Toolbox for the Trades

Contractors are drowning in tech clutter. Between AI tools and endless “must-have” software subscriptions, it’s easy to get lost chasing the next shiny object. In this episode, Powerhouse Consulting ’s Jenny Benbrook and Pam Duffy join the show to share a five-step plan for cutting through the noise, eliminating redundant tools, and building a smart, scalable tech strategy that actually drives pro...

What happens when curiosity turns a landscape professional into the tech driver behind an entire organization? In this episode, we talk with Taylor Anderson , Systems Development and Growth Manager at Sunline Landscapes , to explore how a passion for learning, curiosity, and a little patience can transform both a career and an organization. Taylor talks about stepping into a brand new role, refini...

Recording live at Pantheon, Kristen Deese , CFO at The Virtual CFO for the Trades , explains her fractional CFO strategy for helping trades business owners master their finances. Drawing on her experience selling her own home services business to private equity, Kristen discusses the crucial steps to ensure financial health, including properly departmentalizing financials and calculating gross pro...

Live from Pantheon, Chris Gist , Regional VP of the Gulf at Leap Service Partners , shares his incredible journey of rapid trades growth. Starting his plumbing company, Paradise Plumbing, in 2019, Chris quickly partnered with a mentor and executed an ambitious plan, selling the business in just three years to LEAP. He discusses the critical role of a distinctive brand and culture (including tiki h...

Zachary Perge , VP of Distribution Strategy at HARDI , breaks down the critical HVAC profitability strategy for today's challenging “repair market.” He reveals key data points, including how financing adoption can increase average ticket prices by over $6,800. Zachary argues that the most resilient contractors are those who stop chasing pure volume and instead focus on controlling what they can co...

In this packed episode of Toolbox for the Trades , Justin White , CEO of K&D Landscaping and host of the Trades Talk podcast, returns with a clear message for 2026: raise the bar or get left behind. He and host Amanda dive into the Commercial Landscape Industry Report and pull apart the biggest shifts shaping the year ahead, including client retention battles, pricing pressures, the tech surge...

Live from Pantheon, Scorpion CRO Jamie Adams dives into the biggest challenges and opportunities in trades digital marketing. Jamie explains why the rise in competition and advertising costs requires a more sophisticated, data-driven approach. He shares how the ServiceTitan and Scorpion partnership allows contractors to view their business through an e-commerce lens, tracking marketing spend all t...

In this episode, Christina Criniti-Dear , Director of Operations at Zoom Drain and owner of two Florida franchises, shares how she went from answering phones to running the show. She explains why every great leader should start at the bottom, how empathy isn’t innate but learned through experience, and what it really takes to build a thriving franchise from the ground up. Christina opens up about...

Tim Johnson , President of Tim Johnson Landscaping in Statesville, NC, shares his blueprint for sustainable business growth, detailing his company's journey from a childhood mowing operation to a multimillion-dollar enterprise. After a period of rapid expansion, Tim made the strategic decision to “pump the brakes” for two years to restructure. He discusses the critical importance of building a man...

In this live episode from #Pantheon2025, Chris Petros , ServiceTitan COO, and Martha Hill Harvey , SVP of Platform Strategy at Synchrony , discuss how contractors can leverage the latest consumer trends in the trades to grow their businesses. They break down key insights from the ServiceTitan-Synchrony 2025 Consumer Report, including the importance of providing a seamless web and mobile experience...

How do you turn a kitchen table startup into a thriving HVAC business with five trucks? In this episode, Miranda Deschamps , Office Manager at ServicePlus Heating and Cooling (Ontario, Canada), shares how she and her team use ServiceTitan and AI to drive growth. From surviving a two-week email crash to negotiating smarter with suppliers and building AI-powered inventory systems, Miranda shows how...

What makes a landscaping business truly valuable? In this episode, Amanda talks with Tom Heaviland , CEO of Verde Property Services , about what buyers really look for when acquiring a company. Tom shares his journey from running a family business for 35 years to selling it to BrightView and joining their acquisition team. He explains why strong teams and loyal customers matter most, how to handle...

In this live episode from Pantheon 2025, Mitch Boerner , Director at Legendary Plumbers , shares his unique story of going from the music industry and professional kitchens to scaling a trades business in Victoria, Australia. Mitch discusses how he and his brother, a plumber, grew their company from a garage operation to a multi-service business by focusing on repeatable work and having the foresi...

Jessica Short, GM of Priority Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing , serving the Kitchener and Waterloo, Ontario area, joins us to share her unique journey to finding her career passion in the trades. Jessica reveals how she applied empathy lessons from her time in social work to her current leadership role, helping grow her family’s business from 25 employees to a team of 84. She shares the crucial val...

In this special bonus episode, ServiceTitan Co-founder and CEO Ara Mahdessian celebrates the monumental success of the trades in his presentation at Pantheon 2025, highlighted by customer stories of multi-million dollar revenue and major acquisitions. Ara reflects on ServiceTitan's journey, declaring the company's commitment to its customers is the bedrock of its business. He then details a critic...

Two brothers turned a high school project into Stephens Landscaping Professionals , a $22 million business in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. How did they scale while keeping their client relationships strong? In this episode, COO Mark Stephens shares how he and his team balance cutting-edge technology with high-touch service. From data-driven job costing to custom trucks and GPS-guided excavators,...

In this live episode from Pantheon, Karen Edwards , COO of Roofers Coffee Shop , shares her insights on technology adoption in roofing. Karen explains the common pitfalls and success stories she's witnessed, and provides practical advice for contractors who are hesitant to embrace new tech like AI. She also discusses the growing trends in metal roofing and restoration and highlights the importance...

In this episode, Rob Parker , managing director of residential and commercial services investment banking at Piper Sandler , shares tips for partnering with private equity. A former entrepreneur himself, Rob explains how market forces and technological advancements have made the trades an attractive investment for private equity firms. He breaks down the importance of maximizing EBITDA, shares his...

Aspire is leveling up, and so are the landscapers who depend on it. In this episode, we explore what the platform's next chapter means for the industry’s fastest-growing businesses. General Manager Eli Zevin shares how Aspire is evolving to meet the moment, with bold plans to scale smarter, serve better, and bring cutting-edge tech to the field. We dig into how Aspire is restructuring its teams to...

Doug Greenhaw, President and CEO, and Justin Guinnip, COO, at Summit Roofing & Restoration in Atoka, Tennessee, share their journey of scaling a roofing business from modest beginnings to a projected $30 million this year. They dive into how they leveraged a devastating tornado in their hometown into a catalyst for growth, meticulously planning to replicate an $18 million revenue year without...

How do you take a third-generation family business and triple its revenue without losing its soul? In this episode, Brad Barron , CEO of Barron Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical and Plumbing , shares how he led his team through explosive growth: from $15 million to a projected $45 million, all without private equity, mergers, or compromising on culture. Brad talks about building systems that a...

Predictive analytics isn't just for data nerds. Robert Clinkenbeard , CEO at Wilson360 and host of the Commercial Landscaper Podcast, explains how landscaping businesses can leverage predictive analytics to streamline operations, optimize talent, and enhance efficiency. Drawing from his experience scaling his landscaping business from zero to $20 million, Robert shares insights on how owners can e...

In her first year running True Pros in Layton, Utah, Katy Higgins turned her sales skills into a multimillion-dollar HVAC business. Along the way, she faced tough lessons, unexpected challenges, and learned how to celebrate wins no matter what came her way. Katy shares what it takes to lead through chaos, embrace new tools like Sales Pro, and create a workplace where victories are celebrated and c...

What’s really holding your commercial service department back? In this episode, Jennifer Shooshanian , Senior Service Coach at Business Development Resources (BDR), reveals how she transformed an underperforming team into a profitable, high-performing commercial service operation. She also shares the hard-won strategies and lessons she’s learned from over 20 years of managing and coaching teams so...

In this episode of Toolbox for the Trades, we sit down with Mike Lowrance, IT Director at LMC Landscape Partners, to explore what it really takes to bring technology into a boots-on-the-ground industry. Starting his career in horticulture and now leading tech strategy across multiple landscape companies, Mike offers a rare insider perspective on how to make digital tools actually work in the trade...