Is your leadership helping your team grow—or holding them back?

In this powerful conversation, Chad Peterman sits down with Andrew Hasty to unpack the first 10 irrefutable laws of leadership through the lens of real-world HVAC and home service business challenges. From overcoming limiting beliefs to building a people-first culture, this episode is a masterclass in self-awareness, leadership development, and scaling trades companies the right way.

Perfect for service business owners and leaders who want to:

• Improve HVAC leadership skills
• Create a culture of continuous growth
• Scale their home service business with intention
• Coach frontline teams to higher performance
• Balance vision and daily accountability

Discover how to lead through ambiguity, earn team respect, and coach in real time—all while staying grounded in long-term business growth.

🔧 Subscribe to Can't Stop the Growth for more episodes on HVAC leadership, home service business growth, and building strong cultures in the trades.

Additional Resources:

Andrew on LinkedIn Book: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell

Join The ARENA - a CSTG Community (powered by our media partner, PeopleForward Network) Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

1. Leadership Limits Business Growth When Development Stops

2. Empowerment Drives a People-First Culture in the Trades

3. Small Daily Improvements Fuel Home Service Business Growth

4. Respect Is Earned Through Action, Not Authority

5. Leadership Intuition Is Built Through Repetition and Curiosity

What does it take to grow a home services business from nothing to over $6.7 million in revenue? On this episode of Around the CAMPfire, CAMP Digital CEO Katie Donovan sits down with Tom and Karen Balko to unpack their incredible journey of grit, growth, and getting it done.

From barely affording gas money to now leading a booming HVAC and electrical company in the Twin Cities, Tom and Karen share how they built a high-trust brand, scaled a rock-solid team, and stayed committed to servant leadership—answering customer calls at 2 AM and rolling up their sleeves when it matters most.

Whether you're a home service business owner, industry leader, or rising entrepreneur, this story is your blueprint for scaling with intention and heart.

Additional Resources:

Vector Services Website Connect with Karen Balko ServiceTitan Website KickCharge Website

Connect with Katie Donovan on LinkedIn Learn More About CAMP Digital

Join The ARENA - a CSTG Community (powered by our media partner, PeopleForward Network) Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Scaling with intention in the trades
• Building a magnetic company culture
• Rebranding for trust and hiring advantage
• Why leadership means answering the phones at 2AM

What do furnaces and fractions have in common? 🔥➗ More than you think!

In this episode, Chad chats with Dr. Kevin Berkopes, CEO and Cofounder of MathTrack, about building learning organizations where real education goes way beyond check-the-box training. They dive into why mistakes matter, how to actually grow your people, and what it takes to turn experience into excellence.

Whether you're a math nerd or a master tech, this one’s full of “aha!” moments 🎯💡

Additional Resources: 

Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn

Learn more about MathTrack Institute

Join The ARENA - a CSTG Community!

Chad on LinkedIn

Chad Peterman | CEO | Author

Peterman Brothers Website

More on PeopleForward Network

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn 

• Learning organizations are built on storytelling, shared myths, and cultural narratives—not mission statements.
• The gap between training and education lies in understanding the "why" behind skills, not just the "how."
• Mistakes are not just acceptable—they're essential for growth and should be part of a deliberate feedback loop.
• Younger workers thrive in environments that recognize and label their skills as valuable.
• True leadership means modeling vulnerability, owning mistakes, and fostering loyalty through empathy.

AI Trade Talk is the newest series on Can’t Stop the Growth, created for home service business owners who want to lead at the edge of innovation. Hosted by Brad Scruggs, founder of ZyraTalk, this series highlights the tools, trends, and transformations that are reshaping how HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies grow.

The series kicks off with industry powerhouse Katie Donovan, CEO of Camp Digital. and host of the Around the CAMPfire series. In this episode, Katie breaks down how AI and data-driven digital marketing are changing the game—from smarter ad strategies and real-time call board tracking to AI phone answering that saves lost revenue.

Subscribe to Can’t Stop the Growth to follow this powerful series built for future-focused leaders in the trades. Growth is changing, and this is where to stay ahead of it.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Katie Donovan on LinkedIn Learn More About CAMP Digital

Connect with Brad on LinkedIn

Ready to Chat Smarter? Grab Your Free ZyraTalk Demo! Learn more about Zyratalk

Join The ARENA - a CSTG Community (powered by our media partner, PeopleForward Network)

Chad on LinkedIn Peterman Brothers Website Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Why trades businesses need to stop chasing impressions and start tracking call board data
• How dynamic, real-time offers are boosting conversion rates
• Where AI is making the biggest impact—on the phone, on the site, and on the bottom line
• What every owner should know about tapping into Bing, Reddit, and evolving search trends
• The shift from customer acquisition to customer retention—and why it matters more than ever

Most home service businesses are losing money in the one place they least expect it—their call center. Brigham Dickinson reveals how industry leaders like Tommy Mello use proven CSR training strategies to hit 90%+ booking rates and generate millions without spending more on leads.

Learn how to turn your CSR team into a leadership pipeline, create a culture that drives results, and transform your call center into the most profitable department in your business.

Hosted by Chad Peterman on Can't Stop the Growth—a podcast built for leaders in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and other home service industries who want to lead better, grow faster, and build lasting impact through people-first leadership and proven business strategies.

Want the Happy Call Script mentioned in the episode?

Text the word HAPPY to 385-247-3714 to get it now.

Additional Resources: Brigham on LinkedIn Power Selling Pros Website

Join The ARENA - a CSTG Community! Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Your call center has untapped profit potential. When properly trained, CSRs can dramatically boost booking rates and drive top-line revenue.
• Hitting 90% booking rate on bookable calls should be the standard. Every percentage point below that is costing real dollars.
• Your CSR team can be a leadership pipeline. With the right culture and coaching, the call center becomes a place where future leaders emerge.
• Flat compensation beats percentage-based incentives. A clear, daily dollar amount per membership or upsell keeps CSRs motivated and focused.
• AI has value, but it can't replace human connection. Use it for support, but don't let it take over the customer experience unless you want to risk sameness.

🎙️ Get ready for part 2 of Chris and Chad’s episode with Scott Man!

They’re unpacking what it really means to connect with your team. From battlefield wisdom to business wins, they dive into the power of seeing the “pictures in people’s heads,” being an empathetic witness, and leading with trust.

If you're serious about people-first leadership, this one hits different!

Additional Resources:

Listen to the original episode!

Learn more about To the Point

Join The ARENA - a CSTG Community!

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

Chad on LinkedIn

Chad Peterman | CEO | Author

Peterman Brothers Website

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Empathetic witnessing builds deep, lasting trust between leaders and teams.
• Influence begins with understanding your people’s pain and goals.
• Today’s leadership challenge lies in overcoming distraction, disengagement, disconnection, and distrust.
• Frontline perspectives provide critical insight leaders must actively seek.
• Storytelling is a powerful tool for influence—especially when it’s real and vulnerable.

Stop missing the calls that fill your board. In this episode of Can’t Stop the Growth, Chad Peterman is joined by Brad Scruggs, President and CMO of ZyraTalk, to talk about a simple but powerful idea: when you stop missing calls, you stop losing jobs.

Brad breaks down how HVAC and plumbing businesses are using AI-powered customer service representatives (CSRs) to capture more leads, reduce missed calls, and grow without hiring more people. Whether it’s after-hours coverage, overflow, or lead aggregator response times—AI is helping high-growth companies optimize their call centers and maximize every opportunity.

This episode is packed with tactical insights for leaders serious about growing their home service business. If you’re focused on building a culture of excellence, booking more jobs, and staying ahead of the curve—this conversation is for you.

Watch now to see how top operators are filling the board faster, without relying on more ads or more staff.

Additional Resources:

Brad on LinkedIn Learn more about ZyraTalk

Join The ARENA - a CSTG Community! Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Most service businesses miss 15–35% of their inbound calls. That’s real money walking away.
• AI-powered CSRs can respond instantly—nights, weekends, and during peak hours.
• Use AI to handle simple requests and free up live reps for high-value leads.
• Integration is simple, with many teams live within two weeks.
• Real-time data allows for continuous CSR coaching and improved conversion rates.
• Speed-to-lead with aggregators like Angi, Thumbtack, and Modernize is crucial—AI helps you get there faster.
• Many companies use AI as overflow backup, while others have made it their front line.
• Growth doesn’t have to mean more leads—it starts with booking the ones you already have.

What do Green Berets and business leaders have in common? More than you think.

In this featured episode of “To The Point,” Chris and Chad sit down with retired U.S. Army Green Beret Scott Mann—author, actor, TEDx speaker—for a raw and riveting convo on trust, leadership, and human connection.

From war zones to boardrooms, Scott shares stories that’ll make you think, laugh, and maybe even cry. This one’s deep, but packed with golden leadership nuggets you won’t want to miss.

Additional Resources:

Listen to the original episode!

Learn more about To the Point

Join The ARENA - a CSTG Community!

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

Chad on LinkedIn

Chad Peterman | CEO | Author

Peterman Brothers Website

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Trust isn’t built in chaos—it’s banked ahead of time and drawn on when things get tough.
• Real results happen at the local level—supporting your frontline is everything.
• Be relatable and relevant; that’s the winning combo for true influence.
• Your hardest struggles can become your most powerful leadership tools.
• Stop thinking you need all the answers—ask better questions instead.

In this episode, Andrew Hasty takes us from the skies of World War II to the heart of modern leadership. 🎯

Using the story of B-17 bombers and survivorship bias, he shows why focusing only on the numbers can make us miss what really matters — grit, resilience, and those unmeasurable “intangibles” your best team players bring every day. 🎙️🔥

It’s data meets heart in the most unexpected way.

Additional Resources: 

Join The ARENA - a CSTG Community!

Chad on LinkedIn

Chad Peterman | CEO | Author

Peterman Brothers Website

More on PeopleForward Network

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn 

• Survivorship bias impacts leadership when we only evaluate those who "return" or succeed visibly.
• Focusing only on KPIs limits our view of performance and potential.
• “Missing bullets” are the unseen efforts and values that contribute to team success.
• Recognition should extend beyond numbers to include resilience, grit, loyalty, and effort.
• Promoting solely on quantitative performance may overlook future leaders.

Michelle Micheletti went from painting walls with her grandpa to leading marketing across multiple home service brands 💪—and she’s got the stories (and lessons) to prove it.

In this episode, she joins Katie Donovan for a convo full of laughs, real talk, and big takeaways. From snow cone stands 🍧 to SEO fails and AI experiments, Michelle keeps it real about what it takes to lead with heart, data, and a whole lot of grit.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Katie Donovan

Learn More About CAMP Digital

Join The ARENA - a CSTG Community!

Chad on LinkedIn

Chad Peterman | CEO | Author

Peterman Brothers Website

More on PeopleForward Network

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn 

• Local branding is essential, especially in a PE-backed environment
• Community involvement not only feels good—it boosts SEO and earns trust
• CRO and SEO are non-negotiables when launching a website
• Data-driven marketing enables agile, informed decision-making
• Strong vendor partnerships are critical for innovation and growth
• Testing is essential, and failure is part of the learning process