Can't Stop the Growth

Ever walked out of a meeting knowing the real conversation was about to happen in the parking lot? That's what happens when candor is missing, and I've been there too many times.

In this episode, I'm digging into what it really means to speak with candor and why it's one of the hardest but most important skills for leaders. We'll talk about the cost of avoiding honesty, why "I feel" is so much more powerful than "you are," and how small shifts in the way we communicate can completely change the trust and engagement on our teams.

Speaking with candor isn't about being brutally honest. It's about being open, vulnerable, and willing to grow alongside your people. Let's break it down together. 🔥

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Chad Peterman | CEO | Author

Peterman Brothers Website

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• Candor is about openness, not harshness.
• "I" statements invite dialogue, not defensiveness.
• Avoiding candor erodes trust and engagement.
• Strong one-on-one relationships enable candid conversations.
• Candid cultures drive collaboration and problem-solving.

What if the biggest problem holding you back isn't stress, addiction, or even failure…but your thinking?

Ryan and Justin sit down with Todd Sylvester—mental fitness coach, author, and host of the Beliefcast Podcast—to uncover how shifting your mindset can change everything.

From rewriting negative self-talk to embracing accountability, Todd shares the same tools that helped Justin climb from his lowest point to living with purpose and confidence.

This conversation is packed with raw stories, practical takeaways, and powerful reminders that the best feeling in the world is realizing… there's nothing wrong with you.

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• The real issue is thinking, not substances.
• Rewrite negative self-talk into positive "I am" statements.
• Accountability breaks the victim mindset.
• Confidence comes from keeping promises to yourself.
• A 15-minute morning routine can transform your mindset.

Long hold times, missed calls, and frustrated customers are growth killers in the trades. In this episode, Chad sits down with Tyson Chen of Avoca and Matt Pozda of Call Dad to talk about how AI is transforming the way service companies handle call volume, book jobs, and keep CSRs motivated.

They break down how trades leaders can strategically use AI to reduce turnover, increase booking rates, and keep technicians focused on high-value opportunities. More importantly, they show why AI isn't about replacing people—it's about optimizing them.

From overcoming skepticism about customer experience, to training AI agents like team members, to leveraging data for smarter scheduling, this episode will challenge how you think about growth in HVAC, plumbing, and beyond.

🚀 Join The ARENA - the free online community for home services leaders: https://cantstopthegrowth.com/

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Connect with Chad: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-m-peterman/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chadmpeterman Learn more about: Chad Peterman - https://chadmpeterman.com/ Peterman Brothers - https://www.petermancareers.com/ The People Forward Network - https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/

• AI Enhances, Not Replaces: The best contractors use AI to optimize CSRs and technicians, not cut headcount.
• Boosting CSR Productivity: Filtering junk calls through AI keeps CSRs fresh for high-value opportunities and reduces turnover.
• Customer Experience Wins: Faster booking and shorter hold times create happier customers and drive referrals.
• Strategic Scheduling: Using equipment age and call scoring helps leaders prioritize opportunities that drive installs.
• Operational Insights: Call center data reveals when and where to add technicians, aligning workforce with demand.

☎️ Missed calls = missed opportunities. But what if AI could change that game forever?

Brad sits down with Michelle Myers, co-founder of Pink Callers, to uncover how she's reinventing the call center experience for home service businesses. From dedicated CSRs who feel like part of your team, to after-hours support that actually works, Pink Callers is flipping the script on traditional answering services.

Michelle doesn't shy away from the hot topic: AI. She shares how tools like Zyratalk, Dialpad, and Motion aren't here to replace people, but to supercharge them. We're talking about CSRs who go from answering phones to managing AI agents, multiplying their value and their paychecks 💡

Tune in for a fun, insightful, and practical conversation that will leave you rethinking what's possible for your business, and your team.

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• Pink Callers provides dedicated, accountable CSRs with flexible support options.
• AI enhances CSR roles, boosting skills and earning potential.
• Human-in-the-loop ensures AI and people work seamlessly together.
• Tools like Dialpad and Motion improve efficiency and accountability.
• The future of service blends AI innovation with people-first leadership.

How do you take a business from zero to 82 locations in less than two years? 📈 That's exactly what Dan Claps, CEO and Co-Founder of Voda Cleaning & Restoration, has pulled off, and he's here to spill the secrets.

From his teenage "bourbon side hustle" to building a franchise powerhouse, Dan's story is equal parts scrappy, bold, and inspiring. In this episode, Chris and Chad dive into the systems that made scaling possible, the leadership rhythms that keep 80+ owners aligned, and the lessons every business leader can apply, whether you're running one shop or chasing nationwide growth.

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Chad Peterman | CEO | Author

Peterman Brothers Website

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• Systems and processes enable scalable growth.
• Culture and buy-in beat rigid compliance.
• Consistent communication builds alignment.
• Reverse-engineered goals guide growth pace.
• Strong leaders need creative incentives.

Automation isn't the future—it's happening right now. The question is: will you dominate with it, or be dominated by those who do?

In this high-energy Can't Stop the Growth showdown, Chad Peterman goes head-to-head with Tommy Mello to tackle one of the hottest topics in home services: automation. From call centers to lead follow-up, recruiting, and customer experience, you'll hear exactly how the industry's top leaders are leveraging AI and automation to scale faster, serve better, and protect their culture.

Here's what you'll take away from this conversation:

• Speed to Lead = Speed to Cash – Why contacting customers within 60 seconds changes everything

• Automation Protects Culture – Tools that reduce chaos while empowering your people

• Measure What Matters – Focusing on booked calls, conversions, and retention over vanity metrics

• Small Wins Stack Fast – How market leaders test, tweak, and iterate daily

👉 Want the full Automation Playbook from this event? It's available exclusively inside The Arena. Join today and grab your copy: https://cantstopthegrowth.com

Connect with Chad:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-m-peterman/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chadmpeterman

Learn more about: Chad Peterman - https://chadmpeterman.com/

Peterman Brothers - https://www.petermancareers.com/

The People Forward Network - https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/ Key Takeaways:

• Automation Is About Efficiency, Not Replacement AI isn't here to take jobs—it's here to make your people more efficient, freeing them up to focus on problem-solving and customer care.

• Speed to Lead = Speed to Cash Contacting a lead within 60 seconds can 4x your chances of booking. After five minutes, conversion drops sharply.

• Customer Experience Can Be Automated Without Losing the Human Touch Chad's "owner handshake" videos show how automation can scale personal connection and protect company culture.

• Recruiting Needs Automation Too Automated follow-ups with tech applicants increase engagement and keep the pipeline full, even when candidates respond after hours.

• AB Testing Is the Secret Weapon Tommy stressed that no automation is "set it and forget it." Constant testing and tweaking can double results.

• Don't Chase Every Shiny Tool Start small, focus on one business problem, and find the right partners to implement practical solutions.

• AI in Call Centers Is a Game-Changer At Peterman Brothers, 40% of calls are now handled by AI, freeing CSRs to focus on high-value conversations and boosting booking rates.

Want a fresh perspective on how trades transform lives and communities? Start here.

In this special edition of Around the Campfire, Katie Donovan sits down with Ann Hill, President of African Children Today, and Richard Mutaawe, ACT's on-site Program Director in Uganda. Together, they share how education, entrepreneurship, and trades training are creating lasting impact in one of the world's hardest-hit regions.

From schools where every child finishes primary education to carpentry shops, welding programs, and local businesses that sustain jobs, this conversation highlights the universal power of the trades to change futures.

For HVAC, plumbing, and electrical leaders, it's a reminder that the same values that grow your business—commitment, skill-building, and perseverance—are the very things that can transform communities worldwide.

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Chad Peterman | CEO | Author

Peterman Brothers Website

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• Trades = Transformation – Carpentry, welding, and vocational skills lift entire families out of poverty.
• Education That Delivers – Every ACT student completes primary school, compared to 1 in 10 nationally.
• Small Business, Big Impact – Local bakeries and shops create jobs and fund schools.
• 100% to the Mission – A zero-overhead model ensures that every U.S. donation goes directly to Uganda.
• Shared Values = Shared Growth – The same principles that fuel trade business success in the U.S. are transforming communities abroad.

Every HVAC, plumbing, and electrical business hits the same wall: material costs balloon, trucks run short, and cash flow becomes unpredictable. In this episode of Can't Stop the Growth, Chad Peterman sits down with Dave Wigder, co-founder of Ply, to explore how contractors can take control of their inventory and purchasing to unlock massive growth.

Dave shares how Ply was built to give contractors visibility into their warehouses, trucks, and purchasing, while eliminating dead stock, wasted billable hours, and costly supply runs. He also explains how AI and supplier integrations are changing the future of materials management.

If you're leading a service business and want to stop losing money due to inefficiency, this conversation will provide you with the playbook to scale smarter.

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Learn more about Ply

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

• Materials Eat Profits – For many contractors, 20–35% of revenue goes to materials, yet most lack visibility or control over that spend.
• Data Beats Gut Decisions – Centralizing purchasing and inventory data allows contractors to be proactive, avoid last-minute supply runs, and unlock supplier discounts.
• Dead Stock Is a Hidden Tax – Unused parts in trucks and warehouses quietly erode cash flow. Ply's system helps uncover and eliminate it.
• Billable Hours Are Gold – Every supply house run can cost six figures annually across multiple techs. Smarter inventory keeps techs in the field.
• AI Is the Future of the Trades – From voice-driven field requests to automated replenishment, AI is reshaping how contractors manage their operations.

Ever find yourself gearing up to prove you're right... instead of being curious? Andrew Hasty throws some metaphorical (and literal) darts at the ego 🎯

He unpacks Commitment #2 from "The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership": Learning Through Curiosity. With help from Ted Lasso, personal stories, and a few dartboard metaphors, Andrew explores what happens when we stop trying to "know it all" and start wondering, "What am I missing?" 🤔 You'll hear why "drifting" into defensiveness is totally normal, and how the real power lies in shifting back to curiosity.

Whether it's navigating silos, leading teams, or just having better conversations, this episode is packed with insight, self-awareness, and a whole lot of real talk. If you're ready to lead with less judgment and more wonder, this one's for you.

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Chad Peterman | CEO | Author

Peterman Brothers Website

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• Shift from being a "knower" to a learner by asking, "What am I missing?"
• Drifting is normal. What matters is how quickly you shift back.
• Curiosity breaks down silos and builds trust.
• Ego seeks validation; learning seeks understanding.
• Ask questions like "Tell me more" to lead with curiosity.

What if the darkest chapters of your life were the very thing that prepared you to build something extraordinary? In this episode, Ryan and Justin sit down with Chad Terrinoni, the powerhouse behind Hummingbird Heating & Cooling.

Chad's journey takes us from the chaos of addiction and jail time to building a multi-million-dollar HVAC brand that's changing lives. His story is raw, real, and filled with lessons on resilience, rebranding, and the relentless mindset it takes to win in business and in life.

If you've ever wondered how to turn pain into purpose, this conversation is one you won't forget.

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Learn more about Hummingbird Heating & Cooling

Listen to Win Your Mind, Win Your Market

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Learn more about Chiirp!

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• Rebranding is an identity shift, not just a name change.
• Discipline and mindset drive success.
• Releasing shame creates freedom to grow.
• Pain can be transformed into purpose.
• Fulfillment comes from helping others, not just profit.