Blue Collar Nation

Join this insightful conversation with Eric and Larry as they discuss how home service businesses can maximize each service call's effectiveness by prioritizing technician training and soft skills, especially during a tightening economy. Key Takeaways: Every Call Counts: Each service call is your opportunity to secure a lifetime client, not just a one-time job. Soft Skills are Critical: Conne...

Most service company owners spend an inordinate amount of time working on and worrying about client experience....as they should. However, do they put the same amount of effort into creating an amazing work experience for their team? Larry and Eric discuss this topic on today's podcast. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system of sho...

Matt Michel joins Eric and Larry to talk about the future of the HVAC industry for the next 10 years. We tackle topics such as how tariffs will affect HVAC sales, the importance of soft skills to grow a great service company, and how the smaller companies can effectively compete with the big players in their markets. This is an episode that should not be missed, regardless of which vertical you ar...

In this episode, we sit down with Mandy Rewis , Director of Business Development and Strategy at JOC Analytics , to explore how business intelligence tools are revolutionizing the restoration and trades industries . Mandy shares how JOC Analytics pulls data from CRMs and job management software to create real-time, customizable dashboards that eliminate manual reporting and provide actionable insi...

In this weeks episode, Larry and Eric sit down to discuss the positives and negatives that come with running a business at a certain age and how to stay on the cutting edge of new business practices. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and te...

It is a never ending struggle in the restoration industry to get paid what we are worth, for all the work we have done, and in a timely manner. This week Eric and Larry sit down with Becca Dopher of SFY, Service For You , to talk about what contractors can do to help them get paid in full for the work they have performed. SFY is a leading estimate and supplement solution, offering quick and accura...

In this episode, we sat down with John Monroe of Violand Management to talk about their new V-Street educational platform—an essential resource hub designed specifically for service business owners. V-Street consolidates over 750 documents, training videos, and management tools into one user-friendly platform, empowering businesses to streamline operations and boost performance. Key highlights inc...

Amy O'Grady, Executive Director of Women in HVACR , joined Eric and Larry to talk about the work she and women in HVACR are doing to help recruit, train, and support women who are getting into the trades. Eric and Larry learn about Amy's vast and diversified employment history and entrance into HVAC as a second-generation HVAC contractor. Contact Amy at director@womeninhvacr.org .  Enjoy...

Many restoration companies are beholden to program work, TPA's and the plumber referral game. 1 Tom Plumber Rocky Hensley sits down with Eric and Larry to educate our listeners on how to make their own water damage leads.  You can reach Rocky at  1 TOM PLUMBER (1-866-758-6237) or email him at Rocky@1tom.com. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performanc...

The Grateful podcast.  Eric and Larry recount all the things that they are grateful for.  They talk about the highlights of the year and their plan for 2025. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft skills, your team can make y...

Building a business from scratch can be difficult. Often, a franchise model can help smooth the growing pains. Join Larry, Eric, and guest host Katie Harris as they talk candidly with Josh Miller, President of Rainbow Restoration , as he explains the ins and outs of the franchise model. Show notes: Why Do I always have to sit next to the farting cat - Dan S Kennedy is currently not  available on A...

Join Eric Sprague and Katie Harris, co-authors of The Road to Seven Figures , as they reveal the blueprint that's helped countless business owners scale to seven figures and beyond. They break down the proven strategies that fuel business growth. If you're ready to transform your business with practical, no-nonsense advice, this podcast is your roadmap to success. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Te...

HR is the last thing on a contractor's mind...until it's the only thing on their mind!   Go talk to any contractor and ask them about human resources. You will likely get a roll of the eyes or a blank stare.  We learn that when HR is ignored, and a BIG problem arises, your company can be lost. Violand Management HR experts Kelley Dolan and Scott Tackett sit down with Eric and Larry to do...

Finding good help has never been harder in the trades. Go hang out with any home service owners, and a topic of conversation is always " I can't find good people!".  Wylander's Kristy Sifford has solutions she shares here.  Eric and Larry sit down with Kristy to talk about what companies need to do to be attractive to top talent, how she helps people in the trades find the peop...

Eric and Larry explain the importance of building a beautiful business. Steve Toburen, a legendary business guru in the service industries, taught about what it takes and what steps need to be made to create a beautiful business. Listen and enjoy Larry and Eric discussing their journey to build a beautiful business. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's perform...

More money is made or lost on the phone than anywhere else in the home services sector. Today, Eric and Larry sit down with service legend Steve Toburen of Home Front Success to discuss the finer points of CSR training. Learn from the best how to make the phone a profit center. Find Steve on Facebook and Instagram . Here is a coupon code to get a 20% discount code for the  How to Convert the, &quo...

Larry and Eric explain why they have been absent and discuss what is new in the world of home services.  TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft skills, your team can make you more profit. Go to https://supertechu.com/ for mor...

It is important to surround yourself with other successful business owners. In this episode Eric and Larry sit down with Sid Graef of the HUGE Convention For Home Services to talk about how being involved in your industry can help take you to the next level.  The HUGE Convention is going to be in Nashville August 22-24 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort.  We have been involved with the HUGE Convention...

As AI increases to impact the home services industry, we now are at a point where AI can answer the phone for you 😲.   Do you think you could do this in your home service company? Charlie Felker, of Free 2 Grow , joins the Blue Collar Nation podcast again to talk about the huge pivot he did in his business to bring AI CSR's to the marketplace. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramaticall...

Today, Larry talks with special guests Nick Englehart and Mike Busher from Service MVP . In this episode, they explore the indispensable role of coaching and training in fostering success within service-oriented businesses. Discover why continuous learning is the cornerstone of excellence in service industries and how Service MVP approaches personalized development plans tailored to each team memb...

Eric and Larry sit down with Super Tech U clients Chris and Kyle Brierly, of Roto Rooter Oklahoma , to talk about how they have built upon their Dad’s foundation to build a successful multi-location plumbing business by focusing on culture, accountability, and data tracking. This is a must listen for any service business owner who wants to learn how grow. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Drama...

Most of us in the home services space are well acquainted with Dan Antonelli's amazing van wraps. What began as Dan's childhood passion, which started in a basement,  grew into the award-winning agency Kickcharge Creative . Kickcharge Creative is now the leading brand creation company in the home services space. Dan has helped over 2,500 individual brands recognize the better side of  bu...

Today Eric and Larry sit down with Ashley Tanner co-owner and COO of Iron Mountain Plumbing in Cedar City, Utah.  Together, they dive into the nitty-gritty of what it takes to start and run a successful plumbing business in today's competitive landscape, and especially the particular hurdles that service businesses face in tight-knit communities like Cedar City.  From building and maintaining...

It's always great to have Tommy Mello on the show.  Tommy Mello is one of the biggest names in the home services space.  As the founder of A1 Garage, Tommy is a wealth of knowledge for all business owners, and he gives a lot of great insights in this episode. Larry and Eric sit down with Tommy and talk about the restoration industry, what new technologies home service companies should be look...

Long time friend of the podcast Joe Crisara of Service MVP , widely known in the trades as Uncle Joe, is the Blue Collar worlds #1 sales trainer and today joins Eric and Larry to discuss his new book What Should We Do?: How to Win Clients, Double Profit & Grow Your Home Service Sales . What Should We Do? is a down-to-earth primer on persuasion, selling, presentation, and closing. Full of boots...