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First female president of Georgia PHCC reveals the TRUTH about why parents hate the trades and how one company's "signing day" idea is changing everything.

Karen Hill drops wisdom bombs about the trades crisis nobody's talking about: Parents comparing their kids like trophies while plumbers make $100K+ debt-free.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:02:28 - First female PHCC president in Georgia history
00:05:45 - "The trades ARE higher education"
00:06:03 - 4-year apprenticeship vs 4-year college debt
00:08:39 - "Make hay while the sun shines" advice
00:08:56 - Teaching 401K to apprentices
00:10:40 - The "Plumbing Olympics" dream
00:12:14 - Parent shame: "Mine got into Cal Poly"
00:13:04 - Company creates "signing day" like college sports
00:13:46 - 300+ kids get JOBS (nobody talks about this)

Guest: Karen Hill, PHCC Georgia President
Host: Dennis The Apprentice
Location: Skills USA 2025, Atlanta

The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit. 

Connect with Dennis:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/
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Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprenticeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3LAHQrt3tYgfO60vasMZcW?si=9afc53dfaeba477e
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/the-trade-traction-podcast-with-dennis-the-apprentice/id1648541208

Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 The career-ending mistake hiding in plain sight
00:56 Why 1 in 5 plumbers will get fired THIS YEAR
02:42 Your 22-year-old apprentice just became uninsurable
03:43 One speeding ticket = $3,600 insurance nightmare
04:33 Even good plumbers make this fatal mistake
04:48 25 in a 20 zone destroyed my driving record
06:31 How smart plumbers keep their jobs (attorney secret)
07:04 From "fired" to "hired" - the faulty speedometer loophole
08:47 Why plumbers hide tickets from bosses
10:06 Licensed journeyman FIRED for HOV violations
10:29 3 identical mistakes = career over
11:36 Great plumber, perfect employee, still unhirable
12:00 How plumbing companies protect their techs
12:55 Which tickets actually get you fired vs warnings
13:30 The dumbest part: it's 100% preventable
14:22 Save your plumbers: 253-905-9111

The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit. 

Connect with Dennis:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242
Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprenticeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3LAHQrt3tYgfO60vasMZcW?si=9afc53dfaeba477e
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/the-trade-traction-podcast-with-dennis-the-apprentice/id1648541208

Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

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John Zink from PHCC reveals the $1.2 MILLION secret fund that's paying people to learn trades. 

From an Indiana apprentice winning $10,000 to 40-year-olds getting second chances - this changes everything about paying for trade school. 

The Trade Traction Podcast | PHCC Connect Show Birmingham

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:44 - What is the PHCC Educational Foundation?
05:28 - Foreman Training That Sells Out in 1 HOUR
09:15 - FREE MONEY: How the Scholarship Program Works
10:09 - $134,000 Given Away THIS YEAR
12:41 - The $10,000 Winner's Secret: "Be a Good Storyteller"
15:17 - PROOF: $1.2 Million Given Over 10 Years
16:03 - "Too Old at 40?" These Success Stories Say NO
17:44 - DEADLINE: Apply January 1 - May 1 (Don't Miss Out!)
20:20 - Get Your Money Here: phccfoundation.org 

55 Winners Every Year | 100 People Didn't Apply Right | Which One Are You?

The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit. 

Connect with Dennis:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242
Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprenticeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3LAHQrt3tYgfO60vasMZcW?si=9afc53dfaeba477e
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/the-trade-traction-podcast-with-dennis-the-apprentice/id1648541208

Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

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Chapters-

00:00 - Introduction to PHCC Connect Show

02:00 - Danny's First Trade Show Experience 

04:18 - Why Contractors Need Trade Shows 

07:00 - Tax Write-Offs & Business Growth 

09:45 - Meet LMH Agency: Marketing for Contractors 

12:40 - Using AI to Respond to Google Reviews 

15:49 - AI CSRs: Answering Customer Calls 

18:00 - Analytics & Lead Tracking Strategies 

21:36 - How Contractors Make $150K+ on Yelp 

23:04 - The Forbidden Yelp Review Strategy 

The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit. 

Connect with Dennis:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242
Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprenticeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3LAHQrt3tYgfO60vasMZcW?si=9afc53dfaeba477e
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/the-trade-traction-podcast-with-dennis-the-apprentice/id1648541208

Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

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Roger joins Dennis at the PHCC Future Leadership Summit to reveal why 97% of contractors don't know about the industry's most valuable resources. After 17 years in plumbing without knowing PHCC existed, Roger shares how his father-in-law's heart attack forced him into running a business with zero preparation.
He exposes the shocking truth about parents blocking their kids from trades careers, despite knowing more millionaires in plumbing than any other business. Roger discusses why associations resist modern marketing despite teaching it to members, and how raising standards actually attracts better talent.
Key topics covered:

Why less than 3,000 of 100,000+ contractors know about PHCC
The millionaire plumbers vs. college degree debate
His 15-year struggle that could've been avoided
How young people on phones are tomorrow's millionaire contractors
The Dallas company owner's $200M success story
 Behind the Windshield Podcast | PHCC Future Leadership Summit

Key Timestamps:
00:00-00:22 - Introduction at 2025 Future Leaders Summit
00:33-00:52 - Roger's experience at Future Leaders Summit
01:15-01:38 - 17 years without knowing about PHCC
02:09-02:46 - Less than 3,000 PHCC members nationwide
02:56-03:13 - 4,000 contractors in Washington, only 66 PHCC members
03:04-03:38 - Gene Johnson's heart attack story begins
04:51-05:14 - "More millionaires in plumbing than any business"
07:12-07:26 - Explaining opportunities to resistant parents
07:43-08:00 - Roger's business transformation with EOS
10:10-10:34 - "10 million views a month - it works"
12:37-13:12 - Dallas company owner's $200M success story
14:11-14:50 - Raising standards increases company pride

The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit. 

Connect with Dennis:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242
Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprenticeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3LAHQrt3tYgfO60vasMZcW?si=9afc53dfaeba477e
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/the-trade-traction-podcast-with-dennis-the-apprentice/id1648541208

Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

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Tony sits down with Dennis at the PHCC Future Leadership Summit in Virginia to discuss why skilled tradespeople struggle financially despite earning good wages.
He reveals the critical education gap in vocational schools that focus only on technical skills while ignoring personal finance, communication, and business fundamentals. Tony shares a memorable story about an apprentice who threatened to undercut his prices by 50%, and explains why most plumbing businesses fail within 20 years.
Key topics covered:

The 10 essential skills vo-tech schools don't teach
Why workers job-hop for $0.25 raises
The financial desperation trap in starting a business
How to break the cycle and create real opportunities
Building a blueprint for future trade leaders

Recorded at the PHCC Future Leadership Summit.

Timestamps:
00:00:07 - 00:00:36 - Introduction at PHCC Future Leadership Summit in Virginia
00:01:00 - 00:01:46 - Discussion about Future Leaders program not existing in Washington
00:02:01 - 00:02:46 - Tony explains starting blueprint to share with PHCC membership
00:03:22 - 00:04:24 - The Vo-Tech reality: "troublemakers" sent to vocational school
00:05:25 - 00:06:20 - Identifying 10 important skills, starting with personal finance
00:06:52 - 00:08:30 - How lack of financial education affects contractors and workers
00:09:13 - 00:10:40 - Important traits: communication, time management
00:11:18 - 00:12:34 - "Most plumbing companies started out of financial need"
00:13:15 - 00:15:32 - The apprentice story: "I'll do it for half price"
00:15:53 - 00:16:36 - "If the business isn't growing, it's dying"
00:17:00 - 00:18:35 - Why people leave: no growth opportunities
00:18:48 - 00:20:01 - The ceiling problem and grocery store manager analogy

I had the pleasure of podcasting at the 2025 Future Leaders Summit! The conference showcased an apprentice contest, educational sessions, and a lively tradeshow. Tony and Dennis joined me to discuss leadership development at the PHCC event and the importance of networking at a tradeshow.

🎧 Behind the Windshield Podcast | PHCC Future Leadership Summit
#Plumbing #HVAC #Trades #BlueCollar #Construction #Entrepreneur #Business #Leadership

The video features a podcast at the 2025 Future Leaders Summit, covering the PHCC event. They discuss the apprentice contest, educational sessions and the excitement of the tradeshow.  The summit also provides great opportunity for networking and leadership development.

The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit. 

Connect with Dennis:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242
Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprenticeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3LAHQrt3tYgfO60vasMZcW?si=9afc53dfaeba477e
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/the-trade-traction-podcast-with-dennis-the-apprentice/id1648541208

Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

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Todd Allred and Dennis The Apprentice of PHCC of Washington talk about the importance of culture in our Plumbing, Heating and Cooling businesses and the importance of quitting the right way so you become allies with your former boss instead of enemies.

After doing full days in college and still needing to work in the trades just to stay afloat, Todd Allred realized something powerful: school wasn’t enough. This episode dives into the disconnect between traditional education and real-world skills — and how plumbing changed everything for him.

 vs

This one’s for every young person stuck between expectations and reality.

00:00 – Intro  
04:14 – Talking About Plumbing Insurance  
06:28 – What's NOT Plumbing  
08:17 – Plumbing Problems in the Trades  
17:24 – Going to College All Day, Still Working a Trade Job  
18:28 – Why College Alone Isn’t Enough  
19:45 – Final Thoughts / Advice for Young Tradespeople

The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit. 

Connect with Dennis:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242
Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprenticeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3LAHQrt3tYgfO60vasMZcW?si=9afc53dfaeba477e
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/the-trade-traction-podcast-with-dennis-the-apprentice/id1648541208

Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

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My son Tyson joined me on the podcast for the first time.  It was so interesting to here his perspective on his first time being at a trade show, especially being at SkillsUSA National Competition where over 15,000 students, who had won their State Competitions gathered to compete for National recognition.  It was very impressive to see how so much industry came together and displayed all they are up to and how they support their perspective trades.  Thank you to PHCC and their Academy for hosting the show.

The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit. 

Connect with Dennis:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242
Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprenticeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3LAHQrt3tYgfO60vasMZcW?si=9afc53dfaeba477e
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/the-trade-traction-podcast-with-dennis-the-apprentice/id1648541208

Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

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Richard shares his philosophy for running a successful company plumbers actually want to work for

The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit. 

Connect with Dennis:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242
Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprenticeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3LAHQrt3tYgfO60vasMZcW?si=9afc53dfaeba477e
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/the-trade-traction-podcast-with-dennis-the-apprentice/id1648541208

Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

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Alex shares about the variety of careers in the trades, why having the best tool for the job is so valuable, and what RIGID has coming down the pipeline

The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit. 

Connect with Dennis:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242
Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprenticeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3LAHQrt3tYgfO60vasMZcW?si=9afc53dfaeba477e
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/the-trade-traction-podcast-with-dennis-the-apprentice/id1648541208

Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.