The Catalyst for the Trades

AI-powered attorneys are now filing automated ADA lawsuits, and the average settlement costs $52,000. Is your website exposed?

In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, host Jazmin Ramirez sits down with Jennifer Bagley for a no-nonsense breakdown of what ADA website accessibility actually means for home service businesses right now.

Jennifer shares why most websites—whether built on WordPress, Webflow, or other popular platforms—are a compliance minefield, how Google's AI crawlers and DOJ requirements are essentially the same checklist, why retrofitting old sites doesn't work, and what a future-proof digital strategy actually looks like.She also shares the uncomfortable truth: with 52% of Google searches now ending in zero clicks, the website itself may no longer be the destination, and your compliance and discoverability strategy needs to reflect that.

If you're still running a patchwork WordPress site, or assuming a modern web platform setup protects you, this episode is your wake-up call.

Disclaimer: This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 — Meet Your Hosts: Jazmin Ramirez and Jennifer Bagley kick off a new era of Catalyst for the Trades
• 00:29 — ADA 101: What it is, who it protects, and why it goes all the way down to your site's code
• 02:24 — The WordPress Problem: Why themes, plugins, and third-party code make compliance nearly impossible to control
• 06:01 — The Branding Trap: How a $60,000 rebrand can fail every ADA color contrast requirement
• 08:10 — ADA & SEO Are the Same Thing: Why Google's AI crawlers and DOJ requirements are nearly identical checklists
• 12:19 — Automated Lawsuits Are Here: How AI lets attorneys mass-file ADA suits — and why the $52K average settlement should get your attention
• 22:07 — The Most Common Violations: Untagged images, broken forms, poor contrast, and third-party integrations that leave you exposed
• 29:38 — Whose Responsibility Is It? Everyone's — from the business owner to the SEO team to the account manager
• 35:01 — Stop Nodding, Start Asking: Building a culture of curiosity and accountability around compliance
• 36:45 — Why Retrofitting Doesn't Work: The R22 refrigerant analogy and the real cost of patching a broken site
• 43:53 — Future-Proofing with Hydra: Why a decoupled, AI-ready platform is the only long-term answer

Guest Details:

Host: Jazmin Ramirez
Executive Director of Growth, CI Web Group 

Jazmin leads growth strategy at CI Web Group and co-hosts Catalyst for the Trades, bringing contractor-focused perspective to complex digital topics.

Host: Jennifer Bagley 
CEO, CI Web Group | Co-founder, Just Start AI 

Jennifer Bagley is a digital marketing strategist and one of the home services industry's most forward-thinking voices. She helps HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies navigate ADA compliance, AI-driven search, and the technical foundations of a durable digital presence.

Relevant Links:

• CI Web Group
• Just Start AI
• Get Your Free ADA Compliance Report & Upgrade to Hydra
• DOJ ADA Web Guidance (Title III)

Pro tip from Jennifer: Go to Google and search "How does ADA compliance compare to Google AI crawler requirements?" — the overlap will change how you think about both.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to "The Catalyst for Trades" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform. Share this episode with aspiring and established leaders, and stay tuned for more insights on driving business success and personal leadership growth.

Last Chance to Register | Climb to $10M+ | May 5-7 | Houston, Texas

Are you a trades business owner stuck under $10M? This is the event that changes that. 

Join host Jennifer Bagley alongside Chuck & Dana Staszkiewicz, Craig Wendel, Crystal Williams, Lindsey Beckstrom, and Paul Childers — six industry experts covering every cogwheel of your trades business — for a 3-day war room style workshop designed to find the holes, fix the gaps, and build your real plan to climb to $10M and beyond.

This is NOT another conference. No PowerPoints. No stages. Just hands-on, in-the-weeds work on YOUR business.

📍 REGISTER NOW → https://climbtoriches.ciwebgroup.com/ 📅 May 5-7 | Houston, Texas | Limited Seats

🛠️ WHAT HAPPENS AT THIS EVENT:

• Hot seat sessions where experts dig into YOUR specific business problems
• VIP Day with M&A advisor Craig Wendel (VIP day only — don't miss it)
• Hands-on war room workshops — you leave with your actual plan built
• Branding & digital strategy deep dives with Crystal Williams
• HR, recruiting & onboarding breakthroughs with Lindsey Beckstrom
• Capital, credit & lending clarity with Paul Childers
• M&A, deal structure & exit strategy with Craig Wendel
• Business operations & growth strategy with Chuck & Dana Staszkiewicz
• A 356-data-point entity platform — released for the FIRST TIME at this event
• Optional hog hunt on Day 3 for networking and adventure
• Small intimate setting — real conversations, real results

💡 WHO THIS IS FOR:
✅ Trades business owners doing $500K–$50M+ in revenue
✅ HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, pest control & more
✅ Owners who are stuck in the day-to-day and can't break through
✅ Anyone who wants to sell, scale, or future-proof their business
✅ One ticket = 3 people can attend (bring your GM or manager!)

⚠️ TOP PROBLEMS WE SOLVE AT THIS EVENT:

• Cash flow & budgeting issues
• Owner dependency & key man risk
• Recruiting & hiring in today's market
• Predatory lending & bad deal structures
• Branding & marketing that actually moves the needle
• SOPs, KPIs & financial visibility
• Exit planning & M&A preparation
• Not knowing what you don't know

🎯 WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT: Most conferences leave you with a notebook full of ideas you never use. This event leaves you with a plan you built yourself, surrounded by experts who helped you build it. Small pockets. Real conversations. Actual application.

"Walk in stuck. Leave climbing to $10M+"

📲 CONNECT WITH OUR EXPERTS:
🔹 Jennifer Bagley
🔹 Chuck & Dana Staszkiewicz
🔹 Craig Wendel
🔹 Crystal Williams
🔹 Lindsey Beckstrom
🔹 Paul Childers

📌 REGISTER BEFORE SEATS CLOSE → https://climbtoriches.ciwebgroup.com/

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to "The Catalyst for Trades" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform. Share this episode with aspiring and established leaders, and stay tuned for more insights on driving business success and personal leadership growth.

Sick of conferences that pump you up but don’t move the needle? Jennifer Bagley welcomes guest Chuck Staszkiewicz for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at Climb to $10M—the high-accountability, workshop-driven event hosted by The Opus & Golds Group. Jennifer and Chuck unpack what makes it different: capped attendance, curated experts, real implementation time, and a strict no-selling environment.

You’ll hear how the agenda flows like a business supply chain—connecting marketing, sales, operations, HR, and finance—so you leave with clarity, content assets, and a plan your team can execute immediately. They dig into identity work for CEOs, adventure-based learning that cements lessons, and practical frameworks for maximizing any event before, during, and after you attend.

If you lead a home service company and want results you can measure—not just motivation—this episode is your roadmap. 

Seats are capped for maximum access and accountability. Bring your leadership team and leave with a plan, content assets, and systems you can execute immediately. Register now at climbtoriches.ciwebgroup.com

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and catch-up

01:32 - Rethinking events: fixing what’s broken

02:52 - Small groups, big impact

04:23 - The expert lineup and session themes

07:22 - VIP Day and identity shifting

08:43 - Adventure learning in the field

12:47 - Bring your leaders, multiply results

15:07 - Strategic flow: supply chain logic for growth

16:40 - War-room style, real conversations

18:18 - Leave with marketing assets

20:13 - How to maximize any event

24:45 - High-Leverage Actions (HLA)

28:06 - Cross-industry insights

32:33 - The promise of Climb to $10M

33:07 - VIP ticket giveaway

35:35 - 2024 growth mindset.

40:18 - Event details and registration

Guest:
Chuck Staszkiewicz
Founder, The Opus & Golds Group
A serial entrepreneur with deep home service operations experience, Chuck focuses on practical systems and implementation that break plateaus and drive scale.

Host:
Jennifer Bagley
Founder & CEO, CI Web Group; Featured Speaker at Climb to $10M
A leading strategist on AI, marketing, and scale, Jennifer helps home service businesses implement systems, content, and tech for measurable growth.

Relevant Links:

• Register for Climb to $10M (May 5-7): https://climbtoriches.ciwebgroup.com
• CI Web Group: https://www.ciwebgroup.com
• Find Chuck Staszkiewicz on Facebook for VIP ticket giveaway

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to "The Catalyst for Trades" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform. Share this episode with aspiring and established leaders, and stay tuned for more insights on driving business success and personal leadership growth.

Most contractors are either ignoring AI or getting distracted by flashy tools they don’t actually need. In this episode, Jennifer Bagley talks with Cameron Herold, the operational expert who helped build 1-800-GOT-JUNK and mentored industry leaders like Tommy Mello.

They discuss why the "old-school" basics—like answering the phone and having branded trucks—matter more than ever in an automated world. You will learn how to identify which AI tools actually increase your profit margins, how to hire a team that embraces technology, and why your leadership style is the one thing that can't be replaced by a bot.

What You’ll Learn

• The Revenue Filter: Why you should only use AI for tasks that directly increase sales or gross margins.
• The 3-Tier Growth Path: Why a small shop shouldn’t try to use the same automation as a $50M company.
• Hiring for the Future: A simple "Laptop Test" to make sure your next hire can actually use technology to save you time.
• Beating "Price Shopping": How to use ChatGPT in the house with the customer to upsell maintenance agreements and air purification.
• The Leadership Gap: Why delegating AI is smart, but "abdicating" (ignoring it and hoping someone else handles it) will kill your business.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Jennifer’s experience: Moving from a 320-person team to a 47-person AI-first company.
• 04:10 – Cameron’s background: Scaling residential painting and junk removal to billion-dollar levels.
• 08:27 – The Danger Zone: Why moving too slow—or too fast—with AI can hurt your business.
• 11:00 – The Interview Secret: How to see if a candidate is actually tech-savvy in 5 minutes.
• 18:44 – Customer Savvy: How to stop clients from using AI to talk you down on price.
• 21:20 – Bronze, Silver, Gold: A realistic roadmap for contractor technology.
• 33:16 – Easy Wins: Automating Google reviews to win more local jobs.
• 40:03 – Performance Reviews: Using AI agents to give your team unbiased feedback.
• 51:14 – Soft Skills: Why being a good boss is still your most valuable skill.
• 56:38 – The Big Picture: Taking care of your people and your customers first.

About Cameron Herold

Cameron Herold is a world-renowned business coach and the founder of the COO Alliance. He specializes in helping "second-in-command" executives run the day-to-day operations of high-growth companies. He has authored seven business books and has a deep history in the home services industry.

• Free AI Mentor: AskCameron.ai
• Website: CameronHerold.com
• Training: InvestInYourLeaders.com

Next Steps

1. Organize Your Tech: Visit Cameron’s websites and bookmark them for your next leadership meeting.
2. Review Your Reviews: If you aren't using an automated system to get Google reviews, make that your priority this week.
3. Subscribe: Follow Catalyst for the Trades on your favorite podcast app for more interviews with industry experts.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to "The Catalyst for Trades" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform. Share this episode with aspiring and established leaders, and stay tuned for more insights on driving business success and personal leadership growth.

Most contractors know the feeling: you pay for leads that five other companies get, you chase calls late, and your software stack keeps growing—but not your margins.

Builder Market’s Founder Brett Taylor and Co-Founder Louis Vierra come from the trades. They built an AI-first platform that keeps things simple: a free listing that customers can trust, pro-to-pro networking, a built-in CRM and pricebook, financing, and access to exclusive leads. You choose your zip codes and categories. You pay only for the real leads delivered. You get support when you set it up.

Pair that with speed-to-lead automation and AI-first websites and content and you’ve got a system that responds in seconds, shows proof the customer can see, and builds visibility in both search and AI assistants. Less noise. More booked jobs.

Timestamps

00:00 – Why the old model hurts contractors  

01:16 – Brett and Louis: from jobsite to software  

06:07 – What’s broken with Angie/Yelp and fragmented tech  

10:24 – What Builder Market actually does (in plain English)  

14:19 – Pricebooks, templates, and financing that don’t slow you down  

15:23 – Find subs and GCs fast; work together in channels  

17:16 – Claim your listing; setup in minutes; live help  

20:21 – Consumer tools: AI planning, renderings, DIY guidance, product recs  

22:04 – Becoming a trusted data source for AI assistants  

25:50 – How exclusive vs. shared leads work; real-time auctions  

28:36 – Speed-to-lead: reply in under 5 minutes (or in seconds with AI)  

32:30 – Training and the Hydra ecosystem: content, agents, automation  

36:09 – Third‑party validation + AI content = more visibility  

40:04 – Why AI‑first beats legacy SaaS  

42:00 – Using AI instead of adding office headcount  

43:21 – Value-first approach and open feedback  

44:44 – Costs: free to join; category-based lead pricing  

47:19 – Disputes and refunds that respect pros  

48:27 – 641,000+ pages indexed; tight geo coverage  

50:07 – Brand mentions and content built with partners  

53:29 – Final steps: claim, configure, connect

Guest Details

- Louis Vierra, Co‑Founder, Builder Market — Veteran GC; patents in construction project management; built Struxure, the engine behind Builder Market.  

- Brett Taylor, Founder, Builder Market — Entrepreneur focused on fair, open pro-homeowner communication and smarter lead distribution.

Relevant Links 

- The Builder Market  

- Just Start AI  

- Catalyst for the Trades Podcast  

- OnePath AI  

- Hydra (CI Web Group)  

- Pulse (CI Web Group)  

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to "The Catalyst for Trades" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform. Share this episode with aspiring and established leaders, and stay tuned for more insights on driving business success and personal leadership growth.

How do women in the trades go from underfunded marketing and clunky tech to dominating their local markets with AI and automation? In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, host Jennifer Bagley sits down with three powerhouse home service entrepreneurs—Courtney Van Delden Supplee (Van Delden Wastewater Systems), Amanda Casteel (Cherry Blossom Plumbing), and Stephanie Allen (AirWorks Solutions).

You’ll hear real stories of growth from women-led businesses in HVAC, plumbing, and septic services. The conversation dives into hard-won lessons on failed marketing investments, the leap from WordPress to Webflow, and how embracing AI content, dashboards, and automation turned their marketing from a liability into a lead machine.

These women get candid about tech transitions, brand control, data-driven decisions, and how being first to adopt AI-powered web platforms gave them a 12-month head start on their competition. 

Timestamps:
00:00 – Meet the Guests: Women Redefining the Home Services Industry
01:20 – Business Beginnings: Legacy, Pivots & Pandemic Launches
09:42 – Marketing Lessons: Tracking ROI, Attribution, and Broken Promises
20:28 – Why They Left WordPress: Moving to AI-Driven Web Platforms
29:33 – The 120-Day Ramp: Planning for Momentum and SEO Visibility
32:24 – AI vs. Human Marketing: Dashboards, Control & Training Smart Agents
35:00 – Trial and Error: Teaching AI, Managing Risk, and Staying Agile
40:33 – Content Repurposing at Scale: Blogs, Social Media & Link Building
45:00 – Brand Control: Managing Digital Assets and Image Guidelines
50:13 – Future-Focused: Compliance Automation and Smarter Processes
57:40 – Final Thoughts: Leadership, Feedback, and Scaling Together

Guest Details:

Courtney Van Delden Supplee
Co-owner, Van Delden Wastewater Systems
Fourth-generation owner of a septic services company in San Antonio, Courtney modernized a legacy business through AI-driven marketing, CRM tech, and deep customer trust.

Amanda Casteel
Co-owner, Cherry Blossom Plumbing
Launched during the pandemic, Amanda helped scale Cherry Blossom Plumbing with smart digital strategies, strong client relationships, and a relentless focus on tech and transparency.

Stephanie Allen
CEO, AirWorks Solutions
HVAC and plumbing leader from Alabama, Stephanie blends law and business acumen with grassroots and AI-based marketing to run a fast-growing, family-focused service brand.

Relevant Links:

• Van Delden Wastewater Systems
• Cherry Blossom Plumbing
• AirWorks Solutions
• CI Web Group
• Catalyst for the Trades Podcast

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to "The Catalyst for Trades" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform. Share this episode with aspiring and established leaders, and stay tuned for more insights on driving business success and personal leadership growth.

In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, Jennifer Bagley is joined by Robert Leath, founder of a thriving HVAC business, and his dedicated account executive, Vee Nettles. Robert shares his raw and inspiring journey from working for a large corporation to risking it all to build his own company from the ground up. He offers a transparent look at the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, from securing funding and establishing a strong brand to embracing cutting-edge AI technology.

 This conversation is a masterclass in modern trades leadership, covering the importance of a high-quality brand, the power of building genuine customer relationships, and the transformative impact of AI on marketing and operations. Robert's story is a powerful reminder that with the right mindset, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to excellence, anyone in the trades can build a successful and future-proof business.

Key Topics & Timestamps
00:00 – Introductions: Meet Robert Leath and Vee Nettles
00:38 – The Leap of Faith: Robert's journey from employee to entrepreneur
03:25 – Funding the Dream: The risk and reward of self-funding
05:31 – Building a Premium Brand: Why high standards matter from day one
06:20 – Adapting to Technology: The evolution from traditional marketing to AI
29:00 – The Impact of AI: A flood of new leads from unexpected places
31:00 – The Power of Education: Why continuous learning is non-negotiable
44:00 – The Human Element: Why customer relationships are still king
01:22:00 – Final Advice: Why you just need to start

Guest Details
Guest: Robert Leath
Title: Founder & CEO
Robert Leath is a testament to the modern trades entrepreneur. After years in the HVAC industry, he took the bold step of starting his own company, building it on a foundation of high standards, exceptional customer service, and a forward-thinking approach to technology. His story is one of resilience, growth, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Guest: Vee Nettles
Title: Senior Account Executive
Vee Nettles is a key partner in Robert's success story. As a senior account executive at CI Web Group, she has helped guide Robert's business through the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing, from traditional websites to the new frontier of AI. Her expertise and dedication have been instrumental in helping Robert's business thrive.

Relevant Links

• AirPoint Heating & Air Conditioning
• Catalyst for the Trades
• Just Start AI
• CI Web Group 

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to "The Catalyst for Trades" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform. Share this episode with aspiring and established leaders, and stay tuned for more insights on driving business success and personal leadership growth.

What does authentic leadership actually look like for women in the trades?

In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, host Jennifer Bagley sits down with Laura Kelly and Kathryn Elizabeth for a direct, no-filter conversation about leadership, self-respect, and showing up fully as a woman in business.

The discussion covers what it means to lead with honesty, even when it’s uncomfortable. Laura and Kathryn share real experiences with criticism, self-doubt, public speaking, and breaking outdated expectations—especially in male-dominated industries like HVAC, plumbing, and the trades.

You’ll hear practical insights on setting boundaries, navigating feedback, building confidence, serving others without losing yourself, and surrounding yourself with people who support your growth.

This episode is for women in business, female trades professionals, and leaders who want to build impact without pretending to be someone they’re not.

Key Topics Covered

• Authentic leadership in the trades
• Women in business and entrepreneurship
• Handling criticism and public visibility
• Self-respect, boundaries, and leadership mindset
• Overcoming self-doubt and fear
• Values-driven leadership
• Community, support systems, and personal growth

Timestamps

00:00 – Authenticity and speaking truth in business (Laura Kelly & Kathryn Elizabeth)
 03:00 – Handling criticism and swearing on stage
 04:40 – Why leadership often means breaking the rules
 05:04 – Self-respect and setting boundaries as a leader
 07:30 – Being “heart-less” without being heartless (Kathryn Elizabeth)
 10:44 – Authenticity, service, and leadership responsibility
 11:56 – Confronting self-doubt and doing hard things anyway
 13:00 – Behind the scenes of public speaking (Jennifer Bagley)
 14:46 – Why serving from the stage isn’t about you
 17:31 – Showing up for your audience—even if it’s one person
 18:46 – Values, behavior, and creating a rich life (Laura Kelly)
 22:08 – Progress over perfection and bouncing back
 23:11 – The power of community and support systems
 25:12 – Final thoughts: choose who you surround yourself with

Guest Details

Laura Kelly

Industry leader and speaker known for her direct approach to leadership, tough conversations, and personal growth. Laura helps business owners and leaders identify their core values and build fulfillment in both life and work.

Kathryn Elizabeth

CEO, business builder, and speaker focused on real-world leadership. Kathryn is known for her honest take on decision-making, team building, and consistency, and for empowering women in the trades to lead with confidence.

Host

Jennifer Bagley

Founder of CI Web Group and host of Catalyst for the Trades. Jennifer helps trades businesses grow through clear strategy, strong leadership, and authentic marketing.

Relevant Links

• Connect with Kathryn Elizabeth 
• Follow Laura Kelly
• Catalyst for the Trades
• CI Web Group

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to "The Catalyst for Trades" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform. Share this episode with aspiring and established leaders, and stay tuned for more insights on driving business success and personal leadership growth.

How do you build a home service business that thrives today and is ready for a profitable exit tomorrow? In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, Gregg Schonhorn of SF&P Advisors joins Jennifer Bagley to share proven strategies for maximizing business value, preparing to sell, and staying ahead with AI and tech adoption.

Gregg combines 20+ years of Wall Street experience with deep knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and roofing industries. He breaks down financial skills contractors need, the right time to sell, and common myths about industry multiples.

This episode also covers how AI will impact websites, marketing, and lead generation—plus what business owners can do now to stay competitive.

If you’re thinking about selling your contracting business or want to build a more valuable company, this conversation is packed with clear, actionable advice.

Key Topics & Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction: Meet Gregg and the story behind the episode.
• 02:48 – Career Path: From Wall Street to trades advisor.
• 07:24 – What SF&P Advisors Does: M&A and exit planning for contractors.
• 09:37 – Industry Multiples & Market Timing: When to sell your business.
• 13:03 – Building to Sell: What separates high-value companies.
• 17:15 – AI in Home Services: How tech is reshaping marketing.
• 26:13 – The Future of Websites: AI training data and agentic tools.
• 33:23 – New Business Models: Lead gen companies and tech-driven contractors.
• 35:13 – Marketing Mindset: Why every trades business needs a CMO.
• 36:44 – Cutting Through the Noise: Avoiding bad advice.
• 41:07 – Personal Moments: Golf, family, and friendship.
• 44:50 – When to Talk to Gregg: Preparing for valuation and due diligence.
• 47:18 – Fractional CFOs: Why they’re critical for scaling.
• 49:52 – Final Takeaways: Build relationships. Take action.

Guest Details

Guest: Gregg Schonhorn
Title: Senior Advisor, SF&P Advisors

Gregg Schonhorn has more than two decades of Wall Street experience and now helps HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and roofing companies plan and execute successful exits. As a senior advisor at SF&P Advisors—an M&A firm with over $3.7B in closed deals—he’s known for straightforward guidance, deep industry knowledge, and helping contractors make smart, strategic decisions about selling, scaling, or staying independent.

Relevant Links

• SF&P Advisors
• Connect with Gregg Schonhorn on Facebook
• Catalyst for the Trades Podcast
• The Opus & Golds Group
• CI Web Group

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to "The Catalyst for Trades" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform. Share this episode with aspiring and established leaders, and stay tuned for more insights on driving business success and personal leadership growth.

CPA Meaghan Likes, founder of Likes Accounting, shares proven tips to help contractors clean up their books, simplify ServiceTitan integration, and gain financial clarity. In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, Meaghan and Stephanie Allen of AirWorks explain how to turn accounting chaos into clarity, make data-driven decisions, and build a profitable, scalable business.

In this conversation, Jennifer Bagley, CEO of CI Web Group and co-founder of Just Start AI, sits down with Meaghan and Stephanie to break down:

• Why clean books are non-negotiable—and how to get there, even if you’re starting in a “spaghetti mess”
• The keys to successful ServiceTitan integrations (without breaking your accounting)
• Proactive business decisions using data, not just hope
• Practical ways to safeguard profits regardless of market conditions
• Real talk about industry trends, growth versus profit, and the power of collaboration

👉 If you’re a contractor or owner/operator wanting clear financials, smarter systems, and a community of support to help you win—this is a must-listen episode.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro & Guest Intro: Meaghan Likes | Likes Accounting

04:05 – Cleaning Contractor Books: From “Worst Books Ever” to Clean Accounting

08:10 – ServiceTitan Integration Tips: Touchless Setup with QuickBooks

16:20 – Data-Driven Contractor Decisions: Growth, Profit & Trades Insights

25:12 – Leadership in the Trades: Team Building & Surviving Slowdowns

31:00 – AI & Automation in Contractor Accounting

39:07 – Key Takeaways 2024–2026: Contractor Profit & Growth Strategies

Meaghan Likes
Founder & CPA, Likes Accounting
Meaghan Likes is an award-winning CPA and founder of Likes Accounting, specializing in accounting for contractors and the trades. She is recognized for helping businesses move from chaos to clarity, leading the way in ServiceTitan integrations, and building data-driven tools that help owners make proactive, profitable decisions.

Stephanie Allen
Owner & Operator, AirWorks Solutions | Co-Founder, Just Start AI
Stephanie Allen has grown AirWorks Solutions into a leading HVAC company by focusing on top-tier systems and people. As co-founder of Just Start AI, she champions collaboration and technology to support contractors with practical financial strategies, strong operations, and clear paths to growth.

Relevant Links:

• Likes Accounting
• Box for the Trades 
• AirWorks Solutions
• ServiceTitan
• Catalyst for the Trades
• CI Web Group

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to "The Catalyst for Trades" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform. Share this episode with aspiring and established leaders, and stay tuned for more insights on driving business success and personal leadership growth.