So I Was In This House Podcast: Service and Sales Tales

Ben Avicolli is the Co-Founder of MyMethod AI, bringing a rare blend of defense-level technology expertise and real-world home services insight. Before launching MyMethod, Ben worked on classified programs at Lockheed Martin and went on to help build and scale multiple enterprise SaaS companies through successful exits.

Now, he’s focused on transforming the home services industry—taking the same advanced tools used by Fortune 500 companies and putting them into the hands of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical businesses. Driven by both personal experience as a homeowner and a deep understanding of business operations, Ben is on a mission to eliminate friction, capture missed opportunities, and help contractors grow smarter using AI.

https://www.mymethod.ai/

Episode Sponsors

⁠Pivotl - Click for a free business financial score! ⁠

Accounting and fractional CFO services built specifically for the trades

⁠⁠My Method Ai⁠ ⁠ - Ai Employees - Book a demo today!

⁠⁠Cooper and Hunter⁠ - HVAC / Ductless Equipment

Adam Gordon is the Director of Plumbing at Orella Group Inc., a Canadian contractor known for tackling complex residential and commercial plumbing projects across Southern Ontario. Beyond the jobsite, Adam has built a strong presence online through his platform Gordonbot Plumbing, where he shares real-world insights from the trades, leadership lessons, and the highs and lows that come with building a team and a personal brand at the same time.
Passionate about mental health, personal growth, and changing the narrative around blue-collar careers, Adam uses his voice to connect with other tradespeople who are navigating pressure, responsibility, and identity both on and off the tools. Whether he’s talking business, fitness, family, or failures that turned into lessons, Adam keeps it raw, honest, and grounded in real experience.

Episode Sponsors

⁠Pivotl - Click for a free business financial score! ⁠

Accounting and fractional CFO services built specifically for the trades

⁠⁠My Method Ai⁠ ⁠ - Ai Employees - Book a demo today!

⁠⁠Cooper and Hunter⁠ - HVAC / Ductless Equipment

Just good old fashioned "So I was in this house...." adventures. In this episode we also announce the 2026 HVAC Tactical giveaway winners! Joined by Gil Cavey from the HVAC Uncensored Podcast, Ben Poole, founder of HVAC Tactical, and John Vazquez, an infamous industry legend.

Episode Sponsors

⁠Pivotl - Click for a free business financial score! ⁠

Accounting and fractional CFO services built specifically for the trades

⁠⁠My Method Ai⁠ ⁠ - Ai Employees - Book a demo today!

⁠⁠Cooper and Hunter⁠ - HVAC / Ductless Equipment

Megan McIntosh is a co-founder of Mechanical Environments, a Denver, Colorado–based HVAC company specializing in climate control systems for cannabis cultivation facilities, where precise management of temperature, humidity, and airflow is critical to indoor agricultural success. She entered the trades through a nontraditional path, beginning her HVAC career in 2018 at the age of 31, after being encouraged to take a sales role with an HVAC distributor. What started in distribution sales quickly evolved into a deep immersion in the HVAC industry as a whole, especially when moving to the contractor's side. Her unconventional background shaped her belief that the future of the trades depends on better preparation, clearer career pathways, and stronger collaboration between contractors, educators, and suppliers, and she strives to bridge these gaps every day through her work and advocacy. Megan’s leadership and industry impact have earned national recognition. She was named one of ACHR News’ 2025 Top Women in HVAC and honored as the Lady of Trade at the 2026 HVAC Tactical Awards. @mechanicalenvironments @megomack

Podcast Sponsor Links

https://www.mymethod.ai/inthishouse

www.cooperandhunter.us

Podcast Links

https://linktr.ee/soiwasinthishousepodcast

In this episode we discuss the pitfalls of joining the wrong "best practices" group with Joe O'Grady. Joe runs the Service Profit Group, an organization built for small businesses with the focus on helping the little guy win ethically, and grow strategically. He ran an $11 million plumbing and HVAC business as the Director of Operation and started in the the home service industry 16 years ago. Joe has trained owners, technicians, and CSR’s how to lead a team, run service calls, and dispatch for profits. He travels all over the United States helping business owners operate more efficiently. Joe’s vast knowledge of the trades and his business acumen are paramount to his success. Joe is a natural trainer and coach and right now, he's on fire.

https://teamspg.com/

Episode Sponsors

⁠Pivotl - Click for a free business financial score! ⁠

Accounting and fractional CFO services built specifically for the trades

⁠⁠My Method Ai⁠ ⁠ - Ai Employees - Book a demo today!

⁠⁠Cooper and Hunter⁠ - HVAC / Ductless Equipment

Willie "The HVAC Goat" Ward is literally one of a kind. Odds are, if you're in HVAC or home services, you've seen his hilarious and controversial content, especially his animation and Ai videos. Willie is with GOAT Heating & Cooling, and founder of the “HVAC is Life” group.

https://www.youtube.com/@Williethehvacgoat

https://www.instagram.com/williethehvacgoat/

Episode Sponsors

⁠Pivotl - Click for a free business financial score! ⁠

Accounting and fractional CFO services built specifically for the trades

⁠⁠My Method Ai⁠ ⁠ - Ai Employees - Book a demo today!

⁠⁠Cooper and Hunter⁠ - HVAC / Ductless Equipment

Sarah Lipka is a Sales Director at Comfortside West (Cooper&Hunter), where she works closely with HVAC contractors and distributors to grow their business through ductless and cold-climate heat pump solutions. With 18 years of industry experience, she focuses on training, market development and improving the in-home sales experience by helping teams communicate clearly and confidently with homeowners. Sarah is passionate about turning electrification into practical, profitable solutions that make sense in real homes and real conversations. Today we dive deep into the world of HVAC manufacturing, distributing, contracting, and assorted topics.

Episode Sponsors

⁠⁠Pivotl - Click for a free business financial score! ⁠⁠

Accounting and fractional CFO services built specifically for the trades

⁠⁠⁠My Method Ai⁠ ⁠⁠ - Ai Employees - Book a demo today!

⁠⁠⁠Cooper and Hunter⁠⁠ - HVAC / Ductless Equipment

Dan Friesen is a Canadian HVAC industry leader, trainer, and business professional known for his extensive work in training and leadership within the home services sector. He has served as a master trainer with Nexstar since the early 2000s, helping educate and develop technicians and business teams across North America.Dan is also the Owner & Team Leader at Charlton & Hill Home Services and serves as Vice President of Training at P1 Service Group, where he focuses on communication, training program excellence, and public speaking development. With over 24 years of public speaking experience and tens of thousands of people impacted by his training, Dan is recognized for his ability to elevate both individual skills and organizational culture in the trades.

https://danieljfriesen.com/

Episode Sponsors

⁠Pivotl - Click for a free business financial score! ⁠

Accounting and fractional CFO services built specifically for the trades

⁠⁠My Method Ai⁠ ⁠ - Ai Employees - Book a demo today!

⁠⁠Cooper and Hunter⁠ - HVAC / Ductless Equipment

Sarah Ghirardo is an AI marketing expert and Director of Pro Content at ServiceTitan, where she leads an 80% AI-powered content organization shaping the future of automation, agentic experiences, and scalable growth for the home services industry. Blending deep expertise in marketing strategy, leadership development, and productized content design, she turns complex technology into simple, repeatable systems that help HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies grow revenue, efficiency, and customer impact. A seasoned SaaS and trades leader, Sarah is also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion—especially for women in the trades—mentoring emerging leaders and teaching executive-level marketing and AI fluency. Her mission is to elevate the trades through innovation, storytelling, and AI-driven transformation, empowering the next generation to see themselves as builders, leaders, and changemakers. When not driving transformation at ServiceTitan, she speaks nationally, consults as a fractional CMO, and supports the trades with heart-led leadership and actionable strategy.

Episode Sponsors

⁠Pivotl - Click for a free business financial score! ⁠

Accounting and fractional CFO services built specifically for the trades

⁠⁠My Method Ai⁠ ⁠ - Ai Employees - Book a demo today!

⁠⁠Cooper and Hunter⁠ - HVAC / Ductless Equipment

Ty Branaman started his HVAC career in 1995 insulating ductwork in a sheet metal shop — a humble beginning that sparked a lifelong passion for craftsmanship, teaching, and elevating the trade. Today, as a Certified Master HVAC Educator, Ty travels the country and teaches online through The Grit Foundation, inspiring techs and students to sharpen their skills and embrace the grit it takes to succeed. With nearly 30 years of experience, he blends real-world expertise with an educator’s heart, turning complex HVAC concepts into clear, motivating lessons for the next generation of tradespeople.

https://www.thegritfoundation.com/

Episode Sponsors

⁠Pivotl - Click for a free business financial score! ⁠

Accounting and fractional CFO services built specifically for the trades

⁠⁠My Method Ai⁠ ⁠ - Ai Employees - Book a demo today!

⁠⁠Cooper and Hunter⁠ - HVAC / Ductless Equipment