Eric provides a pre-holiday reality check for pond owners. He stresses that Thanksgiving marks the final opportunity to perform necessary fall and winter pond maintenance before the chaotic holiday season makes it impossible. Triplet uses urgency and fear of an embarrassing, neglected pond to motivate listeners, sharing anecdotes about clients who waited too long and suffered consequences, such as sick or dying fish. He advises listeners to immediately contact a local pond professional to get scheduled before December, emphasizing that proper maintenance reduces stress and protects their investment in their pond and fish. The episode serves as a firm warning that ignoring pond care now will lead to broken equipment, distressed koi, and increased personal stress during the holidays.

Key Takeaways:

• Book service with your local pond professional immediately, aiming for a slot before Thanksgiving or in early December.
• Prioritize essential pond maintenance now because the holiday season rush has officially begun and time is running out.
• Proactively address pond debris and filter issues to prevent catastrophic pump failure and fish suffering during the holidays.
• • Always quarantine new fish before introducing them to your pond to protect your existing fish population.
• Maintain your pond as a beautiful oasis to reduce the stress and anxiety caused by holiday chaos and obligations.

Business & Sales Tools

• Contractor Sales Secrets

• Book a Call with Eric Triplett

Pond Industry Resources

• The Pond Digger

• Helix Pond Filtration

• EasyPro Pond Products

• CORAL—The Reef & Marine Aquarium Magazine

• Atlantic-Oase

• Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips

• Pond Trade Magazine

• Hikari Fish Food

Events & Communities

• TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group)

• TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group)

Social Media

• The Pond Digger on Instagram

• The Pond Digger on Facebook

• Train With Triplett on TikTok

Enjoy this conversation between Eric and the Jole's, Marvin & Nikki, focusing heavily on professional growth and community-building within the construction and asphalt industries. A central theme is the concept of "iron sharpens iron," which is discussed in the context of both personal development and professional accountability, particularly within coaching groups and through critiques during role-playing scenarios. The conversation highlights the unique work-life of one couple in the "dirt world" industry, covering topics like their joint attendance at industry conferences such as Equip expo and the Dirt World Summit, and the effort required for them to stay professionally sharp through observation, microlearning, and daily communication. Additionally, they discuss the challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life balance while constantly traveling and managing content creation for the podcast In the Mix.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace constructive criticism and difficult feedback as necessary steps in your personal and professional development.
• Stay observant and proactively pursue knowledge regarding new technologies and rapidly evolving industry trends.
• Commit to daily accountability and consistent effort in your pursuits to ensure continuous self-improvement.
• Practice open and transparent communication, addressing how situations make you feel without holding back.
• Actively build a strong professional community that provides support and allows for the honest exchange of ideas and challenges.

Business & Sales Tools

• Contractor Sales Secrets

• Book a Call with Eric Triplett

Pond Industry Resources

• The Pond Digger

• Helix Pond Filtration

• EasyPro Pond Products

• CORAL—The Reef & Marine Aquarium Magazine

• Atlantic-Oase

• Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips

• Pond Trade Magazine

• Hikari Fish Food

Events & Communities

• TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group)

• TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group)

Social Media

• The Pond Digger on Instagram

• The Pond Digger on Facebook

• Train With Triplett on TikTok

Eric's guest today is Larry from the Side Hustle Podcast. The main topic of conversation is Larry's experience attending the EQUIP Exposition, initially for equipment viewing, which unexpectedly led to a complete transformation of his business model—starting with raising prices, moving to better employee treatment, and adopting software like Jobber to streamline operations and payment collection. Both Eric and Larry emphasize the profound value of networking and socializing at these events, often citing specific learning opportunities that occurred outside of formal sessions, like at the bar. Larry also shares his strong positive opinion of battery-powered Kress equipment, despite initial employee resistance, highlighting the benefits of adopting new technology.

Key Takeaways:

• Be courageous and implement steep rate increases for your services, followed by automated annual price adjustments.
• Adopt intuitive software to charge customers automatically upon job completion and instantly improve cash flow and eliminate outstanding debt.
• Prioritize socializing and networking at industry events because invaluable business insights often come from casual conversations.
• Eliminate the bottleneck of slow service by ensuring fast response times and quick quoting to capture new customers immediately.
• Make attending professional conferences a principled commitment because even a single piece of knowledge gained can radically improve your business.

Business & Sales Tools

• Contractor Sales Secrets

• Book a Call with Eric Triplett

Pond Industry Resources

• The Pond Digger

• Helix Pond Filtration

• EasyPro Pond Products

• CORAL—The Reef & Marine Aquarium Magazine

• Atlantic-Oase

• Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips

• Pond Trade Magazine

• Hikari Fish Food

Events & Communities

• TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group)

• TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group)

Social Media

• The Pond Digger on Instagram

• The Pond Digger on Facebook

• Train With Triplett on TikTok

Today's show documents a lively, late-night brainstorming session between two friends, Eric and Tyson, who are discussing branding and identity for Tyson's elite fire suppression business, Acefire. Fueled by whiskey and a fire in the background, the conversation quickly turns to leveraging ChatGPT, an AI tool, to formalize an "elite" group identity and an accompanying mascot, logo, and motto for Tyson's top employees. They discuss inspiration from military and fire department "brotherhood" aesthetics, focusing on a Reaper figure as a protector, and collaborate with the AI in real-time to refine the concept, ultimately deciding on the group name "The Fire Reapers" and the Latin motto "Morris Ignis" ("Death to Fire"). The discussion highlights the efficiency of using AI for creative framework development and branding execution.

Key Takeaways:

• Structure complex professional knowledge by using AI to assemble your "brain dump" into a correct and usable framework.
• Improve client communication by summarizing lengthy technical explanations into concise descriptions that are easily grasped by those with little prior knowledge.
• Grow the perception of your company by establishing separate divisions for installation, maintenance, and service to create an image of authority and scale.
• Build internal pride and professionalism by visually recognizing your elite employees with accolades that reflect their high level of mastery and contribution.
• Maintain a commitment to excellence and growth by striving to constantly get better and encouraging your team to exceed expectations rather than settling for mediocrity.

Business & Sales Tools

• Contractor Sales Secrets

• Book a Call with Eric Triplett

Pond Industry Resources

• The Pond Digger

• Helix Pond Filtration

• EasyPro Pond Products

• CORAL—The Reef & Marine Aquarium Magazine

• Atlantic-Oase

• Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips

• Pond Trade Magazine

• Hikari Fish Food

Events & Communities

• TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group)

• TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group)

Social Media

• The Pond Digger on Instagram

• The Pond Digger on Facebook

• Train With Triplett on TikTok

Eric speaks with two former law enforcement officers, Chris and Dave, regarding their experiences with hostage negotiation training and undercover work, particularly on a Vice detail involving arrests for public indecency and the pursuit of pedophiles. They discuss how the principles of negotiation skills, such as active listening, mirroring, and building rapport, are surprisingly transferable to the world of sales and everyday life. The conversation shifts to intense anecdotes from their police careers, including a close-quarters knife fight and the emotionally challenging nature of interviewing suspects like child predators. Finally, they touch upon the challenges of modern law enforcement, including political pressures and issues within their former department, concluding with a discussion of Dave's current local-focused podcast.

Key Takeaways:

• Use active listening, mirroring, and paraphrasing techniques in everyday conversations.
• Mirroring is a simple technique of repeating a person's words to build rapport and prompt them to elaborate.
• Deliberately incorporate moments of silence into conversations to allow thoughts to gather and enhance impact.
• Continually practice negotiation philosophies because skills will degrade if you do not use them regularly.
• Identify potential verbal triggers beforehand so you know which topics or words to carefully avoid during sensitive discussions.

Business & Sales Tools

• Contractor Sales Secrets

• Book a Call with Eric Triplett

Pond Industry Resources

• The Pond Digger

• Helix Pond Filtration

• EasyPro Pond Products

• CORAL—The Reef & Marine Aquarium Magazine

• Atlantic-Oase

• Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips

• Pond Trade Magazine

• Hikari Fish Food

Events & Communities

• TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group)

• TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group)

Social Media

• The Pond Digger on Instagram

• The Pond Digger on Facebook

• Train With Triplett on TikTok

Timothy Warren of Helium SEO joins Eric on today's podcast. He discusses the impact of ChatGPT on the search industry and specifically on Google. Warren explains that Google had a "red alert" meeting after Chat GPT launched because the AI tool is superior to Google for complex search queries, though Google remains better for commercial, location-based searches. The discussion covers the history and rapid adoption of ChatGPT, Google's strategic response with tools like Gemini and AI Overviews—which are hurting many websites' traffic but serving Google's need to compete—and the changing landscape of jobs, suggesting that AI is replacing creative roles more quickly than technical ones. Finally, Warren offers practical SEO advice for businesses, emphasizing the need to validate SEO providers, focus on high-relevance, localized content, and the strategy of using multiple Google My Business locations to maximize local search visibility.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace AI tools like ChatGPT for complicated technical searches and rely on Google for commercial and local queries.
• Continually learn and grow with new technology, recognizing that sticking strictly to old methods can lead to job obsolescence.
• Use AI to help organize and framework your thoughts or complex talking points before delivering the final personalized content.
• When creating online content, focus heavily on content that is hyper-relevant to local, specific user intent rather than generalized blogging.
• If hiring an SEO company, immediately check whether they rank in the top three for "SEO agency" in their own city.

Business & Sales Tools

• Contractor Sales Secrets

• Book a Call with Eric Triplett

Pond Industry Resources

• The Pond Digger

• Helix Pond Filtration

• EasyPro Pond Products

• CORAL—The Reef & Marine Aquarium Magazine

• Atlantic-Oase

• Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips

• Pond Trade Magazine

• Hikari Fish Food

Events & Communities

• TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group)

• TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group)

Social Media

• The Pond Digger on Instagram

• The Pond Digger on Facebook

• Train With Triplett on TikTok

Eric has a conversation with Todd Zimmerman discussing Kress, a company focused on electrification and robotization in the landscaping industry, particularly through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Kress offers two main product lines: professional-grade 60-volt battery-powered tools for commercial landscapers and a pro-grade homeowner line, both utilizing advanced battery technology for power and cost savings. The core of the discussion centers on their autonomous robotic mowers, including the homeowner-focused iPilot and the commercial-grade Voyager, which use a combination of RTK, stereo camera, and VSLAM technology for precise, pattern-based mowing and obstacle avoidance. Zimmerman highlights how these robotic mowers can transform the least profitable part of a landscaper's business into the most profitable by drastically reducing operating costs associated with labor, gas, and maintenance, while also addressing friction points and labor shortages in the industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace artificial intelligence tools to potentially help save both time and money in personal and professional applications.
• Landscapers should transition from gas-powered equipment to cordless products to realize significant annual operational savings per employee.
• Consider utilizing autonomous robotic mowers, which use virtual boundaries and object recognition, to handle lawn care even on steep slopes up to 39 degrees.
• Commercial operators can leverage autonomous mowing technology to convert the typically least profitable aspect of their business into the most profitable.
• Utilize management views and productivity reports in commercial apps to track crew efficiency, optimize travel routes, and accurately quote property jobs.

Business & Sales Tools

• Contractor Sales Secrets

• Book a Call with Eric Triplett

Pond Industry Resources

• The Pond Digger

• Helix Pond Filtration

• EasyPro Pond Products

• CORAL—The Reef & Marine Aquarium Magazine

• Atlantic-Oase

• Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips

• Pond Trade Magazine

• Hikari Fish Food

Events & Communities

• TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group)

• TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group)

Social Media

• The Pond Digger on Instagram

• The Pond Digger on Facebook

• Train With Triplett on TikTok

Eric sat down with Mr. Producer, a seasoned podcast producer and former radio professional, to discuss his career journey and the evolution of audio communication. Mr. Producer shares how a chance encounter at age fifteen led him to a job in radio, detailing his practice of cultivating a powerful voice for the airwaves. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the shift from traditional radio to the rise of podcasting, highlighting how the fragmented media landscape has replaced the communal listening experience of the past. Mr. Producer also recounts his involvement as an "early adopter" of podcasting technology around 2004 and explains how he eventually retired from radio to help others launch and maintain their own successful podcasts, underscoring the importance of authenticity and finding one's niche in the current media environment.

Key Takeaways:

• Define your personal "why" or purpose before embarking on a new project to ensure your efforts are meaningful to you.
• Embrace the fact that your initial attempts at a new endeavor will be your worst, and expect continuous improvement as you proceed.
• Work diligently to cultivate desired skills, such as reading aloud to practice pronunciation, projection, and tonality.
• Stick with your long-term goals and persevere beyond early discouragement, as consistency is key to reaping lasting benefits.
• Utilize new platforms like podcasting or content creation to document your journey, build credibility, and sharpen your communication skills.

Business & Sales Tools

• Contractor Sales Secrets

• Book a Call with Eric Triplett

Pond Industry Resources

• The Pond Digger

• Helix Pond Filtration

• EasyPro Pond Products

• CORAL—The Reef & Marine Aquarium Magazine

• Atlantic-Oase

• Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips

• Pond Trade Magazine

• Hikari Fish Food

Events & Communities

• TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group)

• TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group)

Social Media

• The Pond Digger on Instagram

• The Pond Digger on Facebook

• Train With Triplett on TikTok

Eric chats with Libby Delucian and they discuss her remarkable journey from hitting rock bottom after a separation—being locked out of her house with nothing—to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the home service and software industries. She details how she leveraged her experience and skills to launch an organizing and cleaning company which quickly grew, leading to the creation of three separate software solutions for the industry. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on business philosophy, including the importance of a strong "why," leadership strategies, such as family quarterly meetings to prevent burnout, and innovative ideas like a tipping and Google review incentive system for her employees. The interview also touches on her experiences with mentors, notably Jonathan Potoschnik and Dan Martell, and her upcoming role as a speaker at Martell's event.

Key Takeaways:

• View your business as a vehicle for a larger personal goal, keeping your self-worth separate from its daily performance.
• Find a powerful reason or "Why" for your actions that is strong enough to motivate you daily and make all excuses disappear.
• When starting fresh, use your past experiences and existing skills, such as being organized or structured, to accelerate your progress.
• Conduct regular family meetings to align on personal vision and schedule time off, ensuring you commit to these priorities before setting business demands.
• Recognize that intense learning and rapid execution are distinct seasons, and sometimes you must slow down the learning to accelerate execution.

Business & Sales Tools

• Contractor Sales Secrets

• Book a Call with Eric Triplett

Pond Industry Resources

• The Pond Digger

• Helix Pond Filtration

• EasyPro Pond Products

• CORAL—The Reef & Marine Aquarium Magazine

• Atlantic-Oase

• Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips

• Pond Trade Magazine

• Hikari Fish Food

Events & Communities

• TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group)

• TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group)

Social Media

• The Pond Digger on Instagram

• The Pond Digger on Facebook

• Train With Triplett on TikTok

Eric speaks with Tyler Fisher about building and improving water feature businesses. They discuss a series of upcoming hands-on training sessions offered by Atlantic-OASE at their Aurora, Ohio, facility during the winter months. These intensive three-day courses are designed to teach contractors and DIY enthusiasts skills ranging from installing fountains and formal spillways to advanced koi pond biology and maintenance, with a strong emphasis on getting practical experience rather than just classroom instruction. The training, which is notably affordable and includes hotel and meals, is presented as an invaluable opportunity to gain experience, build confidence, and foster deep industry relationships with top professionals.

Key Takeaways:

• Seek specialized education to build confidence and reduce guesswork in new business endeavors.
• Prioritize practical, hands-on learning experiences to better internalize complex skills.
• Cultivate deep personal relationships with industry partners that extend beyond simple business transactions.
• Use industry downtime, like winter months, to focus on improving business structure, efficiency, and profitability.
• Accelerate your professional growth by collapsing time and learning directly from the cumulative experience and mistakes of long-time experts.

Business & Sales Tools

• Contractor Sales Secrets

• Book a Call with Eric Triplett

Pond Industry Resources

• The Pond Digger

• Helix Pond Filtration

• EasyPro Pond Products

• CORAL—The Reef & Marine Aquarium Magazine

• Atlantic-Oase

• Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips

• Pond Trade Magazine

• Hikari Fish Food

Events & Communities

• TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group)

• TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group)

Social Media

• The Pond Digger on Instagram

• The Pond Digger on Facebook

• Train With Triplett on TikTok