In this episode of Out of the Hourglass, Brian Nolan, Jim Bradley, and Molly Nolan delve into the trades industry's evolving landscape, and the influence of private equity on small business transitions. They announce the February launch of the Sellers & Acquisition Peer Group, designed to support business owners navigating valuation, sale preparation, and post-sale planning. The conversation explores the emotional and strategic aspects of exiting a business, the growing appeal of the trades, and the importance of building a network of advisors to maximize business value.

In this episode of Out of the Hourglass, Molly sits down with Ross Hartmann, founder of Kiingo AI, to explore the transformative potential of AI and generative AI for small businesses. They discuss practical applications of tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, emphasizing strategies to integrate AI into company culture, optimize efficiency, and maintain brand authenticity in AI-generated content. With insights into AI's capabilities, limitations, and the importance of hands-on training, Ross offers a roadmap for leveraging AI to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and elevate both customer and employee experiences. This conversation sets the stage for the exciting future of AI in business.

Our  conversation this week features Travis Ulrich, the CEO and co-founder of Webfoot Home Improvements based in Bend, OR. A few weeks ago, Travis shared with his Mastermind Group that Webfoot experienced a random, very extensive and unexpected OSHA Audit. Today - we’re hearing about the experience straight from Travis - how it happened, what went down,  what the process was like and we’ll spend some time talking about their safety program. The culture of the Webfoot Way prioritizes safety and they’ve made a point to implement this practice over the last 10 years, through ups, downs and various attempts to get the program right. Travis, his co-founder Gavin Hepp and their leadership team are champions of Safety within the organization and this investment in time and culture paid off with a glowing audit report. 

Join Mike Shannon and Molly Nolan as they delve into the transformative power of self-awareness in sales. They explore the role of mindset, emotional control, and belief systems in driving success, with insights from the Objective Management Group's assessments. Hear how overcoming limiting beliefs and setting clear expectations can unlock sales potential, and learn about the upcoming workshop in December, Mastering the Mindset, designed to help sales professionals improve performance and prepare for a successful year ahead.

Join us as we dive into the planning season with Molly Nolan and Jay Rogers. We’re speaking to what we’re seeing and how we’re involved with our clients; from budgeting tools, conversations and planning site visits, the essentials of effective business planning. We want to set the tone on the importance of this practice and empower teams through intentional goal-setting. Discover why getting aboard the planning schedule now can make all the difference in navigating growth, clarity, and team alignment for a successful year ahead!

Step into the Coaching Room with Sales Coach Mark Repkin and two high performing Sales Leaders, Mike Green from Fitzpatrick Painting & Josh Cornell from Kennedy Painting, as they share real-world insights on effective selling strategies. In this episode, we explore the importance of preparation, engagement, value of quantifying competency, utilizing coaching sessions, and creating tailored one-on-one coaching experiences. Whether you're a seasoned leader or new to sales management, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on elevating your approach. You’ll get to hear, in real time, the challenges that Mike & Josh are currently working through and Mark’s feedback and recommendations, a collaborative approach to mastering their sales tactics.

Kim Merryman, Vice President of Central Oregon Garage Door and Kyle Fetzer, President,  discuss their journey to becoming co-owners of Central Oregon Garage Door in April 2024. Highlighting the importance of trust, values alignment, and trusted advisors through this venture, Kim and Kyle share the timeline of closing the deal, the challenges and risks weighed and their future plans for the business. Their acquisition story is one of a roller coaster - ups and downs and unknowns along the way, it was their team of people and the culture of the organization that kept bringing them back every time.  

We’re thrilled to welcome Jaclyn Rogers, Client Relations Manager at Ai Painting Plus in Columbia,MO , to today’s episode for a conversation focusing on her transition from retail management to the painting industry and her emphasis on providing an exceptional client experience. Known for her organic authenticity, Jacyln thrives off intentional, genuine connections within the relationships she makes and continues to foster. This has catapulted her business development success, in the most natural way and I wanted to know how she does it all!  From balancing multiple networking groups and commitments, to generating leads for the business and making time for her family, she shows up each day with an adaptable attitude and a hope to make a positive impact with whomever she comes in contact. 

We are welcoming back Kevin Nolan, Former CEO of Nolan Painting & Co- Founder of Nolan Consulting Group to discuss a pretty momentous point in his life - On September 21st, Kevin celebrated his 65th birthday AND his official retirement from Nolan Painting. 

As he said in his speech and in today’s episode, it is time to pass the baton onto the next generation. This has been a well thought out, intentional exit from the business, something Kevin put in action 10+ years ago. He talks all about it Chapter 14 of his book Organizational Muscle, Exiting Well and I was curious to learn of his mindset now that this official date has passed and what he’s looking forward to in this next adventure of life. He doesn’t plan to be “too busy,” but he sure plans to have fun and live in the now. 

With over 40 years of experience in both B2B and B2C sales, Jeff Cramer, a seasoned Sales Professional and Coach, has seen it all. Now, he uses his extensive knowledge to help sales representatives and managers in their personal and professional growth. We're excited to have him on this week's episode to discuss his coaching philosophy, which emphasizes balanced conversations, self-awareness, and objective feedback. Jeff's focus on fostering a "growth mindset" and continuous development in sales is central to his approach. He works with versatility and genuine care, helping individuals recognize their strengths and areas for improvement, while offering support and positive reinforcement to maximize the impact of his coaching.