Podcasts about service business

There are 4 stages to running a home service business - and 90% of people get permanently stuck in the first two.If you don't know what stage you're in or what to focus on next, you can grind for years and never break past the same revenue.Neel knows this because He has spent the last 12 years building a completely remote cleaning business, and today it does over $100k a month while working about 5 hours a week.Discovering these 4 stages completely changed how I ran the business.So in this pod, Neel breaks down each stage, the numbers you need to hit, and the biggest mistakes that keep most home service businesses trapped.He uses cleaning business examples, but these principles apply to any home service - so let's get into itConnect with me • X (Twitter): https://x.com/NeelBParekh • MaidThis Franchise info: https://maidthisfranchise.com/ • MaidThis on X: https://x.com/MaidThis• My local business: https://maidthis.com

Most home service businesses are using AI the wrong way.In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson and Jack Carr break down how AI is actually changing the trades and why the biggest opportunity isn't replacing technicians, but removing the operational friction that slows growing companies down. They share how they're using AI across acquisitions, accounting, purchasing, reporting, dispatch, and marketing while keeping the human experience at the center of the business.They also discuss why venture capital is pouring money into home services, how AI is creating a new wave of EBITDA expansion, the software they're replacing with custom-built AI tools, and why the companies that embrace AI as a force multiplier, not a replacement for people, will have the biggest advantage over the next decade.In This Episode:• Why home services has become an AI "safe haven" for investors• What AI should never replace inside your business• Using AI to reduce friction instead of cutting headcount• Replacing expensive SaaS tools with custom AI solutions• How AI is transforming acquisitions and multi-location growth• Why accounting is the biggest bottleneck in scaling through M&A• The balance between automation and human customer experience————————————————

Tommy Mello took a college side hustle painting garage doors and turned it into A1 Garage—a home service behemoth on track to generate over $260 million in revenue this year. But he didn't do it by acting like a traditional tradesman. He did it by running his blue-collar business with the data-driven precision of a Silicon Valley tech giant.In this episode, Tommy sits down with Ryan Atkinson to reveal the aggressive scaling playbook that took him from a broke college kid driving a salvage-title truck to leading a company marching toward a $1.4 billion valuation. Tommy breaks down his obsession with marketing and data, including the exact four KPIs he uses to buy, fix, and scale any service business on the planet.Whether you want to dominate your local market or expand across 22 states, Tommy shares exactly how to build a bulletproof brand, why you should give equity to your technicians, and the networking secret that allowed him to walk into $100M+ shops and copy their exact blueprints for success.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The 4 Golden KPIs: The exact four metrics (Booking Rate, Door Conversion Rate, Average Ticket, and Cost Per Acquisition) Tommy uses to guarantee massive profit margins.Creating Blue-Collar Millionaires: Why Tommy gave away over 20% of his company's equity to his top technicians before private equity ever got involved.The Expansion Playbook: Why "spraying and praying" is a mistake, and why you must completely dominate your local market before attempting to expand across state lines.The Billionaire Mindset: How to out-delegate your competition, avoid "shiny object syndrome," and pay for access to the smartest mentors in your industry.Tags: Home Services, Service & Consulting, Business Scaling, Business Mindset, KPIResources:The only thing worse than never starting a business… is starting the wrong one. That's why we created the UpFlip Assessment. It's a free tool that matches you with business ideas based on your skills, budget, experience, goals, and the kind of work you actually want to do. The results are scary accurate. Click the link in the show notes to see your best-fit business ideas in seconds — for free.UpFlip Assessment Tool:  https://accelerator.upflip.com/assessment Follow Our Second Channel Here: https://next.upflip.com/spotify Connect with Tommy Mello: https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/?hl=en

These solo episodes are intended to be shorter – with a thought, a question, something practical to try.I talk so much about discovering our voice in another language, but I also started reflecting on the way I communicate in my first language – in writing and on the podcast. Finding what feels natural and conveys the right message is a journey too, especially if you have previously worked somewhere else where it was necessary to write in a different way.Of course I focus more on working in our additional languages because that's what my clients are doing with English. But at the same time, it's good to reflect on the ways in which we communicate in our first language too. There's so much talk about optimising and improving, that sometimes all the individuality is gone from a message – and that's really sad.I don't believe we should just write as we speak. Sometimes that's really hard to read, especially if your going in three different directions at the same time and it becomes hard to follow.But I do believe that people are looking for human connection over perfection – whatever that is – in our first or any additional language. And in my case at least, for a while, I was living with professional restrictions that don't apply now!And of course, if you are looking for support with being more visible in English, let me know using the contact form and we can arrange a time to discuss it. I have a number of group and individual programmes in which I accompany people on this visibility journey. Also check my home page – if you'd like more details about the individual programmes.

Eight years ago this month, I was sitting on my bathroom floor, five months postpartum, crying, googling "legit work from home jobs" so I could pay a bankruptcy attorney and still buy formula and diapers.That was rock bottom. It was also the decision that changed my entire life.This week is my eight-year business anniversary, and instead of a "look how far I've come" celebration post, I'm doing something different. I'm pulling you up a chair like we're sitting in my favorite coffee shop and giving you the 8 biggest lessons from 8 years of building this thing. Some are about how you build the business. Some are about how you have to show up. And the last one changes everything.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:Why a boring business is actually the best business (and the coach line that woke me up)The KISS rule that pulled my revenue back up in 60 days after I overcomplicated everythingWhy one-on-one is your fastest path to cash and a course is your best path to scale (with Samantha's $500 vs $150K story)How I scaled to multiple seven figures with a team of two, working under 25 hours a weekThe confidence tax you pay for bargain bin clients that no refund can coverThe 5 standards of excellence that took us from $350K back to $675KWhy a structured schedule is the thing that actually buys you freedomThe mindset shift in Lesson 8 that ties all of it togetherMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Conversions For Clients (early-stage service providers): https://conversionsforclients.comStrategist Society (scaling past $10K months): https://thestrategistsociety.comDM me the word EIGHT on Instagram: https://instagram.com/brandimowlesThe Bounce Back episode (the post-Bodhi revenue dip story): https://brandimowles.com/253Samantha's episode (the marketing pro who restarted her ad management business): https://brandimowles.com/136READY TO SCALE PAST $10K MONTHS?If Lessons 3 and 4 lit something up in you and you're ready to scale toward consistent $30K months with a lean team, simple offers, and real structure, that is exactly what we build inside Strategist Society. Come see if it's your room: https://thestrategistsociety.comLOVED THIS EPISODE?Take a screenshot, share it to your stories, and tag me @brandimowles so I can celebrate eight years with you. It genuinely helps more service providers find the show.Now go do the dang thing.Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/serve-scale-soar/id1477998650Follow Brandi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandimowlesFollow Brandi on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brandiandcompany

Dominic Rubino knows a painful truth about the trades: being great at your job has almost nothing to do with whether your business makes money. Growing up in an immigrant family of welders and framers, he watched talented contractors grind for years just to barely break even.After nearly going bankrupt running his own house-painting business, Dominic realized he needed to stop acting like a tradesman and start acting like a CEO. He mastered the systems of business, eventually building and exiting a massive $120 million mail-order pharmacy empire. Today, Dominic is a high-level business coach dedicated to helping blue-collar entrepreneurs fix their pricing, build systems, and finally get paid what they're worth.If you are exhausted, underpriced, and tired of working 70-hour weeks just to survive, this episode gives you the exact blueprint to step out of the daily grind and into the owner's chair.What You'll Learn in This Episode:You Are Not Your Customer: Why pricing jobs based on what you can afford is keeping your business broke, and how to confidently sell to high-ticket clients.The 30% Close Rate Rule: Why you should actively try to lose 7 out of 10 bids, and how closing every estimate means you are severely underpricing your work.The 40% Profit Target: Dominic breaks down the exact math of a healthy service business and why you must aim for 40% to 50% gross profit margins on every single job.Calendar Selling: How to create genuine urgency and close deals faster by selling forward and backward through the customer's calendar.The E-Myth Shift: The critical mindset shift from being a "flooring guy who runs a business" to a "business person who happens to do flooring."Tags: Business consulting,Service & Consulting, Business scaling, Home Services, Business GrowthResources:If you've been putting off starting a business… good. Because before you jump into an idea that worked for someone else, you should figure out what kind of business actually fits you. That's why we created the best Assessment there is. It's a free tool that asks about your skills, experience, budget, goals, location, and preferences — then matches you with business ideas that make the most sense for YOU. The results are scary accurate. Click the link in the show notes to see your best-fit business ideas in seconds — for free.UpFlip Assessment Tool: https://accelerator.upflip.com/assessment Follow Our Second Channel Here: https://next.upflip.com/spotify Connect with Dominic Rubino: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominicrubino/

Here is a practical breakdown for AI use for a small business, and something you can implement in a weekend. Dive in and give us a rate and review where ever you catch your pods.   https://instagram.com/@dentcopdr https://youtube.com/@dentcopdr

This two-part content came out of a discussion at one of my meetings, when one of the participants shared about her work as a board games translator. I thought this was interesting,both to learn more about this work and to see how people are using board games for language learning – in terms of adults improving their skills, parents with multilingual children, and teachers in the language classroom.It's not a topic that I know a lot about. As someone with a visual impairment, it's hard to find accessible games for me in English, my first language. It's even harder in my additional ones. So I put up a poll on LinkedIn to see what others thought about the topic and then asked if some of them would like to come on the podcast for a group discussion. In the end, we had 6 people who wanted to take part, so I made two groups. This is the second one, with Sónia, Gwen, and Helene.You can listen to group 1's episode here.In this session, we talked about: “Different ways in which my guests use board games – with friends, to meet new people, and in the language classroom How games can be a useful tool to reinforce what children have already learned How the goal of playing a game takes some of the pressure off useing the additional language Games that may not work so well if you know the language and not the culture Word games that can be played in other languages Board game cafes and meet-up groups for playing games and meeting new people – including speakers of other languages Game localisation – the balance between educating people about an existing culture and adapting the experience so that everyone can participate Find out more about the guests and which games they recommend on the show notes page: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode318/

Hey Friend, Welcome to the Start That Business Podcast, where Christians with a 9-to-5 get the clarity, strategy, and faith-first guidance they need to step boldly into their calling to start a service-based business without leaving their job yet. In this episode, I sit down with Brad Sugars, founder of ActionCOACH with over 1,000 offices in 80+ countries, host of The $100M Entrepreneur podcast, and author of multiple business books, including Pulling Profits Out of a Hat, to talk about why most businesses stay small. By the end of this episode, you will understand how to build the structure and systems your service business needs from the very first client, so you create a real business and not just another job you dread. We get into the foundational decisions that determine whether your business grows or stalls, and the one structural move to make now that your future self will thank you for. I pray this blesses you. . Today's Episode Spotlight Join the Arise and Shine Prayer Call @ 5 am CST | 6 am EST Join the Arise and Shine 365 Challenge I pray this blesses you. . Connect with Brad Sugars Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradleysugars/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BradleySugars/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradleysugars Mentioned on the podcast: Book, Instant Systems by Bradley Sugars: https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Systems-Success-Bradley-Sugars/dp/0071466703 Brad's free resources: DM Brad the word "playbook" on Instagram (@bradleysugars) to get a free book on building business systems. ActionCOACH offers the first 2 weeks of coaching free for every business owner: https://actioncoach.com . Ready to Start Your God-Given Business Without Leaving Your Job Yet? Take my free workshop and stop waiting for the conditions to be right. This workshop is for Christians with a 9-to-5 who feel called to start a service-based business. Sixty minutes. Four 15-minute blocks. The biblical, steady, faith-grounded framework for starting your God-given business without leaving your job yet. Join the Free Workshop: How to Launch Your First Service-Based Business Without Quitting Your Job Yet

Want the exact Service Rate Tool and pricing system we use to build million-dollar electrical service businesses?Grab the complete pricing walkthrough inside the SLE Pro App:https://serviceloopelectrical.com/pro-appSee real pricing examples, service call systems, and premium option builders used by electricians across North America.————————————Most electricians think like electricians…Fix the problem.Collect the check.Race to the next call.Hope working harder somehow creates a better business.Repeat until burnout shows up driving your service van.Meanwhile…We've coached hundreds of electrical contractors through the exact transition from technician to owner.And most of them follow almost the exact same pattern.Like Law & Order.Same framework.Different business.Because great electrical companies don't feel like constant firefighting…They feel like freedom.But behind the scenes?The best businesses are built more like operating manuals than heroic rescue missions.In this video, I break down the exact mindset shift that helps electricians:• build systems that don't depend on the owner• create premium customer experiences instead of racing service calls• increase average tickets through better conversations• develop businesses that continue growing beyond seven figures• think like business owners instead of techniciansInside, I'll show you:• The four-part growth journey Simon followed from commercial electrician → business owner → seven figures → first $100K month• How cleaning houses unexpectedly taught him one of the biggest lessons in premium customer service• Why most electricians stay trapped thinking like technicians instead of owners• How to simplify business growth into repeatable systems instead of constant heroics• The simple photo documentation system that turns expensive callbacks into profitable service calls• Why expanding into a second location too early is usually the wrong move• The secret to getting homeowners to trust you before you ever present a price• Why "working cheap" is mostly rubbish if you want to build a premium electrical company• How to create service experiences homeowners happily recommend to everyone they knowAlso…There's the story of Simon arriving in America with nothing but two suitcases.A fifth of whiskey somehow becomes the beginning of his flat-rate pricing system.Clay compares business owners to superheroes—and why that's actually dangerous.And one conversation about slowing down with homeowners that completely changed Simon's business.If you're new here, binge the channel.If you own an electrical service business, use the framework.If you want to scale to $1M+ with less chaos…Watch the Million Dollar Plan below.————————————And if you want to see our Million Dollar Plan — how we help Electric Service Business Owners build $1M+ companies without becoming a slave to the truck, the phone, or the chaos…Watch here:• The Service Transformer™: The 4 Stages of a Million Dollar Electrical Business

If We Had to Start Over, We'd Do This InsteadIf John Wilson and Jack Carr lost everything tomorrow, how would they rebuild?In this episode of Owned and Operated, they tackle one of the biggest questions every entrepreneur eventually asks: would you buy a business, build one from scratch, or take a completely different path?John argues that acquiring a small home service business is still the fastest way to create wealth, while Jack makes the case for starting lean with a service business that requires little capital and can scale quickly. Along the way, they break down the lessons that took years to learn, the mistakes they'd avoid, and the exact playbook they'd use to grow much faster the second time around.In This Episode:Buy vs. build: which strategy wins today?The home service businesses they'd start from scratchWhy marketing and sales matter more than fulfillment early onHow seller financing changes the economics of growthThe fastest path to generating cash flowBranding mistakes they'd never make again————————————————

What does it take to build a $260 million home service company in one market? In this episode of Can't Stop the Growth, Chad Peterman sits down with Paul Kelly, founder of Parker & Sons, to break down the exact philosophy behind one of the largest single-brand HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies in America. Paul grew Parker & Sons from $7 million in 2004 to over $260 million today, almost entirely in the Phoenix market. But the surprising part? He's not a big-goals guy. He doesn't believe in chasing massive numbers. He calls his approach "success by a thousand little things," getting one percent better at one thing every single day until you wake up running a quarter-billion-dollar business. Paul also gives an inside look at Raising Goats, his exclusive coaching program for home service contractors. Limited to 32 contractors per cohort, the next class is November 9-12 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Free Coaching for Home Service Pros: https://cantstopthegrowth.com/ Raising Goats: https://raisinggoats.com/ Connect with Chad: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-m-peterman/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chadmpeterman Learn more about: Chad Peterman - https://chadmpeterman.com/ Peterman Brothers - https://www.petermancareers.com/ The People Forward Network - https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Starting an independent service or contracting company comes with massive challenges, and finding your very first clients is often the hardest part. In this video, we answer a question from JT about how to land those initial accounts and how to recognize when you are truly ready to take the leap into starting your own business. We share the story of how TW Controls started—including the mistakes we made by jumping in without a safety net—and contrast that with the ideal balance of preparation and timing. You will learn practical strategies for leveraging low-hanging fruit, such as transforming former employers into professional clients, building relationships with local competitors, collaborating with equipment distributors, and putting in the sweat equity needed to solve immediate breakdown emergencies for local facilities.Helping you become a better technician so you will always be in demand Not sure what video to watch next?Enhance your skills and track your progress at https://controls.tw/yt-courses!Items used in this video:PLC Trainer https://controls.tw/yt-plc-trainersThe above links make these videos possible. Please use them!

Most service business owners are chasing the next lead source. Google Ads. Facebook Ads. AI. SEO. Automation. But sometimes the fastest way to grow is still the most old-school strategy in the book: getting out into your community, shaking hands, building trust, and making sure people remember your brand. In this episode of Service Business Mastery, Tersh Blissett and Joshua Crouch sit down with Chuck Worley, owner of Worley's Home Services, to talk about branding, networking, reputation, and the real-world grind behind building a service business people know, trust, and refer. Chuck shares his journey from struggling in school to building a career in HVAC sales, starting and losing a business, rebuilding from bankruptcy, paying back debts he was no longer legally required to pay, and eventually growing Worley's Home Services into a $17 million company. He also breaks down why branding is not just about a logo, why standing out matters, and how his orange and green jackets became a memorable part of his local brand. They also discuss: How Chuck went from HVAC technician to top-performing comfort advisor Why sales changed his life and gave him a path forward The painful lessons from bankruptcy and rebuilding from zero Why reputation matters more than almost anything in business How Chuck used networking to grow his company without relying only on digital marketing Why your brand needs to be memorable, even if people think it looks ridiculous How local chambers, BNI groups, and business events can generate real relationships Why referrals still matter in a world obsessed with AI and ads How Chuck used small acquisitions and owner financing to grow Why being the "power connector" in your market can create long-term growth How service business owners can start networking even if they feel uncomfortable If you are a service business owner who wants to build a brand people remember, generate more referrals, and grow through real relationships, this episode is a practical, no-BS playbook. Timestamps 00:00 Old-school networking advice 03:36 Challenges with AI voice calls 08:48 Struggling through high school 11:48 Quitting shipyard job for family 13:32 Quitting jobs due to drug use 18:42 Friend's Offer During Divorce 22:18 Early business struggles and trust 25:11 Growing HVAC Business from Dorm Room 27:03 CallRail for tracking marketing calls 30:37 Networking as an Introvert 32:51 Growing the sales team 36:55 Personal branding and first impressions 41:10 Joining a Chamber of Commerce 45:13 Networking and local referrals 48:41 Networking with industry professionals 52:26 Overcoming networking anxiety 52:58 Networking event experience 56:57 Importance of referrals and relationships 59:38 Wrapping up and subscribing encouragement Follow the Host and Guest Tersh Blissett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tershblissett/ Joshua Crouch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-crouch/ Chuck Worley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckworley757/  Connect with Us • LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/service-business-mastery • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@servicebusinessmasterypodcast • Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/servicebusinessmasterypodcast • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/servicebusinessmasterypodcast This episode is kindly powered by: UpFrog: upfrog.com MarketStorm is an AI-powered advertising platform. Results vary by market, budget, and campaign configuration: https://marketstorm.ai/ Get Your 14-Day Free Trial with CallRail!: https://www.callrail.com/sbmpod CompanyCam: https://companycam.com/ Breezy: Capture 25-30% more clients with Breezy AI Agents. Use code "SBM" to book a demo and get $500 on us: https://getbreezyapp.com/schedule-demo PhoneTAP: Your calls hold the key to growing your business. PhoneTAP gives you instant AI analysis, real customer lifetime value, and tools to coach your team. Learn more: phonetap.ai/demo   

Too many service businesses think they have a marketing problem when they actually have a systems problem. They're posting on social media, testing ads, updating their website, experimenting with local email marketing, and creating endless business marketing content. Yet leads remain inconsistent and growth feels harder than it should.This is where local business marketing often goes wrong. Business owners collect tactics without understanding how those tactics work together. More visibility doesn't automatically create more customers. Because awareness alone isn't enough. People need a clear path from discovering your business to trusting you and ultimately taking action.Every customer journey starts with a problem. Whether someone needs a landscaper, photographer, financial advisor, or another service provider, they begin by searching for a solution. Getting found is important, but it's only the first step. Effective local business marketing requires a system that guides prospects through every stage of decision-making.As prospects evaluate their options, they ask important questions. Can they trust you? Do you understand their situation? Are you different from the competition? This is where strong messaging matters. For any local business strategist, the goal isn't simply generating attention, it's building confidence and removing friction throughout the buying process.Sales conversations create another common leak. Many business owners shift from helping to pitching. But customers aren't looking for features and packages. They're looking for outcomes. This insight is essential for a local business copywriter creating messaging that connects with real customer needs and motivations.The strongest businesses understand that local business marketing is not about adding more tools. It's about building a customer journey that moves people from awareness to trust to action. When every touchpoint supports the next step, marketing becomes simpler and more effective.If your leads seem to disappear somewhere between discovery and conversion, it may be time to examine the entire system. Because successful local business marketing isn't about doing more. It's about doing the right things in the right order. And that's exactly how sustainable growth happens.Book a free call to identify where your customer journey is breaking down and discover the next best step for your business.Free Copy Call: Book it now. This episode was mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.

We are halfway through the year, and holy bananas, where did it go? If your stomach just dropped because you're nowhere near the goal you wrote down in December, stay with me.You do not toss out the plan you made. You check it.In this episode, Brandi walks you through the exact mid-year reset she just ran with her Strategist Society members, the one that stops the panic spiraling and replaces it with real data. You'll pull your numbers, find out where you're actually sitting in your business, do the gap math (it's smaller than you think), and walk away with three action steps for the next seven days.In this episode, you'll learn:Why service providers should plan in 90-day increments instead of 12-month chunksThe year-over-year growth number that tells the truth about your business (and why the average business only grows 5 to 10% a year)The car-seat gut check: are you in the driver's seat, passenger seat, back seat, or the trunk?How to close your revenue gap by spreading it over six months instead of panicking over the whole numberThe brain dump exercise that took Brandi from a $250K year to $1.2MWhy "I don't like it" is not a reason to skip what actually works (cold email, cold calling, Upwork, local networking)How to reconnect to your North Star and pick the two life areas to focus on nextMentioned in this episode:Strategist Society (scale to consistent $10K, $15K, $20K months): https://thestrategistsociety.comConversions for Clients (just getting started, no clients yet): https://conversionsforclients.comDM Brandi the word RESET on Instagram for the lightning version: https://instagram.com/brandimowlesReady to scale past $10K months?If you're sitting here thinking "this is exactly what I needed, but I'll talk myself out of doing it alone," that's exactly what Strategist Society is for. It's the room where we look at your real numbers with you, tell you where to raise your prices, help you brain dump your gap fill, and hold you to the three things you committed to. Built for service providers ready to scale to consistent $10K to $20K months on less than 25 hours a week. Head to https://thestrategistsociety.com.Loved this episode?Screenshot it, share it to your stories, and tag @brandimowles. It helps more service providers find the show and it makes my whole day.Now go do the dang thing.Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/serve-scale-soar/id1477998650Follow Brandi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandimowlesFollow Brandi on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brandiandcompany

One of my first conversations with Gabriela was about her work as a medical interpreter. I shared a situation that I'd experienced on holiday many years ago when someone in our group didn't have access to an interpreter in hospital. Until this time, I'd never thought about it – but it can be a scary situation if you know that you need medical assistance, but you aren't entirely sure what's going on – whether that's because you're living in a country where a different language is used or because you're travelling or on holiday.From there, we got on to why it's important for Gabriela to provide language access to people in situations involving important conversations relating to them – whether that's a medical appointment or a legal hearing. That's when I decided she'd be an interesting guest on the podcast – both to explain her journey for people interested in this kind of work, and to remind us all of the importance of having full access to the facts so that someone can participate fully in conversations about them. This text, originally from her bio sums it up: “For Gabriela, language access is personal — the idea that something as fundamental as being understood should never be a privilege. She knows first-hand the weight that falls on people when there is no interpreter in the room: miscommunication, fear, and the quiet indignity of not being heard.”Gabriela describes her journey, talks about some of the changes in the telephone interpreting space over the last years, shares some of the best parts and the challenges, and gives tips for those who are thinking about entering this field.Gabriela Paez is a Senior SpanishEnglish Interpreter with 10 years of experience in medical, legal, and public service settings. Based in Mexico, she specializes in professional consecutive and remote interpretation (OPI/VRI), interpreting more than 50,000 minutes annually.Find out more on the show notes page: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode316/

Our guest today has spent nearly two decades at JAMK University of Applied Sciences, evolving from a Senior Lecturer into a Head of Department in Service Business, while also working entrepreneurially through Ranger.fi Keski-Suomi. What stood out to me while learning more about his work was this recurring idea: How do we move education beyond classrooms and into real life in a way that actually transforms people? So today, we'll be talking about leadership, curiosity, student confidence, collaboration, and what meaningful impact in education really looks like.

Everyone loves the freedom of owning a pool service business until the scary questions show up: “What if I fail?” “What if I get sick?” “What about health insurance and retirement?” I walk through the most common negatives people bring up about the pool industry and give you the unfiltered reality, including the parts I can't sugarcoat.We start with the small business failure myth and why it's often less about the industry and more about basics like experience, customer service, and having an actual plan. From there, I challenge the idea that a W-2 job automatically equals security. Layoffs, automation, and AI have changed the game fast, and I explain why hands-on service work like pool cleaning, chemical balancing, and equipment problem-solving is far harder to replace than many “career” office roles.Then we get into the real hurdles: self-employed health insurance costs, what happens if you're injured, and how to think about retirement when you don't have a 401k match or pension. I share practical ways to reduce risk, including building a six-month emergency fund, using monthly service billing to create breathing room, and setting pool service pricing that covers the true cost of running your business. If you're thinking about starting a pool route or scaling your existing route, this is the mindset and strategy check that keeps you from overthinking and underpricing.If this helped, subscribe, share it with a pool pro friend, and leave a review so more service owners can find the show.We name the biggest negatives people say about the pool industry and separate real hurdles from fear-based noise. We also share practical ways to protect yourself with pricing, savings, and long-term planning so pool service stays stable and scalable.  • why the “8 out of 10 businesses fail” stat misses what actually causes failure  • how competence, planning, and customer service change the odds fast  • why “no safety net” applies to most jobs now, including white-collar roles  • why service businesses like pool service are harder to replace with AI  • building a six-month emergency fund to reduce stress and risk  • the real downside of self-employed health insurance and how to price for it  • what to do if you get sick or injured, including scheduling realities with monthly billing  • replacing a pension mindset with consistent investing and scalable income  Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com.  Join the pool guy coaching program.  you can learn more at poolguycoaching.com.  Send us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y

There is a number sitting inside your business right now that you have never calculated. It is the total of every hour you worked this year that you never sent an invoice for. The follow-up calls. The quick questions. The over-delivery. The free consults that turned into coaching sessions. In this episode, I am walking you through six places this is showing up in your business, doing the actual math on what it is costing you every year, and giving you a sharper way to think about pricing your packages so the work you deliver and the money you earn finally line up. If you have ever closed out a strong month and wondered why your bank account did not reflect the effort, press play. This is the episode that changes how you price your next offer. Key Topics Discussed The six places service providers are quietly working for free, and how to spot each one in your own business What scope creep actually is, why it shows up on more than half of all projects, and the structural reason it keeps happening to you The compounding math behind unbilled work and what your generosity is really costing you over five and ten years Why over-delivering is not building the client loyalty you think it is, and what it is doing instead The mindset shift that separates a service provider from a business owner, and why one runs the company while the other gets run by it My contrarian take on add-ons versus right-sized packages, and why pricing for what your clients actually need beats nickel-and-diming every time Action Steps for the Week Pull up your last completed client project. Add up the unbilled hours. Multiply by your hourly rate. Look at the number. Let it land. Rewrite one of your packages. Just one. Pick the offer you sell the most often and rebuild it to include what you already know your clients are going to need. Write down what is not included in that package, and prepare the language you will use when a client asks for something outside of it. Connect With Jamila Send me a DM on Instagram @JamilaPayneMBA and tell me your unbilled hours number. I want to know what you found. If this episode hit, leave a five-star rating and a written review. It is the single best way to help more business owners find the show. Share this episode with one entrepreneur friend who needs to hear it.

 | If we're talking about your private social media, you can do whatever you want! But when you're the face of your business, there's more strategy involved and you have to make decisions based on your audience. In this episode, I'm looking at 3 topics: 1.  When does it make sense to post content in an additional language?2.  7 reasons why we sometimes get in our way with this – and what we can do instead3.  3 reasons why speaking to potential clients in your additional language(s) can help with visibility and credibility. The point of this episode is to be practical. To examine what is working/what could work for us in the future, some of the reasons why there's a gap between what we want to do and what we actually do, and an encouragement to move forward if this is a direction in which you want to go.  It's not something that I find easy, so I also explain my plans and give myself some accountabaility by talking about them on the podcast.  And of course, if you are looking for support with being more visible in English, let me know using the contact form on the show notes page and we can arrange a time to discuss it. I have a number of group and individual programmes in which I accompany people on this visibility journey. Also check my website  if you'd like more details about the individual programmes.Show notes: https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode315/Home page: https://www.englishwithkirsty.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsty-danielle-wolf-a8478235/

James Rose is the founder and CEO of Inflective Group, a media and communications group built by acquiring minority equity stakes in profitable marketing agencies. He has spent over 20 years building and scaling companies across startups, tech, and private equity.Key Discussion Themes - Scaling a service business through M&A without losing what makes it work - Why a people-first culture beats a cost-cutting, tech-first one - Lessons in fragility, diversification, and financial governance from the 2008 crisis - Protecting focus and resisting distraction while building fast - Letting go of control and bringing the right partners in Listener Takeaway Sustainable scale comes from protecting your focus and your people, building trust by doing what you say you'll do, and being willing to invest in yourself — and in the partners who get you to the next level.Connect with James - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesroseequitypartners/ - Website: https://inflectivegroup.com  

Sponsors: ◦ Visit Buildertrend to schedule a demo ◦ Marvin Windows and Doors ◦ Sub-Zero Wolf Cove Showroom Phoenix Connect with Brian Harris:  ◦ https://www.drbrianharris.com  ◦ https://www.instagram.com/drbrianharris   Connect with Brad Leavitt: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Houzz | Pinterest | YouTube

Most service business websites have the same problem—they look professional, they took months to build, and nobody reaches out. Not because of the design, because the right person lands on it and cannot tell if any of it was written for them. A friend sent me her new website last week—she's a dentist with a side business selling dental products to students and professionals. She said, tell me what you think. So I looked at it and sent her a voice message back: do you want to be the next Amazon or the next Etsy? Because that's exactly what it looked like—white, cold, clinical, products lined up like nobody invited a human to the party. She works inside people's mouths for a living and people trust her completely in her practice. Her website had none of that. Here's what most service business owners don't realize: your website is a decision environment—someone lands on it and within seconds they're already forming an opinion about whether you're worth trusting, not reading carefully, not comparing options, just running one question in the background: is this for me? In this episode: why most service business websites brag and bore at the same time, what "20 years of experience" is actually doing to your credibility, why people form an opinion before they finish reading the first line, what the About page needs to do in 2026 that it never had to do before—including why AI tools are now reading it more than ever—and why redesigning is usually just avoiding the real decision underneath. This one is not about design—it's about what your website is actually saying when you're not in the room. I also talk about the vertical garden website I just built on Wix and why it ended up proving this whole point.  You can see it here (it's in Spanish): https://jardinescolgantes.com/

The first thing that struck me about Silke was her content. I knew she was fairly new to the freelancing world, but she was getting comments and starting conversations on her posts in a way that felt real and natural. I remember commenting on one of her posts, which led to a few more comments and we also started chatting privately.I hear so many comments about people not knowing what to post, people second-guessing themselves and in the end not sharing things, or outsourcing it all to AI and hoping for the best… I wanted to have this conversation with someone who was creating content that connects people and starts meaningful conversations.I also wanted to find out why Silke chose to focus on women's health and mental health content and to explore what happens when people don't have access to information that's relevant to them in a language that they understand.We talked about: Silke's story with languages and why she decided to focus on translating content on women's health topics How it was for Silke starting out as a freelancer in the language industry and why she set up a peer group for others in the same position How having a mentor helped Silke to gain clarity and make progress – check out Valentina Alia's episode from last week Why it's important to have business-related conversations in our additional languages Where Silke gets her inspiration for LinkedIn content and what's important to her when she writes her posts Silke's advice to others who are new in the language industry. Who is Silke?My name is Silke Kogler. I love learning foreign languages and talking about physical and mental wellbeing. That's why I recently decided to combine my two passions and become a German translator specializing in women's health and mental health. By helping international wellness brands with thoughtful and authentic translations into German, I want to empower women, especially, to educate themselves on how to live a happier and healthier life. Outside of work, I love reading all kinds of books, practicing yoga, and having deep conversations. I'm also currently taking a course on holistic women's health to deepen my knowledge and offer even better services to my clients.Find out more and access the episode links here on the show notes page: https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode314

I discovered Valentina and her work a few months ago when I signed up to her newsletter. I was a silent reader for a while, but one of her newsletter topics resonated with me, so I sent an email … firstly because I think it's important to give people this feedback when we like their content, and secondly to ask Valentina whether she'd like to come on the podcast to talk about it!We talked about:Why Valentina decided to start her newsletter and her mentoring programme for freelance translators Why we don't have to be loud in order to find direct clients The link between imposter syndrome and marketing activities One step that you can take today to become more visible How we can focus more on value than just the services that we provide. And remember – if you're not a translator, these points about marketing and finding clients can be applied to other areas and industries too!If you're looking for direct clients at the moment, what would you say is the biggest challenge?Find out more about Valentina, her work, and how you can contact her by visiting the show notes page for our episode - htpps://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode313

Your calendar is telling on you. It is telling on your priorities. It is telling on your revenue. And it is telling on whether you are actually running a business or whether you have built yourself a job. In this episode, I am pulling back the curtain on the calendar patterns I see over and over again with my clients. The missing sales blocks. The generic marketing time. The client meetings that should never have ended up on your schedule. The complete absence of white space. If any of that sounds familiar, you are not alone, and you are not broken. You have a structure problem. And we can fix it. I am also sharing stories from my own business that prove why being fully booked is the wrong goal. There was a stretch where I was running thirty hours of client work every week and burning out. There was another season where I cut my client hours down to ten and made more money than I did when I was packed. The difference was not effort. The difference was the calendar. By the end of this episode, you will have a clear picture of what a real CEO calendar looks like, the five profit centers you need on your schedule every week, the 3x3 framework that will change your business in thirty days if you commit to it, and the plan the week ahead process I do every Sunday evening to make sure my week actually produces revenue instead of just exhaustion. Key Topics Discussed Why being fully booked is BS and what you should be aiming for instead The six calendar confessions that quietly tell on you and your business The five profit centers every CEO calendar must include The 3x3 rule that will change your outreach game in thirty days The Sunday night ritual that determines what your next seven days actually produce Key Takeaways Your calendar is the most honest mirror in your business. It tells you what you are really building, whether you meant to build it or not. Fully booked does not mean more money. In some seasons, it means the opposite. The space on your calendar is what creates the room for revenue to grow. Generic blocks do not produce results. They produce guilt. If your block does not name a specific deliverable, you will skip it every single time. Marketing and sales are not the same thing. One creates awareness. The other makes the invitation. Your calendar needs blocks for both. The highest performers are not the ones doing the most. They are the ones thinking the most about what they should be doing and then protecting time to do it. Mentioned in This Episode Last week's episode: How to Get Consistent Clients in Your Service Business Priority Blocking Training to Manage Your Calendar  Connect with Jamila Come find me on Instagram at @JamilaPayneMBA and send me a DM. Tell me which calendar confession hit hardest for you. I read every single message. Join the Waitlist If this episode made you realize that your calendar is the problem and not your work ethic, then you already know what the next move is. Get on the waitlist for the new six-month group program for established female service providers. The doors open soon. The waitlist gets first access. Head to DailySuccessRoutine.com/list to get on the list. Enjoyed This Episode? Please leave a five-star rating and a written review wherever you listen. Reviews are how new entrepreneurs find this show. And share this episode with a business owner in your life who is stuck on the fully booked treadmill. She needs to hear this.

My Office Help: Virtual Office Support, AI Tools, and Growing a Service Business from Rural IllinoisHosts Jennifer Olson and Russell Williams welcome Shayna Shadowen of My Office Help, a virtual office providing backend support for home service contractors and other small businesses through live phone/admin support, a CRM-based platform, and AI tools for calls, texts, email, scheduling, and social media. Shadowen shares her roots in a third-generation electrical business, how helping other electricians led to running offices for multiple companies, and how the company ultimately shut down the electrical business in 2024 to focus fully on My Office Help. She describes growth driven by the 2020 appliance repair boom, serving about 70 clients across the U.S. and Canada with 19 team members, flat-rate pricing for live support, tiered platform plans, and per-minute advanced AI. She credits onboarding, staying in defined roles, coaching, team training, and BNI networking for local traction, and cites family as her “why.”Recorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTOur guest: https://myofficehelp.com

A lot of coaches are about to get wiped out by AI — and most of them don't even see it coming. But here's what they're missing: AI is about to make the right coaches rich and put the wrong coaches out of business. In this episode, I break down exactly how I'd build a $100M coaching company starting from scratch today that is 100% AI-proof. The value of information is dropping to zero. ChatGPT can tell your prospect how to solve their problem in 30 seconds for free. But real transformation — a leader who holds you accountable, believes in you, and won't let you quit — that's getting more rare and more valuable every day. AI can teach, but it can't make you do it. And you don't care if you let it down. I walk through the exact model I'd build, why I'd obsess over one funnel instead of five half-built ones, and the single most valuable role in the coaching industry right now that almost everyone is about to automate away — which is exactly the wrong move. I also get into how to use AI as your delivery team instead of fearing it as your competition. "If your prospect could get every piece of information in your program from ChatGPT for free tomorrow, would they still pay you $10,000? If the answer is no, you don't have a coaching offer — you have a grab bag of information."

Download your free personalized $100M scaling roadmap in under 30 seconds: https://www.acquisition.com/roadmap?el=yt-alex-486r&htrafficsource=youtubeCory, the owner of an HVAC cleaning and ductwork business, was stuck at $1.25M in revenue, 38% margins, and $60K in debt. In this episode, Alex diagnoses exactly what's holding the business back, from mispriced services to a leaking funnel, and offers a systematic game plan to scale. One year later, Cory has scaled from $1.25M to $2.5M, nearly doubled lead flow, and is eyeing a second location.In this episode00:00 A review of Cory's HVAC business04:37 Game plan and Cory's position on the roadmap06:21 Pricing strategy: increasing prices for higher profits09:27 Ads and landing page optimization16:02 Reactivation emails, campaigns, and angles21:01 Cross-platform retargeting and email sequences24:00 Affiliate program strategy30:28 Recap of the action plan and a look at one-year resultsMore Value:Join The Live Scaling Workshop In Las Vegas: https://www.acquisition.com/o-vegasDownload your free personalized $100M scaling roadmap in under 30 seconds: https://www.acquisition.com/roadmap?el=yt-alex-486r&htrafficsource=youtubeDiscover The Easiest Business I Can Help You Start (Free Trial): https://www.skool.com/hormoziFree Books and Video Courses: https://www.acquisition.com/trainingGet the $100M Book Bundle: https://shop.acquisition.com/pages/100m-book-bundleFollow Alex Hormozi's Socials:⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Acquisition ⁠DISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary. Copyright © 2026.

A customer tells you “no” on a repair you know matters. Now what? We dig into the uncomfortable but real part of running a pool service business: handling resistant customers who don't want to fix equipment, don't want to spend money, or don't understand the risk you're trying to prevent. I walk through how I think about customer service in a safety-driven trade, and why the phrase “the customer is always right” can be dangerously incomplete when you're dealing with pressurized systems, electricity, and chemicals.We start with a scenario that every pool pro eventually faces: a cracked pool filter. What looks like a small crack can become a serious hazard under pressure, and I share a simple analogy that helps homeowners finally grasp the stakes. We also talk about the practical side of repairs, including why swapping only the top or bottom of a filter can be a bad bet, and why sometimes the only responsible recommendation is a full replacement.Not every customer refusal requires you to walk away, so we contrast safety-critical issues with more flexible ones, like a dead salt cell on a saltwater chlorine generator. If the customer won't replace it, we cover how to convert to a chlorine pool, what to watch for with salt levels and total dissolved solids, and how setting expectations up front can prevent surprises later. Then we zoom out to route management: the one-for-one rule, how to gracefully drop a difficult account, and why trees, debris, and ancient equipment can quietly destroy your schedule.If you want clearer boundaries, better client conversations, and a stronger pool service route, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a pool pro who needs it, and leave a review with your toughest customer pushback story.• why “the customer is always right” breaks down in pool service, plumbing, and electrical work• how to explain a cracked pool filter as a serious safety hazard• why replacing only the filter top or bottom often makes little sense• when customer refusal forces you to discontinue service• how to handle a dead salt cell by converting to a chlorine pool• how to set expectations when selling a saltwater system, including salt cell lifespan and replacement cost• using the one-for-one rule to drop unworkable accounts• how untrimmed trees can make weekly maintenance unrealistic• when old pumps and filters turn a pool into a time sink Send us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y

#909 What does it take to grow a multi-million dollar service business from the ground up? In this episode, host Kirsten Tyrrel sits down with Serge Rochon, founder of Complete Windows & Doors, to unpack how he built a thriving home renovation company over the past 13 years — starting solo and scaling to a 25+ person team. Serge shares the lessons learned from cold-calling and canvassing his way to early customers, how mentorship shaped his start, why he avoided new construction jobs, and the importance of building systems and hiring ahead of the curve. Whether you're just getting started or preparing to scale, this conversation is full of practical wisdom for creating a profitable, sellable service business that doesn't depend solely on you! (Original Air Date - 9/15/25) What we discuss with Serge: + Started business after 12+ years in industry + Chose renovations over new builds + Landed early clients through cold outreach + Leveraged past customer base to launch + Focused on expert installation and service + Scaled from solo to 25+ person team + Built systems to reduce owner dependency + Offers “good, better, best” product tiers + Uses CRM and quoting tools to stay lean + Emphasizes hiring ahead of demand Thank you, Serge! Check out Complete Windows & Doors at ⁠CompleteWD.com⁠. Watch the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠video podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MillionaireUniversity.com/training⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most entrepreneurs think starting a business from scratch is the best way to grow. John Wilson disagrees.In this episode, John breaks down why buying an existing business can dramatically accelerate growth, reduce startup friction, and create opportunities that organic expansion often can't match.Drawing from experience acquiring 14 companies and scaling a $40M plumbing, HVAC, and electrical business, John explains how elite operators evaluate acquisitions, enter new markets, and improve underperforming businesses using proven systems and playbooks.You'll learn:• The real difference between buying vs. building a business• Why acquisitions can shortcut years of operational pain• How to identify hidden opportunities in “broken” businesses• The leadership skills required before expanding into new markets• Why capital and operational stability matter before you acquire• How elite operators use acquisitions to scale faster• The risks most buyers underestimate• Why the best companies combine M&A with organic growthIf you're thinking about buying a business, expanding geographically, or scaling a home service company, this episode breaks down the framework John uses to grow efficiently and reduce risk.More solo episodes: @JohnWilsonStudioSend Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&OJohn's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated Leave a ReviewJohn Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC

If you have ever sat down at the start of the month, looked at your revenue goal, and realized you have no idea where those clients are actually coming from, this episode is for you. I am pulling back the curtain on the one thing most established service providers are missing in their business and it is not a new offer, a new funnel, or another marketing course. In this episode I am breaking down the system that takes you off the client rollercoaster for good. I am sharing stories from my early days as the Director of Marketing for a social media agency, the giant Post-it note that lived on my office wall, and the real estate client who used this exact practice to do twenty million in volume and double her business. I am also introducing a framework I use with every one of my clients called the Pipeline Promise. If you have been making good money but it does not always feel like it, if you finish a client engagement and immediately wonder where the next one is coming from, this episode will give you the missing piece. Key Topics Discussed The five signs your business is missing the system that drives consistent revenue Why following up is not optional and what most business owners get wrong about it The Pipeline Promise framework that changes everything The exact math behind a healthy client pipeline (and why your revenue goal might not be realistic right now) The real estate client story that proves this is not theory Key Takeaways The difference between a stressful month and a profitable month is not your strategy. It is your system. You probably do not have a lead generation problem. You have a lead management problem. Or both. You have to know the difference. There is a number that tells you whether you are going to hit your revenue goal before the month is even over. Eighty percent of sales require five follow ups. Only eight percent of business owners actually do it. That gap is where your money is hiding. Following up is not the part where you bother people. It is the part where you actually run a business. Resources Mentioned Pipedrive is my recommended CRM for managing your client pipeline. Get it at DailySuccessRoutine.com/CRM. Full disclosure, I am an affiliate. My new six month group program for established female coaches, consultants, and service providers is opening soon. The name reveal is coming and the waitlist gets first access. Get on the list at DailySuccessRoutine.com/LIST. Connect With Me DM me on Instagram @JamilaPayneMBA and tell me one thing you took away from this episode. I read every single message. If this episode helped you, please leave a five star rating and a written review wherever you listen. And share it with the business owner in your life who needs to hear it. Stay productive and get paid.

Hey Winner, If you run a service-based business, you don't need thousands of followers to build something steady and profitable. You need the right few clients. In this conversation, Morgan Law and I talk about what it really looks like to grow a service business without relying on social media. We unpack the difference between marketing to the masses and intentionally building relationships that lead to consistent, long-term clients. If you're tired of feeling like visibility in masses equals growth, this episode is for you. Rooting for you ~ Gabe   Listen to hear: The difference between marketing to the masses and building a business around a few consistent clients Practical ways to find and approach clients without relying on social media How strong onboarding and retention create sustainable, steady growth   Links mentioned in talk: Register (free) here: https://redhotmindset.com/gbws-register/ Swag bag: https://growwithoutsocial.com/swag-early  Morgan's website: https://www.finepoints.biz/ Free gift: Service Provider Sales Portfolio https://www.finepoints.biz/service-portfolio

In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the "bottleneck trap," that sneaky phase where your business can't scale because every decision runs through you. It's not a motivation or hiring problem; it's about your leadership structure. I'll show you how to shift from operator to leader without lowering your standards or burning out. If you're ready to get out from under the weight of running everything, unleash your team's full potential, and finally have a business that runs with you, not on your back, this episode is a game-changer. Grab your copy of my new book, "Mom's Going on a business Trip," here: momisgoingonabusinesstrip.com Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Every business has principles that should never move. It also has practices that need to die right now. Most entrepreneurs confuse the two.  They change their values when they should change their methods, or they cling to methods when the market has already moved on. In this episode, Jimmy Nicholas and Dr. Dustin Burleson dig into how to tell the difference, featuring: The Logo Test: go to your website, swap your logo with a competitor's, and see if anything changes. If it does not, you have a problem. The EB White Principle: AI makes everything 10x easier, 10x faster, 10x cheaper. It does not make it 10x better. Better thinking does. The $75,000 Core Values Story: Dustin spent years and tens of thousands of dollars with consultants discovering his core values. Today, AI can facilitate that process in minutes. The method changed. The principle never will. The MARS Rocket Test (Vern Harnish): put your entire team on a rocket to Mars. You do not know what business you will run when you land. What would still be true about your company? Whatever survives that test is a core value. Everything else is a habit. PLAUD and AI Coaching: how a recording device captures sales and treatment coordinator presentations and AI immediately generates customized follow-up messages based on each prospect's or patient's specific fears, hopes, and objections. AEO vs SEO: 60% of searches now end in zero clicks. If you are not visible in ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, you are invisible to a growing segment of your market. Download the free Preserve or Kill Framework and The 3 Shifts Scorecard at WealthyMomentumPodcast.com. Next month: Where Your Next Dollar Is Hiding. It is already inside your business. You just cannot see it yet. Get additional resources, scorecards, and working frameworks at WealthyMomentumPodcast.comSubscribe on YouTube: YouTube.com/@WealthyEntrepreneurHQLearn more: WealthyEntrepreneur.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

⛓️ SOFTWARE FOR HOME SERVICE BUSINESS: https://home.works

Most home service business owners are excited about automation, AI, and new technology. But here's the problem… They're implementing tools before fixing their processes. In this episode of Service Business Mastery, Tersh Blissett sits down with Nathan Whittacre, CEO of Stimulus Technologies, to break down what actually works when it comes to optimizing and automating your business. Nathan shares decades of experience helping companies implement technology the right way and explains why most tech investments fail. What You Will Learn in This Episode Why automation without optimization creates bigger problems The biggest mistakes business owners make when adopting technology How to identify what processes should be improved first Why culture and leadership matter more than the tools themselves The real cybersecurity risks facing home service businesses today Simple ways to protect your business from costly attacks When you should handle IT yourself vs hiring outside help If you've ever bought software that didn't deliver results, or you're trying to scale with automation, this episode will save you time, money, and frustration. Timestamps 00:00 Implementing technology and cultural change 06:36 Finding technology solutions that fit 08:36 Importance of optimizing before automating 11:12 Optimizing and automating with ERP 14:19 Discussing leadership and habit formation 18:28 Engaging clients with tech solutions 21:02 Addressing leadership communication gaps 27:31 Setting up basic online security 28:18 Managing business growth complexities 34:01 Impact of AI on Technology 35:43 Dealing with a social media hack 40:48 Social media hacker tips 43:39 Protecting your personal information 47:51 Employee bank account changes 49:07 Importance of slowing down decisions 51:59 Checking your spam folder 55:57 Wrapping up with show notes Follow the Host and GuestTersh Blissett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tershblissett/ Nathan Whittacre: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanwhittacre/ Stimulus Technologies: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stimulus-technologies/ Connect with Us LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/service-business-mastery TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@servicebusinessmastery Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/servicebusinessmasterypodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/servicebusinessmasterypodcast This episode is kindly powered by: UpFrog: upfrog.com MarketStorm is an AI-powered advertising platform. Results vary by market, budget, and campaign configuration: https://marketstorm.ai/ Get Your 14-Day Free Trial with CallRail!: https://www.callrail.com/sbmpod CompanyCam: https://companycam.com/ Breezy: https://getbreezyapp.com/ Your calls hold the key to growing your business. PhoneTAP gives you instant AI analysis, real customer lifetime value, and tools to coach your team. Learn more: phonetap.ai/demo   

In this episode, Lauren talks to the seller of a service and agency business created in April 2024 in the business and technology niches. Listen in to find out how the business makes an average of $15,144.00 per month in net profit, why the seller has decided to sell, the lessons learned from running the business, and much more. Visit https://empireflippers.com/listing/92601 to learn more about this business.

⛓️ SOFTWARE FOR HOME SERVICE BUSINESS: https://home.works

⛓️ SOFTWARE FOR HOME SERVICE BUSINESS: https://home.works

Y'all, this episode is proof that you can be a present mom AND have a thriving business. It's not either/or. It's AND.Laura found me in the most random way possible (let's just say it involved a Facebook mom group and me getting into it with a troll). When we first met, she was a social media manager running content for five businesses but only getting paid for two clients. She was maxed out at $2,400 a month with zero room to grow.Fast forward one year, and Laura just hit $9,800 in January. She's transitioned to ad management, she's landing local clients through networking, and she's doing it all while getting her kids off the bus and being present at home.In this episode, we're breaking down:The moment Laura realized social media management wasn't going to get her where she wanted to goWhy she was terrified that making more money would make her a worse mom (and how she got past it)The 60 days where everything changed and her income more than doubledHow she's finding clients through local networking, cold emails, and Facebook groupsThe two skills from Strategist Society that made the biggest differenceWhat she'd tell someone sitting on the fence about investing in themselvesIf you're a service provider who feels maxed out, burned out, or stuck at an income ceiling, Laura's story is going to light a fire under you.Resources Mentioned:Apply for Strategist Society: https://thestrategistsociety.comGet started with Conversions for Clients: https://conversionsforclients.comConnect with me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/brandimowlesFollow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/serve-scale-soar/id1477998650Follow Brandi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandimowlesFollow Brandi on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brandiandcompany

In this episode of Zero to CEO, I speak with award-winning healthcare CEO Dr. Julie Wilson about how entrepreneurs can scale a service-based business without burning out their teams or losing their core values. Julie shares how she grew Terra Nova Medical Clinics from a single practice into a 30-location healthcare network, all while maintaining quality, culture, and purpose in one of the hardest industries to scale. We discuss values-based leadership, smart growth systems, and how technology and delegation can help founders grow sustainably while staying human.

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In this episode of the GaryVee Audio Experience, I sit down for a Q&A to discuss the biggest marketing arbitrage available right now: LinkedIn. I break down why it's currently mirroring the 2011 era of Facebook and why you need to stop making excuses and start posting. I also dive deep into the operational realities of building a $100 million agency, the importance of "documenting" over "creating," and why your biggest growth will come from the word "no." You'll learn about:The Current Arbitrage on LinkedInWhy You Should Be in the "Mickey Mouse" BusinessThe "Document, Don't Create" Content StrategyHow to Scale a Service Business through HR

If there's one formula that truly determines your happiness (and success) as a business owner, it's this: capacity equals demand. What does that mean? It's simple. If you have too much capacity—too many employees, too much equipment—and not enough demand from customers, life gets stressful and you start losing money. On the flip side, when demand is off the hook and you don't have enough capacity, you're overwhelmed, your team gets burned out, and the client gets frustrated.  Capacity = demand isn't just a finance concept—it's the secret sauce to scaling a home service business without losing your sanity. The closer you keep these two variables in balance, the smoother your business runs, and the more you can enjoy building something valuable for your team, your customers, and yourself. It's not always easy. Staying intentional about this formula is a daily practice, and few talk about the emotional impact of getting it right—or wrong. But when things finally click, there's nothing better. The compounding value of capacity = demand. This episode dives deep into the math, mindset, and actionable strategies for starting, scaling and optimizing your business.  In this episode, you will discover:   The 5 essential steps to properly setting up your business finances, including separating your personal and business accounts and understanding your roles as both CEO and owner. The magic formula for running a service business successfully: Capacity equals demand, and what happens when those are out of balance. The reality of the inflection point of scaling—why scaling up means changing roles, taking risks, and investing in marketing, recruiting, and infrastructure, as well as the challenges of hiring and retaining employees. The pros and cons of commission pay vs. hourly pay and how these choices affect production rates, employee motivation, and business profitability. Whether buying equipment to save on taxes actually works, and the math behind making effective assets and purchases.      "Capacity equals demand is the magic formula to grow a business that doesn't s*ck." - Dan Platta Topics Covered:   00:01:05 – The "Math Game" of Business Every business, regardless of its niche, is fundamentally about managing math—clarity on profits, costs, and investments. Serving people is important, but profitability is essential to benefit everyone involved: family, customers, employees. 00:01:54 – Step 1: Separate Business and Personal Finances Business owners must stop mixing personal and business transactions. Commingling makes it "impossible to make good decisions" because you can't accurately track expenses, investments, or returns. Creating separation brings immediate clarity and allows assessment of where money is coming in and going out. 00:02:46 – Step 2: Distinguishing CEO vs. Owner Roles Understand the distinction between being the CEO (day-to-day operations, business decisions) and the owner/investor (providing capital, expecting a return). Many owners only pay themselves for their labor and never separate out an owner's return, resulting in businesses that aren't truly profitable when they step away from operations. 00:05:54 – Step 3: Debt Isn't Evil; Credit Cards & Business Loans Have a Place Dan Plata clarifies the difference between personal debt aversion and business leverage. Credit cards, when paid off monthly, offer "0% interest for 30–40 days" plus bonus points, making them an asset for cash flow management. 00:09:02 – Step 4: Keep Accounting Systems Separate from Operating Systems Don't expect one tool to do it all. Mixing operating software (e.g., Jobber) with accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks) leads to confusion and misuse. Specialized tools should do what they do best in their domains. 00:12:24 – Step 5: LLC, S-Corp, and the $100K Revenue Turning Point When your net income is $25,000–$50,000 or more, Dan Plata recommends switching your LLC to be taxed as an S-corp using IRS Form 2553. This can save significantly on payroll taxes—at $50K net income, payroll taxes drop from ~$7,600 to ~$3,800. 00:44:45 – The "Magic Formula": Capacity Equals Demand Aligning business capacity (employees, resources) with customer demand is key to sustainability and less stress. Too much capacity and not enough demand leads to underutilized workers and attrition; too much demand and not enough capacity leads to burnout and customer dissatisfaction. Straying from this balance creates chaos. 01:26:15 – Employee Acquisition Cost & Recruitment Mindset Investing in high-quality employees is critical. Dan Plata shares the importance of treating recruiting costs as investments, not expenses. 01:50:47 – Commission Pay vs. Hourly Pay Commission-based pay aligns incentives—employees win when the company wins, motivating higher production rates (often boosting output by 30–50%). Hourly pay firms up quality but can encourage slower work, as workers are paid for time, not outcomes. 02:13:54 – Buying Assets the Right Way & Year-End Tax Purchases When scaling, don't buy equipment just to "save on taxes." It's best to invest in marketing and recruiting first; these are what drive growth and profits. Buy assets only after you have work and employees to use them. Finance 70%, put 30% down to avoid being upside down, and avoid new vehicles—used work trucks are sufficient.   Key Takeaways Set up your business finances correctly from the start; separate personal and business accounts to gain clarity and make better decisions. As your business grows past $100,000 revenue or $25,000 net income, switch your LLC to be taxed as an S-corp—this can save you thousands on payroll taxes and clarify owner vs. employee income. Scaling your business comes with "purgatories"—periods of losing money and chaos before the next stage of profitability; expect these, budget for them, and push through. Invest heavily in recruiting the right employees; the true cost is often underestimated, but employees are more valuable than clients, and spending money to find good ones is crucial. Underlying all growth: business ownership is about pride and doing hard things—money is a byproduct, but fulfillment comes from progress and resilience. Connect with Keith Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithkalfas/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelandscapingemployeetrap Website: https://www.keithkalfas.com/resources Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keith-kalfas   Resource Links Mentioned Jobber: getjobber.com/kalfas Rebold Website AI: keithkalfas.com/rebolt CallRail Call Tracking: keithkalfas.com/callrail   Written and Edited by: Ma. Teresa Catangay-Bardinas

42% OFF - Get your Digital Man Up book + Audiobook + 2 Exclusive MASTERCLASSES https://bit.ly/manuptribeOPEN A FIT BODY LOCATIONA High-Profit, Scalable Gym Franchise Opportunity Driven By Impacthttps://bit.ly/bedrosfbbSTEAL THIS $100K/Month Service Business Model | E0184If your service-based business is stuck at $10K–$20K/month, it's not a traffic problem—it's a strategy problem.In this episode, I break down exactly how to scale to $100K/month in recurring revenue by fixing what actually matters: your offer, your pricing, your retention, and your referrals.

If there's one formula that truly determines your happiness (and success) as a business owner, it's this: capacity equals demand. What does that mean? It's simple. If you have too much capacity—too many employees, too much equipment—and not enough demand from customers, life gets stressful and you start losing money. On the flip side, when demand is off the hook and you don't have enough capacity, you're overwhelmed, your team gets burned out, and clients get frustrated. Capacity = demand isn't just a finance concept—it's the secret sauce to scaling a home service business without losing your sanity. The closer you keep these two variables in balance, the smoother your business runs, and the more you can enjoy building something valuable for your team, your customers, and yourself. It's not always easy. Staying intentional about this formula is a daily practice, and few talk about the emotional impact of getting it right—or wrong. But when things finally click, there's nothing better. The compounding value of capacity = demand. This episode dives deep into the math, mindset, and actionable strategies for starting, scaling, and optimizing your service business.    In this episode, you will discover: The 5 essential steps to properly setting up your business finances, including separating your personal and business accounts and understanding your roles as both CEO and owner. The magic formula for running a service business successfully: Capacity equals demand, and what happens when those are out of balance. The reality of the inflection point of scaling—why scaling up means changing roles, taking risks, and investing in marketing, recruiting, and infrastructure, as well as the challenges of hiring and retaining employees. The pros and cons of commission pay vs. hourly pay and how these choices affect production rates, employee motivation, and business profitability. Whether buying equipment to save on taxes actually works, and the math behind making effective asset purchases.   "Capacity equals demand is the magic formula to grow a business that doesn't suck."  - Dan Platta   Topics Covered: 00:01:05 – The "Math Game" of Business Dan Plata explains that every business, regardless of its niche (landscaping, window cleaning, janitorial, epoxy floor coating, etc.), is fundamentally about managing math—specifically, clarity on profits, costs, and investments. He emphasizes that while serving people is important, being profitable is essential to benefit everyone involved: family, customers, employees. 00:01:54 – Step 1: Separate Business and Personal Finances Business owners must stop mixing personal and business transactions. Dan Plata describes how commingling these makes it "impossible to make good decisions" because you can't accurately track expenses, investments, or returns. Creating separation brings immediate clarity and allows assessment of where money is coming in and going out. 00:02:46 – Step 2: Distinguishing CEO vs. Owner Roles At this point, Dan Plata highlights the distinction between being the CEO (running day-to-day operations, making business decisions) and the owner/investor (providing capital and expecting a return). Many owners only pay themselves for their labor and never separate out an owner's return, resulting in businesses that aren't truly profitable when they step away from operations. 00:05:54 – Step 3: Debt Isn't Evil; Credit Cards & Business Loans Have a Place Transitioning to finance strategy, Dan Plata clarifies the difference between personal debt aversion and business leverage. He explains that credit cards, when paid off monthly, offer "0% interest for 30–40 days" plus bonus points, making them an asset for cash flow management. 00:09:02 – Step 4: Keep Accounting Systems Separate from Operating Systems Don't expect one tool to do it all: Dan Plata advises against integrating operational software (e.g., Jobber) with accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks). Mixing them leads to confusion and data misuse. Specialized tools should do what they do best in their respective domains. 00:12:24 – Step 5: LLC, S-Corp, and the $100K Revenue Turning Point Once your net income is $25,000–$50,000 or more, Dan Plata recommends switching your LLC to be taxed as an S-corp using IRS Form 2553. This shift enables business owners to save significantly on payroll taxes by paying themselves a reasonable wage (subject to payroll taxes) and taking the remainder as a distribution (not subject to payroll tax). The math: at $50K net income, payroll taxes drop from ~$7,600 to ~$3,800. 00:44:45 – The "Magic Formula": Capacity Equals Demand Dan Plata reveals that aligning your business's capacity (employees, resources) with customer demand is the key to a sustainable and less stressful business. Too much capacity and not enough demand leads to underutilized workers and attrition; too much demand and not enough capacity leads to burnout and customer dissatisfaction. Straying from this balance creates chaos and problems in business operations. 01:26:15 – Employee Acquisition Cost & Recruitment Mindset Investing in high-quality employees is critical. Dan Plata points out he spent $35,000 on job ads to hire 45 people for a million-dollar business, and it was the best investment made—more effective than spending on customer marketing. He recommends a mindset shift: treat recruiting costs as investments, not expenses. 01:50:47 – Commission Pay vs. Hourly Pay Dan Plata explains how commission-based pay aligns incentives—employees win when the company wins. Commission motivates higher production rates (often boosting output by 30–50%), as workers are directly rewarded for their efficiency and results. Hourly pay firms up quality but can encourage slower work, as workers are paid for time, not outcomes. 02:13:54 – Buying Assets the Right Way & Year-End Tax Purchases When scaling, don't buy equipment upfront just to "save on taxes." Dan Plata stresses that it's best to invest in marketing and recruiting first—these are what actually drive growth and profits. Buy assets only after you have work and employees to use them. Finance 70%, put 30% down to avoid being upside down, and avoid new vehicles—used work trucks are sufficient for business needs.   Key Takeaways Setting up your business finances correctly from the start is essential; separate personal and business accounts to gain clarity and make better decisions As your business grows past $100,000 revenue or $25,000 net income, switch your LLC to be taxed as an S-corp—this can save you thousands on payroll taxes and clarify owner vs. employee income. Scaling your business comes with "purgatories"—periods of losing money and chaos before the next stage of profitability; expect these, budget for them, and push through. Invest heavily in recruiting the right employees; the true cost is often underestimated, but employees are more valuable than clients, and spending money to find good ones is crucial. Underlying all growth: business ownership is about pride and doing hard things—money is a byproduct, but fulfillment comes from progress and resilience.   Connect with Dan Website: yourblueskies.com Podcast: Bookkeeping, Beer & BS | Podcast on Spotify   Connect with Keith Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithkalfas/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelandscapingemployeetrap Website: https://www.keithkalfas.com/resources Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keith-kalfas   Resource Links Mentioned Blue Skies Bookkeeping & Recruiting: yourblueskies.com/kalfas Jobber: getjobber.com/kalfas Rebold Website AI: keithkalfas.com/rebolt CallRail Call Tracking: keithkalfas.com/callrail   Written and Edited by Ma. Teresa Catangay - Bardinas

Most home service companies post finished work and five star reviews, then wonder why nobody cares or calls. In this episode, Jade Sprake breaks down how she generated over 10 million views by making content that feels human, story driven, and actually social, even without a camera crew. You'll learn what to film day to day, how to make homeowners feel connected to you, and why a personal brand can win jobs even when you're not the cheapest.CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA!TEXT ME: 509-905-4109INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/chrisleeqb/?hl=enFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/chrisleeqb/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisleeqbPartner Spotlight: 1SEO Digital Agency: At Next Level Pros, we teach you the best ways HOW to market your business. If you want additional hands-on help executing, we trust 1SEO, our marketing partner. They implement SEO, PPC, Google Local Services Ads, and high-performance websites that turn stronger operations into booked jobs. Learn more or book a consult: https://1seo.com/next-level-pros/