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

What if the labor shortage in construction could be solved by tapping into a powerful, often overlooked workforce? In this episode of Titans of the Trades , Ryan Englin talks with industry leadership expert Dr. Gretchen Gagel, CEO and Founder of Greatness Consulting, about why bringing more women into construction isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s essential for the future of the trades. Dr. G...

Can investing in your employees' personal dreams actually improve performance and company culture? In this powerful episode of Titans of the Trades , Ryan Englin sits down with Collin Jewett, Dream Manager at The Annex Group, to talk about what it really means to care for your people. Collin shares how his role, focused solely on helping employees pursue their personal goals, is transforming...

Is your CRM slowing down your sales team? In this episode of Titans of the Trades , Ryan Englin reconnects with Adam Honig, CEO of Spiro.ai, to explore why traditional CRMs are broken, especially for industries like construction and manufacturing. They dive into how AI is transforming the sales process by capturing tribal knowledge, reducing manual data entry, and making your salespeople more prod...

What if the difference between your best month ever and losing a loyal customer came down to one phone call? In this episode, Ryan sits down with David Powers, a Chief Experience Officer at Rooter Hero Plumbing and CX Riot Radio host, to dig into how most home service companies get call centers wrong - and how it’s costing them more than they think.  David shares what he’s learned from decades run...

In this episode of Titans of the Trades , Ryan Englin welcomes Carl Veillette, CPO at Newforma. Carl dives deep into his journey from architecture to leading innovation in construction software. Discover how he's helping blue collar teams modernize without losing their roots. Carl shares the real challenges of merging startups with legacy companies, the importance of cross-platform collaborat...

Joe Crisara, known as "Uncle Joe" in the trades, went from being $471,000 in debt to building one of the most respected coaching businesses for service contractors.  In this episode, Joe, America’s Service Sales Coach at Service MVP, shares the hard lessons he learned as a contractor, the moment a customer changed his life, and how tiered pricing transformed his business.  If you're...

What happens when homeowners start expecting HVAC quotes with Amazon-level speed? In this episode of Titans of the Trades , Ryan Englin sits down with Josh Koplin, Co-Founder of EDEN, to talk about the seismic shifts hitting the residential HVAC industry. Josh shares how EDEN’s instant quoting tool is flipping the script, giving consumers the transparency they crave while delivering more qualified...

Most construction business owners are great at building things, but not at building wealth. In this episode, Ryan Englin talks with Aaron Mills, Founder and CEO of DAAXIT, a firm helping contractors clean up their financials and scale smarter.  Aaron shares how he took an electrical contractor from $30M to $90M and sold it at a 12x multiple, then realized most construction companies don’t even kno...

What does it take to build a thriving business from the ground up and successfully pass it to the next generation? Elvin Hurst Sr., Founder of Kountry Kraft, shares his incredible journey - from milking cows on the family farm to running a custom cabinetry business with over 100 employees.  In this episode, Elvin Sr. reveals: The Christmas gift that launched his business. How he maintained quality...

In this episode of Titans of the Trades , Ryan Englin sits down with Roland Ligtenberg, Co-Founder of Housecall Pro, to discuss AI's transformative role in the home services industry.  They explore how automation and AI team members are helping contractors streamline operations, improve customer communication, and overcome labor shortages. Roland also shares actionable strategies for hiring a...

Growing up in a family-owned HVAC and plumbing business, Crystal Williams has seen firsthand how the trades evolve and how businesses must adapt to thrive. Now, as the Founder and Creative Strategist at Lemon Seed Marketing, she helps blue collar businesses develop powerful branding strategies, drive employee engagement, and create company cultures that attract top talent. In this episode, Crystal...

In this conversation, Greg Cayea, CEO & Founder at FunnelPros, shares his journey from being a Guinness World Record holder to becoming an expert in funnel building and automation for the home services industry.  He discusses the challenges faced by contractors in marketing, the importance of integrating AI into their systems, and the future trends in automation. Greg emphasizes the need for a...

In this conversation, Christie Hoffman, Founder of Engagement Academy, dives into the intricacies of workplace culture, employee engagement, and the critical role of leadership in fostering a positive work environment.  Christie shares her journey of discovering the systemic issues that plague organizations and emphasizes the importance of understanding employee feedback as a pathway to growth. Sh...

What does it really mean to be an employer of choice in the trades? In this 100th episode celebration, host Ryan Englin goes solo to unveil the CHOICE Framework, a step-by-step blueprint for building a company where top talent wants to work and stay.  Discover the six pillars that will transform your workplace: C lear Vision, Values, and Purpose H igh-Trust Leadership O pportunities for Growth I n...

In this conversation, Didi Azaria, a serial entrepreneur and the CEO of Workiz, shares his insights on entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of execution over product, common mistakes in pricing, and the significance of employee relationships.  He discusses strategies for business growth, the role of AI in enhancing operational efficiency, and how to choose the right software solutions for...

In this conversation, Doug Donovan, CEO of Interplay Learning, discusses the mission and impact of the company dedicated to enhancing training for skilled trades through innovative technology. He highlights the importance of engaging and effective learning methods, the challenges of adopting digital training, and shares success stories from companies that have implemented their solutions.  Doug al...

In this conversation, Catherine Bares, Service Coach & Trainer at BDR Co, shares her extensive journey in the HVAC industry, transitioning from a dispatcher to a profit coach.  She emphasizes the importance of team dynamics, effective compensation structures, and the role of AI in enhancing business operations. Catherine provides insights into profitability strategies and the necessity of soft...

Summary In this conversation, Tom Kubiniec discusses his journey with SecureIt Tactical, a company he founded to provide innovative weapon storage solutions for the military and consumers.  He emphasizes the importance of simplicity in problem-solving, drawing lessons from his military experience. Tom shares insights on claiming authority in a niche market, the transition from military to consumer...

Summary In this conversation, Damion Lupo, CIO at FrameTec and CEO of eQRP, shares his journey from facing significant challenges as an entrepreneur to building a successful company focused on purpose and culture. He discusses the importance of learning from failures, investing in people, and creating a positive work environment.  Lupo emphasizes the need for businesses to innovate, especially in...

Summary In this conversation, Mat Gates, President of Erickson-Hall Construction, shares insights into the company's journey towards becoming a 100% employee-owned organization through an ESOP. He discusses the importance of effective communication during the transition, the challenges faced, and the strategies implemented to engage employees.  Mat emphasizes the significance of investing in...

In this engaging conversation, Ryan Englin interviews Roger Wakefield, a prominent figure in the plumbing industry and a leading blue collar influencer on social media. Roger shares his journey from a high school dropout to a successful plumber and influencer, emphasizing the importance of social media in connecting with the younger generation.  The discussion covers various themes, including the...

In this conversation, Brie Reis shares her inspiring journey from Administrative Assistant to CEO of Elite Roofing and Solar. She discusses the importance of finance in the trades, effective communication, and the significance of building relationships to retain talent.  Brie emphasizes the need to attract women to the trades and how empowering them in leadership roles can transform the industry....

During this conversation, Travis Harvego, CEO at Roofle, shares his journey from a canvasser to the president of a successful remodeling company and the evolution of his current venture, Roofle.  He discusses the importance of adapting to consumer trends, particularly in the roofing industry, and emphasizes the need for transparency and efficiency in pricing. Travis also highlights the significanc...

In this conversation, Josh Zolin discusses his journey as a CEO and author, focusing on the challenges faced by blue collar business owners in the skilled trades. He emphasizes the importance of soft skills, employee development, and the need for change management in the industry.  Josh introduces BITNW Academy, a platform designed to help blue collar workers enhance their skills and adapt to tech...

In this conversation, Wade Swikle, Founder and CEO of 2 College Brothers Moving & Storage, shares his journey in the moving industry, detailing the evolution of his company and the challenges he faced in franchising.  He emphasizes the importance of ownership in the franchise model, the need for detailed processes, and the significance of community engagement. Wade also discusses the dynamics...