Can't Stop the Growth

What's the secret to scaling multiple home service businesses across four states? Hint: It's not just about the bottom line.

Chad chats with Lee Downing, who grew from running a single HVAC business to owning 12 home service franchises. Lee reveals his secret: it's all about putting people first. He breaks down how focusing on culture, not just profits, helped him scale quickly while building a lasting business.

If you're ready to rethink how you lead and grow, this episode is a must-listen.

Additional Resources:

Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways

• Franchise Success: Lee's journey from a single HVAC franchise to owning 12 franchises, focusing on cross-trade expansion.
• Culture as a Core Value: Building a successful business starts with a strong, people-centered culture. Invest in your people and hold them accountable.
• Leadership & Accountability: Leadership isn't just about giving directions—it's about servant leadership and providing support for your team to succeed.

Are your leads slipping through the cracks?

In this episode Around the CAMPfire, Megan Bedford chats with Ryan Fenn, CEO of Chiirp, an automation platform that's helping home service businesses stay on top of their leads.

Ryan shares how his own entrepreneurial journey led him to discover the power of follow-up automation—especially when it comes to texting.

They dive into why being quick to respond (Speed to Lead, anyone?) and using multiple touchpoints can make all the difference in customer engagement.

If you're a home services pro and curious about smart ways to boost leads, this conversation offers simple, actionable ideas to try today.

Additional Resources: Chad on LinkedIn Ryan Fenn on LinkedIn Visit Chiirp Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website Connect with Megan Bedford Connect with Katie Donovan Learn More About CAMP Digital

Connect with our Sponsor, GoodLeap More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways:

• Speed to Lead is Critical – Responding to customer inquiries within one minute can significantly improve conversion rates.
• Multi-Touch Strategy for Maximum Engagement – Use text, email, and voicemail to reach customers at different stages of their journey and re-engage lost leads.
• Automation for Efficiency – Chirp automates follow-ups so your team can focus on high-value tasks.

This re-release is not only one of our most popular episodes, but also one of Chad's favorites. Join Chad as he shares timeless principles he learned from his dad—lessons rooted in integrity, empowerment, and, yes, even the kind of compassion you wouldn't expect from a guy who runs a tight ship. From the grit of waking up early to the art of leading with humility, Chad breaks down what it means to lead by example and believe in the people around you.

Additional Resources:

Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways:

• Integrity is foundational: "Do what you say and lead by example." It's more than just words; it's about action.
• Compassion in leadership: Leadership is not only about guiding but also showing genuine care for the people you lead.
• Empowerment and trust: Giving people room to explore, make mistakes, and grow is critical to building a strong, motivated team.

In this special two part episode, hosts Andy Fusellier and Josh Teekell sit down with entrepreneur extraordinaire Landon Brewer. He's the kind of guy who's not just surviving the roller coaster of running a business—he's thriving on it. We're talking about turning risk into reward, surrounding yourself with the right people, and evolving your home services business like it's a living, breathing thing. Josh Teekell and Andy Fuselier from SmartAC.com are revolutionizing the way we think about HVAC and plumbing through technology.

Addtional Resources:

Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website Connect with Andy Fuselier Connect with Josh Teekell Learn more about SmartAC.com Connect with our Sponsor, GoodLeap More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways:

• Entrepreneurship is about risk, but control matters – Whether working for a company or starting your own, being able to control your own fate is key to long-term success.
• Stages of business growth – From survival to thriving, successful businesses continually adapt, learn, and evolve.
• Leadership and vision are critical – Strong leadership combined with an openness to new ideas can push a business to scale.
• Understanding customer psychology – Whether in contracting or tech, knowing your customer's needs and behavior is essential for success.

In this episode, Chad talks about something we all secretly (or not-so-secretly) try to avoid: discomfort. But here's the twist—he's all about embracing it. Why? Because discomfort is the key to growth.

Chad shares a powerful story from a Future Leader Series meeting, exploring how our choices—big and small—can either push us toward our goals or leave us stuck where we are.

And yes, this is all about learning to love the uncomfortable stuff.

Additional Resources:

Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways

• Embrace Discomfort: Growth often requires getting comfortable with discomfort—it's a natural part of progress.
• Focus on Small, Daily Choices: Breaking big goals into small, manageable actions helps overcome overwhelm and stay focused.
• Develop the Right Mindset: Believe in yourself and your goal, and recognize that discomfort is a stepping stone to achievement.
• Higher Purpose: Tie your goals to a higher purpose to stay motivated during tough times.

Imagine a company culture where everyone supports each other to be their best.

This re-released episode is one of Chad's favorites because it became the inspiration for this podcast's name.

Impact leadership - leading with purpose to serve others - is at the heart of Chad's leadership style.

He emphasizes how leadership is not defined by titles but by the ability to elevate those around you. This episode offers a fresh take on how intentional leadership can drive both personal and organizational success.

Additional Resources:

Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways:

• Impact Leadership: True leadership is about serving others and making a difference, not about titles or positions.
• Intentionality: Be intentional in your actions and goals. Intentional efforts lead to personal growth and the collective success of the team.
• Collaboration and Support: A great company is built on collaboration, where everyone supports each other and shares their knowledge and experiences.

What if the secret to stopping "quiet quitting" is simpler than you think?

Chad sits down with Kristi Skutvik—Chief Vibe Officer at Work Vibes, Founder of Skutvik Consulting, and all-around expert on creating workplaces where people want to be.

Kristi's not just about "culture" in the typical sense; she's redefining it with one word: vibes.

Kristi shares practical tips on fostering real engagement (and avoiding the dreaded "quiet quitting"), the role of accountability in a healthy culture, and why leading with genuine human connection is the key to long-term success.

Listen in for no-fluff, actionable advice on building a company vibe that keeps your people connected and motivated—this one's for you.

Additional Resources: Kristi Skutvik on LinkedIn Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Traditional marketing is still relevant and more powerful than ever.

In this episode, Megan Bedford talks with David Carroll, CEO of DOPE Marketing, to explore the innovative ways direct mail and data-driven strategies can grow home service businesses.

David breaks down the evolution of direct mail marketing, the importance of using customer data to tailor campaigns, and how to leverage automation for hyper-targeted results.

Whether you're looking to increase your marketing efficiency or are curious about how traditional marketing can thrive in a digital world, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Additional Resources: Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website Connect with Megan Bedford Connect with Katie Donovan Learn More About CAMP Digital

Connect with our Sponsor, GoodLeap More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Guest Links:

dopemarketing.com

David Carroll on LinkedIn

Books David mentions:

No BS Guide to Marketing to the Affluent by Dan Kennedy on Amazon

Giftology by John Ruhlin on Amazon

Chad talks with Mike Branson, President of Global Air at Rheem Manufacturing about leadership, mentorship, and building successful teams. Mike's journey from the Navy to leading global air conditioning and heating innovations at Rheem showcases a deep understanding of leadership from the ground up. From his perspective, leadership traits like initiative, integrity, and intelligence start early. We also explore how Rheem uses a combination of acquisitions and organic growth to scale while keeping people at the center of every strategy. Additional Resources Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Mike Branson on LinkedIn Rheem Manufacturing Peterman Brothers Website More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Get ready for an eye-opening dive into the future of HVAC and plumbing with Josh Teekell and Andy Fuselier from SmartAC.com. They're not just adapting to change—they're leading it, using tech and data to reshape customer experiences and drive growth. In this popular re-released episode, they join Chad Peterman to explore the impact of the pandemic, the rise of AI, and staying competitive amid the surge of private equity. Tune in for innovative strategies, growth insights, and a fresh look at where the industry is headed. Additional Resources:Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn