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Contractors aren’t losing money because they’re bad at business.
They’re losing money because they’re alone.
Every year, new rules, codes, and regulations quietly cut into your margins, and most contractors just absorb the cost. Not because they agree with it. But because they weren’t in the room when the rules were written.
In this episode of the Trade Traction Roadshow, Dennis sits down with Mark Valentini, a national advocate who works directly with lawmakers to protect plumbing, heating, and HVAC contractors from policies that cost them time, money, and growth.
You’ll learn:
Why one contractor has zero leverage
How contractors have already changed laws by working together
Why advocacy isn’t politics, it’s profit protection
And how unity gives contractors real power before damage is done
If you’re tired of working harder just to make less, this conversation will change how you think about power in the trades.
Guest: Mark Valentini
Location: PHCC CONNECT
Timestamps:
00:00 – Why One Voice Equals Zero Power
00:28 – Rules That Cost Contractors Money
00:53 – Who Mark Valentini Is & What He Does
01:12 – Why Contractors Get Drowned Out
01:21 – Clean Water & Air Nobody Thinks About
01:56 – Welcome to Trade Traction Roadshow
02:28 – What PHCC Represents Nationwide
03:23 – The Real Value of Contractor Networking
04:19 – Why Membership Requires Involvement
05:05 – Competing Interests on Capitol Hill
06:22 – The Lightbulb Moment for Policymakers
06:45 – How Contractors Changed Apprentice Laws
07:49 – Apprentice Ratios & Workforce Bottlenecks
09:27 – Technology, AI & the Future of Training
10:01 – College vs Trades Reality Check
11:53 – The $2 Trillion Student Loan Problem
12:33 – Why Contractors See Each Other as Competitors
14:35 – Leaving a Company the Right Way
15:54 – Relationships Are the Real Currency
17:03 – What a Lobbyist Actually Does
18:03 – Workforce Policy & Contractor Impact
19:06 – How Mark Found PHCC
22:19 – Policy vs Politics Explained
23:44 – Government Shutdown & Trade Impact
26:00 – Refrigerant Rule Changes Explained
28:02 – Why Contractors Should Join PHCC
29:05 – Final Message: Why Unity Matters
29:28 – Milwaukee 2025 Invitation
The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit.
Connect with me on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprentice
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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By Dennis The ApprenticeSend us a text
Contractors aren’t losing money because they’re bad at business.
They’re losing money because they’re alone.
Every year, new rules, codes, and regulations quietly cut into your margins, and most contractors just absorb the cost. Not because they agree with it. But because they weren’t in the room when the rules were written.
In this episode of the Trade Traction Roadshow, Dennis sits down with Mark Valentini, a national advocate who works directly with lawmakers to protect plumbing, heating, and HVAC contractors from policies that cost them time, money, and growth.
You’ll learn:
Why one contractor has zero leverage
How contractors have already changed laws by working together
Why advocacy isn’t politics, it’s profit protection
And how unity gives contractors real power before damage is done
If you’re tired of working harder just to make less, this conversation will change how you think about power in the trades.
Guest: Mark Valentini
Location: PHCC CONNECT
Timestamps:
00:00 – Why One Voice Equals Zero Power
00:28 – Rules That Cost Contractors Money
00:53 – Who Mark Valentini Is & What He Does
01:12 – Why Contractors Get Drowned Out
01:21 – Clean Water & Air Nobody Thinks About
01:56 – Welcome to Trade Traction Roadshow
02:28 – What PHCC Represents Nationwide
03:23 – The Real Value of Contractor Networking
04:19 – Why Membership Requires Involvement
05:05 – Competing Interests on Capitol Hill
06:22 – The Lightbulb Moment for Policymakers
06:45 – How Contractors Changed Apprentice Laws
07:49 – Apprentice Ratios & Workforce Bottlenecks
09:27 – Technology, AI & the Future of Training
10:01 – College vs Trades Reality Check
11:53 – The $2 Trillion Student Loan Problem
12:33 – Why Contractors See Each Other as Competitors
14:35 – Leaving a Company the Right Way
15:54 – Relationships Are the Real Currency
17:03 – What a Lobbyist Actually Does
18:03 – Workforce Policy & Contractor Impact
19:06 – How Mark Found PHCC
22:19 – Policy vs Politics Explained
23:44 – Government Shutdown & Trade Impact
26:00 – Refrigerant Rule Changes Explained
28:02 – Why Contractors Should Join PHCC
29:05 – Final Message: Why Unity Matters
29:28 – Milwaukee 2025 Invitation
The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit.
Connect with me on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprentice
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.