The #2 Septic Podcast

Ashley Christian

In the septic industry, what people don’t see is exactly what makes or breaks your bottom line. Beyond the tanks and the trenches lies the business strategies, technical mastery, and hard-won lessons that transform a standard installation into a legacy-building enterprise. The #2 Septic Podcast showcases the faces and expertise driving the industry. Hosted by Ashley Christian, we bridge the gap between technical skill and the business grit required to turn a service call into a scalable success. Whether you’re looking to build trust with your community or uncover the industry secrets your competitors are keeping to themselves, this is your blueprint for septic success.

  1. 15h ago

    Get More Referrals for Your Septic Business with Jon Jouvenaux (Part 2)

    Stop waiting for word-of-mouth and start generating high-value referrals on demand! In Part 2 of our marketing series, host Ashley sits down with Jon Jouvenaux of BBB Septic to uncover actionable, field-tested strategy to turn everyday clients into active sales advocates. From hyper-local "neighbor discounts" to high-converting realtor partnerships and networking groups that net six-figure deals, learn how to build trust and scale your business fast. What You'll Learn The "Neighbor Discount" Strategy: How to cut route times, slash fuel costs, and double daily profits by getting neighbors to book together.The HOA & Community Playbook: How showing up to block parties and HOA meetings builds instant local authority and high-volume business.Real Estate Referral Engine: How teaching a short "Septic 101" course to local realtors creates a continuous pipeline of first-day homeowners.Leveraging BNI Groups: Why business networking groups pay off—including the single intro that led to a $2.6M+ contract.Transferring Credibility: How to leverage third-party trust to close deals faster while protecting your brand's reputation.Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction: Why intentional referral marketing beats passive waiting 00:48 - The "Neighbor Discount" Strategy: Slashing drive time & increasing job density 02:15 - Case Study: How one neighborhood organizer routes 100+ homes 03:23 - HOA Outreach & Community Engagement: Block parties and local events 04:48 - Partnering with Realtors: Running "Septic 101" education workshops 07:19 - Trust over Price: The real commodity in home services 08:47 - BNI Networking: Landing a $750k/year contract from a single handshake 11:23 - Transferring Credibility & Final Takeaways About the Guest & Show Jon Jouvenaux is an experienced service-industry entrepreneur and the face of BBB Septic, known for leveraging creative marketing, community education, and strategic networking to scale local service operations. The #2 Septic Podcast brings you real-world business insights, field secrets, and battle-tested growth strategies from top industry experts. If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a Like, drop a comment with your favorite takeaway, and hit Subscribe for Part 3! Subscribe to the Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@groundbreakermarketingListen to Part 1 Here: https://youtu.be/Rf91j77oG_wVisit BBB Septic: bbbseptic.com#SepticBusiness #BusinessGrowth #ReferralMarketing #TradesBusiness #ServiceIndustry

  2. 5d ago

    Double Your Septic Business in a Year with Jon Jouvenaux

    Stop relying on word-of-mouth and outdated yellow page tactics that leave money on the table! In this episode, Ashley sits down with Jon Jouvenaux (BBB Septic & VibraWaste) to reveal how shifting from "old school" marketing to targeted digital strategies doubled his revenue in a single year and how the Muckraker machine adds $10,000/month per truck to his bottom line. What You'll Learn: Old School vs. New School: Why traditional advertising like TV, print, and yellow pages waste ad spend compared to modern, "sniper-targeted" digital marketing.The Directory & NAP Trap: How inconsistent business listings across directory sites silently ruin your Google ranking and cost you customers.Doubling Revenue: How fixing digital visibility and website analytics skyrocketed BBB Septic from $685K to $1.2M in a single year.Game-Changing Equipment: How the VibraWaste Muckraker speeds up truck dumping from 45+ minutes to 10 minutes, saving thousands on disposal fees while adding an extra pump-out per truck daily.Real-Time Fleet Analytics: Why using modern digital operations and live tracking is the difference between operating in the dark and dominating your local service market.Timestamps: 00:00 - Ashley Introduces Jon Jouvenaux 00:36 - Introducing VibraWaste & The Muckraker Machine 01:53 - Saving $15K/Month in Disposal Fees & Increasing Revenue Per Truck 03:01 - Old School Marketing vs. Modern Targeted Ads 06:12 - Why Inconsistent Business Directory Listings Kill Your Google Ranking 10:17 - Doubling Business Revenue: From $685K to $1.2 Million 13:09 - Modern Fleet Operations: Radios, Live Tracking & Digital Analytics  About the Guest & Show: Jon Jouvenaux is the co-owner of BBB Septic, a 40-year-old industry staple and founder of VibraWaste, creators of the revolutionary Muckraker vibratory pre-screening system. Hosted by Ashley, The #2 Septic Podcast brings you short, actionable business strategies and marketing insights directly from service industry experts to help you scale your operations. Call to Action: If you found value in this episode, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell so you never miss a part of our 3-part business marketing series! Got questions about upgrading your fleet or digital marketing? Drop a comment below or visit groundbreakermarketing.com 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned: Learn more about VibraWaste: https://vibrawaste.com/Connect with BBB Septic: https://bbbseptic.com/#SepticBusiness #ServiceIndustry #DigitalMarketing #BusinessGrowth #FleetManagement

  3. Sep 23

    Make More Money with the Pump Trucks You Already Have | Tank Track CEO Austin Fruchter

    Want to squeeze 27% more revenue out of the exact same septic trucks without buying new equipment? In this episode of the #2 Septic Podcast, Ashley sits down with Austin Fruchter, CEO of Tank Track, live at the UWA conference to reveal the operational tweaks, pricing strategies, and software secrets top septic operators use to dominate their market. What You'll Learn: The 27% Revenue Boost: How top septic and grease trap businesses scale earnings per truck using existing resources.Pricing for Profit: Why lowballing your services hurts growth—and how a simple 5–10% price increase transforms your bottom line.Cash Flow Automation: Say goodbye to chasing checks by leveraging cards on file, seamless QuickBooks sync, and offline mobile apps.Recurring Revenue Engine: How to automate 3-year pumping and 6-month filter reminders to lock in long-term customer lifetime value.Review Systems That Scale: Convert completed jobs into 5-star Google reviews automatically to win local search rankings.Timestamps:  00:00 - Welcome & Live from the OOWA Conference 00:28 - What is Tank Track? Software for Septic & Grease Trap Businesses 02:06 - Listening to Feedback: New Offline Mobile App & QuickBooks Online Sync 04:09 - The 27% Revenue Boost: How Existing Trucks Earn More 06:31 - Onboarding & Customer Support Experience 08:27 - The Mindset Shift: Why You Should Raise Your Prices 11:09 - Real-World Story: Testing a Price Increase 13:00 - Stop Chasing Checks: Why Digital Payments Drive Growth 15:43 - Card on File: Eliminating Accounts Receivable Nightmares 17:51 - Building Business Value: Why Recurring Revenue Beats One-Off Installs 21:45 - Automated Google Reviews & Local SEO Strategy 25:09 - Million-Dollar Advice for Growing Septic Business Owners About the Guest & Show: Austin Fruchter is the CEO of Tank Track, an all-in-one management software engineered specifically for septic, grease trap, and drain service professionals. The #2 Septic Podcast, hosted by Ashley, delivers real-world business insights, technical advice, and growth strategies for trade operators in the liquid waste industry. Connect & Scale Your Business: Visit Tank Track: https://tanktrack.comEmail: hello@tanktrack.comThe #2 Septic Podcast: https://groundbreakermarketing.com/podcast-calendar/🔔 Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and leave a comment below with your biggest takeaway! Hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode built to grow your service business. #SepticBusiness #FieldServiceManagement #TankTrack #BusinessGrowth #ServiceIndustry

  4. Sep 16

    Grow or Die with Inspector Cameras Founder Mark Raumikaitis

    Are you stuck working in your business instead of on it? In this episode of The #2 Septic Podcast, host Ashley sits down with Mark Raumikaitis, CEO and founder of Inspector Cameras, to break down the exact mindset shifts and operational strategies needed to scale a home service or septic business from a one-man show into a thriving, high value enterprise. Whether you’re a contractor, home inspector, or septic business owner, Mark shares two decades of hard-earned entrepreneurial wisdom on why raising your prices, running lean, and prioritizing customer service will revolutionize your bottom line. What You'll Learn:The Single-Operator Trap: Why moving from a "guy with a truck" to a full operation is essential for building real business value.The Power of Pricing: Why raising prices 50% can actually increase your profits, reduce customer headaches, and buy back your time.Strategic Growth & Cash Flow: How to navigate going backwards financially to scale forward and why you should hold off on that fancy $75k truck.The AI-Proof Power of Trades: Why physical trade skills, septic evaluations, and field services are more valuable now than ever.Customer Service as a Revenue Driver: The simple administrative move (like answering the phone 100% of the time) that instantly explodes business growth.Building a Loyal Team: How servant leadership, honesty, and shared vision turn employees into dedicated team members.Timestamps:[00:00] - Introduction & Mark's Background in Manufacturing   [02:40] - The Entrepreneurial Mentality & Transitioning to Home Inspection   [03:40] - Core Business Lessons from 20 Years in the Field   [06:26] - Building Relationships with Real Estate Agents & Clients   [11:11] - The Shift from Single Operators to Scaled Operations   [16:21] - The Counterintuitive Pricing Strategy That Increased Revenue [19:25] - Why AI Will Never Replace the Trades   [21:55] - The Origin Story of Inspector Cameras   [26:55] - Hard Lessons, Mistakes, and Running Lean in Year One   [33:57] - Knowing When to Pivot and Step Back from Fieldwork   [38:11] - Leadership, Team Buy-in, and Leading by Example   [43:29] - "If You're Not Growing, You're Dying"   [46:30] - Turning Customer Support into Your Biggest Revenue Generator   [53:28] - Mark’s #1 Piece of Advice for Trade Business Owners   [54:13] - Where to Connect with Inspector Cameras About the Guest & Host:Mark Raumikaitis is a seasoned entrepreneur, former home inspector of 20 years, and the CEO and founder of Inspector Cameras, a leading provider of specialized inspection cameras known for industry, topping customer service and 24-to-48-hour repair turnarounds.Ashley Christian is the host of The #2 Septic Podcast, dedicated to bringing business insights, growth strategies, and industry leadership to home service professionals and septic business owners.Connect & Support the Show:🔔 Subscribe to the channel for more business growth strategies, trade insights, and industry interviews!👍 If you found value in this episode, please Like, Comment your favorite takeaway below, and Share it with a fellow business owner. #BusinessGrowth #TradeBusiness #SepticBusiness #Entrepreneurship #HomeServiceBusiness #SmallBusinessTips

  5. Sep 9

    From Toilet Paper to 4 Million Views | Interview with Dawn Rohrs

    Dawn Rohrs (aka @thatsepticgirl), Owner of Cyclone Septic and Plumbing, reveals how she went from managing oil rigs to becoming an "accidental influencer" with millions of views! In this episode of The #2 Septic Podcast, host Ashley sits down with Dawn to discuss scaling a septic business, firing non-ideal customers, implementing systems that double growth, and navigating the rise of private equity in the trade industries. What You'll LearnFrom Oil Rigs to Septic Tanks: How Dawn transitioned a 20-year chemical engineering career into building a thriving trade business.Going Viral Accidental-Style: The single toilet paper testing video that gained 4M+ views and blew up her social media overnight.Finding Your Ideal Customer: Why firing their biggest builder was the best decision for their business and how to define your ideal customer avatar.Systems, Checklist & SOPs: Simple, practical operational hacks (like automated checklists and job site photos) to protect your brand quality.The Future of the Septic Industry: What private equity, AI, and the shift toward modern, professional service companies mean for local operators.Timestamps00:00 Intro & Welcome 00:01 Introduction to Dawn Rohrs (@thatsepticgirl) of Cyclone Septics 01:05 Going viral on TikTok with a toilet paper test 02:06 Transitioning from Chemical Engineering & Oil Fields to Septic 03:42 Running a family-owned business & working with family 05:40 How Dawn got certified and started installing septics 07:47 Benefits of becoming an "accidental influencer" for local business 11:28 Firing non-ideal clients & avoiding race-to-the-bottom pricing 13:44 Defining and targeting your ideal customer avatar 17:44 Using YouTube & online educational content for homeowner resources 20:28 Essential operational tools: Checklists, photos, and house calls 23:55 Handling bad reviews & using automated review requests 27:11 Overcoming the hardest moments in business (making payroll) 29:56 Strategies for hiring quality employees in the trades 32:15 Where Dawn sees Cyclone Septic in 5 years 34:07 The future of the septic industry: Private equity, AI, & professionalization 41:47 Dawn’s million-dollar piece of advice for business owners About the Guest & ShowDawn Rohrs is a chemical engineer, licensed septic designer/installer, co-owner of Cyclone Septic and Plumbing, and the voice behind the popular social media brand @thatsepticgirl. Hosted by Ashley Christian, The #2 Septic Podcast delivers real, actionable insights from industry leaders to help trade contractors, business owners, and operators elevate their business. Join the Conversation!If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell so you never miss an episode! Drop a comment below: What was your biggest takeaway from Dawn’s story? #SepticBusiness #Trades #SkilledTrades #BusinessGrowth #SmallBusinessTips #ThatSepticGirl

  6. Sep 2

    125 Years of American Septic Innovation | Interview with Brett Wieber of Norweco

    Discover how over 120 years of wastewater innovation is shaping the future of onsite septic solutions, environmental protection, and recurring revenue business models. In this episode of The #2 Septic Podcast, host Ashley sits down with Brett Wieber, Vice President of Treatment System Services at Norweco, to uncover the secrets behind their flagship Singular system, cutting-edge denitrification technology, and how smart service contracts drive long-term profitability. What You'll Learn: The 120-Year Evolution: How Norweco transitioned from 1906 burial vault fabrication to becoming a global leader in residential and commercial wastewater treatment.Mastering Denitrification: How advanced systems like the Singular TNT and Hydrokinetic aggressively reduce total nitrogen levels by over 70% to safeguard local waterways and coastal environments.Building a Goldmine of Recurring Revenue: Why adding factory-trained service and maintenance contracts to your septic business turns everyday installations into long-term enterprise value.Smart Engineering Over Nuisance Alarms: How Norweco’s ServicePro technology utilizes automated restart cycles to eliminate false alarm calls while maintaining reliable remote monitoring.The Future of the Onsite Industry: Why young professionals and entrepreneurs have a massive, lucrative opportunity to step into the expanding onsite wastewater field. Timestamps [00:00] - Introduction to Brett Wieber & Norweco’s History [01:00] - The Norwalk Vault Company Origins & The Singular System Breakthrough [05:08] - From Law Practice to Wastewater: Brett's Career Transition [09:05] - "Progress Through Service": Keeping the Human Touch Alive [16:57] - Product Evolution: Listening to Boots-on-the-Ground Partner Feedback [20:34] - Fighting Environmental Nitrogen with Hydrokinetic & Biofilm Technology [26:18] - Norweco’s Global Footprint: North America, Europe, Africa, and Beyond [30:30] - ServicePro Control Panels, Telemetry & Eliminating Nuisance Alarms [36:34] - What Separates High-Performing Distributors & Service Providers [43:22] - Unlocking Massive Business Value Through Maintenance Contracts [51:39] - How to Become a Norweco Partner or Sponsored Service Provider [54:03] - Brett’s Final Advice: The Massive Career Opportunity for Young Professionals About the Guest & Show Brett Wieber is the Vice President of Treatment System Services at Norweco, where he leads partner initiatives, promotes advanced wastewater technology, and champions environmental stewardship across North America. The #2 Septic Podcast, hosted by Ashley Christian, dives deep into the technical insights, operational strategies, and business wisdom driving today's onsite wastewater industry forward. Connect & Support: If you found value in this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and ring the notification bell so you never miss an episode! Share your thoughts or questions about advanced wastewater treatment in the comments below. Learn more about Norweco: https://www.norweco.com #SepticSystem #WastewaterTreatment #Norweco #OnsiteWastewater #TradesBusiness

  7. Aug 26

    From Addiction to 7-Figure Septic Business | the Faith Story of Corey Jones

    From overcoming years of addiction to building a $1M+ plumbing and septic business in just four years, Corey Jones’ story is a masterclass in faith, grit, and trade entrepreneurship. In this episode of The #2 Septic Podcast, Corey breaks down how putting integrity first, building a strong team culture, and leaning into uncomfortable risks turned a solo operation into a thriving multi-crew business in Alabama. 💡 What You'll Learn:The Power of Redemption: How Corey overcame addiction and leveraged faith and hard work to build a fresh start.Scaling Smart: How Corey grew his business from $300K to over $1M in revenue without expanding past his comfort zone.The "Simple" Competitive Advantage: Why answering the phone and showing up on time puts you ahead of 90% of contractors.Navigating Cash Flow & Equipment: Real talk on surviving Net-30/60/90 payment terms, managing payroll, and buying new vs. used fleet vehicles.Faith-Led Leadership: How Corey uses Monday morning devotions to pour into his crew and run his business like a ministry.Taking Six-Figure Risks: The story behind bidding and successfully executing a $123,000 engineered commercial system for a private school.Business Ethics & Bad Reviews: How to handle difficult customers, maintain 5-star reviews, and stay humble when taking the high road.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Corey Jones01:06 - From Addiction to 6 Years Sober: The Faith Foundation02:36 - Starting a Trade Business: Scaling to 4 Crews & $1M+04:50 - Hard Work, Mindset, & Overcoming College Expectations08:00 - Dealing with 1-Star Reviews & Customer Service Integrity09:37 - Treating Your Service Business as a Ministry11:36 - Cash Flow Realities: Net 30s, Payroll, & Capital Management15:03 - Revenue Progression: $300k to $1M+ Without Over-leveraging22:51 - Team Devotions & Building Strong Company Culture28:33 - Taking Big Risks: Conquering a $123k Commercial Job31:42 - 5-Year Vision: Quality & Selective Growth Over Mass Expansion36:08 - Wrap Up & Final Takeaways🔔 Don't Forget to Like, Subscribe & Share!📌 Connect with Us: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@groundbreakermarketingVisit Our Website: groundbreakermarketing.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groundbreakermarketing/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groundbreakermarketing/ #SepticBusiness #PlumbingContractor #TradeEntrepreneur #ContractorLife #BusinessGrowth

  8. Aug 19

    How to Grow Your Septic Business FAST | with Travis Pipe

    Want to know how to scale an excavation and septic business from zero to booked out months in advance in under two years? In this episode of The No. 2 Septic Podcast, Ashley sits down with Travis Pipe of Ace Septic and Excavation in Loveland, Colorado, to uncover the secrets behind rapid contractor growth, mastering cash flow, and winning high-value clients. 💡 What You'll LearnThe GC Launchpad: How partnering with a general contractor can jumpstart your excavation business overnight.Hiring Reality Checks: The biggest hiring mistakes new contractors make and how to filter out bad operators early.Cash Flow Fixes: How to structure deposits and supplier credit accounts so big materials costs don't drain your bank account.High-ROI Marketing: The exact mix of Facebook ads, Instagram, and local SEO driving a non-stop pipeline of homeowner leads.The "Secret" Sales Edge: Why simply calling leads back and acting like an honest educator puts you ahead of 90% of your competition.Bidding Big Jobs: How to build the confidence to quote and execute large-scale commercial and civil foundation projects.⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] - Introduction & Travis’s Background In Septic Business[00:50] - Launching the Company & Leveraging GC Partnerships[03:28] - Structuring the Crew & Sharing Shared Office Staff[07:04] - Hard Lessons: Overcoming Early Hiring & Cash Flow Struggles[13:11] - Implementing Deposits & Progress Payments for Septic Installs[15:05] - Marketing That Works: Facebook Ads, Instagram, and Local SEO[19:06] - The Consultative Sales Process: Treating Clients Like Family[24:07] - Why Following Up is Your Biggest Competitive Advantage[29:16] - Competing on Value vs. Competing with Low-Ballers[31:13] - Landing the First Big GC Project & Scaling Up Confidence[35:24] - The 5-Year Plan: Commercial Septic, Pumping, & Maintenance[37:12] - What Travis Would Tell Himself 18 Months Ago🎙️ About the Guest & ShowThe No. 2 Septic Podcast brings you real-world insights, operational tactics, and growth strategies directly from top contractors and industry experts in the septic and excavation space. In this episode, guest Travis Pipe shares his experience launching and rapidly scaling a full-service excavation and septic operation out of Northern Colorado. 🔔 Don't Forget to Subscribe & Connect!If you enjoyed this episode, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode! 💬 Question for you: What’s the biggest operational hurdle you’ve faced when scaling your trade business? Let us know in the comments below! 🌐 Website: groundbreakermarketing.com #SepticBusiness #ExcavationContractor #TradeBusiness #ContractorLife #BusinessGrowth

About

In the septic industry, what people don’t see is exactly what makes or breaks your bottom line. Beyond the tanks and the trenches lies the business strategies, technical mastery, and hard-won lessons that transform a standard installation into a legacy-building enterprise. The #2 Septic Podcast showcases the faces and expertise driving the industry. Hosted by Ashley Christian, we bridge the gap between technical skill and the business grit required to turn a service call into a scalable success. Whether you’re looking to build trust with your community or uncover the industry secrets your competitors are keeping to themselves, this is your blueprint for septic success.

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