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In this episode of Marketing Without Rules, host Lewis Vandervalk sits down with Mitch Smedley, owner of Smedley Plumbing and co-founder of Trade Wins, to unpack the real story behind what it takes to grow a trades business and why most owners stay stuck in the field longer than they should.
From turning a plumbing van into a go-kart and strapping a 12-foot skeleton to a service vehicle… to hiring a full-time videographer and creating content that actually brings in leads. Mitch shares the bold (and sometimes bizarre) tactics that helped him break free from the daily grind and turn his company into a brand.
But it’s not all about stunts and social media. This episode pulls back the curtain on the hidden roadblocks that stop most trades businesses from scaling like lack of systems, fear of delegation and trying to "market like everyone else."
You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at Trade Wins, where Mitch helps other trades business owners build operations that don’t rely on the owner doing everything. Whether you're a plumber, roofer, or any local service pro trying to build something that lasts, this episode will challenge what you think it takes to grow.
00:00 Intro and Guest Welcome
01:57 Mitch Smedley's Unique Approach to Social Media
04:49 Creative Marketing Tactics That Actually Work
06:43 The ‘Fix Pipes and Pet Dogs’ Brand Strategy
11:36 Plumbing Problems, Innovation, and Customer Experience 13:34 Personal Branding & Community Credibility
29:29 How Mitch Got Started in Plumbing
34:40 AI and What It Means for the Trades
39:01 Wild Marketing Stunts That Worked
41:52 The Skeleton Van Campaign
44:02 YouTube as a Lead Machine
50:01 Thinking Differently About Marketing
57:17 Tradewinds Consulting for Trades Pros
01:09:57 Google Reviews and Reputation Growth
01:15:21 Why Playing Small Isn’t Safe Anymore
Visit BlueCrocus.ca if you have marketing questions you need help with!
5
33 ratings
In this episode of Marketing Without Rules, host Lewis Vandervalk sits down with Mitch Smedley, owner of Smedley Plumbing and co-founder of Trade Wins, to unpack the real story behind what it takes to grow a trades business and why most owners stay stuck in the field longer than they should.
From turning a plumbing van into a go-kart and strapping a 12-foot skeleton to a service vehicle… to hiring a full-time videographer and creating content that actually brings in leads. Mitch shares the bold (and sometimes bizarre) tactics that helped him break free from the daily grind and turn his company into a brand.
But it’s not all about stunts and social media. This episode pulls back the curtain on the hidden roadblocks that stop most trades businesses from scaling like lack of systems, fear of delegation and trying to "market like everyone else."
You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at Trade Wins, where Mitch helps other trades business owners build operations that don’t rely on the owner doing everything. Whether you're a plumber, roofer, or any local service pro trying to build something that lasts, this episode will challenge what you think it takes to grow.
00:00 Intro and Guest Welcome
01:57 Mitch Smedley's Unique Approach to Social Media
04:49 Creative Marketing Tactics That Actually Work
06:43 The ‘Fix Pipes and Pet Dogs’ Brand Strategy
11:36 Plumbing Problems, Innovation, and Customer Experience 13:34 Personal Branding & Community Credibility
29:29 How Mitch Got Started in Plumbing
34:40 AI and What It Means for the Trades
39:01 Wild Marketing Stunts That Worked
41:52 The Skeleton Van Campaign
44:02 YouTube as a Lead Machine
50:01 Thinking Differently About Marketing
57:17 Tradewinds Consulting for Trades Pros
01:09:57 Google Reviews and Reputation Growth
01:15:21 Why Playing Small Isn’t Safe Anymore
Visit BlueCrocus.ca if you have marketing questions you need help with!
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