Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! Today’s episode is a powerhouse roundtable featuring Ismael Valdez and Dustin Van Orman, two giants in the trades game who have each scaled service businesses to over $100 million in revenue. They join Chris and the team to talk about the real impact of private equity in the trades, the myths, the opportunities, and how the right mindset and sales driven culture can launch your business from $2M to $100M+. If you’ve been skeptical, or scared about private equity, this episode might just change your mind.

Highlights:

“AI won’t replace the trades. People still want humans in their homes.”

“The loudest voices attract the most labor.”

“We don’t have an information problem. We have an accountability problem.”

“You’re not selling out. You’re building up.”

Timestamps: 

00:00 Welcome & Introductions

03:12 From Zero to $108M: Ismael’s Growth Story

08:30 The Private Equity Boom in Trades

13:10 Tackling the Labor Shortage

19:45 California vs. Washington: Tough Markets, Big Upsides

26:30 Sales-Driven Culture: The Real Growth Lever

32:58 How to Attract Top Sales Talent

39:15 Picking the Right Coach (and Avoiding Scams)

45:00 The Power of Accountability & Coaching

51:25 What Drives These Founders Today

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