Spectora Spotlight with Carla Heatherly

How to Grow a Stronger Inspection Business in 2026 — with Mark Hummel Running an inspection business can feel busy without always feeling better. In this episode of Spectora Spotlight, host Carla Heatherly sits down with Mark Hummel of Inspection Empire Builder to talk about what actually helps inspection businesses grow — sustainably, strategically, and without burning out. Mark brings more than...

Don’t Do That! How Inspector Brent Fletcher Built His Business & 500K Followers Brent Fletcher didn’t plan on becoming a home inspector—until one inspection changed everything. Five years later, he’s built a thriving business in Colorado and grown an audience of more than 500K across social media with his viral “Don’t Do That!” posts. In this episode of Spectora Spotlight, Brent shares the hig...

🎙️ Guest: Lauren Hughes, Lighted Way Home Inspections (Hillsboro, TX)   🚀 Want more clients without working harder? Lauren shares how she built a trusted brand just by showing the extras she already does every day—no extra effort required. From simple posts to smart use of AI tools, Lauren breaks down exactly how inspectors can: Create social content people actually want to see Mix education with...

Want more referrals without extra marketing spend? Inspectors win clients by doing the little gestures that people remember. In this episode, Lauren Hughes from Lighted Way Home Inspections sshares how small, thoughtful gestures can lead to more referrals, stronger agent relationships, and happier clients. These “extras” don’t take much time, but they deliver big results. We cover: Why small gestu...

Ep. 140: AI in Home Inspections, Part 2 Guest: Chris Skinner, Silk Inspections (Fayetteville, NC) Let’s get nerdy! In Part 2, Chris Skinner shares how he’s gone beyond the basics to train custom GPTs, communicate faster with agents, and use AI to unlock serious focus in the field.  We dig into: How to use AI when you’re not the owner The real potential of custom GPTs Communication hacks for agents...

AI isn’t coming for your job—but it is here to help you work smarter. In this episode, Chris Skinner from Silk Inspections breaks down the automation and AI tools he’s using to save time, reduce mental load, and bring more consistency to his business. We get into: Why he started automating—and what he’d never go back to The tools that have made the biggest difference How he’s using AI tools like C...

Join new host Carla Heatherly as she talks with inspectors and industry pros about growth, real-world strategies, and what’s next for the modern home inspector.

Yon and Brian grew up less than a mile apart. They played on the same sports teams as kids. Now, although they live across the country, they're both home inspectors. And they learn from each other every day. In this episode, we get into: - Growing a YouTube channel and why client education is so important - Building home maintenance plans for clients post-inspection - The difference between inspec...

Thomas is BACK by popular demand. In the episode, we get into: - Why collaboration is the key to leveling up the industry - Raising your prices and adding/communicating value - Taking ownership of issues clients run into vs learning when to say no this just isn’t our problem/fault - Navigating contractor relationships, insurance woes, and how to give recommendations without being the upgrade polic...

Matt is a beacon of wisdom in this industry. This episode is a must-listen for any inspector thinking about becoming a business owner...or thinking about selling, for that matter. We get into: - How Matt went from company employee to company owner - Commitment and consistency over hustle culture - The future of mergers & acquisitions in the inspection industry - Why you need to KYN (Know Your...

We're lucky to have not only an incredibly successful real estate broker, but a CEO, best-selling author, coach & keynote speaker on Spectora Spotlight. Leigh Brown is a straight shooter and an advocate for serving customers and improving the real estate industry in any way we can. Leigh and Kevin have a free flowing conversation around the NAR lawsuit and settlement and what it could mean for...

If you don't know Bill, you should. He and his team are some of the kindest, hard-working folks you'll come across. We've been fortunate enough to know them since the beginning of Spectora. Bill & team discuss: - Starting a sole proprietorship with a spouse - The importance of starting with two - Values and excellence - Quality software - Growing your vision as you grow - Hiring & team ins...

Jeremy Smith talks to Kevin about his unique co-op model of growing regionally, and possibly nationally. They also get into his unique backstory, how he extends value beyond the home inspection, and why this industry is perfect for lifestyle and balancing with family life. Get in touch with Jeremy! jeremy@apexpropertyinspection.com http://www.apexpropertyinspection.com/laramie    Interested in Spe...

Chuck is an absolute pleasure to talk to, and a wealth of knowledge in this industry. We get into specifics of bringing services in-house, being a consultant for life, how to handle downturns and agent relationships. Connect with Chuck at his email and website: info@realsvs.com http://www.realinspectionservices.com    Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today:  https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0...

Dylan and Kevin get into Dylan's backstory and many other topics: Marketing Differentiation What hasn't worked How HomeAdvisor/ANGI actually worked for him Leveraging tech for efficiency Iterative approach Email Dylan or hit him up at his website: dmorgan@propertydocinspections.com https://www.propertydocinspections.com    Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today:  https://hubl.li/Q02nf...

This one had something for every inspector stage! Kevin and Mike get into: Going from full-time to part-time and still growing Background as a firefighter and cop Agent acquisition story Weird market dynamics in New York Partnering with moving companies to help clients Using Actions for more upsells Productizing annual maintenance inspections Google Guarantee is pretty great actually Battling impo...

Bailey McHugh of SWELL Home Inspections gets nearly 90% of her referrals from Instagram. In this Spectora Spotlight interview, Bailey and Kevin break down how. They also dive into: What to say when you slide into those DMs How to get your posts in front of hundreds of agents Overcoming the fear of putting yourself out there Why automation and consistency are game changers Bailey's journey from bei...

Do you offer a home energy assessment as part of your inspection? Shannon Bloemker makes a great case for why you should.   Shannon is the founder and CEO of Energy Raven, a home energy assessment that helps homebuyers see how the home uses energy and where they can save. She and Kevin get into: Home energy assessments New tax rebates and why they matter How little a home inspection costs relative...

David Van Vurst has a pretty cool story to get here. He shares his story of owning a Skyzone up until Covid and how he met his first set of agents with creativity! They also get into: Using QR codes Realities of year 1 income as a home inspector Helping seniors Using strategies agents can RELATE to Social media usage You can connect with David through his website - https://www.phoenixresolutions.c...

Shante is a Spectora OG. Not only because she's known us since the beginning, it's because she is one of the most kind, fun, intelligent people you'll find in this industry. And she's just getting started. Kevin and Shante cover so much: How she got involved in the business COVID growth story Balancing being a mom and working Hiring a VA Social media Hiring a growth coordinator Downsizing Being a...

Ryan is leading the youth movement in home inspections! You can tell from his refreshing approach to meeting agents, to recommending contractors - he's the future of this business. Kevin and Ryan get into:   His story from college to home inspections Homeowner education is 100% the future User experience for homebuyers Recommending contractors Sliding into those DMs Wish list items for Spectora Hi...

Randy is a Spectora OG. Customer #7 we believe! Kevin finally gets him on the pod to chat about: - Working with a spouse - IEB & the important of vision - Management styles - NAR Suit and what you can do - How to handle price shoppers You can find Randy at his website - https://www.lamberthomeinspections.com/ or on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LambertHomeInspections/ or on Instagram whe...

Michael and Kevin have a great conversation looking back at COVID and Michael's come up story, how he's approaching the current environment, using Spectora to finish reports on-site, AI and more! You can reach Michael at his beautiful website - https://www.nplhomeinspections.com/ or at michael@nplhomeinspections.com   Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0  ...

After talking in Vegas at the ASHI conference, Jameson and Kevin finally made the podcast happen! They get into the value of associations, conferences and business ownership.   Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0  Bundle a year of the app with a custom website:  https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0  Growing your business? We got your back. Check out our business too...

Episode #121 - We say one of Spectora's most important values is communication? Well we're getting back to more of it! Mike and Kevin give an update on Spectora's MVVC, as well as what we're thinking about and focused on as a company as we head into 2024. Have an opinion on the events Mike referenced at the end of the clip? Let us know if you'd attend in the comments!   Interested in Spectora? Sta...