The Home Service Expert Podcast

Tommy Mello: $200 Million Founder|Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur Columnist
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The Home Service Expert podcast is the No. 1 podcast for ambitious home service entrepreneurs, whether they are in plumbing, HVAC or another niche. In this show, Tommy Mello, a $200M business founder, will talk with the best entrepreneurs and experts in the home service industry and beyond, to share insights that have made them successful: from the newest marketing tools to the best scaling strategies. Previous podcast guests include Terry Nicholson (former national trainer of NYSE-listed home services company), Craig Smith (President of HomeAdvisor, a home services marketplace valued at $2B+), Cameron Herold (former COO of three $100M+ companies), etc.

  1. 1D AGO

    Why the Wealthiest Investors, Nobody Talks About, Are All in This Industry

    🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ 💎 Top 5 Takes for this Episode! 1. People overestimate what they can do in one or two years — and massively underestimate what they can do in five to ten. Stick with the boring work. 2. Blue collar is the new rich. AI won't replace the trades. Private equity loves scalable home service. Most people couldn't name three flooring companies. That's the opportunity. 3. The real game isn't revenue — it's enterprise value. Lifestyle businesses extract cash. Legacy businesses build an asset worth selling. 4. Master the mundane. Discipline over dopamine. Repetition over inspiration. That's the only secret. 5. There's nothing more dangerous than a wealthy man who gets bored. The same hunter energy that builds empires can destroy everything. Channel it right or it eats you alive. -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introducing Cody Sperber — The Clever Investor 01:30 - From Navy vet to flipping houses off a napkin 03:39 - 14 months, $30K in debt, and one deal that changed everything 04:57 - Collapsing time: 14 months to 2 months to 3 weeks 06:09 - From wholesaling to rentals to real estate education 07:47 - Why real estate teaches entrepreneurship faster than anything 10:03 - Real estate is a people business — AI can't replace that 11:36 - Why Cody was the best marketer in real estate 16:02 - Why blue collar is the new rich  17:16 - Why Cody chose flooring: most people can't name two companies 18:10 - Selling the education business: first time playing the right game 18:27 - Enterprise value vs. lifestyle business 19:00 - Getting emotional at the Service Titan debate about private equity 20:03 - Why taking chips off the table was about parents, not profit 22:01 - The American dream is still real — immigrants prove it 41:24 - Why authenticity beats selling courses every single time 46:17 - Having kids doubled his income — the hunter mindset intensified 46:42 - The upfront conversation every entrepreneur needs with their partner 48:34 - The system that made marriage and business work together 50:37 - 18 years and a divorce: 'We friendzoned each other' 52:06 - The most dangerous thing a wealthy man can do when he gets bored 53:26 - Having everything on paper and feeling completely empty inside 55:11 - The year and a half that rebuilt his character from the ground up 58:05 - One piece of advice for your 20s: Master the mundane 58:35 - People overestimate 1-2 years. They underestimate 5-10. 59:22 - Why Cody loves failure and what he tells his team 1:00:47 - If you had $10M and your network — what would you build? 1:22:29 - Floor Daddy at 2 years: three crash and burns, $1M+/month 1:23:53 - Tommy's close: financial discipline and the 15% EBITDA rule   Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/   My other podcast: Tommy Mello Millionaire ⟶ https://www.youtube.com/@officialtommymello Live Q&A submission form: https://homeserviceexpert.com/questions

    1h 34m

  2. 6D AGO

    From Sales Rep to $28M: What Jordan White Learned Building Seek One Roofing

    🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ 💎 Top 5 Takes for this Episode! There are two types of business owners — those who build for cash flow, and those who build enterprise value to sell.  Know which one you are before you start. More marketing never fixes a broken operation. Fix your booking rate, cancellation rate, and conversion rate first. Then scale spend. A players today can become C players in two years. The business grows, the people don't always grow with it. Watch for it. Never take on work outside your lane just because it's a big dollar. Scope creep creates liability, inflates AR, and distracts the whole team.  "Everybody wants the views, but very few people are willing to take the hike." — the one quote that defines the cost of real success. -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introducing Jordan White and Seek One Roofing 01:13 - The hardest thing in business right now 03:13 - Building a business as an asset vs. a cash flow machine 04:50 - Year by year: $2.5M to $28M in four years 07:32 - What salespeople don't know when they start a company 09:57 - Why some industries are impossible to scale 12:37 - Building trust and credibility before you have a brand 13:25 - What happens at $28M — private equity, roll equity, or rebuild 17:52 - How faith shows up in real business decisions 20:49 - Protecting integrity while training salespeople to win 22:20 - The marketing formula nobody talks about 23:30 - Why adding more marketing spend right now is a mistake 24:44 - Building a real-time data dashboard with custom metrics 26:58 - Why you should own a market before you enter a new one 29:47 - When to walk away from a market (we pulled out of 7) 31:35 - The hardest leadership lesson Jordan learned 33:17 - Turning down an $8.3M commercial job and why 36:31 - Aaron Stokes tribute — the plane accident and what it meant 38:53 - What loss teaches you about enjoying the journey 41:47 - If you don't enjoy the journey, the destination won't change it 43:01 - Don't tie your identity to your business 43:12 - What changes as a leader when the company outgrows you 45:57 - The CFO who sees around corners 1:04:30 - Colin's story: from Tractor Supply at 19 to $273K in year one Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/ My other podcast: Tommy Mello Millionaire ⟶ https://www.youtube.com/@officialtommymello Live Q&A submission form: https://homeserviceexpert.com/questions

    1h 4m

  3. MAY 1

    AI Will Run Your Business Sooner Than You Think (Boris Valkov)

    Learn more about Lace.ai here: https://lace.ai Boris Valkov is a seasoned software engineer and entrepreneur with a track record of building and scaling products at some of the world's most influential tech companies. He previously worked at Facebook and Slack, where he contributed to high-impact systems used by millions of users globally. He is the co-founder of Lace.ai, an AI-driven platform focused on helping businesses unlock insights from their data and improve performance through automation and smarter decision-making. With deep expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and scalable systems, Boris brings a practical, builder-focused perspective on how technology is reshaping modern businesses. His work sits at the intersection of AI, operations, and the future of work, helping companies move faster and operate more efficiently in an increasingly automated world. Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/ My other podcast: Home Service Expert ⟶ https://open.spotify.com/show/4WHQ3ldGThHsP1cfzNF33G Live Q&A submission form: https://homeserviceexpert.com/questions

    52 min

  4. APR 27

    The Sales System That Took Him to $300M+ Revenue (David Peterson)

    David Peterson is Senior Vice President of Sales at Annuity, a powerhouse in the home improvement industry. With over 15 years of experience, David has scaled multi-brand platforms to nearly 1,000 sales representatives and helped grow Mad City Windows from a regional player to a $300 million+ powerhouse before its acquisition. David is a proven expert in in-home selling, KPI-driven management, and building repeatable sales systems that deliver consistent results. From overcoming early career challenges to leading a billion-dollar company's sales strategy, David shares insights on leadership, sales culture, financing in home improvement, and the power of humility in success. Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/ My other podcast: Home Service Expert ⟶ https://open.spotify.com/show/4WHQ3ldGThHsP1cfzNF33G Live Q&A submission form: https://homeserviceexpert.com/questions

    44 min

  5. APR 24

    The Future of Blue-Collar is Tech, AI, Roofing, and Power (Josey Parks)

    Josey Parks is a CEO, venture entrepreneur, and one of the most forward-thinking voices at the intersection of blue-collar industry and technology. As the founder of multiple companies spanning roofing, construction, and AI—including Total Home Roofing, RFX, Roofix, Think Unlimited, and Cognitive Contractor—Josey has built a reputation as a true category creator in the trades. A former Inc. 5000 honoree and one of the youngest leaders to make a major impact in roofing, Josey has been featured on CNBC's Blue-Collar Millionaires and This Old House and was named "Roofing's Fearless Visionary" by industry leaders. Today, through Outlaw Ventures, he's focused on something even bigger: building the infrastructure behind AI, including energy, data systems, and scalable intelligence platforms. Josey is also the force behind initiatives like Win The Storm Conference and SVG University, designed to equip contractors with the tools, technology, and community needed to compete and win in a rapidly evolving industry. Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/ My other podcast: Home Service Expert ⟶ https://open.spotify.com/show/4WHQ3ldGThHsP1cfzNF33G Live Q&A submission form: https://homeserviceexpert.com/questions

    39 min

  6. APR 17

    How Top Entrepreneurs Rewire Their Thinking to Win (Shawn & Kaitlin Feurer)

    Shawn and Kaitlin Feurer are the founders of Shawn Feurer Consulting, a mindset and performance coaching company based in Draper, Utah, helping business owners across the U.S. and Canada unlock higher levels of execution, leadership, and growth. Together, they've built a reputation for blending mindset mastery with real-world business strategy—helping entrepreneurs break through internal limitations and scale companies that actually last. Shawn, known as The Universal Mindset Disruptor, is the creator of The Inner Blueprint™ and brings over two decades of entrepreneurial experience, including building, losing, and rebuilding success multiple times. His journey—from rags to riches, back to rock bottom, and rising again—has shaped his no-nonsense approach to leadership, resilience, and sustainable growth. Kaitlin, a mindset coach and former competitive cheer coach, specializes in helping individuals develop confidence, discipline, and belief through action. With years of experience coaching high performers, she plays a critical role in helping business owners close the gap between what they know and what they actually execute. Through consulting, coaching, and live experiences, the Feurers work with contractors and business leaders to reprogram subconscious patterns, eliminate self-imposed ceilings, and lead with clarity, control, and consistency. Their frameworks—like the Knowing–Doing Gap and E + R = O—have helped countless entrepreneurs transform not just their businesses but their entire approach to life and leadership. FOR MORE GREAT EPISODES: The Mello Millionaire - https://open.spotify.com/show/1jsZaiMgWe0EGaPfLtelDW?si=3de6091af58d41b4 Check Out My Social Media: TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

    1h 2m

  7. APR 13

    The Highest ROI Marketing Tool for Home Service Businesses (Tim Hilcove)

    Email tim@smartwrap.com to get your first wrap FREE! Tim Hilcove is the founder of SmartWrap, a Phoenix-based vehicle wrap and branding company he launched in 2009 alongside his father. Over the past 15+ years, Tim has helped businesses across the country transform their vehicles into high-performing marketing assets: combining design, messaging, and strategy to generate real, measurable growth. With a background in design, production, and marketing, Tim has built SmartWrap into a full-service operation, producing and installing thousands of wraps annually through an in-house model that prioritizes speed, quality, and consistency. His work focuses on helping small and mid-sized businesses stand out in crowded markets by turning everyday vehicles into mobile billboards that drive visibility, brand recognition, and inbound leads. Whether you're in home services, local business, or scaling a growing company, this conversation offers a practical look at how to maximize your marketing dollars and turn your brand into a lead-generating machine. FOR MORE GREAT EPISODES: The Mello Millionaire - https://open.spotify.com/show/1jsZaiMgWe0EGaPfLtelDW?si=3de6091af58d41b4 Check Out My Social Media: TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

    59 min

  8. APR 10

    Psychology Tricks That Got My Business to $500M (David Royce)

    David Royce is the founder and chairman of Aptive Environmental, one of the fastest-growing residential pest control companies in North America. Under his leadership, the company scaled to a $500M+ business operating across 30+ states and thousands of cities, with a team of over 6,000 employees. Recognized by Forbes, Fortune, Inc., Entrepreneur, and The Wall Street Journal, David is a recipient of the Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Beyond business, he brings a unique perspective by combining operational excellence with psychology, leadership development, and human behavior, helping founders scale not just their companies—but their lives with intention. FOR MORE GREAT EPISODES: The Mello Millionaire - https://open.spotify.com/show/1jsZaiMgWe0EGaPfLtelDW?si=3de6091af58d41b4 Check Out My Social Media: TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

    52 min
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5
out of 5
49 Ratings

About

The Home Service Expert podcast is the No. 1 podcast for ambitious home service entrepreneurs, whether they are in plumbing, HVAC or another niche. In this show, Tommy Mello, a $200M business founder, will talk with the best entrepreneurs and experts in the home service industry and beyond, to share insights that have made them successful: from the newest marketing tools to the best scaling strategies. Previous podcast guests include Terry Nicholson (former national trainer of NYSE-listed home services company), Craig Smith (President of HomeAdvisor, a home services marketplace valued at $2B+), Cameron Herold (former COO of three $100M+ companies), etc.

Information

  • Creator
    Tommy Mello: $200 Million Founder|Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur Columnist
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    471
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    The Home Service Expert Podcast

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