In this episode of The Leading HVAC Podcast, Kymone sits down with serial entrepreneur and Nuve founder Ismael Valdez to explore the biggest problem facing most HVAC contractors—poor customer retention—and how to fix it. Ismael shares how he scaled NextGen Air from zero to $108M in just seven years, why most companies spend too much on marketing, and how his newest venture, Nuve, is helping contractors retain more customers with one small change. If you want to stop burning through leads and start building long-term profit, this episode is a must.Key Takeaways:

• Retention Is the Real Growth Strategy: Most HVAC companies are obsessed with chasing new leads. But Ismael shows how focusing on customer retention can cut marketing spend, boost profit margins, and build a more sustainable business.

• Build a Competitive Culture, Not Just a Team: High performers don’t just want a job—they want to win. Creating a pay structure that rewards performance and encourages healthy competition is the key to recruiting and keeping top talent.

• Simplify Everything—Especially How People Get Paid: Whether it’s techs, CSRs, or managers, if people don’t understand how they’re paid, they won’t stay motivated. Ismael’s formula? Pay well, and make the path to more money crystal clear.

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