To The Point - Home Services Podcast RYNO Strategic Solutions

Kathryn Howard isn't your typical CEO. This fearless leader of a thriving HVAC, heating, and plumbing services company in Fresno & Sacramento didn't take the traditional corporate path.
She did a stint in prison in her younger years but emerged a much stronger person.
She has led Lee's Air as CEO and co-owner to achieve $70 million in annual revenues, a 48% growth year-on-year. She also broke the $1 million EBITDA mark a month in May 2024.
All these quite impressive numbers in the current market validate her leadership approach and vision for her company.
In our latest episode, Kathryn shares her strategies for revamping company culture, driving profitability, and achieving record-breaking performances. Her transparent and fearless approach has improved team morale and business outcomes.
You'll hear how Kathryn manages high performers, engages employees with financial incentives, and ensures the sustainability of essential services. Her brother, Tom Howard, also joins the conversation at some point to share their dynamic running a successful business and how they approach decision-making.
Tune in now and get inspired to transform your own business!
Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
Kathryn’s journey to becoming CEO (01:13)
Kathryn discusses hitting a major financial milestone (03:33)
Kathryn’s network marketing background and initial involvement in HVAC (05:41)
Personal transformation and leadership philosophy (12:08)
Importance of changing company culture (16:59)
Strategies for exponential growth in a tough market (19:51)
Dynamics of working with a  sibling (23:44)
Managing high performers and turning around a struggling team (32:08)
Kathryn’s vision for the future of Lee’s Air (50:31)
Additional Resources
➡️ Schedule a FREE consultation here: https://rynoss.com/contact-us/
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Connect with Kathryn Howard
Website: http://leesair.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leesairplumbingroofing/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leesairplumbingroofing
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leesairplumbingroofing
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leesairplumbingroofing
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leesairplumbingroofing?lang=en
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To The Point Home Services Podcast is a home services podcast that gets to the point! Focused on helping HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and many other HS companies grow exponentially.

In part one, James Lawrence took us through his absolutely crazy feat of completing 100 Ironman triathlons in a row.
In the second part of the conversation, we look at some of the lessons home service entrepreneurs can take from this story and how to apply them in our businesses and lives.
One of the important takeaways is the power of compartmentalization. When you set big, audacious goals, don't fixate on the enormity of what you need to do.
Focus on the small wins that will eventually get you there. And don't forget to take time to celebrate your wins, big or small. This reinforces your belief in yourself and your business.
When setbacks hit you, learn from them to emerge stronger. Be grateful for your team, loyal customers, and even the challenges you've overcome.
These are just some of the lessons we talk about in this episode. Tune in for more lessons and how we can apply them to your business.
Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
Turning hardships into adventures for his family (00:57)
Finding peace in suffering and managing pain (03:24)
Importance of setting achievable goals (05:55)
Never considering quitting and the importance of perseverance (09:41)
Gratitude for challenges and learning from adversity (13:00)
The necessity of reflecting on accomplishments (19:46)
What's next for James Lawrence (21:25)
One of One mindset (28:33)
Additional Resources
➡️ Schedule a FREE consultation here: https://rynoss.com/contact-us/
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Connect with James Lawrence
Website: https://www.ironcowboy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironcowboyjames/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/IronCowboy/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JamesLawrenceIronCowboy
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To The Point Home Services Podcast is a home services podcast that gets to the point! Focused on helping HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and many other HS companies grow exponentially.

James Lawrence is no stranger to pushing his body and mind to the limit. A former wrestler and Ironman champion, Lawrence completed a seemingly impossible feat - 100 full-distance triathlons in 100 consecutive days.
In this rerun episode, Chris Yano, Paul Redmond, and Dan Antonelli interview James Lawrence, also known as the Iron Cowboy.
Lawrence's story is one of incredible mental toughness and unwavering purpose. He credits his wrestling background for laying the foundation for his mental fortitude.
The episode is all about the universal applicability of mental toughness and perseverance in both business and life and pushing beyond perceived limits.
Mental toughness is a skill like any other, and you have to be actively working to improve it, or you’ll never get where you could have otherwise been.
Lawrence also highlights the importance of starting your journey, learning from the process, and the significant role of his family and support system.
In part 1 of this two-part series, Lawrence's journey offers lessons in mental toughness, finding purpose in pain, and the far-reaching impact of our struggles.
In the second part, James will be covering how you can apply your experience and knowledge to get to each new level of your journey.
Tune in! 
Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
James Lawrence's background and family life (02:58)
The start of James's journey and his individual sports background (11:41)
James discusses mental toughness and its development (16:19)
Explanation of the 50/50/50 challenge and the Conquer 100 (20:34)
The decision to complete an extra 101st triathlon (25:15)
Managing pain and injury during extreme challenges (31:01)
Recovery and ongoing challenges post-Conquer 100 (41:29)
Additional Resources
➡️ Schedule a FREE consultation here: https://rynoss.com/contact-us/
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Connect with James Lawrence
Website: https://www.ironcowboy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironcowboyjames/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/IronCowboy/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JamesLawrenceIronCowboy
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To The Point Home Services Podcast is a home services podcast that gets to the point! Focused on helping HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and many other HS companies grow exponentially.

The exponential growth of an HVAC company presents a unique set of managerial hurdles. While the initial phases may have been characterized by a nimble, hands-on approach, scaling operations to meet heightened demand calls for a strategic shift.
Meet Mike Goater, COO of Environmental Heating and Air Solutions, who transformed his company from a $6 million to a $20 million business in just five years.
In our latest episode, Mike reveals all the behind-the-scenes strategies as well as the challenges and rewards of running a successful HVAC company in the competitive Northern California market.
Financial literacy, team accountability, and maintaining high standards of service are just some of the important aspects that an entrepreneur needs to keep an eye on while scaling.
Other aspects include the value of learning from industry peers and the importance of clear communication and trust between business partners.
And, of course, we can't fail to discuss the challenges most home services businesses faced in 2023 and the lessons to learn from them.
If you've wanted to know what it takes to scale a home services business, this is the right episode for you. Tune in!
 Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
Scaling an HVAC business from $6 million to $20 million in five years (03:50)
Energy, culture, and leadership in an HVAC business (08:10)
Overcoming the challenges of 2023 (14:17)
Managing growth, labor, and finances in a business (17:04)
Addressing underperforming team members (21:43)
Accountability and leadership in business (30:24)
Handling conflicts and decision-making in a business partnership (35:34)
Decision-making in a competitive market (50:04)
Labor shortages and time management for a business owner (53:33)
Vulnerability and decision-making (57:34)
Additional Resources
➡️ Schedule a FREE consultation here: https://rynoss.com/contact-us/
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehasolutions/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EHASolutions
Twitter/X: https://x.com/EHASolutions
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi98Hxxfx_tq-G5gZyidTcw/featured
Website: https://ehasolutions.com/
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To The Point Home Services Podcast is a home services podcast that gets to the point! Focused on helping HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and many other HS companies grow exponentially.

Have you ever felt like your business is running you instead of the other way around? This is a common struggle for home service entrepreneurs as their companies grow.
Aligning your personal purpose with your professional goals will go a long way in finding fulfillment in your business.
A strong purpose provides a deeper sense of meaning and motivation. Just like a compass, a clearly defined purpose keeps us on track. It helps you make decisions that align with your values and creates a positive impact on the world. 
In this episode, Chris and Chad talk about purpose and how it drives success and fulfillment in both business and personal life. They both share how their purpose has evolved to remain relevant and impactful.
Listen now to redefine your purpose and take your business and life to the next level! 
Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
Purpose in business and personal life (03:12)
Evolution of purpose and personal life changes (07:54)
Core values alignment (15:30)
Leadership authenticity (24:36)
Market conditions and purpose (31:27)
Generational changes in business purpose (41:47)
Purpose process payoff exercise (47:19)
Additional Resources
➡️ Schedule a FREE consultation here: https://rynoss.com/contact-us/
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To The Point Home Services Podcast is a home services podcast that gets to the point! Focused on helping HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and many other HS companies grow exponentially.

The HVAC industry has traditionally been seen as a men’s field, but Rachel Sylvain, the CEO & co-owner of AGS HVAC Services is breaking those labels.
In a few years, she has changed her family's business from a $2 million business to a $3.5 million a year company.
Rachel's path to becoming a CEO was not the usual path most entrepreneurs in this space take. She started off as a nurse before joining her family's HVAC business in 2014. She then quickly took on the role of office manager.
It did not take long for her passion for the industry to grow, which meant taking on even more responsibilities. But she also encountered challenges typical of family businesses, such as generational differences in approach.
In this episode, Rachel shares the challenges she overcame and the strategies she used to scale the HVAC business serving the Tri-State Area of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, & Connecticut.
Tune in!
Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
Rachel's transition from nursing to the HVAC industry (06:48)
Challenges of a family business and finding her niche (09:15)
Overcoming generational differences and gaining trust (18:51)
The importance of working on your business before raising prices (29:58)
Aligning price increases with value and quality service (35:02)
Tackling communication challenges and using video for clarity (38:12)
Navigating conflict resolution and the importance of core values (42:25)
Strategies for personal and professional growth as a leader (48:07)
Learning from businesses at the next level (55:45)
Additional Resources
➡️ Schedule a FREE consultation here: https://rynoss.com/contact-us/
Connect with Rachel Sylvain:
Website: https://www.agshvacservices.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ags_hvac_services/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agshvacservices/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ags-hvac-services-llc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/agshvacservices
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@agshvacservices8621

To The Point Home Services Podcast is a home services podcast that gets to the point! Focused on helping HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and many other HS companies grow exponentially.