Toolbox for the Trades

Stephanie Allen, CEO of Airworks Solutions, and Jennifer Bagley, CEO of CI Web Group, join the show to discuss their collaborative mission: JustStart AI. This online community helps contractors move past the doomsday fear of artificial intelligence and into a world of massive operational leverage. Stephanie shares how she transformed her business after a difficult 2025 by cutting marketing spend by 50% and achieving an unprecedented 25% net profit through AI-enabled processes. Jennifer breaks down the technical math game of the modern web, explaining how AI agents can architect content for visibility in a shifting search landscape. From custom bedtime stories to high-level vibe coding, this episode serves as a roadmap for contractors ready to treat AI as their new superhero cape.Join us as we discuss: [1:35] Confronting the hesitancy to engage with AI tools and leverage them for your business needs[14:09] Why the early AI adopters are positioned to win the long game[25:26] Curating marketing content for AI bots alongside human consumers[35:45] How to future-proof your trades business for an AI-infused workforceCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:JustStart AI.ioYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Mark Pyrah, President and Director of Client Care at Peak Landscape, shares a deeply personal account of transforming anxiety into a leadership tool. After 20 years in the industry, Mark discusses how he moved from being a “task master” focused on checkmarks to a leader driven by purpose and SOPs. He breaks down the financial shift that saved his sanity, moving focus from top-line revenue to free cash flow, and reveals how Peak Landscape is currently building custom AI assistants to decentralize decision-making and put the company’s collective brain into the hands of field technicians.Join us as we discuss: [6:01] How Mark shaped his anxiety into a leadership strength[13:32] Why understanding your finances is critical to mental health[20:52] How Peak Landscape is using custom AI assistants to empower their teamCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:AspireYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Brett Voccola, the Manager of Apprenticeship at Encon Heating & AC, joins the show to share how one Connecticut-based HVAC company is solving the labor shortage by growing its own talent. With 350 employees and a legacy dating back to 1969, Encon recognized that relying on a small, competitive labor pool was no longer sustainable. Brett discusses the development of Encon University, an in-house apprenticeship program that recruits high school students through a work-based learning pipeline. By engaging with students early and often, Encon provides a clear path to becoming a licensed technician by age 19, often making these young pros the highest earners in their households. Brett explains the importance of layering mentorship and support for new hires to help them transition from the structure of high school to the freedom of the field.Join us as we discuss: [4:42] Pitching opportunities for personal growth and stability over career choices[11:52] Building a talent pipeline through work-based learning programs[19:02] Why it’s important to start the trades recruitment pitch early and often[27:12] Encon University’s training timeline and initial challengesCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Encon UniversityYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Abhishek Mathur, the newly appointed Chief Technology & Product Officer (CTPO) at ServiceTitan, joins the show to discuss the transformative power of AI in the trades. With an impressive background at Microsoft, Meta, and Figma, Abhishek explains how AI serves as a force multiplier, automating mundane tasks so contractors can focus on their craft. The conversation focuses on real-world examples of AI efficiency, from voice agents handling 7,000 calls during a winter storm to intelligent routing and automated invoicing. Abhishek outlines his vision for ServiceTitan as an “AI operating system” that provides deeper business insights and acts as a digital chief of staff. Whether you are a tech enthusiast or nervous about automation, this episode offers a pragmatic look at why AI adoption is essential for staying competitive in the modern service economy.Join us as we discuss: [5:48] Why AI is an accelerant for people in the trades, not a replacement[19:11] Four pillars of the AI-assisted operations funnel in the trades [29:35] How AI will transform the work economy and why now is the best time to adopt it[33:17] Goals for AI implementation in ServiceTitan’s core productCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:ServiceTitan AI Voice AgentsJustStartAI Playbook2026 State of AI in the Trades ReportYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Keenan Baird, owner of GreenRoots and one of the few Board Certified Master Arborists in the country, dives into the “missing middle market” and the urgent need for modernizing the tree care industry. Keenan shares his journey from dragging branches in the Arizona heat to running a tech-forward operation in Nashville. He reveals how investing in a CRM and building a custom, transparent estimating formula allowed him to process a year’s worth of revenue in a single week following a devastating ice storm. This episode is a masterclass in differentiation, speed-to-lead, and why understanding your indirect and fixed costs is the only way to avoid drowning in a competitive market.Join us as we discuss: [1:49] Key differences between general landscaping and arboreal services[8:13] Why tech and professionalization is so far behind in the tree care industry[12:17] Breaking into the arboreal “middle market” and finding your community[20:43]How Aspire helped Keenan drive a year’s worth of revenue in one weekCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:AspireAP Story on KeenanYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, Chris and Joe Hoffmann, the CEO and COO of Hoffmann Brothers, reveal the strategy behind building a service empire. They detail their journey of scaling a $9 million family business into a $160 million powerhouse. The brothers discuss the transition from independent careers in the Marines and engineering to taking over their father’s company, emphasizing the importance of humility and “three-hat” framework for managing family dynamics. They share raw insights into their biggest change management mistakes, their “building blocks” approach to granular budgeting, and how they successfully replicated their St. Louis playbook in the Nashville market.Join us as we discuss: [5:29] How a process playbook helped the Hoffmanns nearly 20x their business [10:30] Getting everyone in the family business to row in the same direction[21:58] Other tools and strategies that complemented Hoffman Brothers’ rapid growth[29:05] Leaning on a private equity-like approach to building a service empireCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Nexstar NetworkYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Yocelin Reynoso-Prado, Branch Manager of the L.A. Division at SouthWest Landscape and a 2025 Lawn & Landscape Employee of the Year finalist, joins the show to discuss her rapid rise in the industry and her focus on operational due diligence in landscaping. Coming from a background in medical billing and finance, Yocelin brings a unique perspective to field operations, emphasizing proactive communication and the power of being a “partner” rather than just a vendor to property managers. She details her journey with AI, from initial skepticism to using it as a “teammate” for reporting and sales analysis, and offers profound advice for women looking to claim their authority and lead with compassion in the trades.Join us as we discuss: [3:08] What separates great landscaping leaders from the rest of the field[7:29] How Southwest is using AI in their day-to-day workflows[12:22] Why transparent communication is the key to long-term success[16:20] Advice to women seeking leadership roles in the landscaping industryCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Lawn & Landscape 2025 Employee of the Year WinnersYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What if helping other contractors grow could earn you real rewards? In this episode, we’re joined by ServiceTitan leaders Naomi Menzer and Ellen Rohr to break down two powerful ways contractors can engage with the ServiceTitan community: the referral program and the brand ambassador program. From cash bonuses and cars to brand-building opportunities and industry visibility, Naomi and Ellen explain how these programs work, who they’re for, and why community-driven contractors tend to benefit the most.Join us as we discuss: [4:06] The ins and outs of ServiceTitan’s referral program[7:24] Why the referral race to win a new truck is closer than you think[13:01] What makes a great ServiceTitan brand ambassadorCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:ServiceTitan Referral ProgramAspire Referral ProgramFieldRoutes Referral ProgramServiceTitan’s Referral Winner 2025Become a ServiceTitan Brand AmbassadorYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Brooke and Allie Riley, Co-owners of Riley Plumbing, Heating & Air, join the show to discuss leveraging AI in the trades to transform a 25-year-old business. Brooke, who started the company at age 19 in 1999, shares the “whiplash” experience of moving from paper maps to running a fully AI-powered remote location in Reno with zero office staff. Allie explains how she optimized operational workflows by introducing ServiceTitan and using AI voice agents to automate 100% of their inbound call taking. The Rileys provide a masterclass in change management, revealing how they use AI to give their team “superpowers” and why fighting automation is no longer an option for contractors who want to thrive.Join us as we discuss: [3:17] Riley’s multi-decade evolution and adapting new innovational workflows[12:07] How Dispatch Pro and Contact Center Pro get you your time back[20:45] Launching one of the first office-free AI-augmented trades hubs Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Dispatch ProContact Center ProYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we sit down with Travis Wills, Sr. Director of Client Success at Aspire Software, to explore what it takes to grow without chaos. From starting in landscaping as a teenager to becoming employee #19 at Aspire, Travis has seen firsthand how systems, mindset, and people shape success. We dig into why keeping it simple is often the fastest path to scaling, why change management matters more than software features, and how emotional attachment to old processes can quietly slow growth.Join us as we discuss: [5:26] How keeping it simple matters for scaling[9:50] Taking the emotions out of big changes in your business[17:21] How Aspire to Greatness is elevating the industryCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Sign up for Aspire to Greatness here!From Paper Trails to Digital Portals: Scaling a Landscaping Business With Intention with Tiffany Martin PetersYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Justin Blaine, Co-owner of Carter Services in Torrance, CA, provides a unique perspective on banking on the resilience of the trades by detailing his transition from a professional M&A advisor to an owner-operator. Drawing on lessons from his three years in minor league baseball, Justin discusses the necessity of humility, work ethic, and managing failure when entering a new industry. He shares the fascinating story of how he went from being a customer to the owner of a 50-year-old family business that specializes in multiple home service trades. Justin reveals how he navigated a challenging first year of ownership by leveraging technology to learn the business quickly and implementing a “hospitality first” mindset to drive a 45% revenue increase in year two.Join us as we discuss: [1:42] Justin’s pivot from minor league baseball to M&A and the trades[14:58] Transitioning from customer to owner of a home services business[25:23] Cultivating a growth mindset with your team and “unreasonable hospitality”[37:25] The future of private equity and why the trades is accessible to everyone Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:AthletesTouchUnreasonable Hospitality by Will GuidaraSetting the Table by Danny MeyerYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

John Conway, COO at Redwood Services in Memphis, shares his blueprint for de-seasonalizing your business for year-round stability and growth. Drawing on his experience as a former contractor and Nexstar coach, John details how to mitigate slow seasons by strategically adjusting marketing spend, adding complementary year-round trades (like plumbing), and aggressively nurturing your maintenance base. He also reveals the powerful 350:1 KPI for a healthy agreement base and explains how consistent training during slow times is critical for long-term people retention, which he calls the biggest growth challenge after conquering seasonality.Join us as we discuss: [4:44] A private equity firm that comes alongside your business as a partner[9:12] The biggest risk factors of owning a purely seasonal trades business[17:56] Benchmarking KPIs for a strong customer membership base[23:14] Why marketing needs to be top-of-mind for contractors year-roundCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Nexstar NetworkYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Contractors are drowning in tech clutter. Between AI tools and endless “must-have” software subscriptions, it’s easy to get lost chasing the next shiny object. In this episode, Powerhouse Consulting’s Jenny Benbrook and Pam Duffy join the show to share a five-step plan for cutting through the noise, eliminating redundant tools, and building a smart, scalable tech strategy that actually drives profit. From budgeting like a marketer to running a “Goldilocks check” on your tech, this conversation will help you stop chasing shiny objects and start getting ROI from the software you already own.Join us as we discuss: [5:24] The rise of tech FOMO and the problem with over-adoption[19:06] A five-step plan to technology strategy success[38:23] The importance of regularly evaluating your tech spendCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: ServiceTitanYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What happens when curiosity turns a landscape professional into the tech driver behind an entire organization? In this episode, we talk with Taylor Anderson, Systems Development and Growth Manager at Sunline Landscapes, to explore how a passion for learning, curiosity, and a little patience can transform both a career and an organization. Taylor talks about stepping into a brand new role, refining processes across departments, gaining support from the top, and why patience is the real secret behind meaningful change.Join us as we discuss: [6:49] How to identify an Aspire super user inside your company[11:43] Why using Aspire data improves outcomes across departments[17:53] The cornerstone of a strong SOP and Aspire in the classroomCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:AspireYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Recording live at Pantheon, Kristen Deese, CFO at The Virtual CFO for the Trades, explains her fractional CFO strategy for helping trades business owners master their finances. Drawing on her experience selling her own home services business to private equity, Kristen discusses the crucial steps to ensure financial health, including properly departmentalizing financials and calculating gross profit margin. She shares the one "hot take" she would megaphone to the entire industry — why net profit trumps revenue — and details the KPIs she immediately zeroes in on when auditing a client's ServiceTitan to QuickBooks workflow.Join us as we discuss: [3:48] How a fractional CFO can help contractors with their financials and training[7:15] Common issues Kristen sees in the books of struggling businesses[14:30] Prepping companies for a private equity sale[18:03] How contractors should factor new tech into their financial planningCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:ServiceTitan AtlasFreedom Blueprint for Home Services with Justin DeeseContact Kristen at [email protected] can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.