Welcome to another episode of the HVAC Hustle Podcast, hosted by Tim Brown of Hook Agency, featuring special guest Eric Thomas from Rival Digital!

In this candid, high-value conversation, Tim and Eric unpack a “crazy mindset”—why home service businesses should refer their competitors. They cover how adopting an abundance mentality can drive more business, build strategic alliances, and even increase close rates.

We dive deep into:
 • Why most owners fear referring competition
 • Tactical referral wins that actually brought in more deals
 • How to position your HVAC or plumbing business to get more referrals
 • The surprising power of “irritation marketing” and memorable branding
 • Real-life stories of turning competitors into allies

This episode is a must-watch for HVAC marketers, plumbing contractors, and agency owners in home services.

What happens when contractors mix too many guru strategies? In this powerful episode of the HVAC Hustle Podcast, host Tim Brown sits down with Julian Scadden, President of Nexstar Network, to expose the real dangers of fragmented growth strategies in the home services industry.

Julian shares his raw story—from cleaning dive bars to owning a successful HVAC company, to now leading a billion-dollar contractor network. He unpacks:

• How to vet online advice and coaching programs
• The truth behind ‘shiny object syndrome’ and tech distractions
• Why every business needs a clear exit strategy and best practice group
• The emotional toll of leadership (and how to lead with clarity)

If you’re building a legacy HVAC, plumbing, or home service business, this episode is your reality check and roadmap.

👉 Ready to grow with clarity? Connect with Nexstar Network: https://www.nexstarnetwork.com

👉 Learn more about home service marketing with Hook Agency: https://hookagency.com

In this episode of HVAC Hustle, Tim Brown sits down with Dan Antonelli, founder of KickCharge Creative and the brains behind some of the most iconic brands in the home service industry. They dive deep into the branding moves that separate $1M companies from $10M+ powerhouses.

Discover:
 • Why most HVAC company names suck—and how to fix yours
 • The biggest branding mistakes home service owners still make
 • How to own your market with color psychology, naming, and truck wraps
 • The true ROI of great branding (including recruiting and exit value)

If you’re serious about building a memorable home service brand that customers and employees rave about—this is a masterclass you don’t want to miss.

📈 Want to grow your HVAC business?
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Are you a tradesperson or contractor looking to generate leads with YouTube? In this episode of the HVAC Hustle Podcast, Tim Brown sits down with plumbing YouTube legend Roger Wakefield to break down exactly how he used YouTube to grow the largest plumbing channel in the world—bringing in high-quality leads, closing $100K+ jobs, and building a brand that’s taken him all the way to Dr. Phil and NewsNation.

Roger shares the real story behind going all-in on YouTube at age 54, how being authentic on camera built trust, and what contractors need to include in every lead-gen video. If you’re in HVAC, plumbing, or any home service industry, this is the blueprint.

Are you a home service business owner looking to break through your revenue ceiling and actually boost profitability? In this episode of The HVAC Hustle Podcast, host Tim Brown is joined by Josh Nelson — founder of the Seven Figure Agency and a leader in the home service mastermind space.

We dive deep into why masterminds are the secret weapon of fast-growing HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies. Josh shares hard-earned lessons, real client examples, and why peer groups can shortcut years of trial and error. Discover how proximity to high performers, accountability, and strategic focus can transform your business trajectory.

🔧 Learn why “revenue is vanity, profit is sanity”

📈 Hear how one agency grew from $2K to $280K/month

💡 Uncover the power of curated communities and peer learning

In this episode of The HVAC Hustle Podcast, we sit down with Mike Prencavage of The Family Plumber, a second-generation plumbing business that’s turning community influence into business growth.

Mike reveals how relationships with city officials, local salons, and even competitors have helped him build a referral powerhouse. He breaks down the underrated power of hyperlocal influencers, how to network without selling, and why humility and helpfulness win long-term.

Whether you’re an HVAC tech, roofer, plumber, or electrician, this episode will show you how to turn relationships into revenue.

✅ Learn the secrets of becoming locally famous
✅ Unlock community-based influencer marketing
✅ Get real-life strategies that drive referrals and loyalty

In this episode, Tim Brown sits down with Stephanie Postell of Anchor Heating & Air to talk next-level community marketing for home service businesses. Stephanie shares how authentic involvement, not just sponsorship, drives real local brand recognition. From setting up tents at local festivals to giving back with heartfelt initiatives like teacher appreciation cakes and Make-A-Wish fundraisers — this conversation reveals how to build brand loyalty that converts.

If you're in the trades and want to grow your local influence, drive more leads, and build a purpose-driven brand, this one’s for you.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your marketing is actually making you money, this episode is a must-watch. Tim Brown sits down with Kevin La Sage from Searchlight Digital to discuss third-party marketing validation, essential KPIs for home service businesses, and how Searchlight's AI is changing the game.

Kevin shares powerful benchmarks from 900+ contractor accounts and reveals how his background in automotive analytics and his plumber dad’s skepticism led to a revolutionary ROI dashboard.

From booking rates to revenue per campaign, this episode helps you simplify your marketing metrics, cut wasted spend, and double down on what’s working. Whether you're a contractor or a marketing agency, this is the data clarity you’ve been craving.

Want to build a locally famous home service brand? I was joined by Jenn McKee of Key Heart Media to talk social media hacks that actually work for contractors in 2024. From how often you should post to which platforms drive real business (hint: it’s not just Facebook), they unpack what truly builds visibility and trust in your local market.

📌 Whether you're a plumber, roofer, HVAC tech, or marketing pro—this episode delivers high-impact tips on staying top of mind and balancing views with leads.

👀 Watch for smart takes on: – Going live to boost algorithm love
– Using personal branding to win locally
– The power of video (even unpolished)
– Series content and "what could go wrong" lives
– Why consistency - virality for long-term ROI

On this episode of the HVAC Hustle Podcast, we’re joined by Texas from Medley to talk about how HVAC contractors can turn bad reviews into better businesses. With 2300+ five-star Google reviews, Texas breaks down the mindset behind responding to criticism, embracing transparency, and listening to your customers—especially when it’s uncomfortable.

We dig into when to stand your ground, how to fix issues in real-time, and why owning your mistakes publicly can actually grow your brand.