The Home Service Expert Podcast

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Chau Nguyen sold two tech companies, bought a 1974 Bronco that kept breaking down, and turned that headache into Vintage Modern, a $60 million luxury vehicle company that hand builds classic inspired trucks for LeBron James, Mark Wahlberg, Jennifer Lopez, and Tommy himself. He did it with no outside capital and no ad budget: he posted three times a day for seven years, built a following of millions, and made social media his number one sales channel. In this episode he breaks down why organic leads buy at three times the rate of paid leads, why rich customers are tighter with money than most contractors assume, how to market a home service company to the affluent, why the founder has to be the face of the brand now, and the hiring mistake that nearly held his company back.

Vintage Modern ⟶ https://vintagemodern.co Follow Vintage Modern ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/vintagemodern/

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 01:37 - The Bronco That Made His Wife Smell Like Gas 03:33 - From Coupon Books To A Top 100 App To 40 Cars 06:14 - No Investors: Sales Paid For Everything 07:15 - How Do You Charge For 900 Hours Of Craftsmanship? 10:42 - His Kids Taught Him Instagram 14:23 - Organic Vs Paid: Why Organic Leads Buy 3X More 16:25 - Your Product Probably Has A Hole In It 20:46 - Scarcity, Exclusivity, And Selling To The Elite 26:30 - Why He Has Never Paid An Influencer 29:18 - How A Home Service Company Markets To The Affluent 35:13 - Rich Customers Are Tighter Than You Think 38:12 - The Mark Wahlberg DM And The Tyler Perry Referral 42:16 - Should The Founder Be The Brand? 47:36 - Competing With Ferrari At $60 Million 51:03 - Robotaxis, EVs, And Listening To Paying Customers 54:52 - Productive Paranoia: Why Winning Is The Dangerous Moment 59:07 - The One Piece Of Advice He Has Never Shared 1:03:03 - On His Hands And Knees Under The Car 1:07:36 - The Two Books He Has Listened To 50 Times 1:12:11 - Where To Find Chau 1:13:36 - Grinding From Zero To 5 Million Followers 1:18:00 - What Comes Next For Vintage Modern

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Sara Nay is the CEO of Duct Tape Marketing and the author of Unchained. In this episode, Sara and Tommy break down why most contractors rent their marketing instead of owning it, which accounts your agency should never control, why referrals alone stall a home service company around $1 million, how to get found in AI search, and the two fixes to make this week if your marketing feels like chaos.

Get Sara's free marketing audit for home service owners ⟶ https://dtm.world/hsep Duct Tape Marketing ⟶ https://ducttapemarketing.com

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 02:59 - Tommy Spends $5 Million A Month On Marketing 04:34 - Do You Need More Leads Or A Better Journey? 05:58 - What's Broken About The Agency Model 07:47 - The Accounts You Should Own, Not Rent 08:32 - When The Agency Keeps Your Website 11:41 - Random Acts Of Marketing 13:00 - One Person Can't Run Six Marketing Roles 15:33 - Direct Response Or Brand? 16:38 - 87% Of Searches Now Touch AI 19:34 - Should Contractors Publish Prices? 20:38 - The $400 Steakhouse Problem 23:23 - Interview Your Best Clients 23:46 - Record Every Sales Call 28:49 - Nextdoor, Angi, Yelp: Pick Two And Own Them 33:19 - The A Team Sells You, The Interns Run You 34:38 - The Five Questions To Ask Your Best Customers 36:59 - A 91% Booking Rate And The Calls You Still Miss 38:11 - The Money Sitting In Your Old Customer List 39:33 - Why Competition Becomes Irrelevant 41:46 - Why Referrals Alone Are Dangerous 43:14 - The Sign: Pay More Per Lead, Always Win 44:53 - Marketing To The Affluent 47:38 - What Marketers Get Wrong With AI 50:40 - Your Home Page Is What AI Reads First 56:29 - The Founder's Brand Beats The Company's 1:00:06 - Use Your Voice To Pull Stories Out 1:06:30 - Buy Back Your Time 1:09:22 - Delegating Versus Dumping 1:10:24 - Two Fixes To Make This Week 1:13:33 - Sara's Final Advice

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David Bach is a ten-time New York Times bestselling author and the man behind The Automatic Millionaire. In this episode, David and Tommy break down why $3,000 a year saved from age 15 to 19 beats saving from 27 to 65, the one hour a day rule for retiring a millionaire, why a tech making $250,000 can still be broke, why owners should buy the building their business is in, and David's idea for a flat tax on IRA accounts.

Get The Automatic Millionaire, 20th Anniversary Edition ⟶ https://davidbach.com

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 01:37 - The Number One Rule: Pay Yourself First 03:17 - Save One Hour Of Pay A Day 03:57 - How 565,000 People Became 401(k) Millionaires 06:46 - The Myth About Investing Aggressively When You're Young 07:32 - Tommy's Roth IRA At 16 08:56 - What $20 A Day Becomes 10:06 - The $27.40 A Day Leak 13:38 - The Corvette Ride That Started It 16:19 - Born To Spend Or Born To Budget 18:15 - A Lesson At McDonald's At Age Seven 24:10 - Homeowners Are Worth 40 Times More Than Renters 27:31 - Why A Garage Door Is Worth Financing 28:29 - Buy The Building Your Business Is In 30:04 - Wealthy But Not Free 31:49 - Why High Earners Start To Resent Their Jobs 32:49 - Making $250K With Nothing Saved 35:25 - The Chart: Start At 15, 19 Or 27 39:33 - Why David Holds Zero Private Equity 41:07 - The Advice He Wishes He Had At 20 45:01 - Batteries Included People 48:11 - $46 Trillion Sitting In Retirement Accounts 50:42 - The IRA Flat Tax Idea 58:37 - Social Security In 2033 1:00:48 - Why The Trades Aren't Going Away 1:01:40 - The Barber Who Saved 75% Of His Income 1:04:55 - What Money Taught David About Himself 1:08:10 - Discipline And Non-Negotiables 1:18:05 - What People Said At His Father's Funeral 1:25:00 - The 20th Anniversary Edition

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Dan Kuschell grew up on welfare in Detroit, built a direct mail company to $1 million in its first year at 22, and now helps home service companies grow through Breakthrough3X. In this episode, Dan and Tommy break down the one message method, why "know, like and trust" is the wrong model, the five pillars Dan found across 5,000 companies, how to ask for introductions instead of referrals, and the family photo mailer Tommy sent to 3,000 neighbors. Get Dan's free gift package for home service owners

⟶ https://breakthrough3x.com/tommymello Growth to Freedom Podcast ⟶ https://www.growthtofreedom.com/

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 03:23 - From Welfare In Detroit To A Million Dollar Mail Business 05:05 - The Coach Who Blackballed Him And The Mailer That Fixed It 10:04 - 34,000 Leads A Month And Why Recruiting Comes First 14:44 - A 1 In 500 Surgery Two Weeks After His Son Was Born 16:19 - The Questions That Rebuilt His Life 18:49 - Tommy's Grandmother And The Good Hours 24:18 - The Question That Took Six Weeks To Answer 27:33 - When Being A Man Of Your Word Holds You Back 31:20 - Could You Take 30 Days Off Your Business 34:17 - The One Message Method 39:06 - Five Pillars Found Across 5,000 Companies 42:36 - Why Know, Like And Trust Is Wrong 45:01 - One Post A Week And $5 A Day 46:00 - Agencies That Own Your Website And Ad Accounts 48:28 - Answer Every Lead In A Minute Or Less 52:39 - Why Hiring Ads Bring In Customers 55:35 - Be The Chairman, Not The Technician 1:00:14 - Is Branding A Waste Under $20 Million 1:02:34 - Partner Gifts That Create Referrals 1:08:44 - The Truck That Does Everything And Stands For Nothing 1:09:27 - Fix Your Pricing First 1:13:22 - Stop Asking For Referrals, Ask For This 1:17:28 - A Family Photo Mailed To 3,000 Neighbors 1:20:55 - Where To Find Dan 1:25:38 - Two Books That Shaped Dan 1:26:57 - Play A Bigger Game

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Dr. Robert Cialdini wrote Influence, the book behind almost every sales training a home service tech has ever sat through. In his second visit with Tommy he goes past the seven principles into the smallest changes that move the biggest numbers: the two words a restaurant added to its booking call that cut no-shows 62%, the one question that took Boy Scout popcorn sales from 15% to 52%, why "967 reviewers" beats "967 reviews," the number one rule of sales every trainer teaches backwards, and the $75,000 envelope Charlie Munger mailed him for a single chapter. Then Tommy puts him on the spot with two live persuasion role-plays. Learn more from Dr. Cialdini and the Cialdini Institute: https://cialdini.com Influence Unleashed, December 5 and 6 in Tempe, 75 seats, $500 off with code A1GARAGE

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 00:53 - 75 seats in December 03:16 - Who Robert Cialdini is 04:29 - You already paid for this research 05:44 - What ethical influence actually is 07:17 - The seventh principle: unity 08:01 - The couples study and the word "we" 12:54 - Two words that cut no-shows 62% 14:20 - Chris Voss and getting to "no" 15:00 - The Boy Scout popcorn question 16:35 - Social proof and the McFlurry 18:54 - Say reviewers, not reviews 19:38 - Authority: who vouches for you 21:00 - The number one rule of sales 22:22 - A welcome line that lifts conversions 23:42 - Scarcity done honestly 24:52 - Advice to young Robert 26:40 - Put them in the boat with you 28:19 - Ask for advice, not opinions 29:43 - The $75,000 envelope from Charlie Munger 32:44 - Two mints and a 23% tip 34:16 - Give first, before they decide 37:41 - Why 89% beats 90% 40:06 - Warren Buffett's letters and honesty first 42:37 - "You're worth it" 45:12 - Pre-Suasion: the moment before the message 48:39 - Live role-play: talk me out of your book 50:17 - Building a following the ethical way 51:59 - Rapid fire 54:14 - Charlie Munger on why wealth matters 57:39 - Tommy makes it right with a customer 59:46 - What changed his mind, and what's next

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Zac Garside spent eight years training CSRs before he noticed the most profitable channel in home service was the one nobody used: the customer list. Now his agency Send It runs email for some of the biggest contractors in the country, including A1. In this episode Zac and Tommy break down why contractors rebuy customers they already paid for, the one-email-a-week plan any company can run tomorrow, the Will/Won't research framework that tells you what homeowners are really afraid of, and why two CSRs with identical scripts book at completely different rates.

Get Zac's free swipe file of 20 top-performing campaigns: https://withsendit.com/expert

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 00:46 - From training CSRs to running email 01:58 - Booking jobs the week you need them 02:54 - How to stay out of the spam folder 04:45 - The subject line has one job 06:35 - The 6x in 60 days guarantee 07:40 - Open estimates first, then members 10:36 - Homeowners read email. Owners don't 13:03 - Email, SMS and direct mail 14:09 - It has to come from a friend 15:54 - Tommy's neighbor letter and $225,000 20:44 - What a good open rate looks like 24:49 - The next wave: personalization 29:31 - The two-year spring campaign 34:31 - Broadcasts, campaigns and automations 37:27 - "You're never talking to them again?" 44:20 - Starting from scratch 45:23 - One email a week, four segments 49:26 - The Will/Won't research framework 52:53 - Same script, 90% vs 50% 55:58 - Making customers feel something 1:00:41 - The easiest ROI in home service 1:03:40 - One piece of advice: trust 1:06:00 - Free swipe file and where to find Zac

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Revenue is everywhere in home service right now. Profit is not. Tommy sits down with his mentor Al Levi, author of The 7-Power Contractor, and Jim Leslie, president of Home Service Freedom, to break down why: the hiring excuse every contractor uses ("nobody wants to work") and the answer Jim gives back, what a lost tech really costs, the five things of staffing, why you should triple your pricing, why the owner who is the best CSR, dispatcher and tech is the ceiling on his own company, the zero-or-two cranes rule for your org chart, and the listening tour every owner should take this week. Al is retiring at the end of the year. His last small-room session is at Freedom 2026: Monday, October 26, 6 PM, Mandalay Bay. Use code ALFREEDOM at freedomevent.com to unlock a seat in the room with Al and Jim.

Home Service Freedom: https://homeservicefreedom.com | The 7-Power Contractor: https://7powercontractor.com

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 00:50 - Al, Jim and Freedom 2026 02:03 - Revenue for vanity, profit for sanity 03:49 - Put your pricing online 05:50 - Three kinds of testimonials 06:38 - Lead times and the boom-bust cycle 11:19 - The five things of staffing 11:32 - What a lost tech really costs 12:35 - Al's last room at Freedom 15:00 - The empty truck in your yard 15:44 - Stand on the bridge 16:39 - Triple your pricing 17:51 - Fighting commoditization 22:15 - Would you send me to your mom's house 25:29 - They just don't want to work for you 27:22 - The best CSR, dispatcher and tech 28:15 - Zero cranes or two 30:09 - The five-year org chart trap 32:26 - Burning tokens on technology 35:33 - There is no silver bullet 40:40 - What your accountant should say 42:24 - $2.6 million to the bottom line 46:54 - The listening tour 50:04 - Al's three-month notice 55:57 - One thing to do this week 59:45 - The room at Freedom

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Most home service owners hear virtual assistant and think someone to answer emails. Alyssa Shivers and Mia Juan of Ready Roles think bigger: five callers on $5.75 an hour brought one moving company almost $500,000 in paid estimates in a single month. In this episode they break down what owners get wrong about VAs, why a $3 an hour VA gives you a $3 outcome, the 10-day onboarding that makes a remote hire work, the flat fee model where every dollar after that goes straight to your VA, how many calls a data activator makes a day, and the real reason most VAs fail (it is not the VA). If you are still reading your own email, this one is for you.

Ready Roles: https://readyroles.com | Mia Juan on YouTube: search "Mia Juan" VA readiness checklist from Ready Roles: [LINK OR ATTACHMENT FROM READY ROLES]

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 00:55 - What a VA actually does 02:13 - Data activators explained 05:56 - The first-hire mistake 08:01 - The owner is the problem 10:00 - Night shift in the Philippines 13:47 - $3 an hour buys a $3 outcome 15:11 - VAs and AI tools 20:16 - My Home Story Pro 21:19 - $500K from five callers 23:18 - The pitch and the script 26:35 - The Dream 100 list 29:10 - The time study 30:00 - How to start with a VA 33:04 - Ten minutes a day 34:46 - What to pay a great VA 40:25 - The octopus executive assistant 41:38 - Eight steps of delegation 42:34 - The owner who blamed his VA 48:30 - The Big League Movers story 52:58 - What it costs 54:56 - 200 calls a day 58:08 - Go after the big players 1:01:58 - Closing advice

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Derek Cornish got laid off, answered a job ad, and became the top salesman at a window company. Then he and his partner Lakota Tidd built Top Home Improvements from a garage to $20 million a year across three Michigan locations on door knocking and 300 events a year. In this episode Derek breaks down the sales system behind it: why close percentage is the first KPI to track, why his Detroit manager did more revenue with fewer reps, the month they raised prices 30% and had their biggest month ever, sweat questions, same day next day, first in last in, the scariest room in the company, and how to fix commission breath before it costs you the sale. If you run a home service or home improvement sales team, this is the playbook.

Follow Derek Cornish and Top Home Improvements: https://tophomeimprove.com | derek@tophomeimprove.com

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 00:51 - Laid off, then top salesman 07:35 - Selling to people not looking 09:25 - Why 3 out of 10 wins 10:43 - Bottom line beats top line 14:37 - Never scared of price 16:41 - From texts to a KPI system 18:37 - Fewer reps, more revenue 26:30 - Commitments and accountability 29:45 - The scariest room 33:01 - The first KPI to track 34:26 - Same day, next day 37:27 - Beating the big brand 39:58 - When they ask for a discount 45:46 - Selling out of your own pocket 54:31 - Go for the no 55:37 - Commission breath 59:39 - A million behind, a million ahead 1:03:04 - Pancakes and the Top Home cult 1:09:01 - Raised prices 30%, biggest month 1:11:54 - Fractional CFO and accrual 1:13:14 - Role play, role play, role play 1:21:26 - Predictable Success

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🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://freedomevent.com Tommy Mello does $410 million a year and admits he is still chasing the next thing. Tal Ben-Shahar taught the most popular course in Harvard's history, built the world's first master's and PhD in happiness studies, and won Israel's national squash title at 16 only to feel nothing three hours later. Together they break down the arrival fallacy that runs every entrepreneur, why happier companies post better margins, the SPIRE model, minimum viable interventions you can do in 60 seconds, why New Year's resolutions die by January 17, the phone-in-a-box rule, the accountability buddy that raises follow-through by 200 percent, the good enough life, and what it means to give yourself permission to be human. Connect with Tal ⟶ https://talben-shahar.com -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 01:27 - The unhappiness that started 30 years of research 03:23 - National champion at 16, satisfied for three hours 05:40 - What is the arrival fallacy? 06:30 - Unhappy versus depressed and quiet desperation 08:11 - Enough is never enough and the $3 billion regret 09:38 - Two schools of thought and turning goal theory on its head 13:43 - SPIRE: the five elements of wellbeing 17:20 - Minimum viable interventions 18:34 - Five things you can do in the next 60 seconds 22:31 - Vision boards and the environment that primes you 25:04 - The six-week challenge and why resolutions die on January 17 26:51 - Keystone habits and islands of sanity 28:16 - Would you sleep next to a bottle of whiskey? 30:45 - Habits belong on the calendar 31:39 - The age of distraction and being bored with dignity 35:43 - Zero startup cost and the 200 percent accountability buddy 37:54 - Commitment bracelets and the letter N 42:53 - Stress is fine, recovery is what's missing 43:51 - Does happiness lead to success or the other way around? 45:01 - Six Fs, balance and fitting 48 hours into 24 48:59 - Wearables, step counts and building happiness into a blue collar culture 52:49 - Speed round: the biggest misconception high achievers have 53:46 - Live every day as if it's your first 57:27 - Rate it 1 to 10: cold plunge, sauna, sleep and reading 1:00:39 - Permission to be human 1:02:02 - Learn to fail or fail to learn 1:03:47 - Advice for your 20s and the 90-minute sprint 1:05:34 - $10 million and the Happiness Studies Academy 1:06:35 - Five books, one for each SPIRE element 1:08:19 - How to reach Tal and his closing message 🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://freedomevent.com Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

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Jason Feifer has run Entrepreneur Magazine for 10 years, and his message to owners is the opposite of what you'd expect: the title you hold is rented, press won't save you, and the only safe ground is something you own. He and Tommy get into being singular instead of interchangeable, the billionaire mentor he walked away from, why he tells businesses to stop chasing coverage, and the arbitrary yes that keeps life interesting.

Connect with Jason ⟶ https://www.jasonfeifer.com Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/heyfeifer/

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 02:05 - Singular or interchangeable 05:33 - Accessible vs available 06:51 - The title you rent 10:37 - Who should actually be an entrepreneur 16:20 - Why he ditched his own framework 18:50 - Ryan Reynolds: willing to be bad 21:05 - The Mailchimp all-hands story 25:43 - The Gary Vee focus debate 28:05 - The billionaire's list 30:46 - An interesting life 31:40 - The Dan Martell exchange 35:28 - How the speaking career started 37:50 - Don't bother with press 39:40 - Google zero 41:57 - What matters most: brand trust 43:01 - Awards, rankings, and recruiting proof 46:00 - The rapid-fire round 47:34 - No meetings before 11 52:40 - The Dave Eggers sellout screed 59:01 - Where to find Jason 1:01:00 - The arbitrary yes

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Jon McNeill ran Tesla as president while revenue went from $2 billion to $20 billion in 30 months. In this episode he hands Tommy Mello the exact formula, The Algorithm: question every requirement, delete what the customer doesn't pay for, simplify, apply speed, and automate last. Then he runs it live on a real home service business, from $350 pay per click leads and 30,000 in-home appointments a month to technician equity and the two-question performance review.

Connect with Jon ⟶ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonmcneill1/ DVx Ventures ⟶ https://www.dvx.ventures

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 01:04 - From a Nebraska farm town to Tesla 03:02 - The Sheryl Sandberg phone call 05:47 - The growth target that sounded insane 12:38 - Questioning a $100M rocket requirement 16:40 - Circle what the customer pays for 18:12 - A garage door install in under 10 minutes 22:43 - Good, fast, and cheap: pick three 23:07 - The $350 click and 30,000 appointments 24:16 - Why be in the home at all? 27:08 - Automate last 30:19 - Network effects for local business 37:05 - The Jeff Wilke trunk-delivery story 39:19 - Training 200 technicians a month 43:02 - Equity for technicians 46:01 - Watching your money go to work 50:11 - The two-question performance review 53:08 - 168 hours and the six Fs 57:12 - How long will we live? 1:02:05 - The Ottoman Empire's mistake 1:04:23 - Bring your A game every day 1:06:03 - Where to find Jon

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Tommy sits down with Mark C. Winters, co-author of Rocket Fuel and author of the new book Visionary, to name the seat most founders never see: the integrator. They get into why four visionaries exist for every one integrator, why founders who sell rarely last a year, the 2017 hire that set Tommy free, and the one question every owner should answer before they ever think about selling.

Get Mark's book Visionary ⟶ https://visionarybook.com Follow Mark C. Winters ⟶ https://markcwinters.com

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 00:43 - Mark's Origin Story 04:11 - Predictable Visionary Patterns 06:55 - Small Shops To $400M 08:20 - Is "Founder" A Risk? 09:40 - Why Founders Leave After The Sale 12:18 - Who Becomes The Integrator 16:10 - What Getting Stuck Looks Like 20:11 - Five Abilities To Break Ceilings 23:50 - Can Your Spouse Be The Integrator? 27:58 - The Seat Founders Can't See 31:15 - The Thankless Number Two 34:09 - The Three-Piece Puzzle 39:33 - The First Sign It's Failing 42:38 - Four Visionaries, One Integrator 43:34 - The Bottleneck At The Top 46:57 - The Ski Resort CEO 49:00 - How To Find Your Integrator 51:09 - The Hard Truth 55:01 - The One System To Install Now 1:02:40 - Would You Give It All Back? 1:08:48 - Where To Find Mark

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Tommy Mello sits down with two returning guests: Aaron Gaynor, founder of Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians, fresh off crossing $100 million and pacing $113M this year, and Zac Dearing, co-founder of Mantel, the AI-powered sales platform behind some of the sharpest shopping data in home services. No rehashed stories, just what is working right now: why recruiting beats leads, the new hire who sold $1M of HVAC in his first month, the labor burden number every tech should know, why 60 to 70% of deals are still alive after you leave the home, the 15% market share rule that tells you when to grow, and the marketing math that separates maintaining from grow-grow.

Follow Aaron Gaynor and Eco: https://geteco.com Follow Zac Dearing and Mantel: https://usemantel.com

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 01:03 - Aaron's $100M Milestone And The New Headquarters 06:23 - Where Homeowners Spend Their Decision Time 08:46 - Two Years On Mantel: Eco's Close Rate Now 10:37 - 69% Shop For Pricing Online And Most Find Nothing 12:23 - The Options Formula And The Sunday Effect 14:55 - Recruiting Beats Leads: Who Not How 17:09 - The New Hire Who Sold $1M In One Month 18:46 - Loyalty, Labor Burden, And The 24% Line 24:33 - The One Truck Exercise And What A Call Really Costs 29:01 - Private Equity, Labor, And Who Really Benefits 34:04 - What Contractors Actually Adopt In AI 35:43 - Charging More Than The Average Bear 42:27 - Sales Is Not A Dirty Word 44:53 - Shopping Beats Selling 49:33 - When Homeowners Actually Read Your Proposal 51:31 - Buy Or Build: The Greenfield Answer 56:30 - Marketing Math: Maintain, Grow, Or Grow Grow 01:00:21 - The 15% Rule: When To Enter A New Market 01:06:30 - Closer Hats, Next Missions, And Final Advice 01:12:40 - Stop Assuming The Deal Is Dead 01:16:09 - The Apollo 11 Close

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🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://freedomevent.com Danny Morel built a Southern California real estate machine he describes as $1B a year in sales with 400 agents, then answered no to happy, in love, and loving his work in the same breath. One night the questions he'd been avoiding caught up with him, and he walked away to teach entrepreneurs how to heal instead. He and Tommy Mello get into why the drive you brag about might be the thing to fix, the energy ladder from shame to enlightenment, the 4:30 AM lie all over your feed, and the mentor's rule that ran a billion-dollar company on 20 hours a week: split your day in thirds, delegate everything else, and never trade your peace for the next milestone. Get Danny's book Awaken Your Highest Self ⟶ https://www.amazon.com/Awaken-Your-Highest-Self-Stuck/dp/140199864X More from Danny ⟶ https://dannymorel.com -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 03:10 - The Billion-Dollar Empire 03:40 - Three Questions He Feared 04:58 - Tommy Asks Them Back 06:14 - Loving Yourself First 08:37 - Tommy Opens Up 10:14 - Why Enough Is Never Enough 13:33 - From Judgment To Healing 15:48 - "You Learned To Be Driven" 17:41 - Fear And Victim Consciousness 20:20 - The Energy Ladder 23:13 - Bob Marley And Vibration 25:26 - Purpose Isn't Doing 30:17 - The 4:30 AM Lie 32:25 - The 20-Hour Rule 33:00 - A Day In Thirds 36:24 - Game-Changing Advice 41:08 - Life Happens For You 42:31 - The Book 🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://freedomevent.com Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://freedomevent.com Can your techs close like a doctor prescribes? Jeremy Miner, founder of 7th Level and creator of NEPQ, the largest B2C sales training company in the world, joins Tommy Mello to break down why customers say "let me think it over" to salespeople but never to their doctor, the five tonalities that make prospects persuade themselves, how to seed doubt without pressure, the four types of people (wingers, dabblers, know-it-alls, and the committed to mastery), and why you probably don't need more leads, just better conversations. They get into recruiting people with a chip on their shoulder, the train station rule for growing teams, and the watch-write-rehearse path to actually mastering a skill. Get Jeremy's NEPQ Black Book of Questions ⟶ text 480-637-2944 Learn more from Jeremy ⟶ https://7thlevelhq.com -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 01:18 - Why "7th Level" 02:40 - The One Skill That Rules Everything 05:03 - The Buy-Back Lens 07:31 - Creating Demand From Nothing 08:41 - "How Often" Beats "Do You Ever" 10:30 - The Zero-Cancellation Concept 13:05 - The 5 Core Tones 16:55 - Could He Sell Anything? 22:14 - Sales FOR People, Not TO People 23:41 - The Doctor Status Flip 25:50 - Deframe, Then Reframe 27:22 - The 4 Types Of People 34:38 - The Chip On Your Shoulder 38:50 - You Don't Need More Leads 39:26 - The Train Station Rule 43:29 - Songs Vs. Books 45:10 - Watch, Write, Rehearse 49:35 - Hiring People With The Chip 55:30 - The Final Round 01:10:20 - The NEPQ Black Book 🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://freedomevent.com Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://freedomevent.com Are the AI layoffs about to reverse? Workplace futurist Alexandra Levit joins Tommy Mello to break down blunt force automation: why CEOs who replaced their teams with AI are about to want them back, how every AI rollout quietly creates six new jobs, and what the 95% failure rate on AI investments means for business owners. They get into why the skilled trades are the safest bet in America right now, the return to office mistake, learning agility as the number one career skill, and how owners should actually be investing in AI training. Connect with Alexandra: https://alexandralevit.com Make School Work: https://makeschoolwork.org -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 02:15 - What A Futurist Actually Does 03:44 - Is Every Desk Job Doomed? 04:32 - Six Jobs Per AI 08:07 - The Case For The Trades 12:51 - Blunt Force Automation 14:54 - The Rise Of Craftsmanship 18:14 - Building Learning Agility 21:10 - The 95% Problem 25:56 - AI's Energy Problem 29:19 - Cautiously Optimistic 32:05 - Psychology To Futurist 35:33 - Training AI To Oppose You 40:04 - Advice For Your 20s 43:10 - The RTO5 Mistake 44:51 - Flexibility That Pays 48:30 - Deep Talent Explained 51:30 - Simulations Beat Resumes 52:54 - The Training Gap 56:40 - Closing Thoughts 🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://freedomevent.com Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

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For the first time in 700 episodes, Tommy hands the other mic to his fiancée, Bre. From interviewing to be his EA at A1 Garage to planning their January wedding, they cover how they met, the season of scaling that scared her most, living below your means, faith, family plans, and the honest answer to what building something big takes from the person sitting next to you.

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 01:31 - How We Met At A1 03:28 - The Early A1 Days 09:30 - Bre's Upbringing 10:56 - Grandpa Stories 14:30 - Does He Ever Stop? 16:00 - Living Below Our Means 23:39 - The Work-Life Balance Debate 24:49 - What We Sacrificed 27:02 - The Wedding Plans 28:40 - The Scariest Season 34:04 - Faith And Getting Baptized 37:11 - The Next Five To Ten Years 38:53 - Rapid Fire: Who's More Likely? 48:37 - Advice For Couples Who Work Together

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Pace Morby went from bagging groceries and building 700 homes for hedge funds to controlling hundreds of properties without banks, credit, or his own money. In this one, he and Tommy trade playbooks: how seller financing actually works and why terms beat price, the capital gains conversation that gets retiring sellers to yes, the expired listing niche feeding him a house a day, the four KPIs that fix any company, and why the worst agent market in 35 years is handing buyers the opportunity of a decade.

Connect with Pace ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/pacemorby/

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 01:47 - Number Three Of Twelve Kids 04:55 - The Secret-Sharing Culture That Built Home Service 06:53 - AI Is Coming For Jobs, But Not These 09:11 - The Expired Listing Niche Nobody Wants 10:03 - The $5 Million RV Park Phone Call 11:06 - No Money Down At $20 Million 13:04 - Why You'd Better Be Greedy 15:26 - How A Technician Actually Makes More 17:41 - The Boomer Buyout Wave (And Who Shouldn't Ride It) 19:57 - The $500 An Hour Meeting At Starbucks 20:42 - Hedge Fund Flipper: 700 Homes For The Big Funds 23:32 - Bethany's Genius: The Bird Dog Move 25:16 - The Lead Geeks Full Circle Moment 30:44 - What Keeps Tommy Hungry 35:15 - Four KPIs That Fix Any Company 38:52 - Live Teardown: Pace's Lending Business 53:47 - Who's Gonna Compete With You? 56:20 - PE's Hard Lesson: Keep The Founder 59:59 - Speed Round: Three Tips For Beginners 1:02:28 - Why He Buys One RV Park A Month 1:06:04 - The Kermit, Texas Deal 1:06:39 - The Capital Gains Play That Closes Sellers 1:10:23 - The Slowest Market In 35 Years 1:15:14 - How To Work With Tommy 1:17:16 - The Best Add-On In Home Service

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Michael Werner has lived several business lifetimes: Goldman Sachs M&A, president of Werner Ladder at $500 million plus, the Gerber turnaround from $100 million to $700 million, and founder of HomeX, where he sold Schedule Engine to ServiceTitan for nine figures. Twenty years ago, doctors told him he had about four years left. In this episode, he and Tommy break down private equity done right, why ownership changes how people work, the three things that motivate every employee, and the four trends that will decide which home service companies survive the next decade.

Connect with Michael ⟶ michael@homex.com

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 02:02 - Why He Asks Everyone Their Origin Story 04:19 - Goldman's 15 Minute Rule 06:05 - Growing Werner Ladder Past $500 Million 08:49 - Too Entrepreneurial To Stay 12:07 - The Gerber Turnaround: $100M To $700M 14:30 - Satisfy Customers Or Delight Them? 19:41 - Trust, Time, Transparency: The HomeX Idea 23:30 - Why He Took A Minority Partner 29:09 - The Rental Car Ownership Test 32:29 - The Three Things That Motivate People 36:19 - Did The Trades Give Him Cancer? 38:53 - Hold The Mirror Up Before You Sell 42:39 - Never Say Retirement 47:15 - Four Trends That Decide Who Survives 50:33 - The David And Goliath Strategy 53:00 - Where He'd Put His Money 59:39 - The Death Sentence, In Full 1:02:10 - Long-Term Greedy: Final Advice

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🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://freedomevent.com Tommy sits down with Jason Wild, co-author of Genius at Scale (Harvard Business Review's lead title) and the innovation leader behind $6B+ in enterprise deals at IBM, Salesforce, and Microsoft. From child actor rejected 500 times to advising the world's biggest companies, Jason breaks down why you can copy products and poach talent, but culture is the one thing money can't touch, and what home service owners can steal from MasterCard, Pfizer, and Marc Benioff to build teams that run without them. Grab Jason's book Genius at Scale ⟶ https://geniusatscale.com -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 01:35 - Child Actor Roots 05:01 - The Zen Of Selling 07:52 - Writing With Harvard 11:28 - Focus Vs Innovation 13:17 - MasterCard's Reinvention 16:46 - The Elon Musk Take 22:16 - The Talent War 24:40 - What Money Can't Copy 28:38 - Global Innovation Lessons 34:11 - The Billionaire In Line 37:54 - Three Rapid-Fire Questions 45:22 - The Bridger Role 49:13 - AI And Your Jobs 58:37 - The Book's Big Lesson 🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://freedomevent.com Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://freedomevent.com Most home service companies think they have a lead problem. Lauren Kingsley says they have a friction problem, and she has the receipts: $5.1 billion in revenue managed across multiple organizations, a call center scaled from 25 people to 800-plus, and the playbook she wrote for Renuity after telecom ran this exact consolidation a decade ago. In this episode: the client who dropped raw volume 20% and watched net sales jump 36% in one month, the 48-hour scheduling window that decides 85% of your jobs, why 1 to 5% of your EBITDA disappears into data silos every year, zip-code-level marketing strategy, the greenfield playbook (canvass first, digital last), building Sovereign Command as a Layer 2 over your tech stack, and the "don't trust, verify" mindset she brought from Bitcoin into business.

Learn more about Lauren: https://laurenkingsley.now Contact Lauren: lauren@laurenkingsley.now

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 0:30 - Welcome: a friction problem, not a lead problem 1:45 - Hopping fences and selling art: Lauren's path to telecom 3:30 - Writing the Renuity playbook 5:30 - Sovereign Command: a Layer 2 over your tech stack 8:25 - One source of truth: don't trust, verify 10:40 - Time: the only asset you can't create 11:00 - Inside Tommy's daily pacing report 12:30 - Dynamic lead assignment: propensity to net close 13:55 - 400,000 calls analyzed: let the machine pick the questions 15:10 - Frictionless journeys and omnichannel nurture 17:20 - AI search jumped from 6% to 60% of homeowners 19:00 - Brand vs direct response: the 80/20 flip 20:50 - Zip code strategy: where spend goes to die 22:30 - The case study: 20% fewer raw leads, 36% more net sales 25:00 - Speed to lead: 48 hours or lose 85% 25:50 - Aggregators, bots, and where the ROI really is 29:15 - The numbers: 1 to 5% of EBITDA lost, 27% missed callbacks 30:35 - Attribution: billboards, Yelp, and 7,000 tracking numbers 34:45 - Blue Sky Jets and the Wall Street stepdad 36:25 - 2008: "something's wrong with the money" 38:50 - The $100M question: Bitcoin as a long-term savings plan 43:00 - Legislation, cold storage, and 21 million coins 46:25 - Grow wide or grow deep? The hybrid answer 48:50 - Pre-approval financing and the whole-home sell-in 51:20 - Greenfield playbook: canvass first, digital last 54:40 - Retail from Costco to Ace, by zip code 57:50 - Your people are the lifeblood 1:00:45 - Dream Manager and DreamStride 1:06:00 - Bench strength and performance-pay training 1:09:55 - How to reach Lauren 1:10:15 - What keeps Tommy up at night 1:14:00 - Very few winners, massive winners

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Recorded live at the Freedom event — Kevin O'Leary sat down with Tommy minutes after walking off stage. Mr. Wonderful built and sold The Learning Company in one of the largest tech deals of all time, runs a portfolio of more than 50 companies, and spent years selling to Steve Jobs — who taught him the rule he still runs his life by: pick the three things that matter, and block out 70% of everything else. In this episode: why home service is one of the best businesses on earth, the contractor-first deal he now makes with every new CEO, why unhappy customers are your most valuable asset, the 70/30 listening rule, and what money actually buys once you have enough of it. As Kevin put it about Freedom: "if you ever get a chance to come to one of these sessions, you should."

Follow Kevin O'Leary: https://www.instagram.com/kevinolearytv/

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 00:40 - Mr. Wonderful, live at the Freedom event 01:25 - Why Kevin still shows up for entrepreneurs 02:15 - "One of the best times ever" for home service 03:45 - What Kevin pays up for: recurring revenue 05:00 - The AI doom question: buggies & burger robots 07:25 - Private equity's biggest mistake: losing the founder 09:50 - The $6,000 earpiece productivity stack 11:50 - $3.75M/month in marketing and a 10X ROAS 13:05 - Wonder Ads: how TV attribution finally works 15:20 - The 4 KPIs that build any company's budget 16:20 - Running 54 companies at once 17:40 - Quit making transactional ads — tell stories 19:35 - "Always tell the truth" — the lesson from Kevin's mom 22:15 - Kevin's rule: contract first, hire second 24:15 - Ideas are cheap, execution is everything 25:25 - Steve Jobs stories: brutal meetings & 70/30 28:15 - Equity done right: 70/30 deals and dilution 31:00 - Unhappy customers are your most valuable asset 34:25 - Listen 70%, talk 30% 36:20 - The $10M restart plan & 31% in real estate 38:25 - "I don't need more money" 39:10 - Your first $5M is a safety net 41:00 - Who inspires Kevin: Musk at 100% signal 42:15 - Own your failures or he won't invest 43:10 - The book that changed him: Keith Richards 45:05 - Close: "come to one of these sessions"

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George Paladichuk built a million-dollar AI company at 22 — and he's the first person selling AI who will tell you NOT to hand it your phones. His platform, NaiL, sits behind 100+ franchise locations and catches nearly 1,000 calls a day for Superior Fence & Rail alone — recovering $2.5 million a month in revenue from calls that would have hit voicemail. In this episode, Tommy sits down with George to break down where AI actually belongs in your call flow, the businesses that should never use it, the disclosure test that quadrupled hang-ups, what it really costs, and the three pitfalls that kill AI rollouts. Tommy even calls George's AI live on air — see if you can tell.

💎 Top 5 Takes for this Episode!

AI is your safety net, not your first touch. Booking rates AND customer satisfaction go up when AI backs up an A-player on the phones — not when it replaces them. Missed calls are a hidden metric. No dashboard reports them — and for one franchise they were worth $2.5M a month. Some calls should never go to a machine. Restoration, funeral homes — nobody in a moment of distress wants to hear a robot. Don't lead with "this is an AI." Announcing it up front 4X'd hang-ups in 30 seconds. Solve the caller's problem first — 80% never notice. Solve the problem before you build the product. That one shift took George from $4K to $50K a month in 90 days.

⏱️ Chapters 0:00 — "The last thing they want to hear is a robot" 0:40 — Who is George: 22, CU Boulder, founder of NaiL 2:15 — Wholesale real estate at 18 → digital marketing → a $1M AI company 7:45 — Superior Fence & Rail: recovering $2.5M/month in missed calls 10:15 — The hidden metric: ~1,000 missed calls a day 12:45 — Don't fire your CSRs: AI as the safety net, not the first touch 17:25 — When AI is the WRONG answer: restoration & funeral homes 20:30 — Overseas agents vs AI: cost, coverage, and one-call-at-a-time 23:30 — "The worst AI will ever be": how fast the voices got good 25:55 — Outbound calling, TCPA compliance, and why SMS wins 30:35 — The next 2–3 years of AI receptionists 32:40 — Should you disclose it's AI? The 4X hang-up test 36:15 — LIVE DEMO: Tommy calls the AI 38:45 — Where to start + pitfall #1: solve the problem, not the technology 43:00 — Pilot programs: 30–60 days, build to launch 46:00 — Why young female voices win 47:40 — What it costs: $10–20K pilots, ~$997/location/month 50:00 — Advice to young builders: find the problem first, then market the hell out of it 54:15 — What's next for NaiL + how to reach George 57:20 — Why rollouts fail: vision, results, and a spokesperson

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Learn more about NaiL here: https://usenail.com Contact George: george@usenail.com

George Paladichuk is the founder of NaiL, an AI voice receptionist platform for home service franchises. A 22-year-old CU Boulder graduate, he went from wholesale real estate at 18 to running a digital marketing agency through college to building NaiL, which now serves 100+ franchise locations. His biggest client, Superior Fence & Rail, recovers $2.5 million a month in revenue from missed calls handled by the platform.

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Kent Yoshimura walked away from two Shark Tank offers because they came in under the number he set before entering the tank — then became the only founder in show history to come back and close a deal, with KIND founder Daniel Lubetzky. The NeuroGum CEO breaks down the Ring doorbell playbook for selling home services, the 4 Es of marketing, and why sleep is the most underrated CEO skill. Plus Tommy reveals the $400M number and the growth comp that stunned his banker.

🕐 TIMESTAMPS 0:00:00 Cold Open 0:00:32 Guest Intro 0:06:46 Art Meets Business 0:11:49 Sleep Tips 0:15:47 Cold Plunge Science 0:17:19 Influencer Marketing 0:18:24 The Ring Playbook 0:21:26 AI And Jobs 0:30:28 Rapid Fire Advice 0:32:49 The Ryan Story 0:34:49 Partnership Rules 0:37:42 Mental Discipline 0:47:43 Shark Tank Story 0:50:40 The $400M Reveal 0:57:43 The Rat Experiment

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Cameron Herold is back for round two — the man who scaled 1-800-GOT-JUNK from $2M to $106M in six years breaks down why two A-players beat six average hires, the exact matrix Jack Welch used to decide who stays, and the profit math that tells you whether you should even own a home service business. If you're stuck between $3M and $10M, this one's for you.

🕐 TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00 Cold Open

0:02:26 Idea Capture

0:08:30 Vivid Vision

0:11:19 The HVAC Trap

0:19:19 Red KPIs Only

0:25:14 Expansion Warning

0:31:05 Interview Training Gap

0:40:37 Jack Welch Matrix

0:48:51 A-Player Math

0:52:12 The Doubt Rule

1:01:51 Entrepreneur Reality

1:13:54 Profit Over Revenue

1:17:28 P&L Basics

1:26:15 Call Center Rule

1:44:44 Books And Contact

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Tommy Mello sits down with Gary Vaynerchuk, founder of VaynerMedia and VaynerX, for a conversation every home service owner needs to hear. Gary breaks down how he transformed his dad's New Jersey liquor store into Wine Library, why he saw the internet coming in 1995, and what he looks for before investing in any company today. He explains kind candor, the feedback system he trains 2,700 employees on, and answers the 10 million dollar question about starting over from zero. Then Tommy runs him through a true or false speed round on the biggest social media myths, where Gary explains why blaming the algorithm is costing you views, subscribers, and money.

🕐 TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 04:45 Father's Lessons 09:14 Store Transformation 13:10 Internet Moment 16:45 Jockey and Horse 19:56 Kind Candor 22:59 The $10M Question 26:06 Exit Philosophy 29:20 Sandcastle Philosophy 34:35 Myth Speed Round

00:53 Was Gary Vee born with business talent? 02:54 Do immigrants have an advantage in business? 04:45 What did Gary Vee learn from his father? 06:25 What was Gary Vee paid at his dad's liquor store? 09:14 How did Gary Vee grow Wine Library? 13:10 When did Gary Vee first see the internet? 16:45 What does Gary Vee look for before investing? 19:56 What is kind candor at VaynerMedia? 22:59 What would Gary Vee do with 10 million dollars? 35:15 Does taking a posting break reset the algorithm?

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Adam Shampaine went from Capitol Hill to CEO of HomeFix, a $68 million home improvement company, and then built his own supply company, finance company, and window brand. In this episode, Tommy Mello and Adam break down how vertical integration creates a moat competitors can't copy, why company DNA decides which growth channels actually work, how a door-to-door canvasser can earn $300K a year, and the one lesson Adam learned from building five companies: he would be richer if he had built one better. If you run a home service or home improvement business, this is the conversation on canvassing, financing, and focus.

🕐 TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Episode Open

01:52 Capitol Hill Origin

07:20 Part-Time to Sales

12:20 Always The People

18:00 Solar and Supply Stack

23:20 Pure Finance Origin

30:30 Finance Platform Growth

37:20 Company DNA Canvas

43:50 Canvassing As Math

48:50 Canvas vs Demand Leads

54:12 Brand Power vs Canvas

1:02:02 One Thing Regret

Questions this episode answers:

01:52 How did a Capitol Hill staffer end up in home improvement sales?

12:20 Is it the market or the salespeople when a sales territory fails?

18:00 Why would a home improvement company build its own supply chain?

23:20 Should contractors start their own consumer finance company?

30:30 How does in-house customer financing actually make money?

37:20 Can you change your company's culture and business model?

40:50 Why do canvassing consultants fail at most companies?

43:50 How much can a door-to-door canvasser make per year?

48:50 What is the difference between canvas leads and demand leads?

54:12 Does brand marketing beat door-to-door canvassing?

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Sahil Bloom spent seven years "winning" in private equity — while living 3,000 miles from his parents, drinking seven nights a week, and 50 lbs heavier than today. Then one sentence from a friend changed everything: "You're going to see your parents 15 more times before they die." In this episode, Tommy Mello sits down with the author of The 5 Types of Wealth to break down the 85-year Harvard study that found the #1 predictor of your health at 80 isn't blood pressure, smoking, or cholesterol — it's how you feel about your relationships at 50. They cover the Life Razor, why "nobody cares" is the most freeing advice you'll ever get, the phone rule that reclaimed 68 days a year, delegation without dumping, and what AI means for the next decade of work.

🕐 TIMESTAMPS 00:00 The #1 Predictor of Health at 80 (Cold Open) 00:48 Who Is Sahil Bloom? The 5 Types of Wealth 02:22 Winning in Private Equity While Losing Everything Else 03:18 "You'll See Your Parents 15 More Times Before They Die" 04:26 The 5 Types of Wealth Explained 05:43 Sahil's Daily Routine & Business Ecosystem 08:29 How Success Gets Redefined After 30 12:57 Phones, Presence & the People You Love 17:19 Why Entrepreneurs Can't Enjoy the Journey 19:01 A Violent Bias for Action 19:45 What Is a Life Razor? (The Apollo 13 Story) 24:11 Game-Changing Advice You Wish You Knew in Your 20s 24:32 "Nobody Cares" & the Spotlight Effect 26:10 The Science of Slow, Steady Progress 27:59 Starting Over With $10 Million 28:56 The Goal: Positively Impact a Billion Lives 31:19 The 5 Types of Wealth in Your 20s vs Your 50s 34:21 What Makes Happy Couples Stay Happy 35:38 Keeping the Fire Alive After Kids 39:26 The Harvard Study: Health at 80, Predicted at 50 40:36 Counseling, Being Right & Changing Your Mind 44:28 Relationship Advice for Young People + The Phone Rule 49:31 Your Quest Has to Be Yours 50:51 Speed Round: Time Blocking & Work Smart vs Hard 53:38 How to Delegate Without Dumping 55:32 Design Your Perfect Day 56:12 Sahil's Viral Ideas: Proximity Is Wealth 58:03 Kids, Priorities & Adaptability 1:00:37 Be Unapologetically Yourself 1:02:49 AI, Jobs & the Next 10 Years 1:06:24 How They Actually Use AI 1:07:09 Robots, Blue Collar & What's Coming 1:14:38 The Book That Changed His Life 1:15:58 Final Advice: Invest in Your Relationships

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Dustin Sims went from running a window tint shop to VP of Operations at A1 Garage Door Service — a $400 million company — in under five years, promoted three times along the way. Tommy pulls back the curtain on how A1 actually runs: why serving the customer has to be the North Star, why incentives alone drive the wrong behavior, how to interview for the one trait that isn't on any resume, rebuilding a dispatch culture that had checked out, and the AI stack (call analysis, machine-learning dispatch) behind 30,000 jobs a month with a team of 20 dispatchers.

🕐 TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 01:22 Window Tint to VP 03:40 Private Equity Reality 11:26 Rebuilding Dispatch 20:44 Leadership That Serves 24:48 Loyalty and Culture 31:38 Customer North Star 38:40 Interviewing for Care 45:50 Family and Discipline 51:04 Raving Fans Standard 59:30 AI in the Call Center 1:05:20 Dispatching 30,000 Jobs 1:12:36 CSR vs Dispatcher 1:18:10 Culture Over Everything

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#HomeServiceExpert #A1GarageDoor #Leadership

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More than half of private equity–backed CEOs don't make it through the hold period. Samantha Allison and Taavo Godtfersen studied the ones who 5X'd their companies instead — and wrote The 5X CEO. Tommy digs into the five disciplines behind those outcomes, the talent audit that finds the 8–20 roles creating 80% of your value, equity-for-all, what the first 90 days under PE actually demand, and the shift from chief problem-solver to chief system designer. Whether you ever plan to sell or just want to run your company like the ones that do — this is the playbook.

🕐 TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 06:24 Founder CEO vs Hired CEO: Why Private Equity Replaces Owners 11:32 CEO Talent Audit: The 8 to 20 Roles That Create 80% of Value 19:10 The 5X CEO Model: Five Disciplines of Top Performers 27:39 First Year With Private Equity: The 90-Day Playbook 35:42 Blank Sheet Exercise: How Top CEOs Disrupt Themselves 43:02 Nine Box Talent Review and Leading Indicators 50:21 Is Private Equity Good or Bad for Business? 59:33 How Much Debt Should a Business Take On? 1:05:22 CEO Time Audit and Decision Audit Explained

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A1 Garage Door is about to cross $410 million — and Garage Door Freedom exists to hand other owners the exact systems that got it there. GDF coach Jon Hartey breaks down the Freedom Framework, the KPIs that actually move a business, what the first 90 days look like, and the real member stories — including the owner who burned his whole team down and came back at nearly 100% conversion. Whether you're doing $500K or $5M, this is the look inside.

🕐 TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 00:53 How Garage Door Freedom Started 03:10 The Freedom Framework 04:01 Where Owners Actually Struggle 05:39 What's the Moat Around Your Business? 08:35 What the First 90 Days Look Like 09:29 Meet the GDF Team 11:48 Better Your Best Technician Training 14:21 The KPIs That Matter Most 15:54 Why A1 Books 92% of Calls 16:39 The Most Underrated Growth Lever 21:27 Real Member Success Stories 24:34 Own Your Market — Don't Chase Four 26:57 The ServiceTitan Price Book Advantage 28:17 How the Program Pays for Itself 29:21 Inside Vertical Track 32:56 The Only Objection That Matters 35:19 He Burned It Down and Came Back Stronger 37:55 Work On the Business, Not In It 38:32 Final Thoughts

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Evan Carmichael started with $300 a month, dead-ass broke, too afraid to tell anyone. He sold his company at 22, built a YouTube channel from nothing, and reached 4 million subscribers by helping entrepreneurs believe in themselves.

But the most powerful thing he said in this conversation had nothing to do with YouTube:

"We don't care who watches the video. It's a relationship."

Evan breaks down the exact content strategy home service owners should be using — not to go viral, but to build the referral relationships that 5-10x their revenue. Plus: why your purpose comes from your pain, the neuroscience behind serving others, and the real reason most billionaires aren't happy when they finally get there.

🕐 TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 05:48 Team Mentoring as Content 11:35 The Office Hours Method 19:10 Borrowed Belief 26:03 Identity & Standards 34:05 Built to Serve 44:27 Catch Them Doing Something Right 51:12 Just Start and Keep Going 57:44 Content as Relationships 1:02:44 Buyer Breakthrough Videos 1:17:36 Book Recommendations

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Window Nation had 80% employee turnover. Within 6 months, Mike Matalone brought it down to 23% — without changing their sales process, marketing, or compensation.

The only thing he changed was how they hired, onboarded, and developed their people.

Mike is the founder of XP3 Talent Systems and the bestselling author of Hire, Train, Retain. He spent 5 years coaching 45 CEOs through Vistage, where he discovered that 80-90% of all business problems trace back to one thing: people.

In this episode, Tommy and Mike break down the exact people operating system that transforms average hires into A players in 30 days — and why the owners who think they can hire their way to a great team are already losing.

⏱️ CHAPTERS ⏱️ 00:00 Intro 00:24 XP3 Origin Story 06:59 Window Nation Turnaround 12:34 Three Hiring Criteria 18:14 Psychological Connection 23:44 Personality Assessments 30:42 AI For Interviews 36:04 Wow Onboarding 42:56 Company Advocates 53:19 What's In It For Them 1:01:14 Define Success 1:06:24 Build A Business Not A Job

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Chuck Thokey built sales teams that generated $220 million in revenue — and his first coaching client went from under $1 million to a $6 million net profit before being acquired by private equity. In this episode, Tommy sits down with the co-founder of Top Rep Sales Training to break down exactly why most sales teams are either your biggest asset or your most expensive liability — and why most owners can't tell the difference.

Chuck covers the four buyer personality types (the Platinum Rule), why best-better-good pricing closes 90% of customers at the middle tier, how to give a price without flinching, and the daily Power Hour training system that keeps reps sharp. He also unpacks the uncomfortable truth: 80% of sales leaders are either struggling or need to be replaced — not because they're bad people, but because they were never trained for the role.

If your sales team isn't performing, this is the starting point.

🕐 TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Episode Open 01:21 Aerospace Origin Story 08:30 Four Buyer Types 13:30 Tier Pricing Tactics 20:27 Power Hour Training 30:00 Rep Performance Standard 37:14 Hiring and Simulation 44:23 Leadership Failure Rate 49:13 Six Million Case Study 57:00 Growth Mindset Scaling 1:02:18 KPI Dashboard Mastery 1:07:41 Final Thoughts

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Your brand is either quietly growing your business or quietly killing it. In this episode, KickCharge Creative President Terri Briggs reveals why the most expensive decision home service contractors make is waiting — and how the right brand transforms average tickets, conversion rates, employee retention, and company value from day one.

⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 - Episode Introduction 03:49 - Brand Creation Process 07:00 - Revenue Impact Data 11:13 - Color Ownership Strategy 15:00 - Long-Term Brand Value 18:40 - Cost of Waiting 22:10 - Brand ROI Measurement 26:38 - Branded Not Blended 30:12 - JumpSpark Fleet 33:54 - The Profit Problem 39:06 - Free Brand Scan 43:46 - Test of Time

🔍 FREE BRAND SCAN: Is your brand healthy, or quietly holding you back? Terri Lynne Briggs will personally review your name, logo, and truck wrap and tell you what's working and what's costing you. No charge. Book yours: https://www.kickcharge.com/brand-scan/

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Jim Leslie is the CEO of Home Service Freedom and former CMO/CTO at A1 Garage Door — where he helped build the company to over $400 million. Today he breaks down exactly what's killing revenue inside most home service companies (hint: it's not your marketing), walks through real HSF member success stories with real numbers, and explains how the right systems, community, and coaching can take any home service company further, faster.

In this episode: ▸ The #1 reason home service marketing doesn't work (it's your booking rate) ▸ How a $22M multi-trade company was losing money without knowing why — and turned it around ▸ The speed-of-implementation principle that separates companies that grow from those that stay stuck ▸ How AI is flipping the labor equation — and what it means for your team right now ▸ Why going deeper beats going wider — every time ▸ What smart investors actually look for in a home service company ▸ Inside HSF: membership, coaching, training, and the 90-day money-back guarantee ▸ Freedom Event: October 26–28, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 — Jim Leslie / HSF 08:11 — HSF Membership Overview 16:00 — Member Turnaround Story 23:52 — Speed of Implementation 29:05 — AI Productivity Shift 36:28 — Smart Investor Criteria 44:15 — Freedom Event Details

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Senja Spellman is a fractional CMO who has spent over a decade inside the marketing departments of companies like Tundra Land ($100M), Leaf Home, Bath Works, and Home Genius Exteriors. She took Bath Works from $12M to $25M in one year — now pacing $52M. Today she shares exactly how home service companies can build brand trust, track TV attribution, grow with zero ad spend, and disrupt in a market where everyone looks the same.

In this episode: ▸ Why 66% of customers pick by trust — and only 7% by price ▸ The TV attribution model that ties every spot to a lead ▸ How to use ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to audit your brand visibility right now ▸ Brand vs. direct response — which one your business actually needs ▸ The 97% rule: why branding matters more than most owners think ▸ Omnichannel data strategy: how to hit the right person across mail and CTV ▸ Marketing budget benchmarks: growth (20–22%) vs. maintenance (15–18%) ▸ How cause marketing builds internal culture and external brand ▸ Why marketing is meant to disrupt — and how to stop blending in

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 — Senja's Background 07:06 — TV Attribution Model 15:31 — LLM Brand Visibility 22:48 — Home Service Differences 30:25 — Marketing Budget Benchmarks 36:10 — The 97% Rule 41:30 — Omni-Channel Data Strategy 49:50 — Private Equity Risks 57:07 — Brand Story Process 01:03:55 — Lead Gen Quick Wins 01:12:05 — Disruption in Marketing 01:17:55 — Senja's Contact Info

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Tony Hoty filed bankruptcy at 29. Spent 10 years on the road training companies across the country because he had no choice. Then rebuilt to $10M+ in retail remodeling with Window Expo and Bath Expo.

His message is simple: stop throwing money at digital ads and start building a system that creates demand. Tommy and Tony break down door-to-door canvassing, home shows, events, call center follow-up, and the lead handling mistakes costing most remodelers thousands every month.

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 Intro & Origin Story 05:40 Hunting vs. Farming 08:42 Door-to-Door Playbook 13:13 Creating Infinite Demand 17:10 Capacity Planning 19:42 Culture & Hiring 23:33 Event Profiling 29:54 Lead Handling & Leakage 33:03 Lead Follow-Up Mistakes 38:53 Process & Discipline 43:11 Ride-Alongs vs. Technology 46:45 Vision & Self-Improvement 49:28 Lead Gen Expo

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🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ Justin Feichter started Providence Roofing just over a year ago — after getting pushed out of his last company as a minority partner. In his first eight months he realized his pricing was completely wrong, rebuilt his systems on the fly, and crossed $1.2M in revenue. He's still in the field every day. This is a real-time look at what it actually takes to build a blue-collar business from the ground up — the pricing mistakes, the social media strategy that's working without a budget, and what happens when you refuse to quit. -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 Intro & Background 06:00 Year One Pricing Mistakes 12:00 Hiring for Your Weaknesses 18:00 Trades as the New Goldmine 24:00 Competing on Price 30:00 Retention & Relationships 36:00 Technology & Systems 42:00 Tax Strategy 48:00 Sales Process & First Contact 54:00 Vendor Strategy 01:00:00 Close Rate & Lead Sources 01:06:00 Social Media & Content 01:12:00 Goals for 2026 01:17:00 Lead Gen & AI — Tommy's final word 🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

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Peter Thomas built $8 billion in real estate — then lost $70 million when his silent partner went bankrupt. At 87 years old, he's sharp, happy, and still building.

Tommy gets the real story: how Peter faced 18 creditors with nothing, negotiated every single one, and rebuilt from zero. The lesson? Your skill set and your network are the two things no collapse can ever take from you.

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 --

00:00 Peter Thomas introduction

01:15 Century 21 Canada 1974

01:34 Built $8 billion

02:13 Biggest failures discussed

03:39 Living well at 87

04:31 What are your values?

04:45 Health and freedom aligned

06:05 Choose your life partner

06:19 Give everything away

07:09 Tommy grew up alone

07:40 Partner went bankrupt

07:58 Down $70 million

08:41 Skill set always survives

09:16 What was next move?

09:42 Negotiating 18 creditors

10:20 Worked all 18 deals

11:00 How to find Peter

11:29 Happiness is a choice

11:48 Tommy's life at 45

12:26 Manifesting your future

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🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ Joe Crisara has trained thousands of home service technicians — and the number one thing he hears is that they don't want to be called salespeople. In this episode, Joe breaks down why that resistance is costing your team money, your customers their options, and your business its potential. The fix isn't motivation. It's finishing the sentence. Joe's system, built over decades working with plumbers, HVAC techs, electricians, and garage door companies, is simple: make a friend, diagnose the whole system, build premium, mid-range, and economy options, personalize them, and close with "what should we do?" That framework closes 92% of jobs. Not because it's pushy, because it's honest. What you'll learn: — Why "sales" became a dirty word and how to fix it for your team

— The five-step system behind a 92% close rate

— Why financing is the primary offer

— not an afterthought

— How "magic moments" create raving fans without manipulation

— The self-esteem problem behind underperforming techs

— and the trainable fix

— Pure-motive service and why caring outsells closing every time

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🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ John Block didn't build Unity Partners by being the smartest guy in the room. He built it by making sure he never was. As the founder of one of the fastest-growing private equity firms in home services, John has a framework that most operators never hear — and it has nothing to do with hustle, willpower, or grinding harder than everyone else. In this episode, John breaks down why chasing revenue is the wrong game, what private equity actually looks for before acquiring a home service company, and the one mindset shift that separates operators who plateau from those who build something that lasts. If you're running a home service business and you feel like you've hit a ceiling — this episode is the reason why, and exactly what to do about it. What you'll learn: — Why being the dumbest person in the room is the smartest move you can make — The difference between building bigger and building better — and why it matters — What PE firms actually measure beyond EBITDA — The "who not how" principle and how to apply it to your team right now — Why most operators overestimate what they'll do in a year and underestimate the hockey stick -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/ My other podcast: Tommy Mello Millionaire ⟶ https://www.youtube.com/@officialtommymello

🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ Dr. Benjamin Hardy is one of the world's leading organizational psychologists — PhD, bestselling author of 10X Is Easier Than 2X, and Dan Sullivan's writing partner. In this episode, Tommy sits down with Dr. Hardy to break down why you don't need to be ready to start, how your future self is already waiting for you to decide, and the one mindset shift that separates the operators who scale from the ones who stay stuck. ⏱ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Start Before You're Ready 02:54 Welcome and Introductions 04:31 Tommy's Hockey Stick Growth 05:28 Ben's Background Today 07:01 Profitability Over Revenue 09:26 Ben's Origin Story 16:08 Meeting Dan Sullivan 21:48 How to Co-Write Books 24:30 Building Your Audience 30:13 The Power Law Explained 36:24 How to 10X 43:59 Writing Seven Books 47:34 The Gap and the Gain 48:59 Future Self Framework 57:14 Stop Waiting for Perfect 01:00:11 Future Self Deep Dive 01:07:48 The Science of Future Self 01:21:40 Closeout Questions 01:25:01 Start Over With $10M 01:28:20 Ben's Favorite Books 01:31:18 Find Ben Online 🔗 Build Your Freedom → https://homeservicefreedom.com/ 📱 Follow Tommy: TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/officialtommymello 🎙️ Home Service Expert Podcast → https://homeserviceexpert.com

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The biggest myth in home service technology? That software solves problems. It doesn't. People do.

Tommy sits down with Richard Kohberger — the go-to ServiceTitan expert and founder of Blue Collar Nerd — for one of the most honest conversations about technology, leadership, and what it actually takes to build a great home service company in the AI era.In this episode you'll learn:

— Why most companies use ServiceTitan wrong

— and what it actually looks like when you use it right

— The truth about AI replacing CSRs and what to do about it before it happens to you

— Why adding more AI to your business means your people need MORE human attention, not less

— The four metrics every home service owner should know cold

— Why emotional intelligence is the most underrated skill in home service leadership

-- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 --

00:00 - Introduction

00:34 - Richard's Background and Blue Collar Nerd Origin

03:08 - Why Investors Are Rushing Into Home Service

06:02 - Advanced ServiceTitan Integrations

10:31 - When to Get on ServiceTitan

13:50 - AI-First Software and What's Coming

17:46 - Tommy's AI-Written Radio Ad Live

21:16 - Social Media vs Traditional Advertising

28:03 - The A1 Garage Model vs HVAC

32:28 - Which Industry Would Richard Build In?

36:12 - Tommy's 2017 Trifecta and Podcast Origin

38:49 - SOPs: SweetProcess vs Trainual

41:13 - AI Supporting People Not Replacing Them

44:41 - Technology Changing Leadership and Culture

47:52 - Longevity Science and Fasting

51:03 - Skills the Next Generation of Operators Needs

54:14 - EQ vs IQ in Leadership

58:42 - Rapid Fire: The Four Metrics Every Owner Must Know

1:09:08 - Die With Zero and Tommy's Philanthropy Plans

1:13:53 - Get Clear on Your WHY 1:17:35 - Is "I'm Doing It for My Family" Really True?

1:23:39 - Meditation, Facing Fears, and Final Thoughts

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🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ Most home service companies don't fail from a lack of opportunity — they fail because they lose focus.

Tommy sits down with Yarin Gaon, a growth advisor who has mentored over 397 businesses through Chicago and SCORE and helped company after company break through the $1M–$10M plateau.

Yarin's framework is built on one core idea: the path of least resistance always wins. In this episode you'll learn:

— Why your current business model might not be the version worth scaling

— How to find the 20% of your operation driving 80% of your profit

— The growth canvas replacing vision traction organizers for home service leaders

— What "path of least resistance" actually looks like applied to your business

— Why you need to pause before your next quarterly session and design Version 2 Yarin's free playbook: fractional.partners

— no lead magnet, no catch. Just the framework. -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 --

00:00 - Introduction

00:51 - Yarin's Background and Story

05:06 - Hustle vs Focus

06:08 - What Vision Actually Means

08:20 - Defining Your Real Success Metric

10:39 - How to Build a Monopoly in Your Market

12:11 - Military E-Commerce Business Breakdown

15:49 - Diversification Mistakes and When to Cut

21:17 - The Wrong Growth Model

23:51 - Growth by Addition vs Subtraction

30:50 - Profitability Before Capital

33:41 - How Private Equity Values Your Business

37:47 - What the Best CEOs Have in Common

39:53 - Better Decisions Equal More Profit

1:05:46 - Why Franchising Fails in Home Service

1:07:09 - The Explicit Decision Framework

1:09:45 - The Growth Model Framework

1:12:48 - Free Playbook and Book Recommendation

1:13:32 - Path of Least Resistance Explained

1:15:14 - Build a Machine That Prints Profit 🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/

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Tommy Mello Millionaire ⟶ https://www.youtube.com/@officialtommymello

Live Q&A ⟶ https://homeserviceexpert.com/questions

🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ 💎 Top 5 Takes for this Episode! 1. People overestimate what they can do in one or two years — and massively underestimate what they can do in five to ten. Stick with the boring work. 2. Blue collar is the new rich. AI won't replace the trades. Private equity loves scalable home service. Most people couldn't name three flooring companies. That's the opportunity. 3. The real game isn't revenue — it's enterprise value. Lifestyle businesses extract cash. Legacy businesses build an asset worth selling. 4. Master the mundane. Discipline over dopamine. Repetition over inspiration. That's the only secret. 5. There's nothing more dangerous than a wealthy man who gets bored. The same hunter energy that builds empires can destroy everything. Channel it right or it eats you alive. -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introducing Cody Sperber — The Clever Investor 01:30 - From Navy vet to flipping houses off a napkin

03:39 - 14 months, $30K in debt, and one deal that changed everything

04:57 - Collapsing time: 14 months to 2 months to 3 weeks

06:09 - From wholesaling to rentals to real estate education

07:47 - Why real estate teaches entrepreneurship faster than anything

10:03 - Real estate is a people business — AI can't replace that

11:36 - Why Cody was the best marketer in real estate

16:02 - Why blue collar is the new rich

17:16 - Why Cody chose flooring: most people can't name two companies

18:10 - Selling the education business: first time playing the right game

18:27 - Enterprise value vs. lifestyle business

19:00 - Getting emotional at the Service Titan debate about private equity

20:03 - Why taking chips off the table was about parents, not profit

22:01 - The American dream is still real — immigrants prove it

41:24 - Why authenticity beats selling courses every single time

46:17 - Having kids doubled his income — the hunter mindset intensified

46:42 - The upfront conversation every entrepreneur needs with their partner

48:34 - The system that made marriage and business work together

50:37 - 18 years and a divorce: 'We friendzoned each other'

52:06 - The most dangerous thing a wealthy man can do when he gets bored

53:26 - Having everything on paper and feeling completely empty inside

55:11 - The year and a half that rebuilt his character from the ground up

58:05 - One piece of advice for your 20s: Master the mundane

58:35 - People overestimate 1-2 years. They underestimate 5-10.

59:22 - Why Cody loves failure and what he tells his team

1:00:47 - If you had $10M and your network — what would you build?

1:22:29 - Floor Daddy at 2 years: three crash and burns, $1M+/month

1:23:53 - Tommy's close: financial discipline and the 15% EBITDA rule

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My other podcast: Tommy Mello Millionaire ⟶ https://www.youtube.com/@officialtommymello

Live Q&A submission form: https://homeserviceexpert.com/questions

🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ 💎 Top 5 Takes for this Episode! There are two types of business owners — those who build for cash flow, and those who build enterprise value to sell. Know which one you are before you start. More marketing never fixes a broken operation. Fix your booking rate, cancellation rate, and conversion rate first. Then scale spend. A players today can become C players in two years. The business grows, the people don't always grow with it. Watch for it. Never take on work outside your lane just because it's a big dollar. Scope creep creates liability, inflates AR, and distracts the whole team. "Everybody wants the views, but very few people are willing to take the hike." — the one quote that defines the cost of real success. -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introducing Jordan White and Seek One Roofing

01:13 - The hardest thing in business right now

03:13 - Building a business as an asset vs. a cash flow machine

04:50 - Year by year: $2.5M to $28M in four years

07:32 - What salespeople don't know when they start a company

09:57 - Why some industries are impossible to scale

12:37 - Building trust and credibility before you have a brand

13:25 - What happens at $28M — private equity, roll equity, or rebuild

17:52 - How faith shows up in real business decisions

20:49 - Protecting integrity while training salespeople to win

22:20 - The marketing formula nobody talks about

23:30 - Why adding more marketing spend right now is a mistake

24:44 - Building a real-time data dashboard with custom metrics

26:58 - Why you should own a market before you enter a new one

29:47 - When to walk away from a market (we pulled out of 7)

31:35 - The hardest leadership lesson Jordan learned

33:17 - Turning down an $8.3M commercial job and why

36:31 - Aaron Stokes tribute — the plane accident and what it meant

38:53 - What loss teaches you about enjoying the journey

41:47 - If you don't enjoy the journey, the destination won't change it

43:01 - Don't tie your identity to your business

43:12 - What changes as a leader when the company outgrows you

45:57 - The CFO who sees around corners

1:04:30 - Colin's story: from Tractor Supply at 19 to $273K in year one Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/ My other podcast: Tommy Mello Millionaire ⟶ https://www.youtube.com/@officialtommymello Live Q&A submission form: https://homeserviceexpert.com/questions

David Peterson is Senior Vice President of Sales at Annuity, a powerhouse in the home improvement industry. With over 15 years of experience, David has scaled multi-brand platforms to nearly 1,000 sales representatives and helped grow Mad City Windows from a regional player to a $300 million+ powerhouse before its acquisition. David is a proven expert in in-home selling, KPI-driven management, and building repeatable sales systems that deliver consistent results. From overcoming early career challenges to leading a billion-dollar company's sales strategy, David shares insights on leadership, sales culture, financing in home improvement, and the power of humility in success. Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/ My other podcast: Home Service Expert ⟶ https://open.spotify.com/show/4WHQ3ldGThHsP1cfzNF33G Live Q&A submission form: https://homeserviceexpert.com/questions

Josey Parks is a CEO, venture entrepreneur, and one of the most forward-thinking voices at the intersection of blue-collar industry and technology. As the founder of multiple companies spanning roofing, construction, and AI—including Total Home Roofing, RFX, Roofix, Think Unlimited, and Cognitive Contractor—Josey has built a reputation as a true category creator in the trades. A former Inc. 5000 honoree and one of the youngest leaders to make a major impact in roofing, Josey has been featured on CNBC's Blue-Collar Millionaires and This Old House and was named "Roofing's Fearless Visionary" by industry leaders. Today, through Outlaw Ventures, he's focused on something even bigger: building the infrastructure behind AI, including energy, data systems, and scalable intelligence platforms. Josey is also the force behind initiatives like Win The Storm Conference and SVG University, designed to equip contractors with the tools, technology, and community needed to compete and win in a rapidly evolving industry. Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

My other podcast: Home Service Expert ⟶ https://open.spotify.com/show/4WHQ3ldGThHsP1cfzNF33G Live Q&A submission form: https://homeserviceexpert.com/questions

Shawn and Kaitlin Feurer are the founders of Shawn Feurer Consulting, a mindset and performance coaching company based in Draper, Utah, helping business owners across the U.S. and Canada unlock higher levels of execution, leadership, and growth. Together, they've built a reputation for blending mindset mastery with real-world business strategy—helping entrepreneurs break through internal limitations and scale companies that actually last. Shawn, known as The Universal Mindset Disruptor, is the creator of The Inner Blueprint™ and brings over two decades of entrepreneurial experience, including building, losing, and rebuilding success multiple times. His journey—from rags to riches, back to rock bottom, and rising again—has shaped his no-nonsense approach to leadership, resilience, and sustainable growth. Kaitlin, a mindset coach and former competitive cheer coach, specializes in helping individuals develop confidence, discipline, and belief through action. With years of experience coaching high performers, she plays a critical role in helping business owners close the gap between what they know and what they actually execute. Through consulting, coaching, and live experiences, the Feurers work with contractors and business leaders to reprogram subconscious patterns, eliminate self-imposed ceilings, and lead with clarity, control, and consistency. Their frameworks—like the Knowing–Doing Gap and E + R = O—have helped countless entrepreneurs transform not just their businesses but their entire approach to life and leadership. FOR MORE GREAT EPISODES: The Mello Millionaire - https://open.spotify.com/show/1jsZaiMgWe0EGaPfLtelDW?si=3de6091af58d41b4 Check Out My Social Media: TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

Email tim@smartwrap.com to get your first wrap FREE! Tim Hilcove is the founder of SmartWrap, a Phoenix-based vehicle wrap and branding company he launched in 2009 alongside his father. Over the past 15+ years, Tim has helped businesses across the country transform their vehicles into high-performing marketing assets: combining design, messaging, and strategy to generate real, measurable growth. With a background in design, production, and marketing, Tim has built SmartWrap into a full-service operation, producing and installing thousands of wraps annually through an in-house model that prioritizes speed, quality, and consistency. His work focuses on helping small and mid-sized businesses stand out in crowded markets by turning everyday vehicles into mobile billboards that drive visibility, brand recognition, and inbound leads. Whether you're in home services, local business, or scaling a growing company, this conversation offers a practical look at how to maximize your marketing dollars and turn your brand into a lead-generating machine. FOR MORE GREAT EPISODES: The Mello Millionaire - https://open.spotify.com/show/1jsZaiMgWe0EGaPfLtelDW?si=3de6091af58d41b4 Check Out My Social Media: TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

David Royce is the founder and chairman of Aptive Environmental, one of the fastest-growing residential pest control companies in North America. Under his leadership, the company scaled to a $500M+ business operating across 30+ states and thousands of cities, with a team of over 6,000 employees.

Recognized by Forbes, Fortune, Inc., Entrepreneur, and The Wall Street Journal, David is a recipient of the Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Beyond business, he brings a unique perspective by combining operational excellence with psychology, leadership development, and human behavior, helping founders scale not just their companies—but their lives with intention. FOR MORE GREAT EPISODES: The Mello Millionaire - https://open.spotify.com/show/1jsZaiMgWe0EGaPfLtelDW?si=3de6091af58d41b4 Check Out My Social Media: TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

Brian Franco is a visionary entrepreneur, dealmaker, and private equity investor widely known as "The M&A Guy." He is the Founder and Managing Partner of Meritage Partners, where he has spent over two decades guiding founders, private equity groups, and strategic acquirers through transformative mergers and acquisitions—helping generate billions in successful exits. Brian is the author of Inevitable Exit, a definitive guide to business succession, strategy, and legacy, and the creator of Empire Builder Studio, a platform focused on scaling companies and preparing them for liquidity events. He also hosts The M&A Guy Podcast, where he shares practical insights on valuation, growth, and exit readiness. Anchored by faith, family, and purpose, Brian blends disciplined execution with long-term vision to help leaders build enduring companies—and exits that truly matter.

FOR MORE GREAT EPISODES: The Mello Millionaire - https://open.spotify.com/show/1jsZaiMgWe0EGaPfLtelDW?si=3de6091af58d41b4

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Learn more about LJW Advertising here: https://www.larryjohnwright.com/

Larry John Wright Advertising (LJW) is a full-service creative and media strategy firm based in Mesa, Arizona, helping growth-focused companies turn marketing into measurable revenue.

Founded in 1982, LJW specializes in combining strategic media buying with strong creative execution—placing campaigns across television, radio, billboards, streaming, digital, and social platforms. With in-house production studios creating thousands of ads each year, LJW helps clients move faster, control costs, and maintain consistent messaging.

With decades of experience and a proven track record across industries like home services, automotive, legal, and retail, LJW's mission is simple: help businesses invest smarter and grow faster.

FOR MORE GREAT EPISODES: The Mello Millionaire - https://open.spotify.com/show/1jsZaiMgWe0EGaPfLtelDW?si=3de6091af58d41b4

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Nate Fischer is a technologist and the CTO of Local Optics, a digital marketing and SEO company focused on helping home service businesses dominate their local markets. With a background in software development and search engine optimization, Fischer has built his career at the intersection of data, automation, and performance-driven marketing.

Throughout his work, Fischer has helped contractors and service companies rethink how they approach online growth—moving beyond traditional SEO tactics and toward systems that leverage real-world job data, customer interactions, and proof-based content to drive results. His approach emphasizes turning everyday field activity into scalable digital assets that improve rankings, increase visibility, and generate consistent inbound leads.

At Local Optics, Fischer has played a key role in developing strategies that integrate CRM data, reviews, and multi-channel marketing into a cohesive growth engine. By focusing on measurable outcomes and long-term infrastructure, he has helped businesses reduce reliance on outdated agency models and take greater control over their marketing performance.

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Ryan Fenn is an entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Chiirp, a software company focused on helping home service businesses convert more leads into booked jobs. A lifelong entrepreneur, Fenn built his career from the ground up—starting with a windshield repair business he launched with just a few hundred dollars and scaling it into a multi-location operation.

Through his early experience in sales and home services, Fenn identified a major gap in the industry: most companies weren't losing revenue because of poor marketing, but because of inconsistent and slow follow-up with leads. This insight ultimately led him to create Chiirp, which automates customer follow-up across multiple channels, including text messages, emails, voicemail drops, and more.

FOR MORE GREAT EPISODES: The Mello Millionaire - https://open.spotify.com/show/1jsZaiMgWe0EGaPfLtelDW?si=3de6091af58d41b4

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Interested in a complimentary market scan or ads workshop from Valpak? Click here: http://asktommypodcast.com/Valpak In this episode of The Home Service Expert, Tommy sits down with Dan Harlacher from Valpak, a marketing expert with over 30 years of experience helping local businesses generate leads and grow through targeted direct mail and data-driven marketing strategies. While many marketers focus only on digital advertising, direct mail continues to be one of the most powerful and underutilized lead generation tools, especially for home service businesses. Valpak has evolved from the iconic blue envelope into a sophisticated omnichannel marketing platform combining direct mail, digital advertising, and advanced audience targeting. Dan breaks down how businesses can use data, targeting, and integrated marketing campaigns to drive measurable ROI and consistently generate new customers. You'll learn why direct mail still works in the digital age and the biggest marketing mistakes local businesses make. You'll also learn how to target the right homeowners for home services, strategies to increase response rates and conversions, and why omnichannel marketing is the future for local businesses. If you're a home service business owner, entrepreneur, or marketer looking to generate more leads, this episode is packed with practical insights you can implement immediately.

In this episode, we sit down with Ara Mahdessian, co-founder and CEO of ServiceTitan, the software platform that revolutionized how home service businesses operate. Born out of the frustrations of running his family's plumbing business, Ara set out to build technology specifically designed for contractors. What started as a solution for small service companies has grown into a billion-dollar software and one of the most powerful platforms in the home services industry. This episode dives into the story behind ServiceTitan, the challenges of building SaaS for trades businesses, and how technology is reshaping the future of home services. We discuss the origin story behind ServiceTitan, Ara's personal story growing up in a family plumbing business, and building software for contractors and home service companies. You'll learn about turning a startup into a major SaaS platform, the future of the home services industry, and leadership lessons. Whether you're a contractor, entrepreneur, SaaS founder, or startup enthusiast, this conversation offers valuable insights into building technology that solves real-world problems.

FOR MORE GREAT EPISODES: The Mello Millionaire - https://open.spotify.com/show/1jsZaiMgWe0EGaPfLtelDW?si=3de6091af58d41b4

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Brigham Dickinson is the co-founder and president of Power Selling Pros, a company that helps home service businesses turn more incoming calls into booked jobs through world-class customer service and call-handling training. After years of studying top-performing service companies, Brigham developed proven systems that help CSRs and office teams deliver exceptional customer experiences that drive revenue and loyalty.

Today, Power Selling Pros works with contractors across the country to improve call conversion, increase bookings, and build cultures centered on the "Pattern for Excellence." Brigham is also the host of the Service MVP Podcast, where he interviews leaders across the home service industry about leadership, growth, and delivering remarkable service. FOR MORE GREAT EPISODES: The Mello Millionaire - https://open.spotify.com/show/1jsZaiMgWe0EGaPfLtelDW?si=3de6091af58d41b4 Chapters

Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok _https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook _https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

In this conversation, Rob Anderson shares his insights on the importance of company culture, customer service, and effective recruitment strategies in the home services industry. He emphasizes the need for businesses to focus on making customers happy and creating a positive work environment for employees. Rob discusses the significance of data-driven decisions, the impact of partnerships, and the challenges posed by private equity. He also highlights the importance of leadership development, emotional intelligence, and the art of storytelling in building relationships with clients and partners. Ultimately, Rob encourages a forward-looking mindset and the continuous pursuit of personal and professional growth.

00:00 The Importance of Culture in Business 05:52 Recruitment and Retention Strategies 08:55 Defining and Measuring Company Culture 15:01 Navigating the Challenges of Home Services 18:04 The Role of Partnerships in Business Growth 20:57 Giving Back to the Community 23:50 The Impact of Private Equity on Business 26:58 Leadership Development and Emotional Intelligence 30:07 The Art of Storytelling in Business 33:00 Building Relationships with Clients and Partners 35:57 The Future of Business and Personal Growth

Tommy Mello hosts a Super Bowl day episode of The Home Service Expert with Ismael Valdez, founder of VE and NextGen (Anaheim), discussing how to scale home service businesses through disciplined marketing, sales process mastery, and operational execution. Ishmael explains how he would evaluate investing in a $20M company by first assessing the energy and leadership of the C-suite/upper management, then reviewing data systems like CRM/ServiceTitan and financials, contrasting this with smaller $4 - $5M owner-driven businesses. They discuss the importance of competitiveness, infrastructure, and recruiting, and Tommy's focus on lead generation and funnel math (booking rate, cancellations, conversion rate), including capacity planning, overstaffing with outbound to fill boards, and lowering cancellations driven by response time. Ishmael emphasizes three core departments: marketing, sales, and operations/customer fulfillment, and argues many operators underperform in marketing and sales.

In this conversation, Tommy Mello and Brian Sooy discuss the critical aspects of branding, marketing, and leadership in the home services industry. They explore the importance of clarity in branding, the need for differentiation in a competitive market, and the balance between branding and direct response marketing. Brian shares insights on creating memorable customer experiences, the role of storytelling in branding, and the significance of data-driven decision-making. They also touch on building a strong company culture and the mindset of ownership that can drive success in business.

In this episode, Tommy Mello interviews Zach Deering, co-founder of Mantle, an AI-powered sales platform for home services. They discuss the evolving landscape of home services, the importance of creating a shopping experience for homeowners, and how technology can enhance sales processes. Zach shares insights from his background at Amazon and McKinsey, emphasizing customer obsession and the need for simplicity in business. The conversation also touches on generational differences in shopping behavior, the role of financing in home services, and the future of AI integration in the industry.

Learn more about Mantel: www.usemantel.com

Mantel Homeowner Shopping Attitudes Report https://www.usemantel.com/survey

In this conversation, Vince Nardo shares his extensive experience in the home services industry, discussing the challenges and strategies involved in breaking into new markets, the complexities of private equity, and the importance of grassroots marketing. He emphasizes the need for a strong company culture, effective marketing strategies, and team alignment to drive growth. Vince also reflects on the significance of recognizing and retaining talent, as well as the importance of having a plan for life after selling a business.

00:00 Breaking into New Markets

02:04 Vince Nardo's Journey in Home Services

05:36 The Challenges of Private Equity

10:06 Grassroots Marketing Strategies

12:54 Establishing a Strong Business Foundation

17:22 The Importance of Culture in Business

23:44 Marketing as the Core of Business Success

30:05 Aligning Teams for Growth

37:29 Recognizing and Retaining Talent

53:21 Life After Selling a Business

Grant Winstead is an expert in home service, renovations, leadership, coaching, and sales based in the Washington DC-Baltimore area. He is the CEO of Renovation Experts and operates as a transformational coach. With over 40 years of experience, Grant has built his multi-million dollar company from the ground up, starting as a door-to-door canvasser. Throughout the interview, Grant shares his personal journey from a challenging upbringing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to becoming a successful home service operator. He emphasizes the importance of mindset over tactics in achieving growth and success. Grant discusses overcoming obstacles, the impact of mentorship, and the critical role of self-belief. He also touches on his current focus on coaching and mindset development, detailing his 12-week coaching program designed to help individuals and entrepreneurs break limiting beliefs and achieve their highest potential.

00:00 Introduction to Grant Winstead

02:35 Grant's Early Life and Career Beginnings

08:59 Transition to Leadership and Mentorship

17:47 The Importance of Mindset in Success

25:42 Sales Strategies and Overcoming Obstacles

28:51 The Role of Mindset in Achieving High Performance

35:00 The Importance of Self-Belief in Interviews

35:57 Challenges in Finding Driven Individuals

38:00 The Role of Family Support

40:47 The Power of Repetition and Curriculum

45:45 The Will to Win and Discipline

59:22 The Role of Books and Mentors

In this conversation, Dillon Georgian shares his journey in the turf industry, emphasizing the importance of leadership, operational efficiency, and the balance between family and business. He discusses his transition from retail to distribution, the significance of equity incentives, and the need for a resilient mindset in entrepreneurship. Dylan also highlights the role of technology and systems in modern business, the importance of purpose, and the desire to give back to the community. His insights provide valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and established business leaders alike.

In this conversation, Tommy Mello interviews Johnny Conklin, founder and managing partner of 16 South Capital Partners. They discuss the importance of partnerships in business, the evolving landscape of private equity, and the role of founders in driving success. Johnny shares insights from his journey in private equity, emphasizing the need for authenticity, transparency, and a focus on non-economic goals. He explains the unique approach of 16 South Capital, which prioritizes legacy preservation and team culture over traditional leverage strategies. The conversation also touches on the misconceptions surrounding private equity and the importance of preparing for life after a sale.

In this conversation, Richard Lewis and Adam Hanover, founders of Redwood Services, discuss their unique approach to private equity in the home services industry. They emphasize the importance of partnerships, culture, and a long-term investment strategy that prioritizes the growth and success of local businesses. The discussion covers their backgrounds, the philosophy behind their 'build to hold' strategy, and the significance of operational excellence and leadership in achieving sustainable growth. They also address the perception of private equity and the role of technology in enhancing business operations.

In this conversation, Megan Beattie, a seasoned marketing consultant, shares her insights on the importance of execution in consulting, the role of leadership in empowering young professionals, and the necessity of effective sales techniques. She emphasizes the value of scripts, training, and ethical canvassing in sales, while also discussing the challenges of delegation and the impact of personal experiences on leadership. The discussion touches on the future of AI in business and the importance of investing in training and leadership for sustainable growth.

Kevin O'Leary is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and television personality best known as "Mr. Wonderful" on Shark Tank. Before he became "Mr. Wonderful," he was building software companies and collaborating with innovators like Steve Jobs — experiences that sharpened his belief that clarity, product focus, and disciplined execution separate real businesses from the noise.

After selling his first company in one of the biggest tech acquisitions of its era, O'Leary launched O'Leary Ventures, a diversified investment firm that backs founders who value data over ego and performance over posturing. His portfolio now stretches across consumer goods, technology, manufacturing, and financial products, reflecting his philosophy that a good deal is simple, scalable, and rooted in numbers that actually add up.

Known for his blunt honesty and zero-fluff communication style, O'Leary has become a global voice for business clarity in a world drowning in hype. Both on and off the show, he forces entrepreneurs to think sharper, defend their decisions, and understand exactly why a deal is — or isn't — worth doing.

Robert Cialdini is a world-leading psychologist and bestselling author whose groundbreaking research on the science of influence has shaped modern understanding of persuasion and decision-making. Often called the godfather of influence, he introduced the now-classic principles of persuasion that guide leaders, marketers, and communicators around the globe. He is the author of the seminal books Influence and Pre-Suasion, which have sold millions of copies and been translated into dozens of languages. Cialdini's work continues to define best practices in ethical persuasion, earning him recognition as one of the most influential behavioral scientists of our time.

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Robert Cialdini

03:00 Principles of Ethical Influence

09:00 The Power of Reciprocity

15:00 Commitment and Consistency

21:00 Social Proof and Authority

27:00 Unity: The New Principle

33:00 Personal Insights and Anecdotes

39:00 Practical Applications of Influence

Jeff Hancher is a USA Army veteran, bestselling author, and nationally recognized keynote speaker who helps leaders and organizations unlock elite performance. As the creator of the Firm FeedbackTM methodology, he guides executives and teams to communicate with clarity, embrace bold leadership, and build high-performing, feedback-driven cultures. Through workshops, masterminds, and transformational keynotes, Jeff inspires actionable change, helping leaders elevate their teams, scale performance, and leave a lasting impact on their organizations and communities.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Cold Open 00:00:14 Title Sequence 00:00:34 Show Notes VO 00:01:20 Intro to Interview 01:00:17 Outro

The conversation delves into the psychology of buyers, emphasizing that individuals do not purchase solutions for problems they are unaware of. It highlights the importance of salespeople addressing the problems their products solve. Additionally, it explores the perception of value in purchases, illustrating how personal biases affect the way individuals view the cost of their own purchases versus those of others.

Scott Clary is a serial entrepreneur, brand strategist, and the creator and host of the top-ranked Success Story podcast, where he's interviewed some of the world's most influential entrepreneurs, leaders, and visionaries. With an impressive career advising startups and building global brands, Scott has become a go-to voice on growth, leadership, and the mindset required to win in today's competitive landscape.

At the heart of Scott's work is a deep belief that success is far more than financial achievement — it's about ownership, purpose, and the relentless pursuit of meaningful goals. He shares practical strategies for building powerful personal brands, creating content that connects, and cultivating audiences that truly care. His insights have helped countless founders, creators, and business leaders not only grow their companies but also design lives that align with their values.

Driven by an entrepreneurial obsession and a passion for storytelling, Scott is on a mission to empower others to take agency over their ambitions and turn bold ideas into lasting impact. Whether he's behind the mic, on stage, or advising high-growth businesses, Scott brings clarity, candor, and actionable wisdom to every conversation — inspiring people everywhere to define and achieve success on their own terms.

In this episode, Peter Meyerhoff shares his incredible journey from a troubled youth and time in prison to becoming a successful entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and advocate for change. Peter discusses the pivotal moments that led to his transformation, including overcoming addiction, finding purpose, and building a new life dedicated to helping others. His story is one of resilience, redemption, and the power of mindset in achieving personal and professional success.

In this episode of The Home Service Expert podcast, host Tommy Mello interviews Leo Pareja, CEO of eXp Realty, discussing his journey in real estate, the impact of technology and AI on the industry, and the importance of branding and visibility in business. They explore the future of real estate, the challenges posed by AI and automation, and the need for human interaction in a rapidly changing workforce. Leo shares insights on finding purpose beyond success and the significance of prioritizing family and experiences over material achievements.

In this conversation, Tommy Mello and Alisa Imperial discuss the importance of belief in business, the challenges faced in the home services industry, and the critical role of trust and delegation. They emphasize the need for a fun training culture, the value of pricing and customer experience, and the impact of mentorship on business growth. The discussion also highlights the significance of community collaboration and leadership in achieving success, as well as the importance of continuous learning and giving back to the community.

00:00 The Importance of Belief in Business

02:54 Navigating Challenges in Home Services

05:47 Understanding Trust and Delegation

08:58 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Change

12:04 Identifying Readiness for Growth

15:01 Creating a Culture of Fun in Training

17:46 The Value of Pricing and Customer Experience

21:07 Building Trust and Loyalty in Business

24:07 The Role of Mentorship in Business Growth

26:43 The Future of Garage Door Services

29:50 The Power of Community and Collaboration

32:48 The Impact of Leadership on Business Success

36:00 Creating a Brand that Resonates

39:02 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Growth

41:58 The Importance of Giving Back

45:07 The Value of Continuous Learning

47:56 The Role of Events in Industry Growth

50:39 Final Thoughts on Business Success

In this conversation, Tommy Mello and Benji Carlson discuss the current state of the blue collar economy, emphasizing the bullish outlook for trades and the impact of AI as a growth enabler. They explore the talent shortage in the industry, the need to attract younger workers, and the importance of personal development and performance-based pay. The discussion highlights strategies for making trades appealing again and the necessity of evolving business practices to meet the demands of a changing workforce.

00:00 The Bullish Blue Collar Economy

04:31 AI as an Enabler for Growth

10:50 The Talent Shortage in the Trades

16:31 Making Trades Cool Again

32:08 Six Keys to Attracting Young Talent

38:56 The Importance of Personal Development

49:22 Implementing Performance-Based Pay

56:26 Identifying and Attracting Talent

In this conversation, Tommy Mello and Ryan Lee discuss the essential elements of business success, including the importance of mindset, pricing strategies, and building a strong team. They explore the challenges of partnerships, the significance of intentional living, and the need for effective marketing strategies. The discussion emphasizes learning from mistakes, the role of systems in business, and the impact of leadership on company culture. They also touch on financial strategies for sustainable growth and the importance of continuous learning and networking in the business landscape.

00:00 Setting the Stage for Success

03:03 Intentional Living and Business Growth

05:51 The Importance of Mindset in Business

08:58 Navigating Partnerships and Family in Business

12:06 The Power of Pricing and Value

14:49 Building a Winning Team and Culture

17:45 Marketing Strategies for Growth

20:36 Learning from Mistakes and Failures

23:32 The Role of Systems and Processes

26:31 The Impact of Leadership on Business

29:51 Financial Strategies for Sustainable Growth

32:37 The Importance of Continuous Learning

35:24 Building Relationships and Networking

38:27 The Future of Business and Innovation

41:28 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

In this conversation, Tommy Mello and Tim Brown discuss the intricacies of home service marketing, emphasizing the importance of niche marketing, community engagement, and the balance between SEO and PPC strategies. They explore the challenges faced by home service businesses, the significance of building relationships, and the value of enterprise planning. The discussion also touches on the role of humor in marketing and the necessity of understanding one's market. Tim shares insights from his book, 'How to Become a Hometown Hero,' and highlights the importance of giving back to the community while building a successful business.

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00:00 Introduction to Home Service Marketing

05:02 The Importance of Niche Marketing in Home Services

09:41 Challenges and Opportunities in Home Service Marketing

14:46 Navigating SEO, PPC, and Local Marketing Strategies

19:35 Community Engagement and Building Brand Loyalty

24:37 The Role of Humor and Persuasive Communication in Marketing

29:42 Building Relationships and Networking for Business Growth

34:22 The Value of Enterprise and Long-Term Planning

39:09 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

In this conversation, Tommy Mello interviews Dave Yoho, a pioneer in the home improvement industry, discussing the keys to sales success, the importance of understanding human behavior, and effective communication techniques. They explore how to build a winning team, the role of personality in sales, and the necessity of adapting sales techniques to meet customer needs. The discussion emphasizes the significance of creating a positive company culture and the impact of effective communication on customer relationships.

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In this conversation, Tommy Mello and fleet management expert Renee Milam discuss the intricacies of managing a fleet of vehicles, particularly in the home service industry. They explore the benefits of leasing versus buying vehicles, the importance of maintaining a new fleet for employee morale and customer perception, and how effective branding can enhance business visibility. Additionally, they delve into the role of technology in optimizing fleet operations and the significance of understanding total cost of ownership in fleet management.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Understanding Fleet Management and Vehicle Lifecycle

08:01 The Benefits of Leasing vs. Buying Vehicles

16:01 Optimizing Fleet Operations and Maintenance

23:16 The Importance of Vehicle Branding and Image

30:34 Leveraging Technology in Fleet Management

In this conversation, Tommy Mello interviews Aaron Stokes, a seasoned expert in the automotive repair industry. They discuss Aaron's journey from humble beginnings to becoming a successful entrepreneur and coach. The conversation covers essential business concepts such as understanding financial metrics, the importance of gross profit by the hour, effective sales techniques, and the significance of live events in fostering community and growth. Aaron emphasizes the need for business owners to embrace change, understand their numbers, and create a supportive environment for their employees. The discussion concludes with insights on personal growth and the challenges of scaling a business.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Embracing the Future

01:07 Introduction to Aaron Stokes

03:04 Aaron's Journey in the Automotive Industry

06:03 Understanding Business Numbers

15:03 The Importance of Gross Profit by the Hour

25:00 Staffing and Employee Management

34:29 Sales Techniques and Customer Engagement

44:32 The Power of Live Events

54:31 Final Thoughts and Advice

Russell Brunson is the co-founder of ClickFunnels and a driving force behind the online marketing revolution. From hustling potato gun DVDs in college to building a $100 million software company, he's proof that big ideas and relentless execution can change everything. With ClickFunnels, he's empowered over a million entrepreneurs to launch, scale, and automate their businesses without needing a tech team. He's also a best-selling author of DotCom Secrets, Expert Secrets, and Traffic Secrets — books that have become the go-to playbooks for digital marketers worldwide. Known for his electrifying stage presence and practical, no-fluff strategies, Russell doesn't just talk funnels — he builds empires with them. His mission? To help everyday people turn their passion into profit, and their message into a movement.

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In this conversation, Jim Leslie discusses the journey of navigating business challenges, the importance of technology and marketing in scaling a business, and the need for a supportive community. They emphasize the significance of focus, execution, and creating value for all stakeholders involved. The discussion also highlights the common pitfalls that business owners face and the necessity of surrounding oneself with the right people to achieve long-term success.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Cold Open

00:00:16 Title Sequence

00:00:36 Show Notes VO

00:01:22 Intro Into Interview

00:32:23 Insertion

00:33:32 Interview Resumes

01:01:38 Outro

In this conversation, Austin Zaback shares insights on entrepreneurship, the importance of commitment, and the evolving landscape of real estate and home services. He discusses strategies for building a sellable business, the challenges of navigating the real estate market, and the significance of mentorship and company culture. The dialogue emphasizes the need for execution, the value of saying no, and the impact one can have on others. Austin reflects on personal growth, the importance of enjoying the journey, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures.

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00:00 The Importance of Commitment

02:58 Exploring Home Services

05:46 Building a Sellable Business

09:13 Real Estate Insights and Strategies

11:58 The Evolution of Wholesaling

14:56 Navigating the Real Estate Market

17:58 The Future of Real Estate and AI

20:41 Challenges in Home Services

23:54 The Art of Saying No

26:46 Creating a Positive Company Culture

29:50 The Role of Mentorship

32:55 Defining Success and Impact

35:50 Advice for Future Generations

38:36 The Value of Execution

41:46 Final Thoughts and Reflections

In this conversation, Lawrence Castillo shares his insights on building a successful business in the HVAC industry, emphasizing the importance of budgeting, recruiting top talent, and learning from mentors. He discusses the challenges of operating in California's market, the role of technology in business growth, and the significance of maintaining healthy profit margins. The conversation also touches on effective marketing strategies, the debate between acquisitions and greenfield opportunities, and the power of customer reviews in driving business success.

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00:00 Building a Strong Budget

02:52 Recruiting A-Players for Success

05:57 The Journey of an Accidental Entrepreneur

08:37 Learning from Great Mentors

11:33 The Importance of Process and Accountability

14:39 Navigating the Challenges of California's Market

17:49 The Role of Technology in Business Growth

20:35 Understanding Healthy Profit Margins

23:30 Marketing Strategies for Success

26:11 The Debate: Acquisitions vs. Greenfield

29:04 Creating Demand in Home Services

32:01 Negotiating with Vendors Effectively

34:53 The Power of Reviews in Business

38:00 Final Thoughts and Advice for Contractors

In this conversation, Brian Gottlieb shares his insights on the importance of management in shaping organizational culture, the challenges and strategies in the home improvement industry, and the significance of leadership and decision-making in business success. He emphasizes the need for effective recruitment, innovative marketing strategies, and the five pillars of leadership that can drive a company towards growth and excellence. The discussion also touches on the importance of financial management and the role of culture in employee engagement and retention.

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00:00 The Role of Management in Organizational Culture

04:16 Navigating the Home Improvement Industry

08:47 The Journey of Starting a Business

13:00 Sales Strategies and Customer Engagement

19:44 Building a Strong Company Culture

24:36 Leadership and Decision-Making

30:16 The Importance of Financial Management

35:27 Recruitment and Talent Acquisition

39:23 Innovative Marketing Strategies

46:27 The Five Pillars of Leadership

53:33 Closing Thoughts and Key Takeaways

In this engaging conversation, Tommy Mello and Ellen Rohr discuss the critical importance of financial clarity in business, the value of mentorship, and the strategies for choosing the right business to invest in. They explore the significance of understanding financials during business transactions, the dynamics of team success, and the role of effective communication and leadership. The discussion also highlights key performance indicators for growth, leveraging technology for financial management, and the personal journey of entrepreneurship. Finally, they touch on future endeavors and the importance of community engagement.

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00:00 The Importance of Financial Clarity

06:02 Mentorship and Learning from Experience

11:47 Choosing the Right Business to Invest In

17:51 Understanding Financials in Business Transactions

23:42 The Role of Team Dynamics in Business Success

29:41 The Power of Communication and Leadership

35:59 Key Performance Indicators for Business Growth

41:49 Leveraging Technology for Financial Management

47:43 The Journey of Entrepreneurship and Personal Growth

53:47 Future Endeavors and Community Engagement

In this conversation, Ismael Valdez discusses the significance of profitability, the impact of private equity on the industry, and the necessity of preparation for business growth. The discussion also touches on leadership, company culture, and the legacy that entrepreneurs leave for future generations. He emphasizes the importance of leading by example in parenting, the necessity of delegation in business, and the value of cultivating a high-performance team. He also touches on the challenges of navigating business growth, the drive for success, and the role of AI in enhancing customer service.

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00:00 The Journey to Success

03:01 Building a Winning Team

05:58 The Role of Competition in Business

08:54 Learning from Industry Leaders

12:05 The Importance of Profitability

15:01 Navigating Private Equity

17:49 The Impact of Private Equity on the Industry

20:58 Preparing for Business Growth

23:53 Leadership and Company Culture

26:57 Legacy and Future Generations

32:29 Parenting with Purpose

34:08 The Importance of Delegation

36:28 Cultivating a High-Performance Team

39:06 Learning from Mistakes

41:13 Navigating Business Growth

44:47 The Drive for Success

45:25 Market Expansion Strategies

48:20 The Role of AI in Home Services

52:23 Innovations in HVAC Technology

In this conversation, Dr. Ivan Misner, founder of BNI, discusses the significance of networking and relationships in business. He emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences and the impact of networking on personal and professional growth. Misner shares insights on the VCP (Visibility, Credibility, Profitability) process and how to effectively build relationships that lead to success. He delves into the significance of world-class service, the importance of building meaningful relationships, and the art of networking.

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00:00 The Importance of Relationships

02:59 The Birth of BNI

05:59 Networking as a Superpower

09:10 Identifying Engines and Anchors

11:49 The Room Metaphor

14:47 Managing Toxic Relationships

18:12 Luck vs. Hard Work

21:13 The VCP Process in Networking

23:51 Effective Networking Strategies

29:22 The Power of World-Class Service

30:45 Building Meaningful Relationships

32:48 The Importance of Networking

34:09 Balancing Time and Relationships

36:44 Making a Difference in Others' Lives

39:43 The Art of Storytelling

41:11 Mindset vs. Skillset in Leadership

44:51 The Role of Leadership in Business

52:20 Identifying and Building Leaders

55:05 Key Principles for Business Success