The Standby Generator Podcast - With Jim Swetman

Jim Swetman

Are you a residential or commercial generator dealer, contractor, or blue collar business owner looking to grow your business? With over 20 years of experience in the standby power industry, Jim Swetman shares proven strategies to help you scale smarter, streamline your operations, improve service performance, and increase profit margins. Each episode features expert tips, real stories from the trades field, interviews with industry leaders, and step-by-step playbooks for running a successful standby generator dealership—from sales and service to marketing and team building.

  1. 21 Oct

    Episode 33: Sell Certainty, Not Kilowatts | Tracy Phillips & Jim Swetman

    Episode 33 – Sell Certainty, Not Kilowatts Your customer isn't buying a generator. They're buying the certainty that the lights stay on, the fridge keeps running, and their family stays safe when the power goes out. In this episode of The Standby Generator Podcast, Jim Swetman sits down with Tracy Phillips of Generators Plus to talk about what homeowners are really paying for, and how standby generator dealers can stop competing on price and start winning on trust. If you run a standby generator business, or you're thinking about starting one, this one is for you. 🎙 ABOUT THE HOST Jim Swetman started Home Power Systems in his basement in Rochester, NY, and grew it into a top 20 Generac dealer in the nation, seven years running, before selling it in 2020. Today he leads Power Alliance, a mastermind community helping standby generator dealers grow. 🎧 CATCH UP ON PAST EPISODES Ken Goodrich – Why the First Phone Call Makes or Breaks the Sale: https://lnkd.in/gsSH9Mr5 Cody Stephens – Power Through Outages :https://lnkd.in/eUFQzumx All episodes on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7bK5dnl1F9ssF17dUIYWgn 🔗 CONNECT WITH JIM Book a call with Jim: https://calendar.app.google/hATyNN2m99kyhsGz5 Power Alliance: https://www.poweralliance.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-swetmana12a391b 👍 If this episode helped you, like, subscribe and share it with a dealer who needs to hear it. #StandbyGenerators #GeneratorDealers #Generac #SmallBusiness #SalesTips #PowerAlliance #StandbyGeneratorPodcast

  2. 16 Oct

    Episode 32 - No Storm. The Grid Almost Broke Anyway. ⚠️

    Hold your horses: this one couldn’t wait. This week PJM, the largest power grid operator in the US, issued a Maximum Generation Alert. There was no hurricane and no ice storm, just unusually warm fall weather while many power plants were down for maintenance. The Department of Energy issued an emergency order covering 13 states and Washington, D.C. About 62,000 MW of generation was expected to be offline, and the grid was forecast to come within 900 MW of its reserve margin, its safety cushion. Jim Swetman breaks down what it means for standby generator dealers: → Share stories like this with your prospects→ Make sure your existing customers’ generators are maintained→ Have an emergency plan ready for widespread outages 🎧 Full episode: https://youtu.be/jQX6lqcWCvk?si=etTzTwjMIAGyK5XM 📞 Talk to Jim about growing your dealership: https://www.poweralliance.com/apply The Standby Generator Podcast by Power Alliance, with host Jim Swetman. #StandbyGenerator #PowerGrid #PJM #GeneratorDealer #PowerOutage #PowerAlliance

  3. 7 Oct

    Episode #31-Lights Out? Not Here. | Jim Swetman & Cody Stephens of Nomic Power

    Lights Out? Not Here. | Cody Stephens of Nomic Power Solutions When the grid goes down, standby generator dealers are the ones who keep the lights on, and the best dealers are ready long before the storm hits. In this episode of The Standby Generator Podcast, host Jim Swetman sits down with Cody Stephens, owner and founder of Nomic Power Solutions in Austin, Texas. They get real about what it takes to grow a standby generator business, why labor changes everything, and how to stay ready when demand spikes. No fluff. Just real lessons from a dealer doing the work. 🔌 Want to grow your dealership with other top standby generator dealers? Book a call with Jim: https://calendar.app.google/hATyNN2m99kyhsGz5 👍 Subscribe for more conversations with the people powering the standby generator industry. #StandbyGenerator #GeneratorDealers #PowerAlliance #StandbyGeneratorPodcast #Generac

  4. 28 Sept

    Episode #30: Ken Goodrich- Why Every Owner Needs a Best Practice Group

    Ken Goodrich started as a 10 year old kid holding a flashlight for his dad. Then he built one of the biggest home service empires in the country. Now he's coming for standby power. On this episode, Jim Swetman sits down with the man behind Goettl Air Conditioning & Plumbing and author of The E-Myth HVAC Contractor. They talk about why Ken made generators his next move, why only about 6% of homes have one (and why that's the opportunity), and what decades in HVAC can teach generator dealers right now. The market is early.The window is open.Don't sleep on it.Power up. Lock in. Lead the way. ⚡

  5. 25 Feb

    Episode #29 - Marketing & Lead Generation Strategy with Jason Reeves from 1-800-POWER

    In this episode of the Standby Generator Podcast, host Jim Swetman sits down with Jason Reeves, founder of 1-800-POWER, to discuss how standby generator dealers can increase lead volume, book more estimates, and close more installs using digital marketing. If you’re a Generac dealer, Kohler dealer, or Briggs & Stratton generator installer struggling to make the phone ring, this episode breaks down proven strategies for: Google Ads for generator companies Facebook & Instagram (Meta) ads for home service businesses Landing pages that convert generator leads Cost per lead & cost per acquisition tracking Weather-event marketing campaigns Service maintenance & recurring revenue marketing Scaling generator installation businesses Jason explains why online advertising for generator dealers is no longer optional—and how specialized marketing systems outperform generic agencies. From building irresistible offers to running storm-triggered ad campaigns, this episode outlines a 90-day roadmap to measurable growth. You’ll also learn why digital marketing must work alongside a strong sales process—and how dealers can compete with large HVAC companies and venture-backed generator competitors by staying visible year-round. If you want more generator installation leads, maintenance contracts, and scalable revenue, this is a must-listen episode.

  6. 17 Feb

    Special Announcement - Tales from the Field: Launching the FIRST-Ever Generator Story Contest

    In this special episode of the Stand By Generator Podcast, host Jim Swetman announces the launch of the first-ever Home Standby Generator Tales from the Field contest — and he wants to hear from you. If you’ve spent any time in the standby power industry, you know the stories. The unbelievable service calls. The wild installation days. The customers you’ll never forget. The trench you dug that hit something it definitely shouldn’t have. The weather that made you question every life decision. The Murphy’s Law moments that turn into shop legends. Now’s your chance to share them. From February 17 through April 15, submit your craziest (but true!) generator installation, maintenance, site survey, or customer call story to info@poweralliance.com for a chance to win $500 cash plus a $250 pizza party for your team. The best stories will be featured on upcoming episodes, and finalists will be highlighted for audience voting on LinkedIn — with Jim making the final call. Stories must be real, appropriate, and backed with proof. Whether you type it out, send an audio clip, or film yourself telling it, this is your opportunity to become a legend in the standby power world. Make us laugh. Make us cringe. Make us glad we weren’t on that job site. Submit your story and be part of the first generator story contest in the nation.

  7. 12 Feb

    Episode #28 -The Smart Dealer’s Guide to Winning at the 2026 Rehlko Summit

    Heading to the Kohler Dealer Conference or the RELCO Summit in Orlando? This episode of the Standby Generator Podcast is your strategic game plan. Industry veteran Jim Swetman shares how generator dealers can get real ROI from dealer conferences — not by collecting swag, but by making the shift from generator installer to energy company. Jim breaks down: The growing shift toward the home energy ecosystem — generators, batteries, solar, microgrids, and connected energy solutions  Why commercial generator work under 150kW is a major opportunity for residential-focused dealers  How strong maintenance contracts and recurring service revenue create stability during slow installation cycles  The importance of peer-to-peer learning among generator dealers and why hallway conversations matter more than keynotes  What to watch for in manufacturer leadership, dealer culture, and long-term industry direction  Jim also shares the must-attend sessions for dealers focused on service profitability, succession planning, commercial growth, and operational efficiency — plus how to return from a conference with a 30-day execution plan that actually moves your business forward  If you’re in the standby generator industry, power systems, or building a service-driven generator dealership, this episode is a roadmap for long-term growth, higher margins, and increased business value.

  8. 4 Feb

    Episode #27 - 2026 Generac Dealer Conference Recap: What Standby Generator Dealers Must Do Now

    Fresh off the 2026 Generac Dealer Conference, Jim Swetman breaks down what Generac’s leadership message really means for standby generator dealers, installers, and home energy pros on the ground. In this episode of the Standby Generator Podcast, Jim translates the big-picture corporate strategy into real-world actions for dealers navigating shifting demand, tighter competition, and major growth opportunities in backup power, home standby generators, and the evolving home energy ecosystem.  With 2025 bringing fewer major outages and softer sales across the industry, Jim unpacks why Generac is doubling down on long-term growth, expanded capacity, and market awareness — and why dealers who kept marketing, building service agreements, and diversifying revenue are now best positioned for 2026. He explains the significance of the 6.5% U.S. home standby generator penetration rate, what that means for market saturation, and why increased dealer competition makes professionalism, branding, financing options, and customer experience more important than ever.  You’ll also hear insights on: The growing role of generator monitoring (Fleet programs) and why maintenance contracts are becoming the foundation of stable dealership revenue How Generac dealers can capitalize on national brand advertising with stronger local marketing The rise of the home energy ecosystem — integrating generators, battery storage, solar, and energy monitoring — and which dealer sizes should lean in (or stay focused) Why high-end homeowners are driving demand for battery backup systems alongside standby generators What Generac’s push into commercial and industrial (C&I) power, data centers, and AI infrastructure could mean for local commercial generator opportunities The importance of dealer training, operational systems, and differentiation as pricing pressure and complexity increase This episode is built for generator installers, power equipment dealers, electrical contractors, and home backup power professionals who want to grow market share, improve service revenue, and prepare for a potentially outage-driven 2026. If you’re in the standby generator business and want to turn conference takeaways into profit, this breakdown is for you.

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Are you a residential or commercial generator dealer, contractor, or blue collar business owner looking to grow your business? With over 20 years of experience in the standby power industry, Jim Swetman shares proven strategies to help you scale smarter, streamline your operations, improve service performance, and increase profit margins. Each episode features expert tips, real stories from the trades field, interviews with industry leaders, and step-by-step playbooks for running a successful standby generator dealership—from sales and service to marketing and team building.

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