The Catalyst for the Trades

Ready to break away from business as usual and spark success in a challenging market? In this episode, Denise Corbin—president of Winsupply—joins Jazmin Ramirez, guest host, to discuss her game-changing HVAC Summit designed for contractors who want to thrive, not just survive. Instead of product pitches, Denise has curated a lineup of top industry experts delivering actionable insights on AI, fiel...

What does it take to lead and grow in a fast-changing trades industry? In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, Jennifer Bagley interviews Jazmin Ramirez, Senior Director of Growth at CI Web Group and one of the top 30 most influential women in HVACR. Jazmin shares her journey from plumbing office manager to award-winning marketing leader, how she’s helping contractors scale faster with AI, and...

Get an insider’s look at Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association (TACCA) and the upcoming TACCA Live HVAC industry event in Conroe, Texas. Camille Porco, our stand-in host of this episode, sits down with Victoria Schaefer, Executive Director of TACCA, to share why this conference is a must-attend event for Texas HVAC contractors and professionals in the trades. Discover how TACCA Live helps...

What does it really take to break free from flat growth and scale your contracting business into the millions? In this inspiring episode, Vince Heuser shares the raw journey from launching a garage door business in his garage after the 2008 recession to building a powerhouse home services company with over 130 employees and 85 trucks. Vince reveals the game-changing mindset shifts, systems, and sa...

Thinking about switching CRM platforms or struggling to get the most out of your current system? In this must-listen episode, CRM and Service Titan consultant Celia Church (Smart Service Solutions) joins hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz to unpack the secrets behind successful CRM and field service software adoption for contractors and home service businesses. Celia shares a true inside...

Know your numbers and make them work for you. In this must-hear episode, Jennifer Bagley sits down with Devin Nordgran, Tax Associate at Squire, to unpack real-world financial strategies every home service business owner needs.  Learn why smart accounting is more than just end-of-year cleanup, and how proactive planning puts money back in your pocket. Devin shares top tax-saving tactics, breaks do...

Is AI the future of digital marketing, or just another buzzword? In this episode, Chelsea Nodine—Senior Director of Digital Transformation at CI Web Group—shares the real story behind her journey from the wilds of Alaska to automating entire marketing departments. Host Jennifer Bagley and Chelsea dive deep into what it actually takes to move a business from outdated manual processes to fully autom...

Ready to future-proof your contracting business? In this power-packed episode, Billy Gregus—owner of Integrity Refrigeration & A/C—joins Jennifer Bagley and special guests Vee Nettles (account manager at CI Web Group), and Stephanie Allen (Airworks, co-founder of Just Start AI) to break down the building blocks of business growth in the trades today. From choosing the right marketing partners...

Ready to level up your HVAC business and network with the best in Texas? In this jam-packed episode of Catalyst for the Trades, host Jennifer Bagley sits down with Brittany Doering, Executive Director of TACCA NTX, to talk all about the highly anticipated HVAC Trailblazer Conference happening on October 2 & 3. Brittany shares her unique journey from nonprofit fundraising into the trades, the p...

What’s really shaping the future of roofing in 2025 & 2026? In this episode, Joel Viera of the Western States Roofing Contractors Association joins host Jennifer Bagley to break down the big changes, challenges, and opportunities facing the roofing industry.  They dive into the must-know details about the upcoming Western Roofing Expo from September 28 to 30, 2025, discuss how AI and new tech...

What does it really take to scale a successful HVAC, plumbing, or electrical business today? In this episode, industry expert Mike Disney shares the hard truths and powerful tactics he’s learned over a decades-long career, covering everything from finding the right mentors and avoiding toxic “advice” online to winning at recruiting, building trust with homeowners, and staying ahead in the age of A...

Missed calls are costing contractors serious money, but AI is changing the game. In this episode, Brad Scruggs, President & CMO of ZyraTalk, sits down with Jennifer Bagley to unpack how artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping customer communication for home service businesses. From automating appointment scheduling and integrating with CRMs to training AI agents that learn and adapt, Brad...

What does it really take to build a trades business that runs without you—and gives your family the freedom you dreamed of? In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, host Jennifer Bagley sits down with Mike Abramowitz: systems engineer, author, and founder of the “Time Rich 6” framework. Mike shares the unfiltered journey from direct sales grind and early business mistakes to helping hundreds of...

In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, host Jennifer Bagley welcomes Utku “Dave” Kaynar, CEO of OnePath, to take you deep inside the future of automation, lead management, and true profitability for the trades. Learn how AI-driven workflows, intelligent booking, and seamless platform integration are helping HVAC, electrical, and plumbing companies convert more leads, reduce overhead, and outp...

Ready to level up your decision-making and accelerate growth? In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, host Jennifer Bagley sits down with Teasha Cable—tech visionary, AI expert, and founder of CModel—to uncover how AI-powered decision intelligence transforms the way businesses operate. Teasha shares the real-world processes, systems, and mindset shifts that move companies from gut-driven calls...

Ready to future-proof your contracting business? AI is transforming everything from lead conversion to customer service and financial management in the trades. In this episode, Lynn Wise, founder of Contractor in Charge and One Path AI, joins host Jennifer Bagley to break down how artificial intelligence is accelerating change for home service companies. Learn what’s driving tighter margins, why A...

In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades , we sit down with Stephanie Allen, CEO of Airworks Solutions, to talk about what it takes to lead and thrive in today’s fast-changing trades industry. From her journey leading a top HVAC business while balancing life as a mother of four, to her real-world strategies for using AI to accelerate processes and smash through old excuses, Stephanie shares what...

What does it really take to thrive as a new HVAC business in a crowded market? Jason Walker, founder of HVAC Masters of the Hustle, pulls back the curtain on his own journey from law enforcement to leading high-performing HVAC teams—and building a company that stands out against $100M+ competitors. In this high-energy episode, hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz dig into real-world strate...

Ready for a real-world success story that proves the trades are wide open for ambitious go-getters? On this episode of Catalyst, hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz welcome Darren Dixon, an HVAC industry legend, and his son, Tyler Dixon, who swapped college plans for a fast-track sales career in home services. Tyler shares his path from general manager of a fitness club to high-performing...

Is your contracting business ready for the next wave of technology? In this forward-thinking episode, Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz sit down with Paul Redman, CEO of Contractor Commerce, to talk about what it really takes to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market. They dive into the impact of AI, automation, and e-commerce, how lean, tech-centric companies are reshaping home servic...

Motivation means nothing if you can’t execute. In this episode, Sam Wakefield, creator of Close It Now and catalyst of transformative sales events like “Relentless: The Ultimate Sales Transformation”, pulls back the curtain on what actually drives success in the trades: clarity, consistent follow-up, and evolving beyond “lead baby” mentality. Hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz dig in wit...

What does it take to build a thriving, people-first business in the home services industry—and keep it growing for nearly 40 years? In this candid episode, Raul Rodriguez (Founder & President of Power Pro Plumbing) joins hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz to share hard-won lessons on leadership, growth, and adapting to new technology in the trades. Raul’s journey, from his rough star...

What does it take to scale a family-owned trades business from $12M to $20M in just three years? In this episode, Dana Staszkiewicz, co-founder of Opus and Gold, joins host Jennifer Bagley to share what really happens behind the scenes of explosive growth in the home services industry. Dana gets candid about her journey transitioning from global retail brands to running a legacy trades company wit...

In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades , Jennifer Bagley sits down with Danielle Putnam, President of The New Flat Rate, to talk strategy, pricing, and how contractors can stop giving away their profits. Danielle breaks down why it’s time to retire the word “just” from your team’s vocabulary, how the right pricing menu changes everything, and how to train techs to maximize every opportunity wi...

Social media doesn’t have to be overwhelming—or a waste of time. In this episode, Jen McKee, founder of Kee Hart Marketing, shares what actually works for contractors trying to grow online. From personal branding and content ideas to time-saving tools and automation, Jen breaks down real strategies that help HVAC, plumbing, and electrical businesses show up, stand out, and scale. Whether you'...