Titans of the Trades | Straight-Talk for Scaling Your Construction Business

If you’ve ever lost a bid, missed a spec, or wished you could clone your best estimator, this episode is for you. In this episode of Titans of the Trades , host Ryan Englin interviews Patrick E. Murphy, Founder & CEO at Togal. AI. Raised in one of Florida’s largest construction companies and a former U.S. Congressman, Patrick brings a fresh perspective to construction’s most persistent challen...

Owner–operator Cory Byron of Vancity Electric shares how a small electrical contractor can grow to a highly systemized $2M business without chaos. We cover building a tech stack that fits the trades, creating checklists that people actually use, making culture a system, using Jobber to close cracks, and knowing when to hire experts for SEO, bookkeeping, and AI automations.  Cory also explains why...

2025 was a year of big changes, and bigger breakthroughs, for the trades. In this special end-of-year episode of Titans of the Trades , host Ryan Englin reflects on the milestones, from launching the Choice Framework to redefining what it means to be an employer of choice . Ryan shares honest lessons learned, a powerful look at disengagement and its hidden cost to your business, and a vision for 2...

What does it take to scale a business from $3 million to $75 million? And what lessons can construction leaders take from that journey? In this episode of Titans of the Trades , Ryan Englin sits down with Eric Watkins, President of Abstrakt Marketing. Eric started as an unpaid intern and climbed his way to the top, helping lead massive growth along the way. Together, Ryan and Eric dive into why re...

In this episode of Titans of the Trades , host Ryan Englin sits down with Lauren Furtado, the Founder and CEO of Unconventional CFO , who’s spent decades in big‑box accounting firms and now works one‑on‑one with construction and trade contractors.  Lauren translates complex financial concepts into actionable steps, helping business leaders go from overwhelmed to empowered. If you’ve ever avoided y...

MEP and construction leaders are scrambling to train and retain HVAC techs, while customers expect faster, clearer service. In this episode, Ryan Englin sits down with Lee Bridges, VP of Product Management at XOi Technologies , to unpack how real jobsite data, AI-powered workflows, and human-first leadership are changing the game for HVAC technician training and field service profitability. You’ll...

Many entrepreneurs build a successful business only to realize one day they’re stuck asking: What’s next? In this episode of Titans of the Trades , host Ryan Englin welcomes back Greg Hayne, Owner of the Hayne Coaching Group and creator of the What’s Next program. Greg works with business owners, especially in construction and roofing, who have achieved financial success but are struggling to find...

The roofing industry is changing fast and the companies that thrive will be the ones that adapt. In this episode of Titans of the Trades , host Ryan Englin sits down with Melvyn Scofield , better known as Your Iowa Roofing Guy . From his years in manufacturing with IKO to educating with the Maintenance Academy, Melvyn has a no-nonsense approach to teaching property managers, roofers, and homeowner...

Finding top sales talent in construction feels impossible. The best salespeople are already crushing quotas. They’re not on job boards. In this episode of Titans of the Trades , host Ryan Englin talks with Ryan Hogan , Co-Founder and CEO of Talent Harbor . Ryan shares how his journey from Navy service to scaling multimillion-dollar ventures shaped his innovative approach to sales recruiting . You’...

Are you tired of being stuck in the field, juggling sales calls, project management, and even picking up some tools when no one else shows up? In this episode of Titans of the Trades , host Ryan Englin sits down with Branden Sewell , Owner of Seal Pro Painting and host of the Off the Ladder Podcast . Branden never started as a painter, yet built a thriving painting business by learning how to run...

In this episode of Titans of the Trades , host Ryan Englin sits down with Denise Grothouse, Founder and CEO of Perfect Six Marketing and a seasoned entrepreneur who built a multimillion-dollar brand in the trades before launching her agency. Denise knows how contractors think, because she’s been one. She shares real-world marketing strategies tailored to construction businesses, including how to l...

In this episode of Titans of the Trades , Ryan Englin welcomes Mike Abramowitz, Co-Founder of Better Than Rich and creator of the Time-Rich Six framework. Mike grew up watching his dad, a lifelong plumber, grind it out six days a week, and knew there had to be a better way. Now, Mike helps contractors and owner-operators build scalable systems so they can stop working in the business and start wor...

How much knowledge is walking out your door every year? In this Titans of the Trades episode, Ryan Englin sits down with Manja Horner, Founder and CEO of Boost, to tackle one of the most urgent problems in construction: capturing tribal knowledge before it disappears. Manja explains how decades of tips, tricks, and hard‑earned craft insights often vanish when veteran workers retire. She shares a f...

What happens when a private equity buyer enters the picture, but you’re not ready to let go? In this powerful episode, Ryan Englin welcomes Jeremiah Webb, a blue collar business expert with a background that spans HVAC, financial services, and manufacturer-side leadership.  Jeremiah shares hard truths and game-changing strategies for trades business owners caught in the chaos of growth, succession...

In this episode of Titans of the Trades , Ryan Englin sits down with James Hatfield, Chief Revenue Officer at LiveSwitch and former painting company owner turned tech innovator. James brings his real-world experience from the ladder to the leadership boardroom to tackle one of the biggest issues in the construction industry: communication breakdowns. He introduces a powerful, no-training-required...

Join us for this empowering episode as we talk with Brenna Moore, a dynamic Heavy Equipment Operator and Foreman who is breaking barriers in the construction industry. Brenna shares her journey from apprentice to industry influencer and highlights her work with programs like Camp Build Her and the National Equipment League.  She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, mentorship, and the endles...

Struggling to find good people or keep them? You’re not alone. In this follow-up episode, Ryan Englin sits down again with Michael Katz and David Katz of Trio Heating and Air to reveal the people-first strategies that helped them grow to $10M in just a few years. This episode is a goldmine for blue collar leaders in construction and home services looking to attract, recruit, and retain top talent....

Can you succeed in the HVAC industry without any experience? Brothers Michael Katz and David Katz did just that; scaling their company, Trio Heating and Air, from zero to over $10 million in revenue in just two years. In today’s episode, these innovative entrepreneurs share their remarkable journey, highlighting key strategies that can supercharge your growth, profitability, and market presence. L...

In this episode of Titans of the Trades , host Ryan Englin talks with Josh Vitale , Founder of Project BUILT , about the unseen struggles facing the construction workforce. Josh shares staggering statistics on mental health challenges, the alarming suicide and opioid rates in the trades, and how leaders can step up to make a difference. You’ll hear actionable ideas on fostering connection, healing...

Is your construction or service business drowning in software solutions that promised efficiency but delivered overwhelm? Jenny Benbrook, CEO and Founder of Powerhouse Consulting Group, joins the podcast to reveal how to finally make your technology work for you, not against you. In this powerful conversation, Jenny shares insider insights on overcoming common pitfalls contractors face when adopti...

Are office inefficiencies holding back your construction or service business? Today’s guest, Lynn Wise from Contractor In Charge, reveals why most contractors lose valuable leads and struggle with productivity. From understanding the true cost of mismanaged phone calls to strategically using AI for your front-office tasks, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to streamline your operat...

Michael Carey Jr., President of Carey Electric, shares his journey from high school apprentice to owner of a thriving design-build electrical firm.  In this episode, Michael and Ryan explore how technology, standardization, and a commitment to education are reshaping construction jobs for the next generation. Learn why Carey Electric’s approach to training and design-build projects sets them apart...

In this episode of Titans of the Trades , Ryan Englin sits down with Danielle Putnam, President of The New Flat Rate, to break down how construction and home service contractors can boost revenue and retention by doing less. That’s right. Less. Danielle shares how giving technicians the power of choice through menu pricing not only increases average tickets but also reduces burnout, improves custo...

What if recruiting for your construction business was as strategic as landing your next big client? In this episode of Titans of the Trades , host Ryan Englin sits down with seasoned business coach John Nieuwenburg of W5 Coaching. Together, they dive into one of the most overlooked but critical strategies in blue collar leadership: treating recruiting like marketing. John brings two decades of coa...

What if the biggest fix for your workforce shortage wasn’t another hire, but a training academy you built in-house? In this episode of Titans of the Trades: Stories of How to Win from Construction Powerhouses, Ryan Englin talks with Danielle Wernert, Owner of Upskilled Consulting and a leader in trades education, about how home service contractors can develop their own internal universities, even...