Today we sit down with Adam to talk about what most contractors get wrong when it comes to service, numbers, and leadership—and how to fix it. From creating a customer experience that actually builds trust, to understanding the numbers that drive profitability, Adam shares the hard-earned lessons it took him years to learn (so you don’t have to). He also breaks down hiring differently, training for results, and why focusing on process over personalities is key to sustainable growth. This episode is packed with practical insights for contractors who want fewer fires, stronger teams, and a more profitable, scalable business.

Episode Show Notes:

00:00 Intro
01:01 Rapid-Fire Questions
02:25 Meet Adam & Danielle
07:50 What ThermoGrid Solves
09:34 The Elevator Pitch
10:27 How RISE Helps Contractors
19:37 TNFR x ThermoGrid
21:04 Why ThermoGrid Matters
26:34 Adam’s HVAC Background
31:33 Common Contractor Mistakes
34:44 OutroSocial Media Links:InstagramTNFR- ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thenewflatrate⁠⁠FacebookTNFR- ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheNewFlatRate⁠⁠ThermoGrid- https://www.facebook.com/ThermoGrid/LinkedInTNFR- ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-new-flat-rate-inc-/posts/?feedView=all⁠⁠Danielle Putnam- https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellekoop/Adam Cory- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-cory-a270a290/YouTubeThermoGrid- https://www.youtube.com/@UChXm2gGti7GYqkgurFKZODw Links and Resources:⁠⁠https://thenewflatrate.com/https://www.gridmastertechnologies.com/Call them here- 1(800)592-3611

In this episode of The New Flat Rate Podcast, hosts Natalie Koop and Danielle Putnam sit down with James Hatfield, Chief Revenue Officer at LiveSwitch, to break down how live video, AI, and real-time communication are transforming the trades. From eliminating wasted truck rolls and speeding up estimates to improving documentation, trust, and customer experience, James shares practical, real-world examples of how contractors can use technology to work smarter, close jobs faster, and scale profitably—without overcomplicating their business. This conversation is a must-listen for contractors curious about AI but focused on results.

Social Media Links:

Instagram

TNFR- ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thenewflatrate⁠⁠

LiveSwitch- https://www.instagram.com/liveswitchinc/?hl=en

Facebook

TNFR- ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheNewFlatRate⁠⁠

LiveSwitch- https://www.facebook.com/liveswitchinc/?locale=da_DK

LinkedIn

TNFR- ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-new-flat-rate-inc-/posts/?feedView=all⁠⁠

James Hatfield- https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-hatfield/

YouTube

LiveSwitch- https://www.youtube.com/@LiveSwitchInc

Links and Resources:

⁠https://thenewflatrate.com/

https://www.liveswitch.com/

On this episode of The New Flat Rate Podcast, hosts Natalie Koop and Danielle Putnam are joined by Sarah Ghirardo, Director of Pro Content at ServiceTitan and co-host of The TradeMarke Podcast, to discuss how marketing, AI, and mindset are changing the trades. Sarah shares practical ways contractors can use AI to improve efficiency (starting with missed calls), why authentic content matters more than perfection, and how to prepare for shifting search, automation, and customer behavior. A must-listen for contractors looking to market smarter while staying human.Social Media Links:InstagramTNFR- ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thenewflatrate⁠⁠Sarah Ghirardo- https://www.instagram.com/sarahghirardo/?hl=enFacebookTNFR- ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheNewFlatRate⁠⁠Sarah Ghirardo- https://www.facebook.com/sarah.pellettghirardoLinkedInTNFR- ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-new-flat-rate-inc-/posts/?feedView=all⁠⁠Sarah Ghirardo- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ghirardo-%F0%9F%8E%AF-83049131/?trk=public_post_main-feed-card_reshare-textYouTubeThe TradeMarke Podcast- https://www.youtube.com/@TheTradeMarkePodcast-hl8qjLinks and Resources:⁠⁠https://thenewflatrate.com/https://www.servicetitan.com/

In this episode of The New Flat Rate Podcast, Claire breaks down her path to becoming a franchise owner in home services, including the risks, mindset shifts, and support systems that made it possible. She shares honest insight into burnout, team culture, franchising realities, and the importance of building a business where people want to work—while still striving to be the best in a competitive market.

Social Media Links:

Instagram

TNFR- ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thenewflatrate⁠⁠

Facebook

TNFR- https://www.facebook.com/TheNewFlatRate⁠⁠

LinkedIn

TNFR- https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-new-flat-rate-inc-/posts/?feedView=all⁠⁠

Claire Carreras- https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-carreras/

Links and Resources:

⁠⁠https://thenewflatrate.com/

https://www.1tomplumber.com/

In this episode, Navy submarine veteran and business coach Dave Rossberg joins host Natalie Koop and co-host Danielle Putnam, CEO of The New Flat Rate, to talk about what real leadership looks like—beyond the buzzwords. From his experience leading one of the Navy’s lowest-performing submarine teams to the top 10% in the fleet, Dave shares how trust, clarity, and genuine care can transform any team. Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or aspiring leader, this episode dives deep into building stronger teams, empowering decision-making, and creating a culture where people lead because they want to, not because they have to.Social Media Links:InstagramTNFR- ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thenewflatrate/?hl=enDavid Rossberg- https://www.instagram.com/dave.rossberg/?hl=enFacebookTNFR- https://www.facebook.com/TheNewFlatRateDavid Rossberg- https://www.facebook.com/rossberg.daveLinkedInTNFR- https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-new-flat-rate-inc-/David Rossberg- https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrossberg/Links and Resources:⁠⁠https://thenewflatrate.com/https://daverossberg.focalpointcoaching.com/

In this episode of The New Flat Rate Podcast, host Natalie Koop and co-host Danielle Putnam sit down with Thaddeus Tondu, CEO of On Purpose Media, to talk about the intersection of culture, purpose, and profit in the home service industry. Thaddeus shares how defining your company’s “why” and cultivating a strong culture can fuel sustainable growth—and why too many businesses lose sight of both as they scale. He breaks down the importance of appointing culture stewards, evolving core values as your business grows, and turning your existing customer database into a powerful marketing tool. Whether you’re an HVAC, plumbing, or electrical contractor, this episode delivers real-world insights on how to build a business that’s not just profitable—but purpose-driven.Social Media Links:InstagramTNFR- ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thenewflatrate⁠⁠⁠Thaddeus Tondu- https://www.instagram.com/thaddeustondu/?hl=enFacebookTNFR- ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheNewFlatRate⁠⁠⁠Thaddeus Tondu- https://www.facebook.com/thaddeus.tondu/LinkedInTNFR- ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-new-flat-rate-inc-/posts/?feedView=all⁠⁠⁠Thaddeus Tondu- https://www.linkedin.com/in/thaddeustondu/?originalSubdomain=caYouTubeThaddeus Tondu- https://www.youtube.com/@thaddeustonduLinks and Resources:⁠⁠https://thenewflatrate.com/https://onpurposemedia.com/https://www.facebook.com/thaddeus.tondu/

In this episode of The New Flat Rate Podcast, hosts Natalie Koop and Danielle Putnam sit down with Teddy Slack, CEO of Modern Contractor, to uncover how he built and sold multiple service businesses by focusing on value instead of revenue. Teddy shares how flat rate pricing helped him double revenue in just 12 months, reach 43% EBITDA, and create companies designed to thrive without him. From pricing strategy to exit planning, this conversation is a must-listen for contractors ready to scale smarter and build a business worth buying.Links and Recourses:https://thenewflatrate.com/https://www.youtube.com/@teddyslackhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/teddyslack/

Today, Danielle Putnam, CEO of The New Flat Rate, sits down with Brennen Smith, Fractional CMO and founder of Compass Fractional, to unpack how contractors can stop wasting marketing dollars and start building strategies that actually drive revenue. From identifying “revenue levers” and constraints, to uncovering hidden cash flow in open estimates, Brennen explains how service businesses can think beyond quick fixes and set themselves apart in a crowded market. Whether you’re tired of guessing where to spend your ad budget, or you want a long-term plan that matches your company’s culture and vision, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can put into action right away.

Social Media Links:

Instagram

TNFR- https://www.instagram.com/thenewflatrate

Facebook

TNFR- ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheNewFlatRate⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn

TNFR- ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-new-flat-rate-inc-/posts/?feedView=all⁠⁠⁠

Compass Fractional- https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithbp/

YouTube

Compass Fractional- https://www.youtube.com/@Brennen_Smith

Links and Resources:⁠⁠

https://thenewflatrate.com/

https://compassfractional.com/

https://compassfractional.com/tools

In this episode of The New Flat Rate Podcast, host Natalie Koop and CEO Danielle Putnam sit down with Tyler Martin, founder of CFO Made Easy and seasoned fractional CFO. Tyler shares hard-won lessons from scaling businesses to $25M+, selling to a multi-billion-dollar company, and guiding contractors through the financial growing pains that come with rapid expansion. From common cash flow mistakes and underpricing pitfalls to practical strategies for planning growth and staying profitable, this conversation is packed with clarity and encouragement for business owners. If you’ve ever looked at your bank balance and wondered if you’re really set up for growth, this episode will show you how to build a financial foundation that lasts.Social Media Links:InstagramTNFR- ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thenewflatrate⁠⁠⁠FacebookTNFR- ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheNewFlatRate⁠⁠⁠LinkedInTNFR- ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-new-flat-rate-inc-/posts/?feedView=all⁠⁠⁠CFO Made Easy- https://www.linkedin.com/in/thinktyler/YouTubeCFO Made Easy- https://www.youtube.com/@thinktylercfoLinks and Resources:⁠⁠https://thenewflatrate.com/https://cfomadeeasy.com/https://profitandgrit.com/

In this episode, Danielle Putnam sits down with Alex Miranda, CEO and co-founder of Virtrify, to explore how virtual teams can transform home service companies. From missed calls and admin overload to profitability and freedom, Alex shares how HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors can scale smarter with virtual employees. He also opens up about the personal challenges that shaped his journey and why rethinking staffing is key to building a business that doesn’t own you.Social Media Links:InstagramTNFR- ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thenewflatrate⁠⁠⁠Virtrify- https://www.instagram.com/virtrify/#FacebookTNFR- ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheNewFlatRate⁠⁠⁠LinkedInTNFR- ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-new-flat-rate-inc-/posts/?feedView=all⁠⁠⁠Virtrify- https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtrify/YouTubeVirtrify- https://www.youtube.com/@VirtrifyLinks and Resources:⁠⁠https://thenewflatrate.com/https://www.virtrify.com/