I'm very excited to welcome my friend Andreea Muresan on the podcast today. Andreea is an enthusiastic business professional who enjoys all things financial. She is an active real estate investor, specializing in luxury short-term rentals. Andreea's passion is to encourage women to take an active role in developing their money as a legacy.

She is a co-founder of Reign & Co, where she teaches women how to increase their financial knowledge, develop true and permanent wealth, and live the lifestyle they want. Andreea and I met through Reign, where I'm a member and she is a co-founder.

This episode will help listeners in the trades gain knowledge about where they should invest, why they should invest, and start a conversation about how men and women in the trades can get their money working for them. This way, they don't have to work as hard or as long, allowing them to retire earlier and create financial wealth for themselves and their families.

Andreea Muresan is a passionate business professional who loves all things money, investing and numbers. She is an active real estate investor, primarily focusing on luxury short-term rental properties. Andreea's passion is to empower women to take an active role in building their wealth and legacy. As Co-founder of Reign & Co., Andreea seeks to help women expand their financial knowledge, learn how to build true and long-lasting wealth and create the lifestyle they desire.

Andreea holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration, with a Finance Concentration, and she was previously an active Certified Treasury Professional. Over the course of 12 years working in Corporate Treasury and Capital Markets, she held various progressive roles where she gained valuable experience in cash management, risk mitigation and liquidity management, working with top banking experts and negotiating billion dollar financing arrangements. Andreea elected to retire from her corporate career in 2020 and pursue her passions.

Episode Highlights:

[03:43] Everybody can and should own a home.

[05:10] Andreea and her husband began their investment portfolio by purchasing a duplex and growing their real estate from there.

[06:03] Investing is for everybody. Overcoming the mindset that you can't invest.

[07:09] Invest in the future instead of working for the rest of your life and not taking time to enjoy it.

[08:20] Make money babies and have your money work for you.

[09:35] Crypto 101. If you're a skeptic, you might want to take the time to actually understand it.

[11:18] Bitcoin was created in 2009. Only 21 million can be mined. Crypto is a ledger of transactions or code that can't be changed.

[15:51] Secure cryptography is the security behind cryptocurrencies.

[17:17] Crypto is popular right now. It's also very volatile.

[17:49] You can now invest in crypto through traditional portfolios.

[21:02] Cryptos like any other investment buy low sell high. You don't actually lose money until you sell. It's not about timing when you get into the market, it's about timing when you get out.

[22:17] In the long term, most things will go up.

[23:13] Dollar cost averaging or setting aside a certain amount a week to invest.

[27:00] Understanding risk and your own investment philosophy.

[30:13] Don't limit your investing to what your financial advisor might tell you. Look outside traditional investment types.

[33:12] It's important for everybody to take time to understand how to budget and how to invest and make their money grow.

[38:21] Blockchain technology is going to affect multiple Industries in the future.

[41:19] Cryptocurrency is always open 24/7.

[42:52] It's important to look at both sides when you're doing your research.

[43:47] Recap: 1. Everyone should own their home. 2. Investing is for everyone. 3. Bitcoin is limited to 21 million only. 4. There are also crypto ETFs available in traditional investment vehicles. 5. Think of it as a long-term play.

[45:00] No one cares more about your money than you do. Take the time to really understand your money.

Resources & Links Related to this Episode

• Pure Plumbing & Air

• Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook

• Alexis Aranda Instagram

• Reign & Co

• Andreea Muresan Instagram

• Get Your Financial House In Order

I'm so excited to have Mike Scavetta in the studio today! This podcast is relevant for anyone interested in working in the trades, as we talk about a day in the life of a plumber. Mike is a highly skilled technician with a superpower for connecting with customers and building amazing rapport.

We are so lucky to have him as part of the team because he delivers phenomenal service. When we heard about Mike, we knew that he needed to be part of our team. He's an amazing asset to the company, and we really appreciate all that he does.

We dive into what a typical day looks like for a plumber, including dispelling common myths and stereotypes. We learn about different specializations and how Mike specializes in water treatment, tankless water heaters, and slab leaks. We love the versatile options within the trades.

Mike also shares his background, including his plumber dad and his career as an auto technician. We learn about Mike's daily routine, how he hits the gym early, and his love for learning and helping people.

You'll gain valuable insights into the life of a plumber. Whether you're already in the trades or considering a switch, there's a world of opportunities waiting for you.

Episode Highlights:

[02:47] Mike is really reliable and always willing to step up for the team and do more than is asked of him.

[03:57] Alexis and Mike discuss what a typical day looks like for a plumber, dispelling common myths and stereotypes including dealing with poop.

[04:17] Mike specializes in water treatment, tankless water heaters, and slab leaks. People who specialize in drains are called drain techs.

[05:25] The trades are very versatile and there's many different options to specialize in.

[05:46] Mike's dad was a plumber for the school district. Mike was an automotive technician. Plumbing is actually his secondary career, but he's really glad he made the switch.

[07:15] Mike describes his daily routine, starting early in the morning with a gym session before heading to work.

[09:11] Always growing and progressing is a key element in Mike's life. If he doesn't feel like he's progressing, he feels he's failing.

[10:27] Mike discusses the importance of balancing his professional life with family time, and how the company supports this balance.

[13:11] Work to live, don't live to work.

[14:12] The biggest thing that Mike loves about his job is being able to help people.

[17:38] Challenges in the plumbing industry include dealing with water damage, asbestos, and other complications and balancing quick solutions with safety and regulations.

[19:58] At Pure Plumbing & Air, we do everything by the book and want to make sure that everyone is safe.

[21:25] We deliver phenomenal service while protecting the health of the nation is at our core.

[22:41] Mike talks about how he stays motivated and excited. When you love your job, you don't work a day in your life.

[24:08] The team is like a family to Mike. We strive to create a healthy culture where we support each other.

[27:24] If you're interested in getting into the trades, Mike suggests doing it.

[29:19] The trades are rewarding, and you make good money.

[32:10] Working at Pure Plumbing & Air makes Mike feel valued as a person, not just part of the company. We also do things right the first time and are priced accordingly.

[34:49] We prioritize people over profits whether they're part of the team or a customer.

[37:07] Takeaways: 1. You don't have to deal with poop. 2. It's so important to be prepared. 3. The trades offer variety and connection with people. 4. Home service technicians are masters at solving problems. 5. Find a company that has a great culture.

Resources & Links Related to this Episode

• Pure Plumbing & Air

• Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook

• Alexis Aranda Instagram

• Mike Scavetta

Ever dream of working in the home service industry, but getting your hands dirty isn't your thing? You're not alone! This podcast is for all the behind-the-scenes heroes who crave a fulfilling career in a booming field.

Think the only options are plumber or electrician? Think again! We'll dive deep into the amazing opportunities that power this multi-million dollar industry, from office superstars to innovative problem-solvers.

Did you know 6% of all US jobs are in construction alone? That's a massive 8.6 million people! It's clear: the home service world is thriving, and there's a perfect place for you, even if you don't want to be a technician.

Join us as we explore how you can be part of this thriving industry, even if you prefer to stay out of the field. Let's uncover the hidden gems of home service careers together!

Episode Highlights:

[4:06] I was miserable in my accounts payable job due to the lack of connection and meaningful work.

[5:13] The home service industry offers stability and variety, making it more exciting than monotonous office jobs.

[6:46] Home service roles are mentally stimulating and provide a sense of purpose through community service.

[7:50] There are numerous career opportunities in the trades beyond field roles, especially in accounting.

[11:14] Marketing in the home service industry offers creative and dynamic career paths for young professionals.

[14:45] Operations roles in the trades involve strategy and coordination, making the work fast-paced and engaging.

[15:50] The trades offer stability, variety, and a strong sense of community service, providing rewarding career paths.

Resources & Links Related to this Episode

• Pure Plumbing & Air

• Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook

• Alexis Aranda Instagram

Ever wonder if the key to finding great technicians lies beyond technical skills? What if the best approach is finding exceptional people and then training them in the trade?

Are you tired of the endless search for skilled technicians? Or perhaps you're considering a career change but aren't sure where to start? This episode is for you. Today, we're diving into a topic that's crucial for both business owners and job seekers: the power of investing in people who align with your values.

We'll be challenging the notion of quick fixes and discussing why training committed individuals can lead to sustainable growth for both businesses and careers. Our special guest today, Travis Lovgren, is a prime example of this philosophy in action. A former chef turned top-tier technician, he'll share his journey of transformation and success in the trades.

So, whether you're a business owner looking to build a strong team or someone considering a leap into the trades, stay tuned. We're about to show you how hiring for attitude and training for skills can create the perfect fit for everyone involved.

Episode Highlights:

[03:41] When Travis interviewed with us, he had limited experience in the trades, but he had a great personality and core values that aligned with who we were.

[04:51] After college, Travis ended up in the culinary world. The pandemic turned his chef's job upside down. His daughter was also born around the same time.

[07:13] Faced with multiple career decisions he decided to apply at Pure & Plumbing

[08:20] COVID really highlighted how essential tradespeople are. It's a stable industry.

[11:30] In high school, Travis worked with his girlfriend's dad doing masonry work.

[13:01] The trades aren't for everybody, it's difficult work and there can be long hours.

[17:12] Travis is now training the team and doing public speaking.

[18:57] Advice from Travis: Don't quit!

[20:56] Surprisingly the customer service aspect is Travis's favorite part of the trades.

[22:11] If you're interested in getting into the trades, go ahead and take the leap.

[23:49] "If you always give people what they need. You always get what you need in return." Zig Ziglar

[25:51] Travis got his determination and attitude of not giving up from sports. It is really great to get kids involved in sports. Team sports teaches how to be part of a team.

Resources & Links Related to this Episode

• Pure Plumbing & Air

• Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook

• Alexis Aranda Instagram

Have you ever wondered what it takes to keep a team of home service professionals consistently growing, providing phenomenal service, and staying challenged every week?

Training not only increases experience but also builds confidence. And it's not just important for those in the field—our office staff benefits greatly from regular training as well. When we stopped our weekly training meetings with the call center, customer engagement took a hit and improved when we began again.

We have some incredible team members who are both skilled in their trade and consistent in sales. After investing in industry-specific training, one of our team members returned with an impressive 80% closing ratio, largely due to the boost in confidence he gained.

Being excellent at the technical aspects doesn't always translate to being an effective trainer or motivator. It takes a unique person to engage a group of tradespeople, keeping them learning and growing.

As managers, it's our responsibility to grow our team's knowledge, skills, and confidence. Engaged employees stay with us longer, and when we deliver consistent value to them, they become dedicated members of our team.

Today, I'm excited to share tips on how to make the most of your training programs. Let's dive in and ensure we're providing the best growth opportunities for our teams.

Episode Highlights:

[04:37] Training is not only important for field professionals, it's important for the people in the office.

[05:07] We stopped having our weekly training meetings with the call center and customer engagement has gone down.

[06:01] As managers, it's our job to grow our team's knowledge base, skill set, and confidence. Engaged employees stay.

[07:24] 1. Make it engaging and interactive. Lecture style does it usually work for trades people.

[08:14] 2. Keep it short and sweet. 20 to 30 minutes for planned content. Be strict on the start and end time.

[10:32] 3. Get your team involved. You don't have to be an expert. Let your team share what they're really good at with the group.

[11:33] The more you can get more people involved the more engaging it will be.

[12:02] 1. Make it engaging and Interactive. 2. Keep it short and sweet. 3. Get your team involved.

[12:23] "Investment in knowledge pays the best interest." – Benjamin Franklin

Resources & Links Related to this Episode

• Pure Plumbing & Air

• Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook

• Alexis Aranda Instagram

• Death by Meeting: A Leadership Fable...About Solving the Most Painful Problem in Business

I don't claim to be a marriage expert or to have everything figured out, but the topic of divorce-proofing your marriage is so important to me that I felt I needed to talk about it today. My husband and I have made huge strides in our relationship, and I've seen us grow and flourish together. I don't think there's such a thing as a perfect relationship, but I do believe we have a very healthy one.

There was a couple I had been following on social media. They were celebrating their third anniversary and had a podcast where they talked about their marriage and were very vulnerable. I followed them on social media and even got on the waiting list for their couples retreat. Then, they stopped posting, and it turned out they were getting a divorce.

I wanted to discuss this topic today because it seems like there is a war on marriage, with a focus on self. Statistically, 50% of marriages fail. This is why I'm going to share tips on making your marriage divorce-proof.

Episode Highlights:

[05:23] 1. Polarity in a relationship. Polarity and marriage refers to the opposite energies or traits between each partner. We're attracted to the opposite of ourselves.

[06:01] Masculine and feminine energy aren't strictly tied to gender. Take a look to see if the polarity exists and discover how to complement each other with your masculine and feminine energy.

[07:54] Masculine energy: direction, purpose, stability. Feminine energy: nurturing, creative energy, and fluidity.

[08:57] We have weekly date nights. I let him plan, because I frequently have decision fatigue.

[10:02] 2. Have fun in your marriage. Think about when you first started dating.

[11:03] It's important for married couples to be active in the bedroom and to explore and talk about things.

[12:22] 3. You cannot have a plan B. Burn the boats and go all in.

[15:06] Take radical responsibility for your own triggers.

[16:06] 4. Your language around your marriage matters.

[17:12] The more you say things like marriage is hard, the more these things will play out in your life.

[17:44] Look for ways to change your language so that you attract more good.

[20:04] It's important to be aware of your own patterns and work on yourself.

[20:41] 5. Communicate the big and the small things. What do you want to create with your partner? What's in your heart?

[22:35] 1. Polarity in your relationship. 2. Remember to have fun. 3. Not having a plan B. 4. Be conscious of your language. 5. Communicate the big and small things.

Resources & Links Related to this Episode

• Pure Plumbing & Air

• Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook

• Alexis Aranda Instagram

• Tapping into Your Feminine Energy: Unlocking Your True Potential

• Intimate Communion: Awakening Your Sexual Essence

I'm so excited about today's guest. It's my handsome hubby and business partner, Andrew Aranda. Today, we're talking about being confident in the value of your service so you know what to charge in the trades.

According to the US Bureau of Labor, 20% of businesses fail within the first year, 50% fail within the first five years, and about 65% fail within the first ten years. These statistics highlight the need to understand your pricing so that you can have a profitable company that sustains growth.

One of the many things I admire about Andy is that he's always been very firm with our pricing. He prices jobs at a fair market value, enabling us to make money without price gouging. Listen up, entrepreneurs and tradespeople who are actively bidding jobs—this podcast is for you.

Episode Highlights:

[03:25] We kind of winged in when we first started. We've now found a good solution to pay ourselves, our team, offer benefits, and stay profitable.

[04:58] Be confident with the value of your service so you know what to charge in the trades.

[05:16] If the company isn't making money, there are no opportunities for growth.

[07:18] We talk about the disadvantages of charging time plus materials.

[08:08] Take the average of your service, such as 2 or 3 hours and find a price that works best for you. The best we can do as a trade company is save people time.

[10:39] The importance of understanding direct cost when bidding a job.

[15:45] What happens when contractors under bid jobs? Shows desperation.

[17:29] Mindset and the biggest fears around charging more money.

[18:26] Overcoming the fear of rejection and presenting higher prices.

[19:16] Some of the biggest pricing mistakes include not knowing your numbers and just guessing.

[21:45] Inspections and pulling permits also increase the price for jobs and needs to be factored in.

[23:05] Undercharging is cutting yourself and other tradesmen short.

[25:10] We talk about when customers want to negotiate.

[29:29] We give tips on setting pricing when you're just starting out.

[33:59] Now is a great time to get into the trades. Take it seriously and get your education.

[00:36:31] Price your jobs accordingly to ensure the company makes money. Value what you do and understand under bidding only hurts the industry and your company. Know your worth. Charge your worth. Deliver phenomenal service.

Resources & Links Related to this Episode

• Pure Plumbing & Air

• Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook

• Alexis Aranda Instagram

Nobody likes being in the hot seat or called out when they don't reach a goal, but accountability works. This episode is about ensuring you have a routine for daily accountability check-ins with your team.

One example of how well accountability works is when we stopped having daily huddles with the Dallas team. There was a decline in revenue, and we weren't meeting our revenue goals. However, once we implemented a huddle with the DFW team, the turnaround was rapid. They achieved their highest revenue month in May 2024, largely due to daily accountability and daily reporting of revenue.

As leaders, it's our job to help sharpen the team, and the daily huddle is a perfect way to do this. I'll discuss why it's so important and share details on how to get the most out of this accountability method.

Episode Highlights:

[02:58] Iron sharpens iron. Proverbs 24:17. It's so important to have accountability with our team and check in daily.

[03:19] It's a leader's job to bring out the best in the team members.

[04:12] Leaders are responsible for strengthening and sharpening the team members. Daily accountability and check-ins are so important for this process.

[05:00] The daily huddle. What gets measured, gets improved. If it's not being tracked, it won't be improved. This also helps create awareness around where things may be falling short.

[06:04] We also want to celebrate our teams that are surpassing goals.

[07:01] Have a daily huddle in a service business. Get all the managers together and review the performance of the day before.

[08:01] Review KPIs from the day before and set a goal for the current day.

[09:28] You want everyone to be rowing in the same direction.

[10:03] Managers then communicate with the team members about what they are responsible for.

[10:14] Have a routine for daily accountability and check-ins with your management team.

Resources & Links Related to this Episode

• Pure Plumbing & Air

• Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook

• Alexis Aranda Instagram

According to the SBA, the average business spends about 1% of its revenue on advertising. It also states that advertising expenses vary by industry. Service-based businesses, for instance, spend about 11% on advertising. If you can keep your total marketing and advertising budget around 7%, that would be ideal. Additionally, the statistic reveals that 26% of marketing dollars are wasted on inefficient channels.

In this episode, I'm going to share my four biggest marketing mistakes. That's right, I'll be spilling the beans on some things that have gone wrong in the past and how we've overcome them. I'm sharing these because I want you to be ahead of the curve in marketing. My goal is for you to spend 7% or less on your marketing and avoid the same mistakes I've made.

Episode Highlights:

[01:40] According to the SBA an average business spends about 1% of revenue on advertising.

[02:34] If you can keep your total marketing and advertising budget around 7%, that would be amazing.

[03:12] Marketers tend to be creative and want to come up with fun ads. It's important to evaluate where your revenue is coming from every month.

[03:44] Mistake #1. Straying out of our lane and not focusing on our niche. When we started our business I had trouble finding a good software product to use. I became focused on building an app.

[05:16] We spent about $40,000 trying to build this app and it was going nowhere. I then saw an ad for ServiceTitan and discovered that it was everything I wanted to create and more.

[08:31] Mistake #2. We became too reliant on outside agencies for our marketing. Getting outside agencies to help with marketing can be valuable, but it can also be dangerous if you are too reliant on them, and they aren't in touch with your customers.

[09:18] You really need people on your team that understand your current culture, clientele, and the area you service.

[10:01] It's also a conflict of interest to have an outside company do all of your digital marketing, because paying for ads and organic rankings are two different strategies.

[11:50] It's important to build your in-house marketing team and not be solely reliant on these outside sources.

[12:01] Mistake #3. Do not solely rely on Google. At one point, we were throwing $100,000 a month on PPC Google ads.

[13:41] Your best leads are repeat customers and referrals. We've also increased grassroots efforts and are more involved in the community.

[15:28] Mistake #4. We weren't scheduling enough time for the market team to be creative and fun.

[16:43] Make time to be creative and have fun. Think about what other people might want to see.

[17:31] 1. Not staying in your lane and focusing on your niche. 2. Being overly reliant on outside agencies. 3. Don't rely on Google alone. 4. Not scheduling time to be creative with the marketing team.

[18:17] "Marketing is about the stories you tell." Seth Godin

Resources & Links Related to this Episode

• Pure Plumbing & Air

• Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook

• Alexis Aranda Instagram

• ServiceTitan

• QOTT023 Why You Should Have An Internal Marketing Team

I am so excited about this episode featuring an epic panel discussion with the most phenomenal marketing team in the home service business. Today we'll be discussing why it's imperative that home service companies have their own internal marketing team. We need a strong team to navigate changes in the marketing world and keep our team busy with multiple leads.

I'm excited to introduce Cassie Castaneda, our Chief Administrative Officer at Pure Plumbing & Air. Cassie is super organized and amazing to work with. As she has grown with the company, her leadership abilities have become her superpower. She's passionate and thoughtful and leads by example. She's phenomenal, and I'm grateful for her.

Mary Manzanares is our Marketing Coordinator. One of her superpowers is her amazing creative ability. She comes up with the funniest, most off-the-wall ideas. It's been amazing seeing her improve her craft as a graphic designer. She also has great intuition about trends in the trades. She's able to create great content and remains really coachable, always open to growing and learning. She's also the person on the team who records a lot of valuable data and marketing reports.

Gilberto Hernandez is our Marketing Specialist and IT Specialist. He originally joined us as an apprentice. His superpower is his ability to build relationships with people; everyone loves working with him. Although he realized the apprenticeship wasn't for him, we knew we wanted to keep him around. He's always learning and improving himself, and he's also really good on video.

Episode Highlights:

[06:47] Cassie is more of a planner. She makes sure everyone is on the same page and supports the team however needed.

[07:34] Mary is responsible for the graphic design, face of the business, and consistent branding. She's also analytical about what is being spent, where our why is, and what's giving us the best turnaround.

[08:02] Gilberto handles social media. He also gets in the trenches with the guys. He shoots video and shows customers what the guys in the field do.

[10:53] You need a strong in-house marketing team to creatively brainstorm and implement ideas to grow your business.

[11:14] How our team has pivoted since we added HVAC to our business. Realizing how long it took to add HVAC to our branding was an aha moment.

[12:44] It's hot in Las Vegas, but the area is saturated. We had to put the rubber to the road in order to get our name out there. We had to reintroduce ourselves to our customers and let them know that we also did HVAC.

[13:31] Learning the terms and tools was also a new challenge.

[15:19] Successful pivots this year include how we believe in ourselves and scale without overcomplicating things. We really dove into online marketing this year.

[16:32] Social media is free but Gilberto had to take the time to rebrand and get the word out there. The end goal is converting views to leads.

[17:36] One of our biggest pivots was believing in ourselves as opposed to being dependent on outside agencies. When handing over your online presence to another agency they'll never be as diligent as you would be.

[19:25] We went back to the basics and emphasized what personal marketing should be.

[20:59] Gilberto is bringing back the culture in the feed and making things more personal. People love knowing that we're people with personalities.

[23:13] Nurture your existing customers, because they are your best customers.

[23:36] You can't pay an outside agency to be connected to your customer. This is why you need a strong internal marketing team.

[24:05] We were giving Knights tickets to people who referred us. That was a local thing that people were excited about.

[24:56] We share what we love about marketing. Cassie likes diving into the numbers and making educated decisions. Mary fell in love with marketing, because it gives her a chance to cut through the noise and do something memorable.

[26:28] Gilberto loves the creative freedom of marketing and making memorable videos.

[29:20] It's exciting to find ways to make it fun and to change the perception of home services.

[30:55] The social media aspect has really helped rid those old stereotypes.

[31:45] Showing the clean side of the trades has really contributed to making the trades appeal to the next generation.

[32:28] Home Service businesses may be too reliant on Google considering all of the changes Google will probably be making in the future. Advertising is going to get more expensive.

[33:18] Another trend has been video content and now short form content is very popular. AI is also beginning to take over and a lot of content will be AI generated.

[34:05] Staying authentic, educated, and on top of trends will be able to combat future changes.

[35:27] It always takes longer to build than you think. Get clear on what people are searching in the local market. Believe in yourselves when creating an internal marketing team. An internal team is very helpful with repeat customers. Always know your numbers. Be authentic!

Resources & Links Related to this Episode

• Pure Plumbing & Air

• Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook

• Alexis Aranda Instagram

• Cassie Castaneda LinkedIn

• MaryLyn Manzanares LinkedIn

• Gilberto Hernandez LinkedIn