Think Like an Owner

Alex Bridgeman
  • 4.8 (105)
  • Careers
  • Updated Weekly

Exploring how the most ambitious CEOs grow great companies, with a focus in garage door and home services. Hosted by Alex Bridgeman, Co-Owner of Durable Trades Collective.

  1. 3d ago

    Brian Johnson on Refocusing Pioneer Overhead Door - EP.289

    Alex Bridgeman and Brian Johnson explore the operations and customer experience challenges of running a garage door company. Johnson, who transitioned from 20 years in commercial lending to acquiring Pioneer Overhead Door in 2023, discusses the realities of buying a business with minimal office infrastructure and no prior industry experience. They discuss: - Building a training facility to ensure technicians learn away from customer homes - Shifting revenue mix from 85% commercial work to 60%, with service growth driving margins - Transforming the sales process from a 15-minute spring replacement to an hour-long educational experience that includes a 29-point inspection - Using recorded service calls and show-and-tell tactics to demonstrate value rather than compete on price alone - Testing AI phone answering systems and determining when human interaction still outperforms automation This episode offers practical insight for anyone operating or considering acquiring a home service business, particularly around balancing commercial projects with residential service work and redefining how value gets communicated to customers. Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:00:55) - Building the training facility (00:03:09) - Shaping the customer experience (00:05:49) - Lessons from home service industries (00:07:51) - The technician as educator (00:09:38) - Background in finance and search (00:12:56) - Underwriting the deal and due diligence (00:14:58) - Day one challenges (00:17:33) - Shifting from commercial to residential service (00:18:54) - Working capital crunch in commercial installs (00:24:13) - Price versus value in service calls (00:31:02) - Preventative maintenance in commercial (00:38:36) - Refining the sales process (00:56:50) - Customer service and AI experiments (01:01:21) - Looking ahead to growth and culture Links: Brian on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-johnson-a435914/ Pioneer Overhead Door - https://www.pioneeroverhead.com/

    Brian Johnson on Refocusing Pioneer Overhead Door - EP.289

  2. 5d ago

    Matt Weber on Developing Authentic Values at Alpha Overhead - EP.288

    Matt Weber, a second-generation garage door business owner, joins Alex Bridgeman on Think Like an Owner to share his journey from working in his family's construction supply company at age ten to eventually acquiring and expanding Alpha Garage Doors across Montana. After nearly a decade away exploring different paths, including pursuing a history education degree, Matt returned to the family business in 2010 and has since grown it into a multi-location operation serving Billings, Butte, and Missoula. They discuss: - How rapid expansion without proper systems exposed foundational gaps that required rebuilding - Why effective delegation means staying out of operational details and trusting your team to execute - The process of developing authentic core values that work both as family principles and business culture - How assuming everything is about you as an owner damages relationships and undermines leadership - Why having a spouse involved in the business provides essential outside perspective and support This episode offers practical lessons for anyone leading a family business or managing fast growth while learning that sustainable success depends on building strong systems and remembering it's not all about the owner. Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:00:54) - Growing up in the garage door business (00:02:52) - Leaving Montana and returning home (00:05:40) - Coming back to work in the family company (00:09:44) - Communication breakdowns with parents (00:11:12) - Leadership lessons: it's not about me (00:14:48) - Getting buy-in from the team (00:17:17) - Heroes and historical influences (00:18:06) - Core values rollout at Alpha (00:25:10) - Team reception and proving it (00:28:52) - Delegating operations to Jonathan (00:33:18) - Making it less lonely at the top (00:35:15) - Vision for regional expansion Links: Matt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-weber-229518a2/ Alpha Overhead Door - https://alphaoverhead.com/

    Matt Weber on Developing Authentic Values at Alpha Overhead - EP.288

  3. Sep 1

    Alex Johantgen on Setting an Ambitious Vision at Rise and Shine - Ep.287

    Alex Bridgeman and Alex Johantgen explore the journey of building Rise and Shine Garage Doors from two personal trucks to a fleet of over 20 vehicles projected to do $10–11 million in revenue. Johantgen shares how he and his business partner started the company in 2015 after selling a home and cashing out a 401(k), built early traction through door-to-door networking and Google reviews, and later rebranded from the generic "Garage Door Repair Company" to a memorable identity with eye-catching vehicle wraps. The conversation reveals how attending an industry conference in 2020 opened their eyes to what was possible and led them to implement structured systems, processes, and an eight-week technician training program. They discuss: - Why customer service ability matters more than technical experience when hiring technicians - How twice-weekly team meetings and a structured career ladder help maintain consistency across 100+ daily service calls - The surprising effectiveness of neighborhood-based direct mail campaigns tied to recent jobs, tracked through reverse lookup attribution - How building a training center and hiring a full-time trainer freed up leadership to focus on growth instead of daily operations - Why brand familiarity through billboards, radio, and vehicle wraps increases conversions when customers search on Google This episode offers a detailed look at scaling a service business through deliberate investments in training, marketing, and leadership development for owners in the trades. Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:00:41) - How Alex got into garage doors (00:02:26) - Starting the business with Josh (00:03:43) - Rebranding to Rise and Shine (00:04:48) - Growth phases of the business (00:05:57) - The conference that changed everything (00:09:39) - Learning from other owners (00:12:00) - Building systems and training programs (00:19:48) - Career paths for technicians (00:23:48) - Hiring the right people (00:26:36) - Building the leadership team (00:29:33) - Marketing strategy evolution (00:39:11) - Looking ahead to the rest of the year Links: Alex Johantgen on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-johantgen-664b41102/ Rise and Shine Garage Doors - https://www.callriseandshine.com/

    Alex Johantgen on Setting an Ambitious Vision at Rise and Shine - Ep.287

  4. Aug 25

    Building the AI-Native Enterprise: Leadership, Software, and Compounding with Mahesh Rajasekharan - EP.286

    Mahesh Rajasekharan has spent over twenty-five years in supply chain and leads Cleo, a category leader in AI-driven supply chain orchestration serving more than five thousand customers globally. In this episode of Think Like an Owner, Alex Bridgeman, Rob Southern, and Mahesh explore how AI is fundamentally reshaping enterprise software and what it means to build an AI-native company. Mahesh shares how Cleo combines powerful intelligence with accumulated data, context, and domain expertise to close the gap between planning and execution in complex supply chain environments. They discuss: - Why AI amplifies existing strengths rather than creating value from weak foundations - How software production has shifted from humans writing code to humans defining problems while agents participate in building - The economic discipline required when allocating capital across frontier models, open-source alternatives, and purpose-built solutions - Why supply chain orchestration represents a structural opportunity to coordinate action across multi-enterprise ecosystems - How clarity of purpose, exceptional talent, and leading transformation from the front become even more critical in the AI era This episode offers practical insight for software leaders and business owners navigating technology transitions while maintaining long-term compounding growth. Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:00:57) - Mahesh's background and Cleo's mission (00:03:20) - What AI-first actually means (00:07:21) - How AI transforms software development (00:11:01) - Enterprise software's shift to systems of action (00:13:41) - What executives misunderstand about AI (00:16:12) - From software features to business outcomes (00:19:10) - Supply chain orchestration as a category (00:24:31) - AI economics and smart capital allocation (00:29:55) - Leadership principles in the AI era (00:32:44) - Capital allocation across growth initiatives (00:37:09) - Building for the next decade (00:41:13) - Final thoughts on CEO leadership in AI Links: Mahesh Rajasekharan     LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/maheshrajasekharan/     Cleo — https://www.cleo.com/home

    Building the AI-Native Enterprise: Leadership, Software, and Compounding with Mahesh Rajasekharan - EP.286

  5. Aug 18

    Crafting an Enduring Team with Dustin Winter - Ep.285

    Alex Bridgeman and Dustin Winter explore the realities of building and scaling a garage door business in Minneapolis. Dustin shares how he transitioned from fifteen years in commercial banking to buying Metro Garage Door in 2020, drawn by the industry's stability, low cyclicality, and strong pricing control. The conversation covers how Metro has grown from 18 to 30 employees while more than doubling revenue and shifting from 12% to 52% commercial work. They discuss: - Why Metro moved away from commission-based pay to build customer trust and improve the technician experience - How cross-training all technicians on both residential and commercial work creates flexibility and compresses the cash conversion cycle - The strategy of scheduling preventative maintenance appointments at job completion to smooth revenue and retain customers - Why smaller tuck-in acquisitions offer better risk-adjusted returns than larger platform deals - How delivering materials to job sites early and billing immediately shortens working capital cycles on commercial projects This episode offers a practical look at service business economics for operators managing seasonal work, long sales cycles, and the tension between growth and leverage. Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:17) - How Dustin bought Metro Garage Door (00:04:28) - Service vs sales revenue and seasonality (00:07:59) - Growing from 18 to 30 employees (00:09:04) - Shifting to 52% commercial work (00:10:01) - Working capital as a competitive moat (00:13:01) - Converting projects into service contracts (00:16:26) - Cross-training all technicians (00:23:34) - Eliminating commission-based pay (00:30:56) - Building a preventative maintenance program (00:38:00) - Benefits of scale and deeper teams (00:41:06) - Fast iteration with daily customer feedback (00:45:12) - Accelerating cash conversion cycles (00:53:36) - Tuck-in acquisition strategy (00:59:50) - Software implementation challenges Links: Dustin on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/metro-garage-door-mn/ Metro Garage Door - https://www.metrogaragedoor.com/

  6. Aug 11

    Right to Win EP.6: Building an Edge in Multi-Site Healthcare with Zach Jones - EP.284

    Zach Jones discusses his experience acquiring and growing a gastroenterology practice in the Washington, DC area as the final episode of Think Like an Owner's Right to Win series. Alex Bridgeman and Zach explore how search entrepreneurs can build successful healthcare platforms through organic growth rather than M&A, and why this strategy creates unique competitive advantages against both physician-owned groups and private equity platforms. They discuss: - Why organic growth works better than acquisitions in provider-based healthcare businesses - How searchers can position themselves as credible partners to physician sellers who must stay post-transaction - The supply-demand imbalance in specialty care that makes physician recruitment more important than competing for patients - Why provider retention depends on preserving clinical independence and treating physicians as true partners - How private credit funds that focus on enterprise value creation enable more aggressive expansion than traditional bank lenders This episode offers practical insights for search entrepreneurs evaluating healthcare opportunities, particularly those interested in specialty care, ABA therapy, ambulatory infusion centers, or behavioral health. Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:00:42) - Why physicians resist private equity partnerships (00:04:36) - From finance to healthcare entrepreneurship (00:06:19) - Why healthcare fits the search model (00:08:08) - Playing a different game than private equity (00:10:13) - Building trust with physician sellers (00:14:07) - Organic growth as competitive advantage (00:15:58) - Why M&A doesn't work in healthcare (00:18:11) - The supply-demand imbalance driving growth (00:20:04) - Capital efficient center expansion (00:29:11) - Hiring and retaining top physicians (00:34:33) - Learning the clinical business as CEO (00:39:09) - Expanding across multiple states (00:40:40) - Best healthcare subsectors for searchers Links: Zach on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharydjones/ Pacific Lake Partners Trilogy Search Partners

    Right to Win EP.6: Building an Edge in Multi-Site Healthcare with Zach Jones - EP.284

  7. Aug 4

    Trevor Nix on Growing Multi-Gen Family Garage Business in Portland - EP.283

    Alex Bridgeman and Rob Southern sit down with Trevor Nix, a third-generation garage door business owner in Portland, to explore what it takes to build and sustain a multi-generational family company. Trevor shares how his grandfather nearly quit after the first difficult year—until his grandmother convinced him to give it one more shot—and how that decision shaped nearly four decades of business. The conversation covers the evolution of the company through three name changes, the challenge of modernizing operations inherited from previous generations, and the strategic rebrand that cut down on costly misdirected leads. They discuss: - Why his grandfather almost walked away after year one and what changed his mind - How each generation pushed the business forward through technology adoption and fresh ideas - The expensive but essential rebrand from All About Doors to All About Garage Doors - Training technicians to balance technical skill with genuine customer service - Why he prioritizes employees who connect well with people over those who already know garage doors Trevor explains his incentive-based pay structure designed to reward quality work without commission pitfalls, the value of building team camaraderie through company-sponsored events, and why supporting his employees' families drives much of his daily work. This episode offers practical insights for anyone running or considering a service-based business where customer relationships and employee culture define long-term success. Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:09) - How the family got into garage doors (00:03:37) - Starting the business and year one struggles (00:06:09) - Dad joins and business phases begin (00:08:09) - Business name changes and phone book to digital (00:10:30) - Rebranding with Kickcharge Creative (00:12:00) - Modernizing technology and multi-gen advantages (00:14:03) - Big decisions and working with family (00:19:21) - Implementing new systems and efficiency focus (00:23:28) - Training techs and customer interactions (00:46:01) - Tech compensation and incentive structure (00:56:51) - Why Portland's market supports many garage door companies (01:04:12) - Building company culture and employee events Show Platforms:   YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC66QVDcbPlPO4IDG6eXbk1Q   Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-like-an-owner/id1445929750?uo=4   Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/3Fbv9d4HpDwuO4MOPvgdvO Speaker Profiles:   Alex Bridgeman     LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-e-bridgeman/     Twitter / X — https://twitter.com/aebridgeman     Website — https://tlaopodcast.com/about/   Rob Southern     LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/robsouthern/ Companies:   All About Garage Doors - https://callallabout.com/

    Trevor Nix on Growing Multi-Gen Family Garage Business in Portland - EP.283

  8. Jul 28

    Andy Felice on Garage Door Marketing for Ambitious Owners - EP.282

    Alex Bridgeman and Andy Felice explore the nuances of marketing in the garage door industry on Think Like an Owner. Felice explains how he transitioned from working with hundreds of clients across various industries to specializing exclusively in garage door companies after a consulting engagement with Tommy Mello's A1 Garage Doors. The conversation examines the operational realities of home service businesses and why specialization allows marketing agencies to deliver deeper value by understanding not just marketing tactics, but the underlying business mechanics that drive profitability. They discuss: - Why repair and replacement marketing require fundamentally different psychological approaches - How rising lead costs from private equity competition force businesses to increase average repair tickets above $1,000 - The database reactivation system that triggers outbound calls when past customers open emails - Why every technician should join a separate BNI chapter to generate consistent referral business - What makes a garage door company valuable for acquisition beyond revenue numbers This episode offers practical insight for anyone operating or investing in home service businesses where marketing success depends on operational excellence. Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:00:51) - From door-knocking to garage door consulting (00:02:32) - Learning the industry through A1 Garage Doors (00:03:49) - The case for vertical specialization (00:07:23) - Understanding repair vs. replacement psychology (00:09:04) - Beyond marketing: Operations and consulting (00:12:20) - Sales training as lead conversion insurance (00:14:57) - Deep dive: Marketing rabbit holes (00:17:53) - Tommy Mello's sales process and recommended books (00:18:46) - Books every garage door owner should read (00:23:05) - The harsh truth about changing business models (00:26:17) - Market dynamics and geographic differences (00:30:40) - Evaluating acquisition targets (00:34:06) - Database reactivation and retention systems (00:38:37) - Join BNI: Andy's top advice Speaker Profiles:   Alex Bridgeman     LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-e-bridgeman/     Twitter / X — https://twitter.com/aebridgeman     Website — https://tlaopodcast.com/about/   Andy Felice     LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-felice-7a38ba57/     Website — https://gdmarketinglab.com/ People:   Tommy Mello — https://www.tommymello.com/ Organizations:   BNI — https://www.bni.com/

    Andy Felice on Garage Door Marketing for Ambitious Owners - EP.282
See All (297)

4.8
out of 5
105 Ratings

About

Exploring how the most ambitious CEOs grow great companies, with a focus in garage door and home services. Hosted by Alex Bridgeman, Co-Owner of Durable Trades Collective.

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Bridgeman
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    297
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Think Like an Owner

You Might Also Like