The Kee To Growth

In this episode of The Kee to Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with powerhouse husband and wife duo Karen and JC Hite. Both are recognized as leading mentors in the home services and marketing agency space, but their reach extends far beyond just marketing—think business education, stable scaling, mindset, and true relational growth. Jen shares how Karen and JC have influenced her own entr...

In this insightful episode of The Kee To Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Mandeep Bhalla, founder and CEO of Grow Nearby and Grow Reviews, and host of the Bond for the Trades podcast. Together, they peel back the curtain on what's really working in home services marketing, exploring both the tried-and-true fundamentals and the emerging shifts that are reshaping digital marketing and b...

In this episode of The Kee To Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Jackie Sorensen—third-generation owner of an 80-year-old HVAC company and the powerhouse behind the "Jackie H Vaci" brand. Jackie opens up about her journey from fresh-out-of-school tech to owner, including what it was like to carry her family's legacy while making it her own. She and Jen discuss the very real challenges o...

In this episode of The Kee To Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Carol Longacre, Director of Affiliate Relations at Service Nation, for an insightful conversation that digs deep into the real world of business growth, leadership, and the power of connection in the trades. Carol shares the journey from building her own family remodeling company to supporting thousands of contractors thro...

On this episode of "The Kee To Growth Podcast," Jen McKee chats live from Orlando at the EGIA Epic conference with Dustin Van Orman, a cornerstone leader at Any Hour Services and a champion of service business growth and leadership in the trades. Dustin walks us through his unique trajectory from being an HVAC tech running service calls to overseeing game-changing company tours and leading mergers...

In this episode of The Kee To Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Chris Vance, Executive Marketing Coach at Certain Path. Chris shares not just his best practices for trades marketing, but also the real-life challenges and breakthroughs he's seen working closely with hundreds of contractors in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and roofing across the US and Canada. Jen and Chris dig into what i...

In this episode of The Kee To Growth Podcast, Jen McKee sits down with Colleen Keyworth, one of the most well-known voices in the HVAC industry. As VP of Sales and Marketing at Online Access, Colleen brings a dynamic background rooted in a 65-year-old family business and has built her career championing women, building strong networks, and advancing the field of contractor marketing. Her story is...

In this episode of The Kee to Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Ryan Chute, partner at Wizard of Ads and a seasoned strategist in the home services industry. Jen and Ryan dive into the art and science behind building brands that not only get noticed but become unforgettable household names—brands that weave themselves into the culture and conversations of their communities. Ryan shares...

This week on the Kee To Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee welcomes Sarah Ghirardo—a dynamic force in home services marketing, content, and community-building—to unpack the evolving landscape of trades marketing, automation, and sustainable growth. Sarah's journey from Director of Marketing at a multimillion-dollar HVAC business to Director of Product Content at ServiceTitan, and co-host of the Tradem...

In this episode of The Kee to Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Mehdi Khachani, CEO and founder of Sunny Bliss, to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to scale in the home services industry. The episode kicks off with Mehdi's story of spinning a plumbing division out of his residential remodeling company and boldly rebranding and expanding the business in under a year. Jen an...

In this episode of The Kee To Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Chuck Worley for an inspiring, no-nonsense conversation about building a business rooted in personal branding, community, and character. Chuck shares his remarkable journey from growing up in a military town and struggling with school challenges, to breaking through industry stereotypes and scaling Whirley's from a small,...

In this episode of the Kee to Growth podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Jennifer Bagley, CEO of CI Web Group, for a fascinating deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of digital marketing, AI-enabled websites, and the ongoing digital transformation in the home services trades industry. Jennifer shares her journey from a background in global supply chain and enterprise systems to becoming a...

In this episode of The Kee To Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Lawrence DeHart, founder and owner of De Hart Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling in Manhattan, Kansas. Lawrence shares his journey of building a thriving home services business from the ground up against all odds, starting with nothing but determination, a $20 box of business cards, and a focus on relationship building. The co...

In this episode of The Kee To Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Gregg Schonhorn of SF&P Advisors for a refreshingly candid conversation about marketing, branding, and what truly drives the value of a home services business. Gregg, who brings decades of Wall Street experience and a current role matching sellers and buyers in the trades, shares firsthand insights into what makes some com...

In this episode of The Kee To Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Sandy Papavero, Director of Sales and Marketing at CEO Warrior, to unpack the often-overlooked connection between mindset and marketing success for business owners in the trades. The conversation starts with Sandy's unique journey flipping houses alongside her dad, navigating both blue-collar grit and white-collar strategy...

In this episode of the Kee to Growth podcast, host Jen McKee, founder of Kee Hart Marketing, sits down with Ryan Fenn, CEO and founder of Chiirp, an automation tool built to help home service businesses convert more leads into booked jobs. Ryan shares the origin story behind Chiirp, which began with his own windshield repair business and a realization about the power of immediate text follow-ups t...

In this episode of the Kee to Growth podcast, host Jen McKee, founder of Kee Hart Marketing, sits down with Ashley Lynds, the creative mind behind HVAC Ash and current Director of Education and Brand Management at Viper (Refrigeration Technologies). Together, they dive deep into the intersection of B2B marketing, personal branding, and influencer strategies within the trades, specifically looking...

Welcome to the latest episode of Kee to Growth Podcast with your host, Jen McKee. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of home services marketing with our special guest, Tim Brown, CEO and founder of Hook Agency. With a wealth of experience in marketing for the trades, Tim shares his journey from roofing marketing to expanding into HVAC and plumbing, and the strategic insights he gained al...

In this episode of the Kee to Growth podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Matthew Abbott, cofounder of Abbott Family Insurance, to dive into the world of internal marketing in the trades and how offering employee benefits can transform recruitment, retention, and company culture. Matthew shares his unique journey from growing up in a blue-collar, trades family, serving in the military, and risin...

In this episode of the Kee to Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Carrie Kelsch, founder of A Plus Garage Doors, to delve into Carrie's entrepreneurial journey. As a single mother and mortgage broker, Carrie transitioned into the garage door industry by founding her own company in 2005. From the challenges of starting from scratch to the exciting growth her business has experienced, Carr...

In this exciting episode of the Kee to Growth podcast, host Jen McKee welcomes Rachel Pedersen, a renowned social media queen known for her brilliant marketing strategies. Jen dives into her personal journey with Rachel, describing how Rachel's content on TikTok became a pivotal inspiration and learning source. Rachel Pedersen, a Minnesota-based mom and wife, shares insights into her multi-million...

In this episode of the Kee to Growth podcast, Jen McKee hosts Dennis the Apprentice, who shares his journey from owning a plumbing and heating company in Seattle to becoming a prominent figure in the trades industry through innovative marketing strategies. Dennis, with his extensive experience, discusses how he transitioned from traditional marketing methods like the Yellow Pages to embracing the...

In this episode of the Kee to Growth podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Kimberly Kean, also known as the Margin Creator. Kimberly shares her journey from owning family businesses, Jean Johnson Plumbing and Heating and a Zoom Drain franchise, to now focusing on coaching other business owners. With her extensive experience in scaling businesses to seven and eight figures, Kimberly offers valuabl...

In this episode of the Kee to Growth podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Josh Crouch, CEO and founder of Relentless Digital, a digital marketing company specializing in the trades, including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services. Josh shares his journey from working in the HVAC industry to starting his own digital marketing agency, emphasizing the importance of understanding SEO and utilizing...

In this episode of the Kee to Growth podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Michael James Johnson, the owner of AC Man in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Michael shares his journey from serving in the United States Air Force to becoming a successful HVAC business owner. He emphasizes the importance of community involvement and explains how leveraging social media has contributed significantly to his...