Service Business Mastery for Skilled Trades: HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical Home Service – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to the Service Business Mastery Podcast!

Visit our website for more episodes and insights! www.servicebusinessmastery.com.

In this episode, we're thrilled to feature Joe Crisara, America's HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical Contractor "Service Sales Coach"  and author of the impactful book What Should We Do? 📚✨

Joe has dedicated his career to transforming the service industry with his innovative sales strategies, helping contractors across the nation double their profits and elevate their businesses. 💡🔧🚀

In this episode, here's what you can expect to learn:

• The origin and impact of Joe Crisara’s famous phrase, "What Should We Do?"

• How to overcome financial challenges in your business by offering strategic choices to customers.

• The importance of taking consistent action and learning from every outcome.

• Why contractors should consider writing a book or starting a podcast to build credibility.

• The role of mentors in achieving long-term business success.
  
  

If you enjoy the episode, please don’t hesitate to leave us a review (5 stars preferably 😉)

Links & References:

• Joe Crisara

This episode is kindly sponsored by:

• Sera

• UpFrog

• CallRail

• CompanyCam Visit CompanyCam and use code SBM for a free 2-week trial, 1:1 training and account setup, and 50% off your first two months!

• MarketStorm

• Rilla 

• Service World Expo

Connect with us!

• Tersh Blisset

• Josh Crouch

• Join the Service Business Mastery Facebook group for more updates!

• Visit our website: www.servicebusinessmastery.com

Affiliate links:

• Castmagic

• StreamYard

• IfTTT

• Zyra Talk

Welcome to the Service Business Mastery Podcast!

Visit our website for more episodes and insights! www.servicebusinessmastery.com.

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Lollini, the founder of Reputation Igniter, who brings his wealth of experience in digital marketing, particularly for HVAC and home service businesses. 

Chris's leadership, Reputation Igniter has become a go-to resource for enhancing online presence through effective reputation management strategies.

In this episode, here's what you can expect to learn:

• The evolution and benefits of focusing on online reputation management.
• Key strategies for simplifying digital marketing for small businesses.
• The significance of maintaining an active and positive Google Business Profile.
• How to foster customer relationships that lead to consistent positive reviews.
• The role of simplicity and focus in achieving long-term business success.
  

If you enjoy the episode, please don’t hesitate to leave us a review (5 stars preferably 😉)

Links & References:

• Chris Lollini
• Reputation Igniter

This episode is kindly sponsored by:

• Sera
• UpFrog
• CallRail
• CompanyCam Visit CompanyCam and use code SBM for a free 2-week trial, 1:1 training and account setup, and 50% off your first two months!
• MarketStorm
• Rilla 
• Service World Expo

Connect with us!

• Tersh Blisset
• Josh Crouch

Join the Service Business Mastery Facebook group for more updates!

Visit our website: www.servicebusinessmastery.com

Affiliate links:

• Castmagic
• StreamYard
• IfTTT
• Zyra Talk

Welcome to the Service Business Mastery Podcast!

Visit our website for more episodes and insights! www.servicebusinessmastery.com

In this episode, we're excited to host Zach Garrett founder and CEO at Liftify.

Under Zach Garrett's leadership, Liftify has quickly become a valuable partner for businesses seeking to improve their online reputation by focusing on generating and managing customer reviews.


In this episode, here's what you can expect to learn:

• Importance of Business Reputation.

• The importance of staying engaged in learning and development as a business owner.

• How to effectively gather and use customer feedback to build a strong business reputation.

• The importance of responding professionally to negative reviews.

• The benefits of addressing negative reviews and using them to improve business practices.

If you enjoy the episode, please don’t hesitate to leave us a review (5 stars preferably 😉)

Links & References:

• Zach Garrett

• Liftify

This episode is kindly sponsored by:

• Sera

• UpFrog

• CallRail

• CompanyCam Visit CompanyCam and use code SBM for a free 2-week trial, 1:1 training and account setup, and 50% off your first two months!

• MarketStorm

Connect with us!

• Tersh Blisset

• Josh Crouch

• Join the Service Business Mastery Facebook group for more updates!

• Visit our website: www.servicebusinessmastery.com

Affiliate links:

• Castmagic

• StreamYard

• IfTTT- 10 Percent off!

• podchaser.com

• Zyra Talk

In this conversation, Tersh welcomes Joe to talk about how to train technicians to be successful in their jobs and how to create a successful training program that will help contractors learn everything they need to be successful in their service businesses. Joe helps technicians get past the "eight-to-four mentality" and help them develop life skills so they can grow their career. Tune in to learn valuable business advice for service business owners and reach a seven-figure revenue mark! 

[00:01 - 05:29] Opening Segment

• Introducing Joe to the show
• Joe Cunningham is a world-renowned expert in the air conditioning industry and has been working with service business owners, managers, and technicians for over 30 years

[05:30 - 13:16] Training Techs from Within

• The 10-day fast track program Joe offers is nonstop and designed to help technicians learn customer communication skills and run perfect service calls.
• The typical day at the technician training center is 60 to 65% hands-on, with the remainder spent in lectures
• The most important aspect of the training is giving technicians a personal learning experience that allows them to enhance their career
• There is no set tool list requirement for technicians, but they are given a basic set of tools when they arrive

[13:17 - 24:13] Hands-On Training for HVAC Technicians

• The benefits of a hands-on training program for technicians
• The school offers a tuition discount for veterans and offers scholarships for those who qualify
• Joe shares his advice on how to pick the right candidate for a service business
• He recommends that potential employees have technical aptitude and be able to communicate with customers
• He also advises against taking on too many clients at once
• Businesses should keep classes small to ensure that everyone in attendance can learn from the instructor

[24:14 - 27:04] Closing Segment

• See the links below to connect with Joe
• Final words

Quotes:

“If you’ve got somebody that doesn’t give a damn whether you show up at 8 or 10…he’s probably not gonna make it for you.” - Joe Cunningham

Connect with Joe through LinkedIn, or visit www.TechnicalArtsCenter.com. You can also call 318-286-7742.

Using Customer Reactivation to Close Unsold Estimates with Noah Carter & Justin Riley of UpFrog

In a world where artificial intelligence is replacing humans left and right, human connection is still the key to keeping customers engaged and loyal to your business.

Listen in as we welcome Justin Riley and Noah Carter of UpFrog, a marketing and lead generation software for HVAC and plumbing businesses. These guys are here to shed light on how UpFrog, along with a few simple business tactics, can grow your small business to a multi-million dollar company (without dehumanizing client interaction). 

Join us as we talk with Justin and Noah about how to humanize your business communication and reactivate your current client list.

In this episode we discuss:

• How to stay top of mind for your customers and be their #1 choice (without coming off spammy or salesy).
• How UpFrog helps you stay connected with your customer base.
• The power of humanizing business.

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• This episode is kindly sponsored by UpFrog www.upfrog.io, Sera https://sera.tech/go/service-business-mastery/, and CompanyCam (visit www.companycam.com/SBM for 14 day trial and 50% off your first two months).

• Listen to Ep 640: HVAC eCommerce Business For Beginners With Justin Riley & Noah Carter
• Join the Service Business Mastery Facebook group

Meet the Hosts:

Tersh Blissett is a serial entrepreneur who has created and scaled multiple profitable home service businesses in his small town market. He’s dedicated to giving back to the industry that has provided so much for him and his family. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

Joshua Crouch has been in the home services industry, specifically HVAC, for 8+ years as an Operations Manager, Branch Manager, Territory Sales Manager and Director of Marketing. He’s also the Founder of Relentless Digital, where their focus is dominating your local market online. Connect with him on LinkedIn. 

Meet the Guest:

Justin Riley is the President of UpFrog and Noah Carter is the Head of Operations at UpFrog.

Links to content here: 

Connect with Noah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-carter-97514b151

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justintriley 

Tune in to hear the latest and greatest in business services trends on Service Business Mastery on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and our website.  

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Service Business Mastery in your favorite podcast play

Why Understanding Your Financials is The KEY to Profitability with Ruth King

Women tend to bring super powers to the trades and this week’s guest is no different. She’s a trailblazer, a finance expert, an HVAC pro, and she’s here to share her knowledge with you so you can stay profitable and keep enjoying the work you do.

Ruth King is the Channel Manager for HVACChannel.tv and President of Business Ventures Corporation. With 35 years of experience in the contracting industry, Ruth knows what it takes to make a service business succeed. She’s done it all… sales, marketing, finance, technical training, and so much more. 

Join us as we talk with Ruth about how to grow your HVAC company and STAY PROFITABLE!

In this episode we discuss:

• Why it’s vital to track and manage your finances as a service business.
• Game-changing business growth strategies and tips.
• Expert advice on starting your own service business, from setting your prices to understanding your financial statements.

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• This episode is kindly sponsored by Sera (visit their website) and CompanyCam (visit www.companycam.com/SBM for 14 day trial and 50% off your first two months), and UpFrog (visit their website).

• Check out Ruth King’s books
• HVACChannel.tv
• Join the Service Business Mastery Facebook group

Meet the Hosts:

Tersh Blissett is a serial entrepreneur who has created and scaled multiple profitable home service businesses in his small town market. He’s dedicated to giving back to the industry that has provided so much for him and his family. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

Joshua Crouch has been in the home services industry, specifically HVAC, for 8+ years as an Operations Manager, Branch Manager, Territory Sales Manager and Director of Marketing. He’s also the Founder of Relentless Digital, where their focus is dominating your local market online. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

Meet the Guest:

Ruth King is well known as “The Profitability Master.” She is passionate about helping small business owners get profitable and stay profitable. Ruth is a serial entrepreneur, having owned 8 businesses in the past 37+ years. One of her businesses, Business Ventures Corporation, began operations in 1981. Through Business Ventures, she coaches, trains, and helps contractors and others achieve the business growth and goals they want to achieve.

Links to content here: 

Visit her website: https://ruthkinghvac.com 

Email: [email protected]

Check out HVACChannel.tv

Tune in to hear the latest and greatest in business services trends on Service Business Mastery on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and our website.  

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Service Business Mastery in your favorite podcast player.

“Overtime is not tied to an hourly rate, it is tied to the average that they earned over the pay period.” 

— Ian Schotanus

Need help structuring your business or managing your employees?

Look no further. We’re up again with an amazing episode for you!

So, do you have questions about Employee Relations/Management, Employment Law, Benefits Organizations, Compensation Compliance, or OSHA regulations?

This episode offers awesome tips for you, thanks to the HR Guy we have on our show!

Ian Schotanus is an HR & Safety Compliance Business Partner specializing in the HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, and Roofing Industries. He is the owner and Lead Consultant at The Big Picture Consulting, a firm that specializes in providing business owners like you with vital Human Resources and safety-related information, resources, and answers, so you can make the right decisions for your company. Their unique experience working with residential service providers means they can provide guidance and expertise that you just won't find anywhere else.

So, come join Tersh Blissett and his co-host Josh Crouch as they talk with Ian Schotanus HR, employee management, compensation structures, and much more. Learn the secrets to growing a profitable, thriving, and ever-expanding company from this episode.

(Ian Schotanus is the Owner and Lead Consultant for The Big Picture Consulting. As a US Navy veteran with 2 Business Degrees, having worked in the retail/service field as both Sales and Technician, and over a decade’s worth of experience as a National Level HR & Safety Compliance consultant, he has a well-established knowledge base specifically geared to assist Residential and Commercial Service Providers. He has personally assisted hundreds of companies to prevent or minimize financial damage caused by employee lawsuits, OSHA investigations, Wage and Hour Division audits, and more!)

Want tips on how to overcome the challenges you'll face as a tradesperson? Do Not Miss This Episode. You'll love this podcast. 

In this episode we discuss:

• The biggest HR mistakes businesses are making in 2022.
• How to choose your pay structure and calculate compensation, including overtime.
• What you need to know when navigating termination and unemployment.

Breaking Down Your 3 Main Options for Compensation Plans

“In general, you have 3 main options for compensation plans, and there are a million variances… straight hourly, straight commission or piece rate incentive pay, or a combination of the both,” says Ian Schotanus [27:13-27:34] 

How to Calculate Overtime Rates and SPIFFs

“If you’re paying SPIFFs, commissions… for jobs done on the clock, regardless if you’re paying hourly, that is their wages for the pay period. Overtime is not tied to an hourly rate, it is tied to the average that they earned over the pay period,” says Ian [54:00-57:26]

Ian Schotanus recently joined Service Business Mastery Podcast and here are some highlights of the podcast:

• Ian Shares Navigating Compensation Plans and Pay Structures
• 3 main options you have for compensation plans
• The biggest mistakes home service businesses make with pay structures
• How to choose your pay structure and calculate compensation, including overtime.
• He discusses the biggest HR mistakes businesses are making in 2022.
• The show talks about what you need to know when navigating termination and unemployment.
• At-Will vs. For-Cause 
• Legality and ethics of terminating employees

• This episode is kindly sponsored by Sera, and CompanyCam for a 14-day trial and 50% off your first two months). and UpFrog 

• Learn more about The Big Picture Consulting
• Connect with Ian Schotanus on Linkedin.
• Join the Service Business Mastery Facebook group.
• Email us at [email protected]
• Learn all about the Hosts of Service Business Mastery!

• Join the Service Business Mastery Facebook group.

Listen to this podcast for insightful business advice. What are you waiting for? Tune into this fun episode for a quick boost to success.

Tune in to hear the latest and greatest in business services trends on Service Business Mastery on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and our website.  

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Service Business Mastery in your favorite podcast player.

Do you have a business that provides a memorable experience for your customers? Do you have a marketing plan that will help you reach your goals? If so, this is the episode for you! In this episode, Tersh welcomes Weldon Long to discuss the importance of creating a successful service business and how to create a memorable experience for your customers. They also discuss how to create a marketing plan that will help you reach your goals. Tune in to learn valuable advice for aspiring business owners!

Bestselling author, entrepreneur, and mindset expert Weldon Long built his business from the ground up, but his story doesn’t reflect the typical path of the average business owner you would expect to hear. In 2003, Weldon walked out of a homeless shelter after serving 13 years in prison. A 9th-grade dropout and three-time convicted felon, he found himself broke and unable to gain employment. Despite his bleak history, in five short years, he had built a company that was selected by Inc Magazine as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America.

[00:01 - 04:29] Opening Segment

• Welcoming Weldon Long to the show
• Brief background and career

[04:29 - 11:42] Taking the Leap from Business to Becoming an Owner

• Weldon shares how he started his business 
• Does it get boring once everything starts running smoothly?
• Do you have to be a good reader to be successful?

[11:43 - 16:46] Closing Segment

• See the links below to connect with Weldon
• Final words

Quotes:

“In essence, life is a reflection of how you can deal with bullshit.” - Weldon Long

Connect with Weldon by visiting www.WeldonLong.com. Check out Weldon’s books, The Power of Consistency, The Upside of Fear, and Consistency Selling. 

This Show Gives You the Top Tips for Business Owners From a Top-Rated Business Consultant (The Biggest Mistake Trades Companies Make)

“I’ll get them to where they want to go but it’s their attitude that’s either gonna help them or hold them back.”  - Brian Grainger

Running a service business, whether you’ve been doing it for 1 week or 10 years, is challenging, isn’t it?

So, oftentimes, business owners need guidance so that they can grow and scale! It’s vitally important that you recognize when you need help and have the confidence to ask for it.

Brian Grainger founder of Bear Fruit Consulting is here on another fantastic episode of service business mastery, to teach us how to achieve success in every part of our business.

Brian understands how customized training for Business Owners, Managers, Call Centers, Technicians, Out Bounders & Sales People helps business owners to see immediate results within their company and employees.

This is especially important when it comes to the “slow season” for our service business. He has worked with a dozen or so businesses and is going to share experience stories and advice. 

Ready to become a more effective leader, overcome organizational challenges, and empower your team to achieve their biggest goals? 

Join Tersh Blissett and Joshua Crouch as they talk with Brian about how to grow and achieve success in every part of your business (especially sales), even during the “slow season”.

This episode talks about:

• What it’s like to work with an HVAC business consultant & The benefits of hiring a one
• Overcoming organizational challenges & Becoming an effective leader
• How to train and empower your technicians to become high-performing salespeople

Get ready, this is going to be a good one! 

(Brian Grainger is the President and Founder of Bear Fruit Consulting Co. Bear Fruit Consulting is passionate about helping others achieve success in every part of their business. They work with clients every day to make profound breakthroughs that have been immensely impactful on their organizations. Putting everything they have into every training, Bear Fruit Consulting doesn’t rest until the client’s expectations are exceeded. Watch your stress go down and your profit goes up.)

Brian talks about at what size should a company hire a sales/business consultant

[15:42-16:54] ”I would say as early as starting your business off from the beginning… There’s no real sweet spot…,” says Brian Grainger

Brian shares, the #1 Most Important Part of Building a Million-Dollar HVAC Company

[21:14-23:25] “When I’m with a technician, the process is #1 most important… It’s a process they have to follow. The reason that most of these companies are growing several million dollars a year, that I’m working with, it’s because they’re learning the process,” says Brian Grainger

How long should they be on the job before they start taking pictures? 

[00:26:00] “Service techs… they really should be having a conversation with the homeowner for at least 20 minutes before they’re down in the basement because how do you build rapport, ask questions, find out what’s going on, and really know what the customer’s looking for if you go right down to the basement and start looking at the furnace?,” says Brian Grainger

Brian further talks about the why financial startegies is important and how to go about it.

[00:33:00]“I like to go through financials a couple of times during the month just so I know where I’m at and if I have to make changes, I can make changes now versus waiting ‘til the end of the month, and then it’s like, crap I lost money this month,” shares Brian Grainger

• What it’s like to work with an HVAC business consultant
• Becoming an effective leader
• The power of the process
• How Brian models leadership and effective sales training
• Empowering your team to achieve goals and connect with customers
• How to overcome organizational challenges in your business

• This episode is kindly sponsored by Sera, Podium, and CompanyCam for a 14-day trial and 50% off your first two months). and UpFrog 

• Learn more about Bear Fruit Consulting Co.

• Connect with Brian Grainger on Linkedin
• Email to [email protected]

• Join the Service Business Mastery Facebook group.

• Email us at [email protected]
• Learn all about the Hosts of Service Business Mastery!

Meet the Hosts:

(Tersh Blissett is a serial entrepreneur who has created and scaled multiple profitable home service businesses in his small-town market. He’s dedicated to giving back to the industry that has provided so much for him and his family. Connect with him on LinkedIn.)

(Joshua Crouch has been in the home services industry, specifically HVAC, for 8+ years as an Operations Manager, Branch Manager, Territory Sales Manager, and Director of Marketing. He’s also the Founder of Relentless Digital, where his focus is on dominating your local market online. Connect with him on LinkedIn.)

Listen to this podcast right away and achieve your dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur!

Tune in to hear the latest and greatest in business services trends on Service Business Mastery on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and our website.  

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Service Business Mastery in your favorite podcast player.

Personal Growth Strategies That IMPACT Business Growth with Ray Higdon

Join Tersh Blissett and his co-host Josh Crouch as they talk about mental blocks and working on your mental game as a business owner with Ray Higdon. Tersh met Ray at a conference earlier this year, and everything Ray mentioned hit home with Tersh, so he invited Ray to come on the podcast. You don't want to miss this episode!

Tune in as they sit with an amazing coach, a leader with professional passion who shares tips about how to think positively even in difficult situations. Let his nuggets of wisdom goals guide you in owning a thriving, profitable, and ever-growing business.

(Ray is the owner of the Higdon Group and is passionate about helping entrepreneurs, high achievers, and network marketers not only reach their highest potential but equipping them at every level with the knowledge needed to succeed. The Higdon Group stands apart from other companies given their continued dedication to delivering daily live content in a private membership-based community called Rank Makers. Rank Makers gives professionals a place for community and support and they are guided daily with live training by Ray Higdon and the help of his team members.

Ray Higdon is a two-time best-selling author, coach, high-energy speaker, and philanthropist. Going from foreclosure to multimillion-dollar success in a few short years, Ray’s journey to excellence has been fueled by an unrelenting passion for teaching people how to find their voice and understand their worth.

Moreover, he also hosts the Home Business Profits with Ray Higdon podcast.)

Are you looking for valuable business advice to reach that seven-figure revenue mark? Do you want actionable tips to properly navigate through every business challenge you encounter as a tradesperson along the way? Then this podcast is definitely for you. 

In this episode we discuss:

• Paradigm and mindset shifts business owners need to achieve greater success.
• Why it’s so important to process your emotions as an entrepreneur in the trades.
• Tips and strategies for increasing personal growth AND business growth.

Processing Your Emotions Makes You a Better Business Owner

[00:10:30] ”At the end result of any experience is an emotion… Most people, they relive that on almost a daily basis… How would I show up in the world? How would I talk to other people? I would not trust people,” says Ray Higdon.

As a business owner, you must have a positive outlook on life. People are frequently frustrated or irritated by events that occurred several years ago. Ray believes, that you must understand the importance of emotions in order to not just grow as a business owner but also become a better person.

To prevent your professional and personal life from being impacted, he discusses how to deal with negative thoughts as a business owner.

[00:12:00] Ray discusses how Dr. Joe Dispenza inspired him and how he learned to overcome his negative thoughts by replacing them with positive ones.

He emphasizes overcoming the negative experiences of your experience by confronting your thoughts. He believes that “ the person that wronged you years ago doesn't even remember doing it so let it go.”

How to Model Personal Growth for Your Employees

[30:34-32:36] On asked where we go to help team members learn more about themselves. Ray answers, “ First, it’s you being the example… How can I start showing up in a way where others ask me, what are you doing differently?” 

It is easy for negativity to affect people, especially at work, so if you want to develop a positive work ethic do listen to this episode. We’re sure you’ll love it.

Ray Higdon recently joined Service Business Mastery Podcast and here are some highlights of the podcast:

• How to cultivate a healthy, productive, positive mindset as a business owner
• Tips and strategies for increasing personal growth AND business growth.
• The power of setting intentions
• How not to project your insecurities or past traumas onto your business
• Showing up as an example of self-awareness and personal growth
• Why it’s so important to process your emotions as an entrepreneur in the trades.
• How to best communicate and take accountability for emotion-driven mistakes you’ve made.
• Ray shares tips on finding the balance between work, life, and family that will help you regain it if you have previously had it, but have lost it.
• From foreclosure to multimillion-dollar success in just a few short years, Ray Higdon is a best-selling author, coach, speaker, and philanthropist. His journey to excellence has been fueled by a relentless desire to teach people how to understand their worth and find their voice.

• Learn more about The Higdon Group.

• Connect with Ray Higdon. 

• Subscribe to Ray Higdon’s  YouTube channel.

• To check out more fun and valuable video do not forget to follow our YouTube Channel.

• Email us at [email protected]

• Learn all about the Hosts of Service Business Mastery!

Listen to this podcast and get equipped with essential business advice from this impactful conversation. So, what’re you waiting for? Tune into this episode right away and get one step closer to becoming the successful owner of your dreams.

Subscribe to Service Business Mastery on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you get podcasts to hear more such fascinating and insightful stories.