!  Connect with Joshua at:The WebsiteThe Facebook GroupSales Master ClassesTune into this podcast where a seasoned craftsman shares expert communication skills, strategies for overcoming stress and overwhelm, and insights on building a profitable business in landscaping and hardscaping, with tips on how to sell, close more deals, and achieve financial freedom to retire early as a successful business owner in the design/build and outdoor living industry.

Join Eric Sprague and Katie Harris, co-authors of The Road to Seven Figures, as they reveal the blueprint that's helped countless business owners scale to seven figures and beyond. They break down the proven strategies that fuel business growth. If you're ready to transform your business with practical, no-nonsense advice, this podcast is your roadmap to success.TITLE SPONSOR:Super Tech UniversityDramatically improve your team's performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft skills, your team can make you more profit. Go to https://supertechu.com/ for more info.Click here for a discount: https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/.Here is an entrepreneur's story you will relate to.SPONSOR: C&R MagazineC&R magazine is the leading periodical in the Cleaning and Restoration industry. Owner and editor Michelle Blevins has brought printed copies back from the dead to increase reader experience. Go to www.candrmagazine.com to get your free copy sent directly to your home or business.    

This week, we welcome Eric Sprague who has over 25 years of experience in the home services industry, including roles as VP of Operations at a global company and owner of a successful cleaning and restoration business sold in 2018. He is the author of The Road to Seven Figures, a business coach, and the owner and Director of Education at Super Tech University, where he trains technicians and managers in soft skills. In his free time, Eric co-hosts the Blue Collar Nation podcast and enjoys skiing and biking in the mountains of Utah.

Welcome to Restoration Domination, the podcast where we bring you all the latest news, trends, and insights from the world of restoration. In this episode, our host Rico Garcia Jr is joined by special guests Eric Sprague and Larry Wilberton from Supertech University.  In this enlightening episode, Eric and Larry share their invaluable insights on how to dominate the restoration industry with techs skilled in soft skills. Eric and Larry emphasize the importance of developing strong soft skills in addition to technical expertise. They discuss how effective communication, leadership, and customer service skills can make a significant impact on the success of your restoration business. The guests stress the importance of seeking coaching and mentorship early in your career. They explain how working with experienced professionals can provide guidance, accelerate your learning curve, and help you reach your goals faster.  Eric and Larry highlight the correlation between a motivated and enthusiastic team and increased revenue. They delve into strategies for fostering a positive work environment, empowering your team, and driving success through their collective energy.  Takeaways:Work on the soft skillsGet coaching earlyYour Teams Enthusiasm Equals RevenueFind Your Guest:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-sprague-55b16522/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clydesdaleclimber/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eric.sprague.50Website: https://supertechu.com/Phone: 909-767-1468Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morningtechmeetingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/super_tech_university/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/19007238Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3FEqmLFCn2kDevFu3m81NAPodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-collar-nation/id1472876829Sponsors:Wylander is the leading recruiting company for the Disaster restoration industry. They have placed over 1000 candidates and have worked in all 50 states and Canada. Get back to doing what you know best and leave the recruiting up to Wylander.  bit.ly/3zjC7KNWith the Actionable Xactimate Profile get notified when you have made estimating mistakes and fix them before you spend weeks going back and forth with the adjuster. Get notified that you may have left out specific line items that you should have been using in your  scope! The Actionable Profile is a no-brainer for anyone looking to upgrade their Xactimate estimating workflow. Get a free demo today at bit.ly/3JU5icpOne Claim Solution helps restorers process their insurance invoices, and work with adjusters to achieve a fair outcome that gets the restorer paid quickly and fairly. Let us carry the load of collecting from insurance carriers so you can focus on what matters most - your business. Learn More! bit.ly/40Mlovn

The Blue Collar Nation podcast is highlighting the companies that are doing it right and getting it done! Periodically, the podcast will highlight success stories from our title sponsor, Super Tech University's line up of clients. Best Plumbing, from Nebraska is a true success story. Born out of the ashes of a failed business, owner Vaughan Russell has grown Best Plumbing into a 2 location, multi-million dollar enterprise, Using both weekly business coaching from Eric Sprague and the full Super Profit System from Super Tech University, Best Plumbing has thrived and become the industry leader in their service area. Learn how they did it in this episode.TITLE SPONSOR:Super Tech University Dramatically improve your teams performance with a system of short daily video lessons, training your team in soft skills.  Your team can make you more profits by teaching them soft skills.  Your team will never leave you for investing in them. Go to https://supertechu.com/ for more info.One to One Coaching:Eric has helped many home service business owners grow their companies, 2x, 3x, with his one to one coaching sessions. If you are interested in finding out more about coaching with Eric, email him at eric@supertechu.com for a FREE 30 min Zoom call to discuss your current business needs.SPONSOR: C&R MagazineC&R magazine is the leading periodical in the Cleaning and Restoration industry. Owner and editor, Michelle Blevins, has brought printed copies back from the dead to increase reader experience. Go to www.candrmagazine.com to get your free copy sent directly to your home or business.

Tune in for a conversation with special guest Eric Sprague of Super Tech University.Connect with Joshua at:The WebsiteThe Facebook GroupDesign & Sales Master ClassesSubscribe to Outerspaces on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

Tom McGuire, Larry Wilberton, Eric Sprague and myself talk about the upcoming event "Next Level Tech". Next Level Tech is a 3 day course that is focused on developing restoration technicians. I am really looking forward to this event and being a part of the personal and professional development of these technicians. What attendees learn: Customer Communications, Project Documentation, Crew Supervision, Production Rate Management, Third Party Communications, Critical Path Management, Work Plan Management, Project Safety, Equipment Set-up – Management, Drying Science, Hands-on Case Study, Jobsite Behavior, 5 Steps to Being a Super Tech. For more information go to this link: https://largelossmastery.com/product/cape-canaveral-fl-next-tech-dec-22/ This podcast was recorded on October 31, 2022

Eric Sprague and Larry Wilberton, college roommates turned business partners, built and successfully sold a cleaning and disaster restoration business. Taking the hard-knock lessons and experience they gained in the home services space, Eric and Larry founded Super Tech University, a system designed to train the most overlooked competitive advantage in the home services industry...soft skills. With a daily video training platform to help field service technicians navigate the parts of the service experience customers value most, Super Tech University is helping home service businesses worldwide win at the service game. In addition to Super Tech University, Larry and Eric also are co-hosts of the popular Blue Collar Nation podcast.Time Stamps:

Eric Sprague and Larry Wilberton own Super Tech University and host The Blue Collar Nation Podcast. These guys specialize in training the soft skills to make employees more successful at their jobs. I wanted to have them on the podcast to talk about their new branding and name change. These guys are so much fun and I had a great time talking about rebranding, culture, training, Larry's van life, part 1 of the "Shit Show" and so much more. Eric and Larry are some of my best friends and I always enjoy talking with them. This episode was recorded on August 12, 2022

This week, Jake is joined by Eric Sprague of Super Tech University. Eric runs both Super Tech & the Blue Collar Nation Podcast with his business partner, Larry Wilberton. Eric & Larry grew up working in the trades, being told by their bosses to just "shut up and do the work"! Eric & Larry founded Super Tech University to go against that style of leadership, and to focus on soft skills to create a BETTER and more efficient work environment. Tune in to find out more about how important soft skills actually are!   Go to: supertechu.com/podcastoffers for a discount on their GOLD PACKAGE   If you own a home service company that accepts credit cards from customers, reach out to our sponsor Pair Payments to learn how to increase your profitability by eliminating your merchant processing fees! Visit www.pairpayments.com to learn more.

Today's show is a re-cast from the Blue Collar Nation Podcast with Eric Sprague and Larry Wilburton. If you listened to our show with them earlier this year, you'll love this episode as well. These guys are so much fun, and as usual the four of us get real honest, real quick. Thanks for listening! If you enjoy the podcast please be sure to leave a review, follow the show (don't forget to turn on your notifications!) and share with a friend. Your continued support is what makes this mission possible. Thank you sponsors! Xcelerate Restoration Software Xcelerate is an innovative restoration job management solution that brings many of the tools you need to succeed into a single, more intuitive platform. Xcelerate is designed specifically for the restoration contractor industry Increase your operational efficiency Improve your profitability Elevate both your job and team management www.xlrestorationsoftware.com/mrm Actionable Insights (Xactimate and restoration technology training) Actionable Insights is an educational non-profit that's helping contractors and carriers settle claims with Xactimate and Matterport. Are you looking for the best ways to invoice in Xactimate? Check out their 3700+ page database of Xactimate invoicing templates known as the Insight Sheet Database. Not finding the right line items? It's probably in their Commonly Overlooked Line Item Database - you can't use a line item if you don't know about it! Are you using Matterport right now? Do you want to make sure you're not left behind as the industry goes digital? Actionable Insights has the training and resources you need to find success today and going forward value.getinsights.org/FCG Floodlight Consulting Group Equipping restoration business owners to establish processes, develop their teams, increase revenues and grow their profits. Floodlight Leadership Circles The Floodlight Leadership Circles are designed to empower restoration business owners and key leaders through education, training, coaching and community engagement. Monthly Sessions Open Office Hours Expanding Partnerships Of Industry Professionals Customer Segment Leaders Continually-Updated Content Library Rich Non-Market Competing Community https://www.floodlightgrp.com/leadershipcircles Individualized Operations Consulting and Training The Floodlight team provides customized consulting and training support for restoration companies looking to grow and scale their business. 100% Tailored to each client Formal consulting sessions for owners and key leaders Full one-on-one access to the Floodlight team and their network of industry experts https://www.floodlightgrp.com

Welcome to the Restoration Domination Podcast Episode 045 With your Host, Rico Garcia Jr. In this episode we are joined by Eric Sprague, a host of the Blue Collar Nation Podcast and SuperTech University which is a 5 min daily meeting that can be played at the start of every morning for your technicians that has been shown to improve culture, morale, and performance.  We discussed culture, soft skills, mentorship and so much more!Biggest Takeaways:1. Investing just 5 minutes every morning in your techs personal development can help create a positive culture and loyal employee base.2. Becoming a great leader requires the leader to do personal work and focus on helping to support and develop those that follow them.3. Focusing on your customer's experience can separate you from the crowd and you can give them a better experience with happier employees that feel like they are a part of something and cared for.Find our GuestWebsite: https://www.supertechu.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningtechmeeting/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eric.sprague.50 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morningtechmeeting Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluecollarnationpodcast/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-sprague-55b16522/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3FEqmLFCn2kDevFu3m81NA Podcast: https://podcast.morningtechmeeting.com/ Sponsors:mpartial is purpose-built for the property insurance ecosystem. It exists to extract maximum value from the tectonic shift towards leveraging geospatial data in both risk engineering, and machine-assisted claim settlement. They believe that both Claims Professionals & Contractors deserve to have access to a platform designed to enhance communication, and address the unique demands of our industry. Use DOMINATE60 for 99% off Enterprise Plan https://bit.ly/3tz2XwzCompanyCam is a cloud-based photo app that allows you to take unlimited photos. They're time & location stamped, can be notated & can be easily annotated/tagged. These photos are easily attached to specific projects and are an easy way to be able to share the file with other pros working in your own company or other pros working on the same projects and are great for documenting an insurance project. Special Offer: Get 14 days FREE & 50% off of your first 2 months of the program here: https://bit.ly/3FNmJb2   C&R Magazine is one of the oldest publications in the water & mold restoration industries. It has recently changed ownership and is run by Michelle Blevins who has completely shaken up the magazine and made it into something that is much more practical, exciting, and useful for the readers. Subscribe for FREE here: https://bit.ly/310KLjp Our Platinum Legal Sponsor Brittany Alexander, known online as Lawyer Britt, shares tricks carriers use to deny claims she learned from her time defending them.  She is now an attorney for property owners and restoration companies across Florida. Learn More: https://bit.ly/3kKxzFZ Our Platinum Public Adjuster Sponsor Carlos Machin from PolicyHolder Advocates shares the secrets he learned after seven years of being an adjuster for the carriers and puts his knowledge to help the policyholder get their claims paid. Learn More:  https://bit.ly/3w8iXps

In this episode Brandon and I hear the origin story of the Blue Collar Nation boys, Eric Sprague and Larry Wilburton, and their training platform SuperTech University (formally known as Morning Tech Meeting). We dive deep on the importance of soft skill training with our technicians- how most of us spend money to get our techs all the appropriate certifications and technical training, but often fail to teach them how to "act" and "think" in the course of doing the technical work. Eric and Larry share how the earliest version of Morning Tech Meeting completely turned their restoration business around, eventually enabling them to successfully sell it. How would it change your business if you decided to double-down on the development of your technicians? What kind of ROI do you think it would produce? Another bonus nugget to watch out for- notice how Eric and Larry interact with one another during the show- the way they talk to each other and pass the conversation back and forth. It's very obvious these two business partners have developed a deep working respect for one another- something worth pursuing/imitating if you're a business owner/co-founder. Thanks for listening! If you enjoy the podcast please be sure to leave a review, follow the show (don't forget to turn on your notifications!) and share with a friend. Your continued support is what makes this mission possible. Thank you sponsors! Xcelerate Restoration Software Xcelerate is an innovative restoration job management solution that brings many of the tools you need to succeed into a single, more intuitive platform. Xcelerate is designed specifically for the restoration contractor industry Increase your operational efficiency Improve your profitability Elevate both your job and team management www.xlrestorationsoftware.com/mrm Actionable Insights (Xactimate and restoration technology training) Actionable Insights is an educational non-profit that's helping contractors and carriers settle claims with Xactimate and Matterport. Are you looking for the best ways to invoice in Xactimate? Check out their 3700+ page database of Xactimate invoicing templates known as the Insight Sheet Database. Not finding the right line items? It's probably in their Commonly Overlooked Line Item Database - you can't use a line item if you don't know about it! Are you using Matterport right now? Do you want to make sure you're not left behind as the industry goes digital? Actionable Insights has the training and resources you need to find success today and going forward value.getinsights.org/FCG Floodlight Consulting Group Equipping restoration business owners to establish processes, develop their teams, increase revenues and grow their profits. Floodlight Leadership Circles The Floodlight Leadership Circles are designed to empower restoration business owners and key leaders through education, training, coaching and community engagement. Monthly Sessions Open Office Hours Expanding Partnerships Of Industry Professionals Customer Segment Leaders Continually-Updated Content Library Rich Non-Market Competing Community https://www.floodlightgrp.com/leadershipcircles Individualized Operations Consulting and Training The Floodlight team provides customized consulting and training support for restoration companies looking to grow and scale their business. 100% Tailored to each client Formal consulting sessions for owners and key leaders Full one-on-one access to the Floodlight team and their network of industry experts https://www.floodlightgrp.com

Welcome to Nightshade, Episode Two of Season One, Hallows.Brandon sets out for a much needed trip of self discovery, but what he really discovers is his own fight for survival...Nightshade is an original horror audio drama written and produced by Heather Sprague inside of the Sweet Ass Paranormal Studios. All stories are original and all rights are reserved.Follow Nightshade.Website: NightshadePodcast.com(For full episode Transcripts, please visit my website)Instagram: @thenightshadepodcastFacebook: @Nightshade PodcastEmail: yournightshadepodcast@gmail.comPatreon: NightshadePodcastSPECIAL NOTES:I'd like to thank the talented voice actors in this episode- without your help and hard work, this would have fallen flat. Thank you so much! Brandon was voiced by Jonathan Swenson.Follow along with Johnathan here:Jonathan's Twitter: @jaygswensonJonathans Website: www.jgswenson.comJonathan's Podcasts: www.halfwitpodcasts.com Mom in the Van was voiced by Jordan Blair.Follow along with Jordan here:Jordans website: DreamfulStories.comJordans Podcast: Dreamful. Listen wherever you listen to podcasts.Adam, the young boy was voiced by Little Miss E. Blair.The Tag-Along and Brandon's Father were voice by my  loving husband, Eric Sprague.This episode was loosely based on a short true story found on Reddit, written by the person who experienced some strange events. I  have taken the base story from their original post and greatly added to it to form my own story.  The original Reddit post can be found here: A strange man hunted me through a national park.Research Sources:https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/questions-answers/national-park-statshttps://blog.theclymb.com/passions/camp/native-american-legends-about-mountains-in-the-pacific-northwest/https://www.hyattsvillewire.com/2017/10/28/exorcist-came-mount-rainier/

The DYOJO Podcast Millennials + Workplace Culture + Guest Host The DYOJO Podcast Season 3, Episode 72 Guest: Samantha and Mimi from AEML Laboratories (Pompano Beach, FL) We shot some on-location footage at AEML Laboratories in beautiful South Beach, Florida. Pete "The Global Restoration Watchdog" Consigli and I were on a planned road trip following the 2021 Restoration Industry Association Convention. We planned to meet up with AEML founder Ron Mazur to tour the facilities and get a sneak peek for Winter Break 2022 - The Florida Mold Conference. As we met with members of the AEML team, Pete and I had an idea for the podcast, to share some of the wonderful insights that these two talented young ladies shared. Without prompting they discussed attributes such as: The workplace culture The qualities of their boss and managers The importance of internal communication For anyone wanting to glean ideas from two shining examples of the quality of employees available in the current workforce, you will receive several gems from Mimi and Samantha. Owners and managers will be challenged and encouraged with regards to what you can accomplish with some intentionality. Big shout out to Pete Consigli, The OG Intentional Restorer, for taking the lead on this episode of the podcast. Pete has dedicated his many years to the growth and enrichment of the restoration industry and you can meet him in person for Winter Break in January in sunny South Beach, Florida. ANNOUNCEMENT: Book #3 from Jon Isaacson, The Intentional Restorer, So, You Want To Be A Project Manager? Is NOW available in Kindle, Paperback, and Hardcover through Amazon or directly from The DYOJO - thedyojo.com/book3 Are YOU a professional in the skilled trades who wants to advance your career through project management? Are YOU a new project manager who could use some additional direction on how to develop as a leader in this role? Are YOU a manager or business owner who oversees training and development for your team? ​ THIS is a book for YOU! Featured guests and clips: AEML Winter Break Promo Video Michelle Blevins, Larry Wilberton, and Eric Sprague from Restoration Today Podcast (C&R Magazine) Gerrett Stier, Eric Sprague, and Larry Wilberton from Blue Collar Nation Podcast Bonus footage of our road trip

Eric Sprague and Larry Wilberton have owned a restoration company, sold a restoration company, built a company (Morning Tech Meeting) based on quick training for restoration teams, taught companies how to create healthy company cultures where people want to work for them, and are hosts of the popular Blue Collar Nation Podcast. Eric and Larry sat down for a casual conversation on the Restoration Today Podcast during the Violand Business Planning Retreat in mid-November. The hilarious and authentic duo shared stories from their days of business ownership, travel adventures (including missed flights and rogue luggage), and enough laughs for 50 podcasts. They also shared what they learned were the keys to successfully engaging with and retaining their technicians and other employees. Watch or listen, learn, and laugh.

Eric Sprague and Larry Wilberton have owned a restoration company, sold a restoration company, built a company (Morning Tech Meeting) based on quick training for restoration teams, taught companies how to create healthy company cultures where people want to work for them, and are hosts of the popular Blue Collar Nation Podcast. Eric and Larry sat down for a casual conversation on the Restoration Today Podcast during the Violand Business Planning Retreat in mid-November. The hilarious and authentic duo shared stories from their days of business ownership, travel adventures (including missed flights and rogue luggage), and enough laughs for 50 podcasts. They also shared what they learned were the keys to successfully engaging with and retaining their technicians and other employees. Watch or listen, learn, and laugh.

Tune in for a conversation with special guest Eric Sprague—Host of the Blue Collar Nation Podcast.Connect with Joshua & Duane at:The WebsiteThe Facebook GroupDesign & Sales Master ClassesSubscribe to Outerspaces on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

After years of putting out fires and pointing the finger at employees, Eric Sprague and Larry Wilberton learned to point the finger at themselves. In this episode, Sprague shares how he and Wilberton transformed their property restoration and cleaning company into one with a culture of high engagement, performance and profit by rethinking their roles as leaders. Today they help other blue-collar companies do the same through Morning Tech Meeting and Blue Collar Consulting. 

Eric Sprague and Larry Wilberton host the Blue Collar Nation Podcast. They invited Jon Isaacson host of the DYOJO and yours truly to be part of a Podcast Extravaganza!! So many things happen in this podcast, I don't even know where to begin with a description. Basically, if you wanna hang out and laugh a lot...Press Play and ENJOY!! This episode was recorded on July 29, 2021.

Leader is not a synonym for firefighter. With the one notable exception — actual firefighters — if you spend all day putting out fires at your business… You're too busy to lead. That's one of countless lessons today's guests, Eric Sprague & Larry Wilberton, Owners of Blue Collar Consulting and MorningTechMeeting.com , have learned over their many years working together — lessons they're now teaching others through advising. They join me today to discuss: Why leaders need to take a step back and let their team make their own mistakes Why your teams home life is inseparable from their work life How to use morning meetings to improve every facet of your business How to spend 30+ years in business with a friend (without strangling them) If you want to hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or here . Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.

Eric Sprague and Larry Wilberton are the owners of Blue Collar Consulting and MorningTechMeeting.com. Eric and Larry have been in the cleaning/restoration industry since 2008 when they started a cleaning company in California. They have since sold that company and are focusing on business consulting, virtual training through “MorningTechMeeting.com” and hosting a podcast called “The Blue Collar Nation”. Eric and Larry talked with me after The Experience convention ended in Charleston, SC. We talked about their backgrounds, starting a company in 2008, over coming business struggles, teaching soft skills, smart/dumb people, and a little red fireman’s hat. I had an absolute blast with these guys, they are both amazing!! I can’t wait to see them in Vegas for The Experience! This episode was recorded on April 22, 2021

Running your business is hard enough, but when you add in working with your spouse/life partner, it can get really tough. Eric sits down to interview his wife Yana who worked in their service business for many years. They talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of working together and how they learned to manage it better.TITLE SPONSOR: MORNING TECH MEETINGThis episode it brought to you by www.morningtechmeeting.com. Don't lose money in the field because your service techs are not great at sales, customer service, and communicating with clients.  Morning Tech Meeting has video lessons that can be sent directly to your tech's phones for training.See other great podcasts we enjoy on our Blue Collar Nation Podcast Facebook page.

When you first start a business, it's survival mode. As an entrepreneur you do whatever you need to do to get the phone ringing, taking any project you can get, and generating revenue. Life is about opportunities not convenience, and you can quote me on that. Many of your opportunities will not arrive in majestic packages or sums that will make you rich quickly. In property restoration and other service-based industries, opportunities often come at all of the oddest hours of the day or night, testing your commitment to the cause. Identify the opportunities that are best for you and your team. Structure yourself and your team to see, understand and meet the needs, values and opportunities that the market presents. Growing beyond survival through soft skills training Larry Wilberton and Eric Sprague were able to build their property restoration business with a carpet cleaning truck that they didn't even know how to start into an entity that they were able to sell at a profit. They shared portions of their story on The DYOJO Podcast Episode 50. As college friends, they had no idea that water damage restoration would be their life's work, but they discovered ways to develop themselves and their team to thrive in the competitive world of the skilled trades. Core to their success was a daily investment in soft skills training for their technicians, many of whom had no prior work experience or examples to learn from. Initially they disagreed about how consistently they needed to make time for short interval training on items such as life skills development, customer service, and upselling without being a salesperson. Cleanfax Magazine conducted a benchmarking survey in 2020 which accumulates input from restoration contractors throughout the United States and Canada. Owners in this service based industry have stated that recruiting and retaining quality staff has been their number one challenge, with over 80% consensus dating back to 2018 (see infographic on their website): Recruiting and retaining quality staff Maintaining margins and profitability Cash flow Differentiating your company Increasing cost of doing business Thriving as a business from the ROI of soft skills training Eric and Larry learned, at first by trial and error, that the return on investment (ROI) for soft skills training in particular was exponential. The team came to expect these educational sessions and there was a clear negative impact on their morale and production whenever the owners were tempted to scale back on their commitments. After they sold the business, they proved these principles were universal as they consulted with skilled trades businesses throughout the country. They continue to share these gems with entrepreneurs and growth minded managers through the Blue Collar Nation Podcast as well as their coaching business Morning Tech Meeting. Learning from the successes and failures of others is core to The DYOJO way of the intentional restorer; shorten your DANG learning curve.

The DYOJO Podcast was recorded LIVE Episode 50 The DYOJO Podcast is sponsored by Be Intentional: Culture, written by a collaboration of talented authors from various service based industries. This book discusses real world examples of how the small things either enhance or undermine your efforts to develop a thriving workplace culture. Available in Kindle and paperback - thedyojo.com/book2 OPEN: Robert More - Mitigation Manager/Estimator in Boonsboro, MD Mr. More is a newly awarded IICRC triple master for water, fire, and textile cleaning discusses the process of pursuing continuous improvement for yourself and the return on investment for your team members. GUEST 1: Eric "The Tech Whisperer" Sprague and Larry "Pineapple Man" Wilberton co-hosts of Blue Collar Nation podcast and owners of MorningTechMeeting.com TOPIC: The arc of return on investment for developing your team Leading by example, always learning as a PIAPOL The fear of training team members so that they can get paid more by a competitor Weeding through the BS when seeking a consultant Cleanfax Magazine conducted a benchmarking survey in 2020 which accumulates input from restoration contractors throughout the United States and Canada. Owners in this service based industry have stated that recruiting and retaining quality staff has been their number one challenge, over 80% consensus, dating back to 2018 (see infographic on their website): Recruiting and retaining quality staff Maintaining margins and profitability Cash flow Differentiating your company Increasing cost of doing business GUEST 2: Katie Smith, restoration owner in Raleigh, NC and president elect for the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) discusses the upcoming IN PERSON RIA Convention 2021 The DYOJO Podcast - the weekly podcast for Intentional Restorers. Every Thursday at 9am PST on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify. Sharing The DYOJO WAY to shorten your DANG learning curve for professional development. www.thedyojo.com/listen

The DYOJO Podcast Episode 17 - Train (your people) to obtain (your goals) with Eric “The Tech Whisperer” Sprague Does this scenario sound familiar? You hire a young person to join your team, you give them the on boarding speech, a uniform and send them out with the team to learn on the job. Within 90 days, you are frustrated with their progress and you say something to the effect of, “It never fails, these young people [ie Millinnials or Gen Z or whatever moniker is coming next] just don't get it. Things will never be like the good ol' days.” In an age where it is difficult even to solicit a candidate to apply for your job openings, what if there was a way to help you reverse the trend of churning and burning new hires? Eric “The Tech Whisperer” Sprague of MorningTechMeeting.com joins us on The DYOJO Podcast Episode 17 to discuss the power and potential of investing in soft skills training for your service team. Eric understands where the bread is buttered in a service based organization such as property restoration, construction, auto repair, plumbing, carpet cleaning, electrical, landscaping, etc. Your business will be made or broken by how well your front line employees can deliver a consistently high quality service to your customers. The Tech Whisperer, through years of trial and error, and eventual success leading to the sale of his own restoration business, developed and proved the concepts for Morning Tech Meeting. Owners and managers who want to reap the benefits of soft skills training for their technicians don't have to start from scratch, Eric and his team have done the leg work for you. The DYOJO speaks frequently on the 4 P's of Success (The Blueprint), which includes People, Process, Production and Progress. Our discussion on The DYOJO Podcast Episode 7 with Eric Sprague addresses a proven process for elevating your team performance through daily soft skills training. Eric and Larry are generously offering our listening $10 off the regular monthly cost of $39 if you mention #TheDYOJO. If you aren't investing in training your team, you are going to continue to struggle to recruit, develop and keep good talent. While some of you may be convinced there isn't any good talent in the current labor pool, you have to find ways to reach and teach the incoming workforce or you are phasing yourself out of survival. Morning Tech Meeting will help you shorten the process to elevating your customer service experience, increase add on sales (gather the cream when you've already paid the cost to get your team onsite), and deepen your employee engagement. This discussion between Jon Isaacson, The Intentional Restorer, and our guest, Eric, The Tech Whisperer, Sprague has been brought to you by The DYOJO - leadership development for service based entrepreneurs via coaching, articles, videos and this podcast. You can listen to The DYOJO Podcast wherever fine podcasts are listened to (Spotify, Apple, Anchor, Google), you can take in the 3D experience through The DYOJO Youtube page and you can read more on this topic in Jon's monthly column The Intentional Restorer from Restoration and Remediation (R&R) Magazine. Morning Tech Meeting - https://www.morningtechmeeting.com The DYOJO - https://www.thedyojo.com The DYOJO Podcast - https://www.thedyojopodcast.com The Intentional Restorer - https://www.randrmagonline.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The DYOJO Podcast with Mike Kinney of Coppertop Construction (Eugene, Oregon) and David Smith (currently recovering from a career in property restoration) of Unnamed Software Company (Eugene, Oregon) join host Jon Isaacson, The Intentional Restorer, to discuss a few motivational leadership quotes.     Episode sponsored by Morning Tech Meeting, 6-8 minute daily soft skills training sessions with Eric "The Tech Whisperer" Sprague sent directly to your team members. Mention The DYOJO Podcast for $10 OFF your monthly subscription.  This podcast accompanies The Intentional Restorer May 2020 column from Restoration and Remediation Magazine (R&R) from BNP Media. The article covers several leadership quotes from people in positions of leadership at various levels in various organizations in various industries and how those concepts have fueled their professional growth.    * David's Quote:   “Either you run the day or the day runs you.” - Jim Rohn   I became aware of it juggling a number of responsibilities and even more aware after leaving that environment I put myself in. This has helped me develop my sense of daily awareness. While realizing to use the resources around me and that I am in charge of how I decide to use my time.    * Mike's Quote:      “Discipline equals freedom.” - Jocko Willink, from his book Extreme Ownership.   This applies to my efforts in managing a large team in a service industry as well as my entrepreneurial venture in starting my own construction company. It's important to have a plan and execute on that plan to keep yourself and your team on track.    Thank you for listening to this discussion from The DYOJO between Jon Isaacson, The Intentional Restorer, Mike Kinney, Coppertop Construction & David Smith. Check out the video of this conversation with additional content on The DYOJO Youtube page and read the article from Restoration and Remediation (R&R) Magazine.   Check out our audio and video library of discussions with entrepreneurs in the property restoration, construction and insurance communities via The DYOJO Podcast as well as The DYOJO Youtube Page - Three Questions (3Qs) with a Pro.    * Coppertop Construction - https://coppertopconstructioneugene.com/ * The DYOJO - https://www.thedyojo.com The DYOJO Podcast is available on Anchor, Spotify, Apple and Google   * The Intentional Restorer - https://www.randrmagonline.com   Wardrobe and accessories:  Mike - hat Coppertop Construction (@coppertop.construction)  Jon - Seattle Sounders jersey  Shout outs, mentions, clips and music:  Shout outs to: Blue Collar Nation Podcast with Eric Sprague and Larry ,Marina Tanay - President of WAMOA, Rachel Stewart - author of Unqualified Success, Alex Watts - Avenue 5, Greg Smith - Contractor Connection, Skylar Lewis - Superior Restoration, William Mendoza - Rockland Restoration, Joe Rogan Podcast, Jocko Willink, Jim Rohn, Jim Collins - Good to Great, Entreleadership Podcast.  Music: “Punk in Donuts” by Hanu Dixit, “Actionable” by Bensound.com & “Dubstep” by Bendsound.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode of the Marketing House Show, we discuss marketing during this time of crisis (COVID 19), email marketing, referral marketing and the importance of consistency. Eric and Larry have one of the largest email databases I've ever seen in a small business! And they share the simple steps on how they built this list. Hint: consistency! Eric and Larry are co-owners of Morning tech Meeting a training program for blue-collar workers on soft skills. They have built several successful blue-collar companies and have years of knowledge to share.

Eric Sprague and his business partner, Larry Wilberton, were college roommates. For 13 years they successfully ran and later sold a seven-figure per year water damage restoration business. Upon the sale of that business, Eric and Larry went to work on their passion project: MorningTechMeeting.com. The website is a monthly membership of daily video training devoted to teaching blue-collar service technicians the soft skills to create better client experiences. Eric is known as the “Tech Whisperer” for his down to earth style which helps him connect with service technicians in a way that they are comfortable with. Eric also coaches blue-collar service business owners and managers to help them build better systems and process flows. What the podcast will teach you: How Eric and Larry went into business together, and how they grew the business they founded in 2008 to seven figures How following a marketing plan to the letter without deviating from the plan was the key to Eric and Larry's explosive growth Why finding the right coaches to teach Eric and Larry the skills they needed was vital for their success Why hiring and staffing with the right people was one of the major obstacles Eric and Larry ran into on their journey to seven figures What important time-saving improvements, cultural changes, and processes Eric and Larry implemented that made a huge difference in their business How canceling their daily morning meeting for three weeks caused morale to plummet and caused the employees to mutiny Why soft skills are the best way to build a powerful company reputation, and why Eric and Larry moved into teaching those skills to their employees Why training their employees in soft skills and how to effectively communicate with customers was the key to scaling the business Why relationship-building with their team helped Eric and Larry become better, more effective leaders How Eric and Larry's current business, Morning Tech Meeting, helps business owners outsource their morning meetings How to find Eric and Larry's podcast, Blue Collar Nation, and what topics the podcast series covers Resources: Website: www.morningtechmeeting.com Email: larry@morningtechmeeting.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/morningtechmeeting/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/eric.sprague.50 Facebook: www.facebook.com/larry.wilberton LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/morning-tech-meeting/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/eric-sprague-55b16522/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/larry-wilberton-42b13116/