In this episode, Rob Parker, managing director of residential and commercial services investment banking at Piper Sandler, shares tips for partnering with private equity. A former entrepreneur himself, Rob explains how market forces and technological advancements have made the trades an attractive investment for private equity firms. He breaks down the importance of maximizing EBITDA, shares his experience with a successful client partnership, and offers advice for owner-operators preparing to sell their businesses or take them to the next level.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [6:56] The COVID private equity boom and how partnerships have since evolved

• [16:58] Why trades company IPOs may become common in the not-to-distant future

• [23:39] The most important metric that PE firms look at when considering a partnership

• [31:18] How owners can prep their team for a company merger or buyout
  

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Email Rob at [email protected]
  

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.

Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Aspire is leveling up, and so are the landscapers who depend on it. In this episode, we explore what the platform's next chapter means for the industry’s fastest-growing businesses. General Manager Eli Zevin shares how Aspire is evolving to meet the moment, with bold plans to scale smarter, serve better, and bring cutting-edge tech to the field. We dig into how Aspire is restructuring its teams to better support businesses at every stage of growth, from scrappy up-and-comers to multimillion-dollar operations. Eli also gives us a glimpse into the not-so-distant future, where AI moves from helpful to hands-on. 

Join us as we discuss: 

• [4:42] Aspire’s goals for industry-wide growth and scalability

• [12:17] Advice for businesses nervous about making the switch

• [16:22] How Eli’s experience as a camp director influenced his leadership style

  
  

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Doug Greenhaw, President and CEO, and Justin Guinnip, COO, at Summit Roofing & Restoration in Atoka, Tennessee, share their journey of scaling a roofing business from modest beginnings to a projected $30 million this year. They dive into how they leveraged a devastating tornado in their hometown into a catalyst for growth, meticulously planning to replicate an $18 million revenue year without another natural disaster. Doug and Justin also candidly discuss their challenging but ultimately successful experience as early ServiceTitan adopters in the roofing industry, offering invaluable advice for other contractors considering significant tech investments.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [6:49] Transitioning from whiteboards to tech and embracing outside help

• [17:58] Helping a community rebuild after tragedy strikes

• [24:19] ServiceTitan implementation for roofers and process mapping
  

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Home Service Freedom

• Contact Center Pro

• Pantheon 2025
  

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

How do you take a third-generation family business and triple its revenue without losing its soul? In this episode, Brad Barron, CEO of Barron Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical and Plumbing, shares how he led his team through explosive growth: from $15 million to a projected $45 million, all without private equity, mergers, or compromising on culture. Brad talks about building systems that actually scale, leading with clarity and humility, and making hard decisions when growth moves faster than process. 

Join us as we discuss: 

• [3:01] Family business succession planning that actually works

• [15:32] Tripling revenue: scalable process vs tribal knowledge

• [26:00] Omni-channel marketing and acquiring a media company

• [34:23] The mistake Brad regrets most: waiting too long

  
  

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Pantheon 2025

• EGIA
  

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Predictive analytics isn't just for data nerds. Robert Clinkenbeard, CEO at Wilson360 and host of the Commercial Landscaper Podcast, explains how landscaping businesses can leverage predictive analytics to streamline operations, optimize talent, and enhance efficiency. Drawing from his experience scaling his landscaping business from zero to $20 million, Robert shares insights on how owners can effectively utilize data to navigate rapid growth. He emphasizes the importance of embracing AI, recruiting proactively, and constantly adapting strategies to stay ahead in the industry.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [4:18] Why companies shouldn’t overrely on legacy practices and recruiting from outside the industry

• [12:53] How predictive analytics and AI tools can help you scale efficiently

• [16:12] The future of landscaping technology and effectively leveraging your team
  

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• The Commercial Landscaper
  

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations

Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In her first year running True Pros in Layton, Utah, Katy Higgins turned her sales skills into a multimillion-dollar HVAC business. Along the way, she faced tough lessons, unexpected challenges, and learned how to celebrate wins no matter what came her way. Katy shares what it takes to lead through chaos, embrace new tools like Sales Pro, and create a workplace where victories are celebrated and challenges are met head-on. She also explains how she kept her team motivated during setbacks, why recording sales calls transformed her approach, and how a simple bell in the hallway became a symbol of resilience and progress.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [8:07] Why contractors need to focus on solving problems, not push products

• [13:29] How True Pros went from garage startup to $6M in the first year

• [19:43] Scrapbooks, celebrations, and staying focused on the positives

• [30:22] Falling in love with Sales Pro and quadrupling closure rates
  

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Pantheon 2025

• Sales Pro

• Service Nation

•  Lennox Premier 
  

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What’s really holding your commercial service department back? In this episode, Jennifer Shooshanian, Senior Service Coach at Business Development Resources (BDR), reveals how she transformed an underperforming team into a profitable, high-performing commercial service operation. She also shares the hard-won strategies and lessons she’s learned from over 20 years of managing and coaching teams so you can build your own foundation for sustainable growth. 

Join us as we discuss: 

• [2:48] Why documenting your organization’s processes is crucial

• [16:01] How to build a strong commercial service department

• [20:14] Fix sales first: Why pricing comes before everything else

• [29:29] The power of commercial maintenance agreements
  

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Pantheon 2025
  

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of Toolbox for the Trades, we sit down with Mike Lowrance, IT Director at LMC Landscape Partners, to explore what it really takes to bring technology into a boots-on-the-ground industry. Starting his career in horticulture and now leading tech strategy across multiple landscape companies, Mike offers a rare insider perspective on how to make digital tools actually work in the trades. We unpack some hard truths of tech adoption: why even the best systems fail without clear goals, thoughtful training, and real buy-in. 

Join us as we discuss: 

• [7:12] How to build internal tech leadership with super users

• [12:54] How to create buy-in and deal with tech resistance

• [18:43] What sets Aspire apart from other landscaping CRMs
  

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Aspire

• Ignite
  

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.

Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations

Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Vertical integration can transform your business without expanding geographically. Branden Dickey, CEO at LocalRoofs and Owner of Conejo Heating, Air, Plumbing, and Electrical, mastered strategic growth by identifying multiple opportunities in every home serviced. From rebranding interior fixtures as household billboards to carefully choosing integration pathways, Branden boosted Conejo's revenue from $1.2 million to a projected $40 million within a 30-mile radius. In this episode, he discusses maintaining efficiency at scale, leveraging community trust, and why precise measurement drives exceptional growth and profitability.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [10:08] How every new vertical in your business acts as an “interior billboard” in your customers’ homes

• [18:33] Bringing a new level of professionalism to the roofing industry

• [28:13] Why contractors need to adopt an efficiency mindset and measure everything

• [39:28] How ServiceTitan streamlines workflows in multiple business verticals

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations

Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Many customers who call residential service companies balk at out-of-reach, upfront prices because they don’t know that financing is an option. Erica Leonor, Director of Business Development at Goodleap, joins us to explore the powerful role customer service representatives play in getting this information to potential buyers. Erica shares her strategy for CSRs to talk about financing with confidence and compassion, turning a potentially awkward conversation into one that earns customer trust. 

Join us as we discuss:

• [9:33] When customers should be notified about financing options

• [15:24] How CSRs can earn your customers’ confidence

• [20:44] How to train employees to approach customers with financing
  

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Amzi

• The CSR Academy
  

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!
Prometheus Award Nominations

Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.