In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie sits down with John Bartlett Founder and CEO of Brentwood Growth, a sell-side M&A advisor and consulting firm specializing in skilled trades businesses like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. This is Part 1 of their discussion, focusing on how business owners can grow and scale their companies to maximize value.

Brentwood Growth works with business owners in the residential, industrial, and commercial sectors, providing expert guidance for service providers and contractors across various industries, including Boilers & Generators, Cleaning & Janitorial, Electrical, Elevator & Escalator, Fencing, Fire & Safety, Flooring, Foundation Repairs, Garage Door, Heat Pump, Home Appliance Service & Repair, Home Inspections, Industrial Equipment Service & Repair, Irrigation, Lawn Care, Mosquito & Pest, Painting, Paving, Plumbing, Pool Services, Property Management, Refrigeration, Restoration & Remediation, Roofing, Security, Solar Installation, Tank Removal, Waste Removal & Recycling, and Windows & Doors.

Their clients typically fall into two categories:

Sell: Business owners looking to sell soon, seeking insights on valuation, buyer groups, and transaction timelines.

Scale: Business owners aiming to grow their business for a future sale or self-management, focused on increasing value over time.

John shares insights on increasing business worth by improving cash flow and reducing risks, highlighting strategies such as building a strong management team and transitioning from project-based to service and maintenance models. The episode provides actionable advice for contractors looking to future-proof their businesses and prepare for potential sales.

Expect to Learn:

1. How to determine your business's true value through cash flow analysis.

2. The importance of shifting from construction to service and maintenance for Predictable Revenue.

3. Key strategies to remove operational risks and boost marketability.

4. The role of strategic planning in long-term business growth.

5. How Brentwood Growth helps contractors navigate mergers and acquisitions.

Episode Highlights:

[00:33] - Introduction to Part 1 with guest John Bartlett from Brentwood Growth 

[02:28] - Selling a Skilled Trades Business 

[05:15] - Growing and Scaling for a Future Sale 

[08:56]- Increasing Business Value 

[12:59] - Construction and the Economy & Importance of Service and Maintenance 

[16:16] - Small Changes to Increase Business Value 

[20:13] - Consistency and Growth: What We Can Learn from McDonald’s and the E-Myth  

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:

Master:http://www.master.ca Cintas: http://www.cintas.com/hvacknowitall Supply House: http://www.supplyhouse.com

Cool Air Products: http://www.coolairproducts.net

Lambert Insurance Services: https://www.lambert-ins.com/

Follow the Guest John Bartlett on:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/johnlbartlett/

John Bartlett’s Bio : https://www.brentwood-growth.com/our-team/john-bartlett/

Brentwood Growth: www.linkedin.com/company/brentwood-growth/

Phone: 908-377-7807

Email: [email protected]

Follow the Host:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/

Website: www.hvacknowitall.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/