Why Operational Organization Is Your Best Exit Strategy

Hiring military veterans is often framed as a charitable act, but Jim Lose, CEO at The Military Veteran, argues it is actually one of the smartest business decisions a trade company can make. With over 25 years of experience in military recruiting, Jim has placed hundreds of former service members into high-level leadership roles, including general managers, VPs of operations, and CEOs within the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical industries. In this special episode recorded live at Pantheon 2026, Jim breaks down why the military's focus on servant leadership, disciplined execution, and process-driven mindsets makes veterans an ideal fit for managing technician-driven businesses. He also shares practical resources for contractors looking to recruit from local bases like the SkillBridge program as a cost-free way to onboard new talent.Join us as we discuss: [1:47] How military service shaped Jim’s philanthropic mission to help veterans[7:45] Why veterans are built for the trades in both operations and field roles[15:11] The vet’s servant leadership mentality and why hiring them is not charity workCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:SkillBridgeTitan Creator SummitYou 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Building systems before scale is the fastest way to grow a service business without breaking it. Tyler Kropp, owner of Home Run Roofing, shares his unconventional journey from starting a power washing business at 17 to scaling a multi-million dollar roofing company by age 23. Tyler discusses why he intentionally chose the roofing industry for its higher ceiling and private equity potential, and how he leverages spec-based templates in ServiceTitan to eliminate underpricing. He also breaks down his “one-call close” sales model and the specific staffing ratios needed to hit $1M per month. Finally, Tyler offers a candid perspective on the pressure to attend college and explains why the trades need young champions to inspire the next generation of contractors.Join us as we discuss: [3:50] Pivoting a self-starter power washing business into a profitable roofing company [8:37] Why Tyler chose roofing and what he thinks is the biggest challenge facing the industry today [15:11] How Tyler’s “one-call close” is pushing his revenue towards $1 million per month and his favorite marketing tactic[21:12] Tackling the trades labor shortage by showing future workers tradespeople who look like and sound like themCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Tyler’s Instagram 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!Don't forget to register for the Titan Creator Summit coming November 19th, 2026!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Achieving operational organization is often the difference between a business that barely survives and one that scales profitably. Colin Bemus, founder of Go2 Great, shares his journey from digging trenches in his family's landscaping business to navigating a massive economic boom and a devastating crash. After surviving the 2007 recession, Colin leveraged mentorship and software to transform his company into a high-value asset that commanded a premium sale multiple in 2021. Now a consultant, he explains why many contractors fail by expecting software to fix foundational issues like missing job descriptions and unclear organizational charts. Colin provides actionable advice on preparing for acquisition, the importance of measuring quality, and why every business system must tie directly back to defined goals.Join us as we discuss: [1:30] How Colin’s landscaping experience with his father’s family business inspired his journey to help other owner-operators[8:02] Being an early adopter of new tech and the power of an all-in-one platform for your business operations[15:48] Common software implementation mistakes and operational hurdles that Colin sees owner-operators makeCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Reach out to Colin 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Effective change management is the difference between a software rollout that empowers your team and one that creates friction. David Helms, Control Operations Manager at Edd Helms Air Conditioning and Electric and Gulfstream Controls, joins the show to discuss how he balances two distinct roles: overseeing building controls operations while serving as the ServiceTitan administrator for the entire Edd Helms Group. David shares the hard lessons learned from going all-in on a full-company software implementation during the middle of summer and explains why slowing down is often the fastest way to achieve long-term adoption. From managing internal communication gaps to bridging the divide between residential service and large-scale commercial projects, David offers a pragmatic look at how to modernize a family-owned trade business without leaving your technicians behind.Join us as we discuss: [3:11] Why change management is the bedrock for successful software implementation[12:18] Filtering new technology by which problems your business is trying to solve[19:51] Balancing workflows between multiple brands under one operational umbrellaCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

As we wind up for Pantheon 2026, we're bringing few great episodes back from the past to prep you for the big show and bring you new, amazing conversations. We'll be back on 10/20/2026 with this year's Pantheon breakdown and conversations.Originally Aired: 9/23/2025In 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 buyoutCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Email Rob at [email protected] 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we talk with Ellen Rohr, Brand and Industry Marketing Lead at ServiceTitan, to discuss how to turn post-conference enthusiasm into tangible business results. She shares her practical, old-school strategies for managing big ideas, breaking down overwhelming projects, and effectively delegating tasks without micromanaging. Ellen redefines networking as genuine friendship-building and offers actionable tips on following up, visiting other shops, and keeping your team aligned after major industry events like Pantheon. Join us as we discuss: [8:34] Balancing low-hanging fruit with long-term goals (and leveraging AI)[21:37] How to support your team, set realistic deadlines, and create a space safe to fail[33:57] Phone calls vs. texts: How to meaningfully reach out after a conferenceCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:EOS - Entrepreneurial Operating Systems Traction by Gino Wickman The 7-Power Contractorby Al LeviThe Weekend Biz Plan by Ellen RohrSendOutCardsYou 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

We welcome back Josh Teekell, founder and CEO of Smart AC, to discuss their Gen-2 HVAC monitoring platform. Built to target the 80% of homeowners who reject traditional memberships, Gen 2 helps contractors drive rapid market expansion. Josh details how Gen 2 improves on their original model with a single sensor, 30-second setup, and non-Wi-Fi connectivity. He also shares insights on leveraging AI, leading teams through product shifts, and using low-cost entry points to convert one-off service calls into lifelong customers.Join us as we discuss: [2:54] What changed at Smart AC: Announcing the Gen-2 platform launch[13:03] Leveraging $5/month pricing to capture the non-membership homes[19:56] Homeowner survey results validating low-cost monitoring models.Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Check out the survey data here! 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Successful navigation around the complexities of family business ownership demands radical honesty and clear boundaries. Brittany Burgess, Senior Customer Advocacy Specialist at ServiceTitan, joins the show to share her candid experience starting and eventually closing a landscaping company with her husband. From the initial excitement of partnering with a spouse to the breaking point of operational chaos and equipment failure, Brittany discusses the emotional toll of trying to save a business for someone else's sake. She provides actionable advice for couples entering the trades together, emphasizing the importance of defined roles, strict boundaries between work and home, and maintaining a growth mindset even when a venture fails. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that success isn't always found in the bottom line, but often in the lessons learned through hardship.Join us as we discuss: [4:00] Early challenges that led to the breaking point of a couple-owned landscaping company [13:11] Dealing with the immediate fallout of shuttering a business and breaking the news to employees[19:34] Why correctly identifying roles and responsibilities is essential to a family business’s survivalYou 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Burnout in the trades is often a silent killer, a slow decay that catches business owners off guard after years of relentless grinding. Nate Agentis, VP of Plumbing at BDR, joins the show to share his raw, personal journey through the pressures of inheriting a family plumbing business, navigating a tragic stage four cancer diagnosis in his family, and facing a mental health breaking point during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nate discusses the danger of tying your entire identity to business growth and introduces the “balance wheel” exercise to help contractors audit their personal lives. From the importance of finding a neutral third-party counselor to the power of small daily habits, Nate provides a roadmap for entrepreneurs to build a lasting legacy without sacrificing their health, family, or sanity.Join us as we discuss: [2:49] Why the grind mentality ultimately leads to burnout and regret[13:09] How bringing in a corporate outsider helped Nate 3X his family business[21:59] Leaning on others to help alleviate the pressures of business ownership[29:07] Why a healthy work culture starts with a healthy ownerCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Get Shit Done! by Nate AgentisYou 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Renee Richardson, Director of Philanthropy at All Within My Hands Foundation, joins the show to share how heavy metal icons Metallica are helping close the skilled labor gap across North America. Renee details the origin story of the Metallica Scholars Initiative, sparked by frontman James Hetfield’s passion for supporting blue-collar trades and hands-on workforce education. What began in 2019 as a $100,000 grant to 10 community colleges has exploded into a $19 million-plus investment spanning 93 schools and nearly 18,000 students. Renee discusses the transformative power of these scholarships, from breaking generational poverty cycles to encouraging women in male-dominated trades, and explains how organic corporate partnerships with brands like Wolverine, Carhartt, and ServiceTitan amplify the foundation's reach.Join us as we discuss: [1:52] How a love for music and nonprofit work led to helping Metallica advance the trades[9:43] Why the band decided to lean into workforce education and scholarship opportunities[13:06] School sponsorships and inspirational student success stories[21:18] ServiceTitan’s partnership and how you can help amplify the foundation’s causeCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Metallica Scholars InitiativeYou 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.