The Blue Collar Trades Show

Troy Latuff
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship

The Blue Collar Trades Show is where hard work meets real talk and a little controlled chaos, usually held together with duct tape. Hosted by Troy, Jim, Chad, and Marissa (four very different personalities who somehow make it work), the show brings together business owners, tradespeople, veterans, and everyday folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds. Expect honest conversations about building careers, businesses, and lives, along with real stories, practical lessons, occasional sarcasm, and plenty of laughs- without the corporate buzzwords or polished nonsense. It’s all about doing great work, treating people right, and having some fun while we’re at it.

  1. 2d ago

    The One About Selling, Scaling, and Starting Again with Jamie Gerdsen | Ep. 24

    Jamie Gerdsen, founder of G5 Ventures, shares his path from third-generation HVAC roots to sales leadership, business ownership, private equity, and building his next chapter with G5 Ventures. We dig into what actually drives growth in the trades: hiring, lead flow, culture, cash flow, and putting people first. Jamie also breaks down why great sales still comes back to trust and follow-up, what owners underestimate about scaling, lessons from a near payroll crisis, and why he ultimately chose Main Street entrepreneurship over corporate life. Timestamps 00:00 - Opening and women in the trades 01:52 - Why technicians underestimate business ownership 04:07 - Jamie’s third-generation HVAC roots 07:18 - Residential sales and lead generation 09:32 - Building a systematic sales process 13:42 - Hunger, responsibility, and sales performance 15:06 - Authenticity and trust in selling 18:12 - Making it easier for customers to buy 21:55 - Growing up in the trades 24:36 - Hiring, apprenticeships, and scaling 29:11 - Fixing culture and putting employees first 33:04 - Leadership lessons from rowing 36:51 - The cash flow scare 38:50 - Why Jamie sold his company 41:45 - Moving into private equity and Turnpoint 45:40 - Launching G5 49:44 - From operator to systems architect 53:24 - Why perceptions of the trades are changing 59:06 - G5’s five-year vision 63:03 - Wealth, freedom, and defining “rich” 65:11 - Advice for young people 68:12 - Giving back and learning from failure 69:24 - Apprenticeships and the future of the trades 72:16 - Closing remarks Connect with Jamie Website: https://g5ventures.com/ https://www.jamiegerdsen.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiegerdsen/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/g5ventures/ Connect with us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebluecollarrecruiter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tbcr_vts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-blue-collar-recruiter-virtual-trade-school Have a question, an idea for the show or know someone we should have on? Reach out, we’d love to hear from you! Key topics · Why field experience alone doesn’t prepare you to run a business · Old-school sales habits that still work: curiosity, objection handling, notes, and follow-up · Why authenticity beats pushing the most expensive option · Hiring ahead of growth and building a people-first culture · The cash flow mistake that nearly created a payroll crisis · Lessons from selling his company and moving into private equity · Why Jamie returned to entrepreneurship and launched G5 · The growing career opportunity in the skilled trades · Building businesses that create long-term opportunity for employees and families

  2. Aug 12

    The One About AI Communication In The Blue Collar World

    In this episode of the Blue Collar Trades Show, Troy, Jim, Marissa, and Jason Luo, CEO of Newo AI, explore how AI is changing customer communication for home service businesses. Jason shares how Newo AI helps HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and other service companies answer inbound calls, follow up with leads, and manage customer conversations using human-like voice AI. The group discusses the cost of missed calls, after-hours coverage, multilingual support, natural conversations, and how AI can be trained on a company’s website, FAQs, and internal knowledge. They also explore outbound uses like lead nurturing and recruiting, plus Newo’s pricing and trial options. Jason closes with his vision for AI in the trades… not replacing technicians, but helping owners and teams save time, improve operations, and focus on the work and customers that matter most. Chapter Breakdown 00:00 Intro and light banter 03:03 Jason introduces Newo and explains the company’s focus 05:56 Jason’s background in technology and home services 10:40 Why missed calls are such a big problem for trades businesses 14:26 How Newo’s AI receptionist works 17:16 Measuring call success and routing intent 18:36 How the AI handles pushback and awkward caller moments 19:32 Why Newo’s speech-to-speech system is different 23:34 Integrations, orchestration, and reducing hallucinations 27:30 Caller recognition, success rates, and missed revenue 32:40 Outbound calling, lead follow-up, and prospecting 35:28 Multi-channel support: voice, chat, email, and SMS 41:13 Recruiting use cases and candidate follow-up 44:38 Pricing, free trial, and enterprise options 49:55 What’s next for AI receptionists 56:54 Final thoughts and closing pitch Key Takeaways · Missed calls are a major revenue leak for home service businesses. · Voice AI can answer and route calls faster than traditional IVR systems. · Newo uses speech-to-speech AI for more natural conversations. · The system can support inbound, outbound, chat, email, and recruiting workflows. · AI may soon become a daily operational advisor for small businesses. Topics · Home services · HVAC, plumbing, and electrical businesses · AI receptionist technology · Missed call revenue · Call routing and lead management · Outbound prospecting · Recruiting automation · Voicemail detection · Customer experience · Future of AI in small business

  3. Jun 23

    The One About Flunking Business School and Building Companies with Chris Buttenham

    In this episode, Chris Buttenham, co-founder of REINS, shares his entrepreneurial journey from growing up in a blue collar family in small-town Canada to building and exiting successful businesses. Chris dives into the realities of entrepreneurship, the mindset required to succeed, and the massive opportunities emerging as baby boomer business owners prepare to retire. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, business owner, or someone interested in business acquisitions and employee ownership, this conversation is packed with practical insights and hard-earned lessons. In This Episode: · Chris shares how his father's security business influenced his entrepreneurial mindset · The story behind launching his first company as a teenager and later building a software business · Lessons learned from selling a company and what came next · Why Chris believes entrepreneurship is often an innate trait · The inspiration behind founding REINS and helping business owners implement employee ownership programs · A discussion on the challenges entrepreneurs face that most people never see · Insights into the business succession crisis impacting retiring baby boomers · Real-world examples of how ownership incentives transform employee behavior and company performance · Why entrepreneurs should focus on solving problems and spotting trends before others do Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and welcome 02:15 - Chris's upbringing in a blue-collar family 05:08 - Learning entrepreneurship through his father's business 08:42 - Starting his first company at age 15 12:16 - Flunking out of business school and finding another path 16:03 - Building and scaling his first software company 20:44 - Selling a business and what's next 24:18 - The opportunity behind the "Silver Tsunami" 29:37 - Why retiring business owners create opportunities for entrepreneurs 33:54 - Are entrepreneurs born or made? 39:42 - How employee ownership improves retention and profitability 45:10 - Real examples of employees thinking like owners 50:28 - The misconceptions and sacrifices of entrepreneurship 56:17 - Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 60:34 - Final thoughts and key takeaways Resources & Links: www.thebluecollarrecruiter.com www.BCRecruits.com Connect with Chris: REINS: www.myreins.com LinkedIn: Chris Buttenham Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myreins Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reinstechnologies

  4. Jun 16

    The One About Picking The Right Software To Scale Your Blue Collar Business with Jenny Benbrook

    Jenny Benbrook joins The Blue Collar Trade Show to unpack one of the biggest money pits in the contracting industry: software that gets bought but never gets used right. From her journey through the skilled trades industry to co-founding Powerhouse Consulting Group, one of the first consulting firms built to help contractors get real value out of platforms like ServiceTitan, Jenny breaks down why technology investments fail and what it takes to make them pay. The conversation digs into the unglamorous foundation of every successful software rollout: data hygiene. Jenny explains why dirty data quietly kills ROI, why most contractors only scratch the surface of what their platforms can do, and why a well-structured price book is the backbone of pricing, sales, and reporting. She also covers the most common challenges businesses hit with ServiceTitan and why expert guidance during implementation saves contractors months of frustration. The back half gets into the bigger picture: how the trades industry handles change, why intentional investment beats impulse software purchases, and how contractors should evaluate and plan their tech stack before signing another contract. What This Episode Covers: Jenny's journey through the skilled trades industry and into software consulting. The founding of Powerhouse and how software consulting for contractors became its own category. Why data hygiene is the silent killer of software adoption and ROI. The most common challenges contractors face with ServiceTitan. Why a well-structured price book matters more than most owners realize. How technology drives real business growth when implementation is done right. The role of change management in successful software adoption. How to evaluate and plan a tech stack with intention instead of impulse. Key Takeaways: Buying software is step one. Implementation, training, and optimization are where the dividends come from. Dirty data compounds. Clean it early or pay for it later. Your price book is the foundation of pricing, sales, and reporting. Structure it right. Change management is not optional. Your team adopting the tool is the whole game. Intentional investment beats reactive purchasing every time. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Location 06:11 Jenny's Involvement in the Founding of Powerhouse 13:59 Pioneering Software Consulting for Contractors 21:00 Data Hygiene and Software Adoption Challenges 26:15 Challenges with ServiceTitan 32:55 The Importance of a Well-Structured Price Book 43:34 The Value of Technology in Driving Business Growth 53:04 The Impact of Change in the Trades Industry 01:00:10 Tech Stack Planning and Evaluation Want to learn more about Powerhouse Consulting Group? LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennybenbrook/ Website: https://mypowerhouse.group/ Looking to hire skilled trades talent or find your next opportunity? Visit us at https://thebluecollarrecruiter.com and https://bcrecruits.com

  5. Jun 10

    The One About the Future of Water Heaters: Innovation & Industry Insights with Bradford White

    In this episode, Spencer from Bradford White shares a deep dive into the evolution of water heaters, industry regulations, and innovative technologies shaping the future. Whether you're a trades professional or just curious about how these appliances impact energy efficiency and safety, this conversation covers it all. In this episode: Spencer discusses Bradford White’s rich history dating back to 1881 and their pioneering Vitro glass lining in tanksBreakdown of efficiency metrics: AFUE standards, heat pump efficiencies, and the myth of over 100%The shift away from traditional atmospherically vented models toward condensing and hybrid unitsRegulatory impacts, including the 2015 DOE standards that set unrealistic efficiency goalsPractical maintenance tips: checking anode rods, flushing, and component inspectionsThe reasons behind water heaters being installed in attics in some regions and the dangers involvedThe rise of electric tankless water heaters and their limitationsInsights into the manufacturing process and why Bradford White keeps sales wholesale-onlyTimestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and overview of episode topic 01:07 - How many monitors do industry professionals use? 02:17 - Does having multiple monitors really boost efficiency? 04:03 - The impact of monitor setups on work productivity 05:06 - Water heater history from the 1800s to modern times 07:34 - How long do water heaters typically last? 09:30 - The origin of water heater technology and early models 11:37 - The introduction of vitro glass lining in tanks 14:22 - Comparing modern water heaters to simple pots over a fire 15:46 - Future innovations in water heater technology 17:02 - Government efficiency standards and their real-world impact 19:16 - The science behind heat pump efficiencies above 100% 21:41 - Cost comparisons: electric versus gas models 22:42 - The role of water softeners in extending water heater life 26:37 - Why anode rods are located under hot outlet nipples 29:37 - The dangers of water heater installation in attics 33:55 - The myth of water heater overpressurization incidents 38:59 - Key considerations for electric tankless water heaters 41:09 - Signs indicating water heater replacement time 46:58 - Routine maintenance and lifecycle expectations 55:42 - The evolution of water heaters and what's next in innovation 58:28 - Advice for young tradespeople considering a career in the industry 62:44 - Recognizing the vital role of trades as frontline workers 63:55 - Final thoughts, company resources, and contact info Resources & Links: Bradford White Official Websitewww.thebluecollarrecruiter.comwww.BCRecruits.comConnect with Spencer: Bradford White LinkedIn

  6. May 27

    The One About Closing the Trades Skills Gap with Dan Clapper : Episode 19

    Dan Clapper of Interplay Learning joins The Blue Collar Trades Show to break down one of the most misunderstood ideas in the trades  the gap between experience and competency. A tech with ten years on the job isn't automatically better than one with two; what separates them is training, consistency, and the right learning modality. Dan walks through his own path from early exposure to the trades into his work helping businesses close skill gaps with smarter, data-driven training. This conversation gets into why career development is the real driver of retention, how to start with data to find where your team actually needs help, and why pairing hard skills with soft skills is what keeps good techs from walking out the door. Dan also covers what training actually costs versus what it returns, how technicians grow into managers and leaders, and where VR is starting to reshape hands-on training. In This Episode: Dan's journey from early exposure to the trades into his role at Interplay LearningWhy career development through training is essential for retention and growthHow businesses should start with data to identify skill gaps before building a programThe case for focusing on core knowledge and foundational skills firstThe real difference between experience and competency in HVACThe value of learning modality and what training actually costs versus returnsThe transition from technician to manager and leaderThe role of feedback, consistency, and how VR is shaping the future of training Chapters: 00:00 — Challenges and Solutions in Training and Retention27:46 — Experience vs. Competency33:12 — The Impact of Training on Technicians and Staff39:02 — The Value of Training and Learning Modality45:28 — Transition from Technician to Manager and Leader51:10 — Passion for Trades and HVAC56:24 — Favorite Tools and Hobbies01:02:37 — Use of VR in Training and Future Plans Keywords: HVAC training, technician retention, experience vs competency, skilled trades development, VR training, learning modality Connect With Dan Clapper: Interplay Learning: https://www.interplaylearning.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danclapper/ Connect With Us: https://www.thebluecollarrecruiter.com https://www.bcrecruits.com #BlueCollarTrades #HVACTraining #SkilledTrades #TechnicianTraining #TradesPodcast

  7. May 19

    The One About Why Most Trades Salespeople Underperform with Neil Glatt : Episode 18

    Sales consultant Neil Glatt joins The Blue Collar Trade Show to unpack why so many tradespeople struggle on the sales side of their business — and why it almost never has anything to do with product knowledge. After a long career in B2B sales, Neil transitioned into consulting specifically for trades companies, and he's spent years studying what separates top closers from the techs who choke on the price conversation. This episode goes deep on the role of self-limiting beliefs in sales performance, how a tech's personal philosophy about money and selling shows up in every customer interaction, and why most sales training fails to fix it. Neil also breaks down the underrated power of personalized gifting in customer loyalty, how to build a raving fan base inside your company culture, and why understanding individual strengths is the difference between a sales team that grinds and a sales team that compounds. If you've ever wondered why your best technician can't seem to close, or why customers keep slipping away to competitors, this conversation gives you the actual root cause — and the playbook to fix it. What This Episode Covers: Neil's journey from corporate sales into trades sales consultingWhy most sales coaching in the trades misses the real problemThe role of self-limiting beliefs and how to assess them in your teamHow personal philosophy shapes every sales interactionThe math behind personalized gifting and customer loyaltyBuilding a raving fan culture inside a trades businessWhy individual strengths matter more than universal sales scriptsThe digital calendar habit that separates top performers from the restKey Takeaways: Sales coaching only works when it addresses the underlying beliefs driving performanceSelf-limiting beliefs about money, worth, and selling kill more deals than any objectionCustomer relationships compound — small personalized touches drive outsized loyaltyA raving fan culture starts inside the company before it ever reaches the customerIndividual strengths beat universal sales scripts every timeChapters: 00:00 — The Journey to Sales Consulting05:49 — The Role of Sales in the Trades Industry33:03 — The Role of Self-Limiting Beliefs in Sales Performance58:39 — The Role of Digital Calendar in Sales SuccessConnect with Neil Glatt: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealglatt/Website / Company → https://www.nealglatt.com/Connect with The Blue Collar Trade Show: The Blue Collar Recruiter → https://thebluecollarrecruiter.com/Find Trades Careers at BC Recruits → https://bcrecruits.comListen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/7IRt3IlB1m1pqOOpoLWtas

  8. May 12

    The One About Going From Technician to GM With Ron Crabtree | Episode 17 

    Longtime industry friend Ron Crabtree joins The Blue Collar Trade Show for an honest conversation about what separates great HVAC service businesses from struggling ones. Ron walks through his path from young technician to seasoned general manager and breaks down why sales is now a non-negotiable skill, how to hire and train techs who can actually communicate with homeowners, and why club memberships are one of the most underrated profit drivers in home services. The conversation digs into the fear most technicians carry into customer conversations, the role training and coaching play in building real confidence, and how that confidence translates into higher tickets and better outcomes. Ron also covers the leap from tech to manager, what KPIs should look like on every repair call, why maintenance is the engine of long-term growth, and what AI is about to do to the industry. Key Takeaways: Sales skills are now a core competency for HVAC techs, not a bonusConfidence is the single biggest factor in whether a tech can make the right recommendation stickTechnicians need training that covers maintenance, repairs, AND salesClub memberships drive recurring revenue and customer trustMaintenance is the foundation — repairs and replacements follow from itThe new generation of techs needs a different approach, not lower standardsAI is coming for the industry; the businesses preparing now will winChapters: 00:00 — Introduction and Long-Term Acquaintance04:58 — Youth and Early Career11:08 — Commercial vs. Residential HVAC Work17:02 — Assessing Technician Candidates22:00 — Club Memberships and Technician Training27:17 — The Importance of Confidence34:14 — Transition to Management39:14 — Business Growth and Leadership46:17 — Expectations on Repair Calls52:53 — The Importance of Maintenance in Home ServicesConnect with Ron Crabtree: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-crabtree-b84752a7/ Connect with The Blue Collar Trade Show: https://thebluecollarrecruiter.com/https://bcrecruits.comSpotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/7IRt3IlB1m1pqOOpoLWtas

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About

The Blue Collar Trades Show is where hard work meets real talk and a little controlled chaos, usually held together with duct tape. Hosted by Troy, Jim, Chad, and Marissa (four very different personalities who somehow make it work), the show brings together business owners, tradespeople, veterans, and everyday folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds. Expect honest conversations about building careers, businesses, and lives, along with real stories, practical lessons, occasional sarcasm, and plenty of laughs- without the corporate buzzwords or polished nonsense. It’s all about doing great work, treating people right, and having some fun while we’re at it.

Information

  • Creator
    Troy Latuff
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Troy Latuff