Welcome back to Covered by NewLeaf!

In this episode, host Sean Hicks (CEO of New Leaf Service Contracts) sits down with Dennis Holzer, the Executive Director of the Powerhouse Alliance.

The Powerhouse Alliance is a premier business-to-business buying group in the electronic space, encompassing nine independent wholesale distributors across 74 locations nationwide. Serving over 31,000 custom home theater installers and dealers, they provide everything from home networking to residential security.

Sean and Dennis dive deep into the changing landscape of home electronics—including the massive evolution of TV sizes, the revolutionary shift toward bezel-less, bending microLED technology, the rising demand for high-end headphones, and the critical importance of robust home networking systems. Dennis also shares the incredible, comedic story of his 40+ year career trajectory and how a "90-day temporary role" turned into an 18-year legacy leading the alliance.

If you are a custom integrator, custom installer, or tech enthusiast, you won't want to miss these exclusive industry insights!

Chapters:

• 00:00 – Preview: Bending Video Walls
• 00:30 – Introduction & What is the Powerhouse Alliance?
• 03:59 – The 4 Core Components of a Modern Home Theater
• 05:17 – TV Brands and the Death of Tube TVs
• 07:08 – TV Sizes Explode: From Projectors to 130-Inch Screens
• 11:34 – The Next Frontier: Seamless, Bending MicroLED Technology
• 17:49 – The State of Audio: Smartphones vs. Receivers
• 20:22 – The Rise of $5,000 Luxury Headphones & Noise Cancellation
• 26:47 – Home Networking: Routers, Access Points, and Overloading Systems
• 32:37 – Competitive Advantage: Installer Training Programs
• 36:10 – The Custom Integration Sales Process & TV Price Fluctuations
• 40:19 – Surveillance Cameras & Security Market Demand
• 41:13 – Dennis Holzer’s Backstory: Law School or Electronics?
• 45:50 – Buying Out Hamburg Brothers: Becoming a Company Owner
• 50:09 – The Limousine & The Wallet: How a 90-Day Gig Became 18 Years
• 56:13 – Outro & Partnership with New Leaf

• Powerhouse Alliance Official Website: Check availability on estimates and learn more about their 74 distribution locations here: https://powerhousealliance.com/
• New Leaf Service Contracts: Learn more about protecting your home theater inventory and electronics at https://www.newleafsc.net/portal/.
• Featured Brands: Samsung, Sony, LG, TCL, Hisense, Epson, JVC, Eero, and Loewe

Tags:#HomeTheater #CustomIntegration #PowerhouseAlliance #NewLeaf #AVDistributor #MicroLED #SmartHome #AudioVideo #CustomInstaller #ConsumerElectronics #NetworkingSystems #SurveillanceCameras

In this episode of Covered by NewLeaf, host Sean Hicks, CEO of New Leaf Service Contracts, sits down with Josh Zolin, CEO of Windy City Equipment Service and author of Blue is the New White.

Together, they dismantle the "college-only" myth and explore the lucrative, fulfilling opportunities within the blue-collar skilled trades.Josh shares his journey from Hollywood stuntman to leading a multi-state commercial kitchen and HVAC service empire.

He offers actionable advice for business owners struggling with the labor shortage, including how to build a visual gated career path to attract talent and why your current employees are your best recruiters.

Chapters:

00:00 - The Power of Transferable Skills

00:22 - Introduction: Meet Josh Zolin

01:10 - From Stuntman to Windy City CEO

02:22 - Scaling Through Relationships & Client Demand

03:51 - The Technician Shortage Reality

05:03 - Creating "Blue is the New White"

07:05 - Targeting the Next Generation

09:38 - Solving the Labor Bottleneck: Building vs. Finding Talent

10:30 - The Visual Gated Career Path Strategy

12:45 - Turning Every Employee into a Recruiter

13:39 - Competitive Compensation & Benefits in Trades

16:02 - Transitioning to the "Everything They Don't Tell You" Podcast

18:22 - Leadership & Personal Development for Entrepreneurs

21:04 - Using Transparency to Build Customer Trust

24:34 - BITNW Academy: Teaching Soft Skills & Financial Acumen

29:16 - Advice for Retailers Starting Repair Operations

32:40 - Guidance for 18-Year-Olds: College vs. Trades

35:46 - How to Connect with Josh Zolin

Resources Mentioned:

Josh Zolin’s Website: joshzolin.com

Windy City Equipment Service: windycityequipment.com

Josh’s Podcast: Everything They Don’t Tell You

New Leaf Service Contracts: newleafsc.net

Book: Blue is the New White

Tags:

#SkilledTrades #BlueIsTheNewWhite #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #HiringTechnicians #BlueCollar #Podcast #NewLeafSC #WindyCityEquipment #JoshZolin

In this episode of Covered By NewLeaf, host Sean Hicks, CEO of New Leaf Service Contracts, sits down with Adam Butcher, Director of Fred’s Appliance Academy, and Chad Phillipp, the academy’s lead instructor.

They dive into the history of the academy, the critical need for new technicians in the appliance industry, and how their hands-on training program is shaping the next generation of trade professionals.

From learning basic electrical theory to mastering complex refrigeration repairs, Adam and Chad explain how their curriculum prepares students from all walks of life for high-paying careers. They also discuss the importance of "soft skills" like customer service and professional courtesy, which are often the deciding factors in a technician's success.

Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction

1:21 – History of Fred’s Appliance Academy

3:53 – Growth and International Reach

4:15 – Current Course Offerings: On-site and Online

5:46 – Class Sizes and Learning Philosophy

6:48 – Real-World Experience: Live Tech Rides

8:00 – Independence and Vocational School Licensing

9:55 – Funding and Student Sponsorship11:41 – Marketing and Social Media Success

14:02 – Meet Instructor Chad Phillipp

18:02 – Teaching Soft Skills and Customer Relations

21:54 – Inside the Classroom and Lab Environment

24:55 – Hands-On Training with Major Brands

31:18 – Student Demographics and Career Changes

34:43 – Income Potential for Appliance Technicians

37:05 – Small Business Ownership and Consulting

41:46 – The On-Campus Experience and Housing

45:34 – Success Stories and Challenges

Website: www.fredsacademy.com

Phone: 1-800-781-181420

Email: [email protected]

Tags:#ApplianceRepair #TradeSchool #FredsApplianceAcademy #NewLeaf #Podcast #CareerInTrades #TechnicalTraining #SmallBusiness #VocationalEducation #ApplianceTechnician

Welcome to another episode of Covered by NewLeaf, where we dive into the world of service contracts and retail excellence. In this episode, host Sean Hicks, CEO of NewLeaf Service Contracts, sits down with Pete Theran, the CEO of the Home Furnishings Association (HFA).

Theran shares his extensive journey as a "career retailer," from his early days in the Macy’s executive training program and serving as a float participant in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to leading Boston Interiors and the Bose Corporation retail division. Now at the helm of the HFA, Theran discusses the association's mission to be "indispensable" to furniture retailers of all sizes.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The HFA Mission: How the association serves over 10,000 storefronts through education, qualifying industry partners, and government relations.
• Navigating Industry Challenges: Theran provides insights into the impact of shifting tariffs and how the HFA assists members in interpreting complex legislative changes.
• The Future of AI in Retail: A discussion on how "Agentic AI" is being used to supplement human talent in the high-touch furniture industry.
• Servant Leadership: Theran explains his leadership philosophy of inspiring organizations while "coaching like crazy" from the back.
• Upcoming Events: Information on the HFA Resource Center and seminars at the High Point Spring Market.

• Website: nahfa.org
• Email: [email protected]

1. #HomeFurnishings
2. #RetailLeadership
3. #FurnitureIndustry
4. #NewLeafServiceContracts
5. #BusinessEducation
6. #AIRetail

Sean Hicks, CEO of New Leaf Service Contracts interviews Chad Evans, the Executive Vice President of Merchandising at BrandSource, a leading buying group for independent retailers. They discuss BrandSource's mission to support its members in staying profitable, the transition of independent retailers to the digital age, and the various services offered, including marketing, credit card processing, and inventory financing. Chad also highlights the importance of engaging members to maximize the benefits of their services, the role of AI in retail, and how BrandSource assists in business transitions and supports young professionals in the industry.#BrandSource, #independentretail, #digitaltransition, #merchandising, #businessservices, #AIinretail, #vendorpartnerships, #memberengagement, #businesstransitions, #youngprofessionals

In this episode of the Covered by New Leaf Podcast, host Sean Hicks, CEO and co-founder of New Leaf Service Contracts, welcomes long-time partner and industry veteran Dan Verschleiser, President and CEO of Dan-Marc Appliance. Together, they dive deep into what it takes to build a thriving service business — from Dan’s early days fixing refrigerators and washers by hand to leading one of the largest single-brand Whirlpool service providers in the country.

Dan shares how a hands-on leadership style, grounded in humility and personal accountability, shaped his company’s culture. From unloading trucks alongside his employees to empowering his sons to lead the next generation of Dan-Marc, his story is proof that sustainable success starts with commitment, mentorship, and trust. Sean and Dan also discuss how focusing on one brand unlocked operational efficiency, better technician training, and improved customer outcomes — all supported by a close partnership with Whirlpool.

Listeners will gain valuable insight into technician development, recruitment challenges, and the future of skilled trades. Dan explains how appliance repair can be a six-figure career path, why trade schools need to expand into appliance education, and how his company’s pay-for-performance model rewards excellence in both service and customer experience.

Watch the full conversation with Sean Hicks and Dan Verschleiser now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/57iGSYImeZw

#CoveredByNewLeafPodcast #SeanHicks #DanVerschleiser #NewLeafServiceContracts #DanMarcAppliance #RetailLeadership #CustomerExperience #Whirlpool #ServiceExcellence #TradeCareers #BusinessGrowth

00:00 Leadership Evolution and Personal Growth

06:40 Journey into the Service Industry

13:42 Transitioning to a Single Brand Service Provider

20:52 Challenges in Technician Recruitment

27:58 Leadership Style and Business Structure

In this conversation, Shawn Buffum, CEO of Orville's Home Appliance, discusses the importance of appliance warranties, the role of service departments in retail, and his unique journey into the appliance industry. He emphasizes the need for customer loyalty and the challenges of managing service departments as profit centers. Shawn shares insights into his leadership philosophy, the significance of succession planning, and his vision for the future of Orville's, focusing on growth and sustainability.

#retail #tariffs #holidaysales #independentretail #salesteam #training #supplychain #buying groups #COVID19impact #appliancewarranties #customerservice #retailstrategy #leadershipjourney #successionplanning #servicedepartment #applianceindustry #businessgrowth #customerloyalty #OrvillesHomeAppliance #NewLeafServiceContracting #NewLeaf #servicecontracts #3PL