The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast

How do you grow a profitable plumbing business while delivering five-star customer service? David Mikkelsen of Fluid Plumbing shares how he grew his business from a one-man operation into a team of around 60 people across Australia's Central Coast and Newcastle.

In this episode of The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, Joe Crisara talks with David about building a strong company culture, training technicians to serve homeowners better, offering options instead of ultimatums, and knowing your numbers to build a sustainable business.

You'll learn: 
✅ Why specializing in residential homeowners helped Fluid Plumbing stand out.
✅ How offering customers multiple options builds trust and creates value.
✅ Why technicians should focus on one customer at a time instead of rushing to the next call.
✅ How daily training and strong company culture develop confident, service-minded employees.
✅ Why hiring for attitude and people skills can matter more than technical experience.
✅ How understanding your numbers and charging profitable prices helps you serve customers for the long term.

🔷 About David Mikkelsen and Fluid Plumbing
David Mikkelsen is the leader behind Fluid Plumbing, a plumbing, electrical, and HVAC service company serving Australia's Central Coast and Newcastle region. Starting with one van and support from his wife, David has spent more than 20 years building a business centered on exceptional customer service, team development, and a culture where both employees and customers win.

🌐Learn more about Fluid Plumbing: https://www.fluidplumbingservices.com.au/

🔷 About The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast

The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, hosted by Joe Crisara, spotlights the people behind the home service industry and explores the stories, strategies, leadership lessons, and experiences that help service businesses grow.

If you want to share your story and be our next guest, book a call with Joe here: Book a spot

💡 Free Resources Mentioned:
Dive into our comprehensive online courses. Don't miss out on this chance to boost your skills—join now!
https://servicemvp.com/mvp-club

Grab a free copy of Joe Crisara’s book, What Should We Do?, and start transforming your sales today!
https://book.servicemvp.com/get-your-book

Schedule a 10 Minute Call to find out how Service MVP can 3x your revenue!
https://go.servicemvp.com/schedule-10-minute-call

Connect with Service MVP:
🌐 Website: www.servicemvp....

What does it take to build an HVAC business that customers can trust for years? For Alex Ivey of Ivey AC & Refrigeration, it starts with honesty, high standards, and putting people first.

In this episode of The Home Service Podcast, hosted by Joe Crisara, Alex shares his journey in the HVAC industry and the principles behind building a service business that puts customer care and integrity at the center. 

From hiring trustworthy technicians to developing a strong team and preparing for the future of HVAC, this conversation explores what it really takes to deliver a great service experience.

You'll learn: 
✅ Why putting people first matters just as much as technical expertise
✅ How honesty and integrity build long-term customer relationships
✅ What to look for when hiring dependable, trustworthy technicians
✅ Why developing your team is one of the most important skills for business owners
✅ How to balance operational efficiency with personal customer service
✅ What the future of HVAC could mean for technicians, training, and new technologies

About the Guest

🔷 Alex Ivey is part of Ivey AC & Refrigeration, a family-owned HVAC and refrigeration business serving Moss Point, Mississippi, and the surrounding Gulf Coast community. His approach emphasizes honest communication, quality workmanship, and creating a customer experience people can trust.

🌐 Learn more about Ivey AC & Refrigeration: https://www.iveyheatandcool.com/

🔷 About The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast

The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, hosted by Joe Crisara, spotlights the people behind the home service industry and explores the stories, strategies, leadership lessons, and experiences that help service businesses grow.

If you want to share your story and be our next guest, book a call with Joe here: Book a spot

💡 Free Resources Mentioned:
Dive into our comprehensive online courses. Don't miss out on this chance to boost your skills—join now!
https://servicemvp.com/mvp-club

Grab a free copy of Joe Crisara’s book, What Should We Do?, and start transforming your sales today!
https://book.servicemvp.com/get-your-book

Schedule a 10 Minute Call to find out how Service MVP can 3x your revenue!
https://go.servicemvp.com/schedule-10-minute-call

Connect with Service MVP:
🌐 Website: www.servicemvp....

What does it take to grow a home service business from $9 million to $175 million while delivering an exceptional customer experience?

In this episode of The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, hosted by Joe Crisara, Chris Hoffman of Hoffman Brothers shares how his family business scaled across multiple markets through better processes, leadership development, and a commitment to customer service.

Chris discusses the importance of building a strong team, investing in employees, using AI to improve scheduling and operations, and creating a consistent customer experience that earns trust and justifies premium pricing.

You'll learn:
✅ How Hoffman Brothers scaled from $9 million to $175 million in revenue
✅ Why consistent processes and KPIs matter for business growth
✅ How to deliver a premium customer experience across multiple locations
✅ What it takes to recruit, train, and retain top service professionals
✅ How leadership development helps teams perform at a higher level
✅ How AI and operational efficiency are transforming home service businesses

🔷 About the Guest:
Chris Hoffman is a leader at Hoffman Brothers, a family-owned home service company serving communities in St. Louis, Nashville, and Denver. Founded by his father in 1988, the business provides home and commercial services with a focus on quality workmanship, professionalism, and customer care.

🌐 Learn more about Hoffman Brothers at hoffmannbros.com.

🔷 About The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast

The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, hosted by Joe Crisara, spotlights the people behind the home service industry and explores the stories, strategies, leadership lessons, and experiences that help service businesses grow.

If you want to share your story and be our next guest, book a call with Joe here: Book a spot

💡 Free Resources Mentioned:
Dive into our comprehensive online courses. Don't miss out on this chance to boost your skills—join now!
https://servicemvp.com/mvp-club

Grab a free copy of Joe Crisara’s book, What Should We Do?, and start transforming your sales today!
https://book.servicemvp.com/get-your-book

Schedule a 10 Minute Call to find out how Service MVP can 3x your revenue!
https://go.servicemvp.com/schedule-10-minute-call

Connect with Service MVP:
🌐 Website: www.servicemvp....

What does it take to grow a painting company across multiple states while delivering a consistently excellent customer experience?

In this episode of the Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, Joe Crisara sits down with Doug Caris, CEO of The Painting Company USA and Arizona Painting Company, to discuss the lessons behind building and scaling a successful home service business.

Doug shares how consistent training, clear communication, strong leadership, and a focus on profitability have helped his company grow across six locations. From developing future leaders to creating a five-star customer experience, this conversation is packed with practical insights for home service business owners.

You'll learn:
✅ Why communication can set your service business apart from competitors
✅ How consistent training creates a better customer experience
✅ What it takes to expand into new markets without losing control
✅ How to hire, develop, and retain people who care about customers
✅ Why customer feedback and online reviews matter for growth
✅ Why profitability should come before revenue growth

🎧 Watch now and discover how to build a service business that grows while keeping customers and employees at the heart of everything.

🔷 Connect with Doug Caris
🌐 The Painting Company USA: https://thepaintingco.com/
🌐 Arizona Painting Company: https://arizonapaintingcompany.com/
🔗 LinkedIn: Search for Doug Karras

🔷 About The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast

The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, hosted by Joe Crisara, spotlights the people behind the home service industry and explores the stories, strategies, leadership lessons, and experiences that help service businesses grow.

If you want to share your story and be our next guest, book a call with Joe here: Book a spot

💡 Free Resources Mentioned:
Dive into our comprehensive online courses. Don't miss out on this chance to boost your skills—join now!
https://servicemvp.com/mvp-club

Grab a free copy of Joe Crisara’s book, What Should We Do?, and start transforming your sales today!
https://book.servicemvp.com/get-your-book

Schedule a 10 Minute Call to find out how Service MVP can 3x your revenue!
https://go.servicemvp.com/schedule-10-minute-call

Connect with Service MVP:
🌐 Website: www.servicemvp....

What does it take to lead a cleaning and restoration business while making a real difference in people's lives?

In this episode of The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, hosted by Joe Crisara, Morgan Cole of Voda Cleaning & Restoration in Nashville, Tennessee, shares how she leads her team, builds a customer-focused culture, and helps homeowners navigate some of their most stressful moments.

From responding to late-night emergencies to hiring people who genuinely care, Morgan explains why great service goes beyond technical skills. She also shares lessons on work-life balance, employee development, and preparing a business for long-term growth.

You'll learn:
✅Why customer care and empathy matter in cleaning and restoration
✅How to balance working in your business with building community relationships
✅What to look for when hiring technicians for your home service company
✅How industry certifications and hands-on training help maintain service standards
✅Why understanding your employees' goals can strengthen team morale and leadership
✅How to guide customers through stressful property damage and restoration decisions

🔷About Morgan Cole
Morgan Cole leads the Voda Cleaning & Restoration in Nashville, Tennessee, a company providing residential and commercial cleaning and restoration services. Her approach centers on treating customers with care, communicating clearly, and helping people understand their options during difficult situations.

🌐 Learn more about their services at https://myvoda.com/.

🔷 About The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast

The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, hosted by Joe Crisara, spotlights the people behind the home service industry and explores the stories, strategies, leadership lessons, and experiences that help service businesses grow.

If you want to share your story and be our next guest, book a call with Joe here: Book a spot

💡 Free Resources Mentioned:
Dive into our comprehensive online courses. Don't miss out on this chance to boost your skills—join now!
https://servicemvp.com/mvp-club

Grab a free copy of Joe Crisara’s book, What Should We Do?, and start transforming your sales today!
https://book.servicemvp.com/get-your-book

Schedule a 10 Minute Call to find out how Service MVP can 3x your revenue!
https://go.servicemvp.com/schedule-10-minute-call

Connect with Service MVP:
🌐 Website: www.servicemvp....

In this episode of The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, Joe Crisara sits down with Dane Fosse of Zeppelin Cleaning Services, to talk about the lessons behind that growth, including building a strong partnership, staying obsessed with customer service, developing great people, and adapting to a changing industry.

Dane shares how Zeppelin has built a reputation backed by more than 2,000 five-star Google reviews, why they prioritize customer satisfaction over pure efficiency, and how they're embracing AI while continuing to invest in relationships.

You'll learn:
✅ How Zeppelin grew from roughly 7 employees to 170
✅ Why customer service became the foundation of their growth
✅ How to build and maintain a strong leadership partnership
✅ Why attitude and integrity matter more than experience when hiring
✅ How continuous training helps create a stronger service team
✅ Why Zeppelin is embracing AI while doubling down on human relationships

🔷 About The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast

The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, hosted by Joe Crisara, spotlights the people behind the home service industry and explores the stories, strategies, leadership lessons, and experiences that help service businesses grow.

If you want to share your story and be our next guest, book a call with Joe here: Book a spot

💡 Free Resources Mentioned:
Dive into our comprehensive online courses. Don't miss out on this chance to boost your skills—join now!
https://servicemvp.com/mvp-club

Grab a free copy of Joe Crisara’s book, What Should We Do?, and start transforming your sales today!
https://book.servicemvp.com/get-your-book

Schedule a 10 Minute Call to find out how Service MVP can 3x your revenue!
https://go.servicemvp.com/schedule-10-minute-call

Connect with Service MVP:
🌐 Website: www.servicemvp....

What does it take to build a home service company around premium service and integrity?

In this episode of The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, Joe Crisara sits down with Billy Gregus of Integrity Refrigeration and A/C in Orlando, Florida, to talk about building a home service business around quality, leadership, and integrity.

Billy shares lessons from his journey from technician to business owner and the principles that continue to shape his company and team.

You'll learn:
✅Growing from technician to business owner
✅Building a premium customer experience
✅Hiring and developing the right team
✅Creating a culture of continuous training
✅Leadership, communication, and team development
✅The role of integrity in building lasting customer relationships

🔷 About Brian Kangas:
Brian is the owner of Lift Tech Garage Doors, serving Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada. His company focuses on professional garage door installations and service, with an emphasis on communication, customer experience, training, and community.

Learn more about Integrity Refrigeration and A/C: https://www.integrityrefrigerationandac.com/

🔷 About The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast

The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, hosted by Joe Crisara, spotlights the people behind the home service industry and explores the stories, strategies, leadership lessons, and experiences that help service businesses grow.

If you want to share your story and be our next guest, book a call with Joe here: Book a spot

💡 Free Resources Mentioned:
Dive into our comprehensive online courses. Don't miss out on this chance to boost your skills—join now!
https://servicemvp.com/mvp-club

Grab a free copy of Joe Crisara’s book, What Should We Do?, and start transforming your sales today!
https://book.servicemvp.com/get-your-book

Schedule a 10 Minute Call to find out how Service MVP can 3x your revenue!
https://go.servicemvp.com/schedule-10-minute-call

Connect with Service MVP:
🌐 Website: www.servicemvp....

What does it take to build a customer-focused home service company in a rural market?

In this episode of The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, Joe Crisara sits down with Jack Harris, General Manager of Best Plumbing, Heating & Air, serving the Western Nebraska Panhandle.

Jack shares how he transitioned into the home service industry, how Best Services navigated COVID, and the leadership lessons that have helped the company build a culture focused on people, service, and continuous improvement.

You'll learn:
✅ How Jack went from a background in carpentry and remodeling to leading a home service company
✅ How Best Services adapted during COVID and used customer safety to build trust
✅ Why developing and mentoring people from within is key to growing a strong team
✅ What Jack looks for when hiring people who can succeed in the trades
✅ How small details can create memorable customer experiences
✅ Why leadership means taking ownership, leading by example, and consistently implementing the process

🔷 About Jack Harris:
Jack Harris is the General Manager of Best Plumbing, Heating & Air. Jack also shares his thoughts on the future of home services, AI, developing the next generation of technicians, and the advice he'd give his younger self.

Website: bestplumbinginhvac.com

🔷 About The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast

The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, hosted by Joe Crisara, spotlights the people behind the home service industry and explores the stories, strategies, leadership lessons, and experiences that help service businesses grow.

If you want to share your story and be our next guest, book a call with Joe here: Book a spot

💡 Free Resources Mentioned:
Dive into our comprehensive online courses. Don't miss out on this chance to boost your skills—join now!
https://servicemvp.com/mvp-club

Grab a free copy of Joe Crisara’s book, What Should We Do?, and start transforming your sales today!
https://book.servicemvp.com/get-your-book

Schedule a 10 Minute Call to find out how Service MVP can 3x your revenue!
https://go.servicemvp.com/schedule-10-minute-call

Connect with Service MVP:
🌐 Website: www.servicemvp....

What does it take to build a home service company that customers trust and employees want to stay with?

In this episode of The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, Joe Crisara sits down with Mike Cottle, owner of Cole Services, a family-owned plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical company serving Garden Grove and surrounding Orange County communities.

Mike shares how Cole Services has evolved, why investing in employees is so important, and how a people-first approach can create lasting relationships with both customers and team members.

You'll learn:
✅ Mike's journey from plumbing technician to business owner
✅ How Cole Services has evolved over its 57 years in business
✅ Why consistent and predictable customer experiences matter
✅ Investing in training and developing employees
✅ What Mike looks for when building his team
✅ The future of the trades and creating opportunities for the next generation

🔷 About Mike Cottle
Mike is the owner of Cole Services. Mike has spent decades in the home service industry. After entering the plumbing trade in 1983, he acquired Cole Services in 1996 and has now proudly owned the company for 30 years. Today, he focuses heavily on developing people, building a strong team culture, and creating a consistent five-star experience for every customer.

Connect with Cole Services here:
https://cole-services.com/

🔷 About The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast

The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, hosted by Joe Crisara, spotlights the people behind the home service industry and explores the stories, strategies, leadership lessons, and experiences that help service businesses grow.

If you want to share your story and be our next guest, book a call with Joe here: Book a spot

💡 Free Resources Mentioned:
Dive into our comprehensive online courses. Don't miss out on this chance to boost your skills—join now!
https://servicemvp.com/mvp-club

Grab a free copy of Joe Crisara’s book, What Should We Do?, and start transforming your sales today!
https://book.servicemvp.com/get-your-book

Schedule a 10 Minute Call to find out how Service MVP can 3x your revenue!
https://go.servicemvp.com/schedule-10-minute-call

Connect with Service MVP:
🌐 Website: www.servicemvp....

What does it really take to build a home service business that customers trust?

In this episode of the Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, Joe Crisara sits down with Brian Kangas, owner of Lift Tech Garage Doors in Las Vegas, Nevada. Brian shares his journey from working in construction and flooring to building a garage door business from scratch.

Joe and Brian talk about hiring and developing the right people, building a strong team, creating a better customer experience, servant leadership, continuous training, and using technology and automation to improve service.

Brian also shares why he believes “if you're not growing, you're probably dying” and why personal growth, learning, and surrounding yourself with like-minded people are essential to building a successful service business.

You'll learn:
✅ Why integrity and humility matter when hiring technicians
✅ Why technical skills can be taught, but a willingness to learn is harder to teach
✅ Building a culture of continuous training and education
✅ How servant leadership shapes a service business
✅ Why technicians should be encouraged to spend time connecting with customers
✅ How slowing down can improve customer satisfaction and profitability
✅ AI, automation, answering services, and the changing customer experience
✅ The future of smart garage door technology and health reports
✅ Why the skilled trades need more trained professionals
✅ The importance of personal growth and finding people who challenge you
✅ Brian's advice for young people starting their careers

Brian's philosophy is simple: you can't be stagnant. If you're not growing, you're probably dying.

If you're a home service business owner, technician, leader, or someone considering a career in the trades, this conversation is packed with practical lessons you can put into action.

🔷 About Brian Kangas:
Brian is the owner of Lift Tech Garage Doors, serving Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada. His company focuses on professional garage door installations and service, with an emphasis on communication, customer experience, training, and community.

Learn more about  Lift Tech Garage Door Professionals:
lifttechgarages.com

🔷 About The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast

The Home Service Heartbeat Podcast, hosted by Joe Crisara, spotlights the people behind the home service industry and explores the stories, strategies, leadership lessons, and experiences that help service businesses grow.

If you want to share your story and be our next guest, book a call with Joe here: Book a spot

💡 Free Resources Mentioned:
Dive into our comprehensive online courses. Don't miss out on this chance to boost your skills—join now!
https://servicemvp.com/mvp-club

Grab a free copy of Joe Crisara’s book, What Should We Do?, and start transforming your sales today!
https://book.servicemvp.com/get-your-book

Schedule a 10 Minute Call to find out how Service MVP can 3x your revenue!
https://go.servicemvp.com/schedule-10-minute-call

Connect with Service MVP:
🌐 Website: www.servicemvp....