This episode features Ryan Williams, Co-Founder & COO of DivvyShares.

DivvyShares acquires small trades and home service businesses and transitions them into employee-owned companies, creating long-term wealth opportunities for employees while preserving the legacy of the business owner.

In this episode, we discuss:

* What makes a trades business attractive for acquisition
* The biggest mistakes owners make before selling their company
* How employee ownership changes retention, culture, and incentives
* What buyers look for during due diligence
* The future of acquisitions in the trades industry

Learn more about DivvyShares: https://divvyshares.com/

Presented by TradeGuard: https://tradeguardins.com/

This episode of American Builders features Thomas Stark, Founder of Stark Industrial. 

Stark industrial is a commercial & industrial water treatment and maintenance provider, servicing some of the biggest buildings in the Kansas City Metro. 

On this episode, we discuss:
- Going from corporate job to entrepreneurship
- The importance of mentorship
- The business model of water treatment companies 
- Sales & marketing: what has worked, and what hasn't 
- The future of Stark Industrial

Learn more about Stark Industrial: https://www.starkindustrial.net/

Presented by TradeGuard: https://tradeguardins.com/

This week's episode of American Builders features Luke & Hunter Rahto of Roof Maxx KC. 

Roof Maxx roof restoration and rejuvenation is a safe, easy, proven and affordable alternative to a complicated, expensive and life-disrupting asphalt roof replacement.

We discuss: 
1. The process of starting a franchise 
2. How the product is different from typical roof replacement 
3. Lead generation 
4. Door to door sales strategies 
5. Overcoming sales objections 

Learn more about Roof Maxx: https://roofmaxx.com/find-a-dealer/kansas/overland-park/

Presented by TradeGuard: https://tradeguardins.com/

This episode of American Builders features Chris George III of Chris George Custom Homes. 

We discuss: 
- The founding story of Chris George Custom Homes
- Working with family 
- Building for scale vs building custom 
- The nuance of custom rural building projects 
- Why its hard to be a community builder and a custom home builder at the same time 
- The future of Chris George Custom Homes 

Learn more about Chris George Custom Homes: https://www.chrisgeorgecustomhomes.com/

Presented by TradeGuard: https://tradeguardins.com/

This episode of American Builders features Frank Pileggi, Founder of Pileggi Painting. 

We discuss: 
- Starting a painting business in his late 30s
- The important of picking the right partners 
- Levers for growth 
- How deliver a perfect product

Learn more about Pileggi Painting: https://pileggipainting.com/

Presented by TradeGuard: https://tradeguardins.com/

This episode of American Builders features Luke Looney, Founder of Good Boy Coatings. We discuss:

- How to get started in the epoxy coatings business
- How Luke got his first start in the trades
- Contractors: Commercial vs residential focus
- Using social media to grow
- The importance of networking for contractors
- The future of Good Boy Coatings

Learn more about Good Boy Coatings here: https://www.goodboycoatings.com/

Presented by TradeGuard: https://tradeguardins.com/

This episode features Randy Hurtado, Owner/COO at DT Companies and the Good Contractors List. We discuss:

- How Randy went from IT sales to operating a $50M+ home services portfolio
- Building complementary businesses under one roof
- Residential vs. commercial roofing
- Sales & marketing strategies for contractors
- Trends shaping the industry
- His newest role as COO of the Good Contractors List

Links:
Good Contractors List: https://thegoodcontractorslist.com/
DT Companies: https://thedtcompanies.com/

Presented by TradeGuard: https://tradeguardins.com/

This episode is with Blake Frischer, owner of Hassle Free Outdoors. We discuss:

• Delivering a perfect product
• Landscape vs maintenance work
• Knowing your numbers and healthy profit margins
• The hardest challenges that come with growth
• Reinvesting in the business
• Making it through the winter slowdown

Learn more about Hassle Free Outdoors: https://www.hassle-freelawns.com/

Presented by TradeGuard: https://www.tradeguardins.com/

Colby Haverkamp is the VP of Growth & Partnerships at Howser Roofing.

In this episode, we discuss:

- The partnerships that actually move the needle in the roofing industry
- Key differences between residential and commercial roofing
- How roofing companies consistently generate new customers
- What it takes to stand out in a competitive market
- Why the industry is moving away from door knocking

Learn more about Howser Roofing: https://howserroofing.com/

Presented by TradeGuard Insurance: https://www.tradeguardins.com/

John Pileggi, Co Founder of LaborTech Solutions, joins the show to break down a simple, practical roadmap trades businesses can follow to grow consistently and scale operations without wasting money on random marketing tactics.

We walk through the exact progression contractors should follow, starting with a strong digital foundation and ending with automated AI systems that drive growth in the background.

In this episode, we cover:

• Website design, SEO, and GEO fundamentals that actually generate jobs
• Why content builds long term demand for trades companies
• When paid ads start making sense and how to avoid burning cash
• CRM optimization and how most contractors underuse their systems
• Text and email campaigns that turn leads into booked work
• How AI automation is changing operations for growing trades businesses

If you are a contractor or trades business owner trying to grow beyond referrals and build a predictable pipeline of work, this episode lays out a clear path forward.

Learn more about LaborTech Solutions: https://labortechsolutions.com/

Presented by TradeGuard, Insurance Built for the Trades: https://www.tradeguardins.com/