In this powerful episode of The Successful Contractor, host Bob Houchin sits down with retiring coach, trainer, and mentor Michael Zeller — a man who’s impacted thousands of lives through his 40-year career in business, leadership, and service. This isn’t just a retrospective. It’s a masterclass in life and business.

From growing up in a working-class Long Island family to building a body shop, scaling through Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and eventually becoming one of the most beloved coaches at CertainPath, Michael shares the pivotal moments, lessons learned, and wisdom earned through decades of doing the hard work — and helping others do it better.

This conversation is filled with emotion, honesty, and insight that every contractor — from business owner to technician — needs to hear.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

·        The values Michael’s parents instilled that shaped his lifelong work ethic

·        Why he walked away from his own business to take a trainee position — and never looked back

·        The power of staying humble and becoming a student, even after success

·        What makes a great manager — and why most owners get it wrong

·        The true reason great employees leave… and what to do to keep them

·        How to coach your team instead of bossing them around

·        The “cotton candy” of Michael’s career — and what lights him up

·        Why your team needs opportunity — and how giving it builds loyalty

Michael’s story is full of teachable moments, humor, and heart. If you’ve ever struggled with leadership, building culture, or wondering if you’re really making a difference, this episode is for you.

It’s not just a farewell. It’s a roadmap. And it’s one you’ll want to revisit again and again.

“We love you, Michael, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Watch the full interview now on The Successful Contractor YouTube channel. And to build your own successful home service business, visit CertainPath.com

Show Notes

The Successful Contractor Podcast is a part of the CertainPath family.  CertainPath builds successful home service businesses—and has for 25 years.  We do it by providing contractors with a proven path to success, professional coaching, software solutions, and a member community of 1,100+ strong. Doubling your sales, with a 20% net profit, and an inspiring company culture is ALL possible.  Let us show you the way. With CertainPath, Success is Made Certain. Visit www.mycertainpath.com for more information. 

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