In this episode of The TradeMarke Podcast, hosts Sarah Ghirardo and Eric Thomas dive deep into the world of customer service with Michelle Myers from The CSR Academy. Discover why Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) are the backbone of your trade business and how investing in their training can transform customer experiences and boost your bottom line.

Michelle shares actionable insights on navigating consumer expectations, building resilience, and creating a culture of growth through innovative training programs like The CSR Academy. From ride-alongs with technicians to mastering empathy on tough calls, this episode is packed with strategies to empower your CSRs and elevate your brand. Tune in to learn how to turn every customer interaction into a win for your business! Visit csracademy.com for more on their game-changing events and community.

In this episode of The TradeMarke Podcast, we’re joined by Donovan Ryckis, founder and CEO of Ethos Benefits, to uncover how trade businesses can revolutionize employee healthcare. Donovan explains how smarter healthcare strategies can reduce costs, improve employee satisfaction, and ultimately boost profitability.

In this stress-free and wildly insightful episode of The TradeMarke Podcast, Eric and Sarah sit down with the brilliant and unapologetically bold Melissa Broughton, founder of Busy Bee Advisors. Melissa is not your average tax professional—she’s a strategist, a myth-buster, and an advocate for small business owners who are tired of overpaying in taxes and underplaying their profits.

Melissa shares how a leap of faith (and a freak accident) led her to launch Busy Bee Advisors and build a boutique tax firm that actually gives a damn. From debunking outdated tax advice to sharing real strategies that help clients save 30–70% in taxes, Melissa brings the heat—and the receipts.

You’ll learn:

Why most CPAs are glorified order takers (and how Melissa is changing that)

How to actually write off that business trip to Mexico

The power of proactive tax planning year-round—not just in April

Tips for when to DIY your bookkeeping vs. when to hire help

Her philosophy behind "The 4-Hour Bookkeeper" and how you can get a free copy

Strategies to boost profitability and take control of your financial future

Plus, we talk feelings (yes, feelings) around money, taxes, and why women often approach financial conversations differently—and how Melissa is creating a space where everyone can feel confident and informed.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your business finances or like your tax pro speaks a language you don’t understand—this episode is for you.

In this inspiring episode of The TradeMarke, Sarah sits down with Katy Higgins — founder of TruePros in northern Utah — to talk about her incredible journey from single mom and part-time telemarketer to becoming one of the first female comfort advisors in her state, and now the owner of a $5 million HVAC company.

Katy opens up about the highs and lows of her first year in business, why she chose Thelma & Louise as her movie title for that year, and the lessons she's learned in leadership, resilience, and redefining success. From operating out of her garage with no website to building a thriving company with a team she deeply cares for, Katy’s story is equal parts raw, real, and incredibly motivating.

You’ll also hear:

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, this episode is full of gold nuggets and heartfelt moments.

📣 Don’t forget to ring the dang bell and tune in — this one’s a must-listen.

In this episode of The TradeMarke Podcast, hosts Sarah Ghirardo and Eric Thomas are joined by Susanne Mariga, fractional CFO, CPA, and author of Profit First for Minority Business Enterprises. Susanne shares how trades business owners can break free from the "revenue trap" and start building real, lasting profit through the Profit First method.

Together, they unpack:

Whether you’re a home service contractor, trades entrepreneur, or just tired of operating on razor-thin margins, this episode will reshape how you think about money, growth, and sustainability.

In this episode of The TradeMarke Podcast, Eric and Sarah sit down with Stephanie Allen from Airworks Solutions to discuss leadership, people development, and the evolution of running a trade business. Stephanie shares her journey of balancing business growth with personal life, embracing a visionary role, and the importance of building a strong company culture—both in-office and remotely.

From hiring strategies to team development, investing in people, and her unique approach to running an HVAC and plumbing business, Stephanie provides invaluable insights for trade professionals and business owners alike.

💡 Join the Conversation!

In this episode of The TradeMarke Podcast, hosts Eric Thomas and Sarah Ghirardo sit down with social media expert Jen McKee, founder of Kee Hart Marketing. They dive deep into the power of social media, personal branding for contractors, and why business owners in the trades should start leveraging short-form video and organic content marketing today. Jen shares invaluable insights on creating authentic content, engaging with communities, and positioning yourself as an industry leader.

What’s next for home service marketing in 2025? In this episode of The TradeMarke Podcast, hosts Eric Thomas and Sarah Ghirardo sit down with Megan Bedford and Nancy O’Hare-Zika from Home Service Marketing Hub to break down the biggest marketing shifts for roofers and home service contractors.

Live from Marco Island at the Roofing Process Conference, the conversation covers roofing industry trends, local marketing strategies, and how contractors can better utilize video, SEO, and CRM tools to dominate their markets. Megan and Nancy share real-world insights into why education-based marketing is winning, how video is essential for building customer trust, and why roofers need to move beyond traditional advertising to scale their businesses.

💡 Key Takeaways:

Why educating customers through marketing will be the key to success in 2025

The impact of AI, automation, and CRM tools on home service marketing

How to leverage video marketing for brand authenticity and customer engagement

Why local, hyper-targeted marketing campaigns drive better leads and conversions

The importance of call center training and booking the call when the phone rings

How roofing companies can build long-term customer relationships beyond a one-time service

If you’re a roofing contractor, HVAC/plumbing business owner, or home service marketer, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you future-proof your business. 🚀

How can branding make your business the go-to name in your market? In this episode of The TradeMarke Podcast, Eric Thomas and Sarah Ghirardo sit down with Dan Antonelli, CEO of KickCharge Creative, to dive deep into the power of branding in the trades.

Live from the 6th Annual Roofing Process Conference, Dan shares how a strong brand can lower marketing costs, increase customer trust, and boost conversions. Plus, they break down Gary Vaynerchuk’s take on branding vs. marketing, the impact of a polished brand on recruitment, and why your logo and website might be costing you leads.

💡 Key Takeaways:

If you're a contractor, home service business owner, or marketer looking to scale, this episode is a must-listen! 🎧

How do you scale a home service business to 75+ franchise locations in under two years? In this episode of The TradeMarke, hosts Eric Thomas and Sarah Ghirardo sit down with Dan Claps, CEO of Voda Cleaning & Restoration, live from the 6th Annual Roofing Process Conference in Marco Island, Florida (hosted by LB Capital).

Dan shares his journey from the franchise lead generation space to acquiring and scaling a successful restoration brand. We dive into:

We also discuss how AI, automation, and data-driven marketing are reshaping the trades, plus actionable insights on how to scale, systematize, and optimize a home service business.

🚀 If you're a contractor, franchisee, or entrepreneur looking to scale your business, this episode is packed with must-know insights.

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