In the inaugural episode of the Install Pros Podcast, John Tilstra joins host Emily Parson, Senior Vice President of Centra Install Pros, for a conversation on leadership, entrepreneurship, business growth, Employee Ownership, company culture, hiring, marketing, and careers in the trades.
As the founder of Centra and current CEO of Wesmont Homes, John shares lessons from building a successful business in the construction, home improvement, and trades industry. He talks about scaling a company through change, developing leaders, making tough business decisions, creating long term growth, and why the trades remain one of the best career paths for the next generation.
In this episode, they discuss business leadership, entrepreneurship, Employee Ownership, marketing strategy, customer experience, succession planning, company culture, loyalty, hiring, and growth in the trades.
■ How Centra got started and the early years of building the business
■ Why Employee Ownership became such an important part of the company
■ The pivotal growth moments that changed Centra’s future
■ Why John believes every company is in the marketing business
■ Leadership, loyalty, hiring, and hard decisions in business
■ The value of staying in your lane and focusing on what you do best
■ Why the trades are still one of the best career paths today
■ Giving back through Centra Cares and service driven leadership
00:00 Intro
00:43 Meet John Tilstra
02:10 How John decides what opportunities to pursue
03:15 The early days and starting out in tough economic times
04:20 Why the business shifted into windows
05:00 The start of Employee Ownership
06:30 Energy efficiency, BC Hydro, and learning the business
08:05 Why ownership mattered for tradespeople
10:05 Building a culture of giving back with Centra Cares
12:20 Pivotal growth moments in Centra’s journey
14:10 Why John says every business is in the marketing business
16:00 Leadership, culture, and taking care of the customer
18:10 Working with family and building the next chapter
20:05 When business felt the most rewarding
22:05 John’s four Fs: faith, family, friends, and fitness
24:05 The importance of thinking time in leadership
26:00 Why loyalty matters in leadership and life
27:15 Hiring lessons and tough people decisions
28:05 Why businesses should stay in their lane
31:20 How John stays informed and thinks ahead
33:50 Advice for young people considering the trades
36:00 Mission trips, service, and perspective
37:50 Giving back through Centra Cares
40:20 Rapid fire with John Tilstra
Wesmont Group Social Links:
Webite: https://www.wesmont.com/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/wesmont-group
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesmontgroup/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wesmontgroup/
Install Pros Podcast Social Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/install-pros-podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/installprospodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Install-Pros-Podcast/61575384143627/
Centra Windows & Install Pros Social Links:
Website: https://www.centra.ca/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/centra
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centrawindows/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centrawindows/
The Install Pros Podcast is all about real conversations with people in the trades, the ones actually building and running great businesses. We talk leadership, crews, and what really goes into doing the job right, while helping homeowners understand what to look for and who to trust.
