#161: From 38% to 55%: How David Mayster Mastered His HVAC Margins // Next Level Pros Podcast

Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, Chris sits down with David Mayster, owner of Maester Heating and Air in Seattle. David shares his remarkable journey from Ukraine to building a thriving HVAC business, overcoming personal struggles, and learning the hard truths about running a profitable company. This episode is packed with insights for business owners—especially those in the trades—who want to get their pricing right, build a strong team, and scale their business while staying true to their values.Highlights:"If you know how to work, America will reward you for that.""A standardized offer is one of the best things that I could get for you.""Numbers don’t lie. People do.""If the company makes a lot of money, we can provide you a lot of opportunity."Timestamps:0:00:00 – Introduction & David’s Background0:06:09 – Starting Maester Heating and Air0:10:13 – David’s Personal Transformation0:19:38 – The Power of Money and Business Purpose0:21:45 – Partnership Challenges and Lessons0:28:36 – Pricing Strategy and Gross Margin Goals0:36:11 – Sales Negotiation and Standardization0:49:19 – Reviewing the Numbers: Revenue and Gross Profit1:01:23 – Marketing Spend and Customer Acquisition1:14:22 – Action Items: Standardizing Offers and Scaling UpWant me to teach you how to grow your business? Text me! 509-374-7554Want access to more of my content? Click the link below for all of our latest updates and events!https://linktr.ee/nextlevelprosWant to be a guest on our show? Apply here!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YlkVBSluEKMTg4gehyUOHYvBratcxHV5rt3kiWTXNC4/viewform?edit_requested=trueWatch my latest PodcastApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-pros/id1687030281Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=95980cd4e55a437aYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelPros

Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, host Chris sits down with Alex Hormozi, founder of Acquisition.com, to dive deep into the mindset, strategies, and lessons behind building and scaling successful businesses. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or aspiring operator looking to level up, this episode is packed with actionable insights on growth, investment, and the realities of the entrepreneurial journey.Highlights:“I just enjoy playing the game… I know I would do it if it didn’t make money.”  “At some point you have to expand… I was just in a pond, and everyone else was going after an ocean.”  “If I’m afraid to take a risk now, I’ll never be able to take a risk later.”  “You have to provide value—make them an offer so good they feel stupid saying no.”  “This is the point where most people quit, and that’s why they don’t quit.”Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction02:55 – The Obsession with Business: Playing the Game  04:48 – Transition from Gym Launch to Acquisition.com  09:08 – Defining Moments: Leaving Corporate for Entrepreneurship  12:45 – The Hardest Decision: Disappointing Family to Follow Your Path  21:03 – How to Work for Free and Actually Add Value  33:13 – What Acquisition.com Looks for in Investments  36:47 – Identifying Founders with Big Visions  45:54 – The Discipline to Say No: Focusing on the One Thing  1:04:49 – Advice for Tough Times: Why You Shouldn’t QuitWant me to teach you how to grow your business? Text me! 509-374-7554Want access to more of my content? Click the link below for all of our latest updates and events!https://linktr.ee/nextlevelprosWant to be a guest on our show? Apply here!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YlkVBSluEKMTg4gehyUOHYvBratcxHV5rt3kiWTXNC4/viewform?edit_requested=trueWatch my latest PodcastApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-pros/id1687030281Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=95980cd4e55a437aYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelPros

Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, we dive deep into the realities of entrepreneurship and family life. Daryl Kelly is joined by his daughter Evelyn Kelly for an honest conversation about growing up in an entrepreneurial household, balancing ambition with family connection, and the lessons learned along the way. This episode is for parents chasing big goals without losing touch with what matters most, and for kids witnessing the journey up close.Highlights:"Being an entrepreneur isn't just about building a business. It's about carrying the weight of providing while trying to be present at home.""Success isn't just one thing, it's a million things combined.""I just want to be able to have whatever, keep my choices open.""The reason I want people to be at my house is to see that I'm not chasing money, but I'm building a family."Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction01:33 – Evelyn’s Unique Path: Graduating High School and College Early02:37 – Realizing Dad Was Different: The Entrepreneurial Mindset05:01 – Quality Over Quantity: Making Family Time Count10:31 – The Impact of Absence: When Dad Was Away16:10 – Childhood Hardships: Seeing the Ups and Downs19:14 – Redefining Success: More Than Money22:36 – What Drives Evelyn: Going 100% in Everything28:55 – High School Side Hustle: Building a Dance Business40:46 – Family as the Why: Building a Legacy Beyond WealthWant me to teach you how to grow your business? Text me! 509-374-7554Want access to more of my content? Click the link below for all of our latest updates and events!https://linktr.ee/nextlevelprosWant to be a guest on our show? Apply here!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YlkVBSluEKMTg4gehyUOHYvBratcxHV5rt3kiWTXNC4/viewform?edit_requested=trueWatch my latest PodcastApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-pros/id1687030281Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=95980cd4e55a437aYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelPros

Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, Chris Lee takes us on a candid journey through his entrepreneurial highs and lows, sharing the real story behind building Sol Gen Power and the lessons learned along the way. If you’re an entrepreneur, founder, or anyone interested in the realities of building and scaling a business—especially in the trades or home service space—this episode is for you!Highlights:“Throughout my life, I’ve had a very divisive personality. It’s either you love me or you friggin hate me.”“There’s not a playbook for doing it. You’re literally just learning as you go, until you get slapped on the hand, and then you change your behavior.”“The goal isn’t to produce the fruit. The goal is to become the tree that has the ability to continue to produce the fruit.”“Life was meant to be hard, but when it’s hard with a positive mindset, it becomes bearable and joyful.”Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:19 Various Business Ventures and Experiences 04:56 Transition to Employment and Learning from Entrepreneurs 8:57 Vivint Solar and IPO Experience 25:48 Starting Sol Gen Power and Early Challenges 32:59 Growth and Expansion of Sol Gen Power Building a Strong Team and Culture 42: 28 Overcoming Financial and Operational Challenges 57:11 Expansion and Acquisition 58:44 Personal Reflections and Future Plans Want me to teach you how to grow your business? Text me! 509-374-7554Want access to more of my content? Click the link below for all of our latest updates and events!https://linktr.ee/nextlevelprosWant to be a guest on our show? Apply here!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YlkVBSluEKMTg4gehyUOHYvBratcxHV5rt3kiWTXNC4/viewform?edit_requested=trueWatch my latest PodcastApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-pros/id1687030281Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=95980cd4e55a437aYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelPros

Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, Chris shares the raw, unfiltered story of his first major business failure, the lessons learned from bankruptcy, and how he rebuilt his career and mindset. If you’re an entrepreneur, operator, or anyone in the trades or home service space looking for real, tactical advice and inspiration, this episode is for you.Highlights:“Take everything you believe are going to be your expenses and at least double it, sometimes triple it.”“There is almost always a way out… Go ask for help. Quit being prideful.”“Do what you’re physically able to do, not what you’re mentally able to do.”“The best flattery you could ever give me is something that I 100% know that I did, and it was amazing.”Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction02:34 - Challenges and Mistakes in Early Business 09:55 - Changing the Approach16:06 Handling “Dead Partners”19:36 - Impact of the 2008 Economic Crash 24:02 - Rebuilding and Learning from Failures 30:26 - Competing in the Sales Seminar 34:33 - Winning the Sales Competition 47:50 - Lessons Learned and Future Plans Want me to teach you how to grow your business? Text me! 509-374-7554Want access to more of my content? Click the link below for all of our latest updates and events!https://linktr.ee/nextlevelprosWant to be a guest on our show? Apply here!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YlkVBSluEKMTg4gehyUOHYvBratcxHV5rt3kiWTXNC4/viewform?edit_requested=trueWatch my latest PodcastApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-pros/id1687030281Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=95980cd4e55a437aYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelPros

Welcome to a New Episode of Next Level Pros! Today, Chris Lee shares his powerful origin story. From humble beginnings in a small town to early business ventures, overcoming personal challenges, and finding his true path in entrepreneurship. Originally recorded for his first podcast, “The Founder Podcast,” this replay dives deep into Chris’s childhood, his work ethic shaped by necessity, how he found confidence through Cutco sales, and the pivotal decision to walk away from medical school and build something on his own.Apply to be on the show:https://forms.gle/hwDijQPFyKCEtHNs8 Highlights:"Sales is the root of every successful business. Learn it or lose.""Diabetes didn’t define me. It disciplined me.""I was making $65,000 in three months while my dad worked all year for that.""You don’t need to be the quarterback to win the championship."Timestamps:00:00 – Why This Episode Matters00:38 – Meet Chris Lee: Early Retirement & Entrepreneurial Lessons02:00 – Growing Up in Connell, Washington05:10 – Childhood Jobs & Early Financial Discipline 08:10 – Discovering Sales Through Cutco at 1813:00 – Lessons from Sports & Being Benched18:00 – Diabetes Diagnosis & Life-Changing Identity Shift21:00 – Serving a Mission & Developing Deeper Resilience27:11 – Marriage, Fatherhood & That First $65K Summer31:30 – Pivoting from Medicine to EntrepreneurshipLooking to scale your business? Want to learn directly from the same team that helped me sell my last business for 9 figures? Click this link below to check out how you can work with us. https://nextlevelhomepros.com/grow-home-service-vsl Join my community - Founder Acceleration ⁠https://www.founderacceleration.com  ⁠Apply for our next Mastermind: h⁠ttps://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⁠ Golf with Chris: h⁠ttps://www.golfwithchris.com ⁠ Watch my latest PodcastApple- Next Level Pros Podcast - Apple PodcastsSpotify- ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2 ⁠YouTube - @christhefounder 

Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! Today, we sit down with Victor Rancour, a powerhouse in the trades and HVAC industry who scaled from scratch to multi-million dollar success in just a few years. In this episode, Victor breaks down the exact moves he makes when acquiring new businesses, the systems he installs for profitability, and the sales processes that drive results. If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or sales professional looking to dominate your market and build a real machine, this episode is for you.Highlights:"If you decide to do something and you put your all into it, you can have an opportunity."  "You have to recruit the sales guy. If you want to start winning, you got to get one from that big company."  "If you can't get customers, you're not going to attract me and Chris ain't working for you."  "Implement AI, know your numbers. Let's go."Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:06 - Breaking Into HVAC: The Craigslist Ad That Changed Everything04:03 - Learning the Business: From Sales to General Manager08:12 - Marketing in 2025: Hand-to-Hand Combat and Direct Mail12:11 - The Power of Follow-Up: Building a Rehash Strategy with RP115:19 - Pricing Models: 65% Gross Margin and Sliding Scale Commissions19:38 - Acquiring Businesses: The First Three Things Victor Changes22:12 - Sales Training: Four to Five Days a Week for Consistency28:53 - Leading with Financing: Making High-Ticket Sales Accessible44:29 - Upcoming Event: Victor’s Sales Training in Ohio & Final AdviceWant me to teach you how to grow your business? Text me! 509-374-7554Want access to more of my content? Click the link below for all of our latest updates and events!https://linktr.ee/nextlevelprosWant to be a guest on our show? Apply here!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YlkVBSluEKMTg4gehyUOHYvBratcxHV5rt3kiWTXNC4/viewform?edit_requested=trueWatch my latest PodcastApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-pros/id1687030281Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=95980cd4e55a437aYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelPros

Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, Chris reveals three powerful strategies to 3x your revenue in the HVAC and trades industry. Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or sales leader in home services, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you scale your business, avoid common pitfalls, and close more deals with confidence.Highlights:“Customers do not buy products. They buy solutions.”“Do not, I repeat, DO NOT train your technicians to go and do this work.”“A confused buyer does not buy.”“A no is still a decision. And a maybe, no matter how you convince yourself, is a freaking maybe.”Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:25 Sales Process Separation and Technician vs. Salesperson Roles 05:34 Limiting Sales Options and the Louis Vuitton Approach 06:54 The Louis Vuitton Approach09:25 Eliminating Quotes and Adopting Yes or No Decisions 10:54 Understanding the Decisions Clients MakeWant me to teach you how to grow your business? Text me! 509-374-7554Want access to more of my content? Click the link below for all of our latest updates and events!https://linktr.ee/nextlevelprosWant to be a guest on our show? Apply here!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YlkVBSluEKMTg4gehyUOHYvBratcxHV5rt3kiWTXNC4/viewform?edit_requested=trueWatch my latest PodcastApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-pros/id1687030281Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=95980cd4e55a437aYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelPros

Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, we dive into the journey of joining a startup from humble beginnings, the power of a clear mission and vision, and how culture can shape both personal and organizational success. This episode is perfect for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone seeking inspiration to build or join a purpose-driven team.Highlights:"He who has the bigger vision will always win.""If people come to you for money, they will leave you for money.""Culture eats strategy for breakfast.""Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate how much they can accomplish in five."Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:01 First Impressions and Interview Experience 05:09 Starting at the Company and Initial Challenges 09:22 Growth and Success of the Solar Company 11:53 Building a Five-Year Roadmap 14:34 Adapting to Different Roles 17:33 The Importance of Clear Communication 18:50 Final Thoughts on Mission and Vision Want me to teach you how to grow your business? Text me! 509-374-7554Want access to more of my content? Click the link below for all of our latest updates and events!https://linktr.ee/nextlevelprosWant to be a guest on our show? Apply here!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YlkVBSluEKMTg4gehyUOHYvBratcxHV5rt3kiWTXNC4/viewform?edit_requested=trueWatch my latest PodcastApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-pros/id1687030281Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=95980cd4e55a437aYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelPros

Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, Chris interviews Aaron Cooper from Sameday.ai, exploring how AI is transforming customer service and sales in home service businesses. Perfect for entrepreneurs, trade business owners, and tech-curious professionals looking to understand the future of customer interactions and business efficiency.Highlights:"If you're not using AI to rewrite your copy now, you're missing out." "The AI can close at rates in the 90s for HVAC, plumbing, and electric services.""We're training AI to be the best closer." "AI never has a bad day, never struggles with work ethic."Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:57 AI's Impact on Marketing and Content Creation07:44 Consumer Fears About Talking to AI11:27 AI Voice Nuances and Realistic Interactions14:39 Overcoming Customer Objections with AI16:27 Replacing vs. Supplementing Human Customer Service19:29 AI Handling Difficult Customer Interactions21:51 Smart Dispatching and Technician Allocation25:08 The True Cost of Underperforming Customer Service28:07 Sameday.ai's Growth and Industry ImpactWant me to teach you how to grow your business? Text me! 509-374-7554Want access to more of my content? Click the link below for all of our latest updates and events!https://linktr.ee/nextlevelprosWant to be a guest on our show? Apply here!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YlkVBSluEKMTg4gehyUOHYvBratcxHV5rt3kiWTXNC4/viewform?edit_requested=trueWatch my latest PodcastApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-pros/id1687030281Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=95980cd4e55a437aYouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelPros