Service Business Mastery for Skilled Trades: HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical Home Service

Skilled Trades Syndicate - Tersh Blissett and Josh Crouch
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Ready to revolutionize your home service business? Tune into the Service Business Mastery Podcast! We dive deep into automation and AI, including swarm agents, AI chatbots, and AI voice agents, to help you streamline and optimize your operations. Whether you're in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or any other home service trade, we cover leadership, marketing, finance, pricing, and HR to give you the edge you need. Click here to transform your business and embrace the future today!

  1. 4D AGO

    How Storytelling Can Solve Your Skilled Trades Recruiting Crisis

    In this episode of Service Business Mastery, Tersh Blissett and Joshua Crouch sit down with Ryan Kiscaden, owner of Kiscaden Consulting and creator of the Next Up Trades children's book series, to discuss how storytelling can reshape the future of recruiting in the trades.   Ryan shares how a conversation with his plumber brother-in-law sparked the idea to create books that explain HVAC and plumbing to children in a way they can understand and connect with emotionally.   Instead of focusing only on wages, debt, and job security, Ryan believes the industry needs to tell a better story about purpose, problem solving, and helping people.   They discuss:   Why the trades struggle with perception problems How recruiting really starts in childhood The emotional side of working in HVAC and plumbing Why storytelling matters more than statistics The disconnect between schools and skilled trades How contractors can become community educators Why ADHD and hands-on learning may actually be strengths in the trades How AI and technology are changing the perception of blue-collar careers   If your company struggles to recruit young talent, this episode offers a completely different perspective on building the next generation of skilled trades professionals.   Timestamps 00:00 Promoting trades to young kids 04:15 Explaining skilled trades to kids 07:56 Changing perspectives in education 10:35 Changing perceptions around AI jobs 13:48 The gratification of helping others 17:36 Industry collaboration and collective effort 19:33 Interviewing teachers and donors 24:38 Creative uses by contractors 28:19 Challenges for kids with ADHD 32:22 Challenges with traditional schooling 33:34 Learning with technology and AI 36:32 Where to find more info   Follow the Host and Guest Tersh Blissett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tershblissett/ Ryan Kiscaden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryankiscaden/   Connect with Us LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/service-business-mastery TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@servicebusinessmastery Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/servicebusinessmasterypodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/servicebusinessmasterypodcast   This episode is kindly powered by:   UpFrog: upfrog.com  MarketStorm is an AI-powered advertising platform. Results vary by market, budget, and campaign configuration: https://marketstorm.ai/  Get Your 14-Day Free Trial with CallRail!: https://www.callrail.com/sbmpod CompanyCam: https://companycam.com/  Breezy: $500 toward Breezy + we'll show you exactly how many jobs you're missing right now. Book a demo here: https://calendly.com/shaun-breezy/30min?month=2026-04  PhoneTAP: Your calls hold the key to growing your business. PhoneTAP gives you instant AI analysis, real customer lifetime value, and tools to coach your team. Learn more: phonetap.ai/demo

    39 min

  2. APR 29

    How to Optimize and Automate Your Home Service Business

    Most home service business owners are excited about automation, AI, and new technology. But here's the problem… They're implementing tools before fixing their processes. In this episode of Service Business Mastery, Tersh Blissett sits down with Nathan Whittacre, CEO of Stimulus Technologies, to break down what actually works when it comes to optimizing and automating your business. Nathan shares decades of experience helping companies implement technology the right way and explains why most tech investments fail. What You Will Learn in This Episode Why automation without optimization creates bigger problems The biggest mistakes business owners make when adopting technology How to identify what processes should be improved first Why culture and leadership matter more than the tools themselves The real cybersecurity risks facing home service businesses today Simple ways to protect your business from costly attacks When you should handle IT yourself vs hiring outside help If you've ever bought software that didn't deliver results, or you're trying to scale with automation, this episode will save you time, money, and frustration. Timestamps 00:00 Implementing technology and cultural change 06:36 Finding technology solutions that fit 08:36 Importance of optimizing before automating 11:12 Optimizing and automating with ERP 14:19 Discussing leadership and habit formation 18:28 Engaging clients with tech solutions 21:02 Addressing leadership communication gaps 27:31 Setting up basic online security 28:18 Managing business growth complexities 34:01 Impact of AI on Technology 35:43 Dealing with a social media hack 40:48 Social media hacker tips 43:39 Protecting your personal information 47:51 Employee bank account changes 49:07 Importance of slowing down decisions 51:59 Checking your spam folder 55:57 Wrapping up with show notes Follow the Host and Guest Tersh Blissett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tershblissett/ Nathan Whittacre: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanwhittacre/ Stimulus Technologies: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stimulus-technologies/ Connect with Us LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/service-business-mastery TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@servicebusinessmastery Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/servicebusinessmasterypodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/servicebusinessmasterypodcast This episode is kindly powered by: UpFrog: upfrog.com MarketStorm is an AI-powered advertising platform. Results vary by market, budget, and campaign configuration: https://marketstorm.ai/ Get Your 14-Day Free Trial with CallRail!: https://www.callrail.com/sbmpod CompanyCam: https://companycam.com/ Breezy: https://getbreezyapp.com/ Your calls hold the key to growing your business. PhoneTAP gives you instant AI analysis, real customer lifetime value, and tools to coach your team. Learn more: phonetap.ai/demo

    57 min

  3. APR 22

    No Fees No Equity Loss: A New Way to Scale Your Business

    Most business owners think they only have two options when they want to scale: Pay expensive consultants… or give up equity to investors. But what if there was a third option? In this episode of Service Business Mastery, Tersh Blissett and Joshua Crouch sit down with Mike Michalowicz and Greg Eckler from The Prosper Group to break down a completely different approach to scaling service businesses. Instead of charging fees or taking ownership, their model focuses on partnering with business owners, executing alongside them, and only getting paid when the business becomes more profitable. What You Will Learn in This Episode • Why most consulting models fail to deliver real results • The downside of giving up equity to investors • How a no-fee, no-equity partnership model works • Why alignment of incentives is critical for growth • The biggest red flags in struggling businesses • How debt structure impacts your ability to scale • What "return on payroll" means and why it matters • Why overstaffing is killing many businesses • The difference between A, B, and C players • Why titles can hurt performance inside organizations • How to match tasks to talent instead of titles • Why most businesses are doing too much unnecessary work Timestamps 00:00 Importance of hiring A players 05:33 Formation of The Prosper Group 08:24 Making the business sellable 11:50 Northcote Parkinson's observation 14:27 Focusing on essential tasks 18:10 Staying true to coaching values 20:50 What they look for in companies 25:12 Evaluating employee fit and performance 28:05 Aligning roles and maximizing talent 31:42 Appreciating small businesses 32:27 Small businesses and workforce impact 35:33 Managing cash flow challenges 39:50 Talking with potential clients 41:52 Understanding the balance sheet basics Follow the Host and Guest Tersh Blissett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tershblissett/ Joshua Crouch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-crouch/ Mike Michalowicz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemichalowicz/ Greg Eckler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-eckler-68b79630/ Connect with Us LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/service-business-mastery TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@servicebusinessmastery Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/servicebusinessmasterypodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/servicebusinessmasterypodcast This episode is kindly powered by: UpFrog: upfrog.com MarketStorm is an AI-powered advertising platform. Results vary by market, budget, and campaign configuration: https://marketstorm.ai/ Get Your 14-Day Free Trial with CallRail!: https://www.callrail.com/sbmpod CompanyCam: https://companycam.com/ Breezy: https://getbreezyapp.com/ Your calls hold the key to growing your business. PhoneTAP gives you instant AI analysis, real customer lifetime value, and tools to coach your team. Learn more: phonetap.ai/demo

    43 min

  4. APR 15

    Leadership Skills for Home Service Owners Who Want to Scale

    Most home service business owners start as technicians. But scaling a business requires a completely different skill set. In this episode of Service Business Mastery, Tersh Blissett sits down with Elise Radawitz, President and Owner of Velocity Leader, to break down the leadership skills contractors need if they want to grow their business. They discuss why promoting your best technician into a management role often fails, how leadership is a learned skill, and what it actually takes to lead people effectively. Elise shares practical insights on developing leaders inside your company, managing the transition from field to office, and building a culture where people want to follow you, not just comply. They also dive into burnout, self-awareness, communication challenges, and the internal mindset shifts that separate struggling managers from effective leaders. If you're trying to grow your team, step out of the field, and lead at a higher level, this episode will give you a real-world perspective on what it actually takes. What You Will Learn in This Episode • Why great technicians don't automatically become great leaders • The biggest mistake contractors make when promoting employees • How to transition from technician to business owner • Why leadership is a learned skill, not a natural trait • How to earn respect without being in the field • The importance of self-awareness in leadership • How your internal mindset impacts your team • Why burnout happens and how it affects leaders • How to lead without micromanaging • The importance of consistent one-on-one meetings • How to communicate more effectively with your team • Why culture starts with how you show up as a leader Timestamps 00:00 Supporting team performance goals  05:25 Unexpected management promotions 09:01 Leading by example at Velocity Leader 12:46 Addressing self-limiting beliefs 16:59 Doing research and writing papers 20:19 The importance of regular manager check-ins 24:50 Stream of consciousness discussion 29:09 Active listening and communication skills 29:40 Practicing curiosity over judgment 33:01 Helping the sales team succeed 39:15 Using trampolines to improve mindset 39:39 Using music to uplift mood 44:42 Episode conclusion and next steps Follow the Host and Guest Tersh Blissett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tershblissett/ Elise Radawitz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliseradawitz/ Velocity Leader: https://www.linkedin.com/company/velocity-leader/ Connect with Us LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/service-business-mastery TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@servicebusinessmastery Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/servicebusinessmasterypodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/servicebusinessmasterypodcast Register for NHPC26 in Columbus, OH (April 13-16) and save $270! Use code MASTERY for the $825 rate: nhpc26.org/svc-mastery | Registration deadline: April 9 This episode is kindly powered by: UpFrog: upfrog.com MarketStorm is an AI-powered advertising platform. Results vary by market, budget, and campaign configuration: https://marketstorm.ai/ Get Your 14-Day Free Trial with CallRail!: https://www.callrail.com/sbmpod CompanyCam: https://companycam.com/ Breezy: https://getbreezyapp.com/ Your calls hold the key to growing your business. PhoneTAP gives you instant AI analysis, real customer lifetime value, and tools to coach your team. Learn more: phonetap.ai/demo

    45 min

  5. APR 8

    Building a Trades Business Brand That Gets Real Results

    Most home service businesses are posting content… but not getting results. Why? Because they're missing the most important piece: connection. In this episode of Service Business Mastery, Tersh Blissett sits down with Jen McKee, founder of Kee Hart Marketing, to break down what actually works when it comes to building a brand in the trades. They dive into why personal branding matters, how social media really drives business growth, and why most contractors are overthinking their content strategy. Jen explains why "boring" everyday work is actually powerful content, how authenticity beats AI-generated posts, and what it really takes to stand out in a crowded market. They also cover how to use AI the right way without losing your voice, the balance between business brand and personal brand, and how to create content that actually converts. If you want to build a brand that attracts customers, builds trust, and drives real results, this episode gives you a practical roadmap. What You Will Learn in This Episode • Why personal branding matters in the trades • How authentic content outperforms polished content • Why "boring" work is actually great content • How to use your existing network to generate business • The difference between visibility and conversion • Why AI-generated content struggles to connect • How to use AI to support your content without replacing you • The 3 types of content every contractor should create • Why most contractors struggle with consistency • How to stand out in your local market • When to focus on personal brand vs business brand • Why connection is the key to social media success Timestamps   00:00 Why personal branding matters in the trades 02:00 Jen McKee's background and Kee Hart Marketing 04:30 The impact of personal brands in HVAC 07:00 Why "boring" content is actually engaging 10:00 Should business owners build a personal brand? 13:00 Using your network to generate more business 16:00 The balance between personal and business branding 19:00 The right way to use AI in social media 22:00 Why AI-generated content doesn't perform 25:00 How to create content that actually connects 27:30 The 3-part content framework (Show, Sell, Scale) 30:00 Why attention comes before conversion 32:00 How to fix low engagement on social media Follow the Host and Guest Tersh Blissett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tershblissett/ Jen McKee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-mckee-72114824/ Kee Hart Marketing: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keehartmarketing/ Connect with Us LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/service-business-mastery TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@servicebusinessmastery Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/servicebusinessmasterypodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/servicebusinessmasterypodcast Register for NHPC26 in Columbus, OH (April 13-16) and save $270! Use code MASTERY for the $825 rate: nhpc26.org/svc-mastery | Registration deadline: April 9 This episode is kindly powered by: UpFrog: upfrog.com MarketStorm is an AI-powered advertising platform. Results vary by market, budget, and campaign configuration: https://marketstorm.ai/ Get Your 14-Day Free Trial with CallRail!: https://www.callrail.com/sbmpod CompanyCam: https://companycam.com/ Breezy: https://getbreezyapp.com/ Your calls hold the key to growing your business. PhoneTAP gives you instant AI analysis, real customer lifetime value, and tools to coach your team. Learn more: phonetap.ai/demo

    35 min

  6. APR 1

    Automation vs. Real AI: What Works, What's Hype, and How to Profit

    AI is everywhere right now. But most contractors don't actually understand how it works. In this episode of Service Business Mastery, Tersh Blissett and Joshua Crouch sit down with Jeff Torello, founder of Sinjun AI, to break down what AI really is, how it works under the hood, and why so much of the industry is getting it wrong. Jeff explains that AI isn't some all-knowing system. It's a probability engine that predicts the next word, with no real memory and no true understanding of context. If you've been confused, overwhelmed, or skeptical about AI, this episode will give you a grounded, practical understanding of what's real and what's hype. What You Will Learn in This Episode • How AI actually works behind the scenes • Why AI is a probability engine, not a thinking system • Why AI does not truly "remember" conversations • Why responses change every time you ask the same question • How context windows impact AI performance • Why long AI conversations lose accuracy over time • The biggest misconception about AI in the trades • Why you should focus on solving problems, not buying tools • How to identify real AI solutions vs marketing hype • How AI will change jobs instead of eliminating them • What "human-in-the-loop" AI systems look like • How AI agents will evolve into task-based execution systems Timestamps 00:00 What AI actually is (roulette analogy) 03:20 Jeff Torello's background and Sinjun AI 05:00 AI hype vs reality in the trades 07:10 Why you should start with problems, not tools 10:20 Why AI responses change every time 13:00 Why AI has no real memory 15:30 Context windows and why AI "forgets" 17:20 Why AI is only ~80% accurate 19:30 The emotional impact of AI on the workforce 22:00 Will AI replace jobs or create new ones? 24:00 The rise of human-in-the-loop systems 26:00 How AI agents will work in the future 30:00 The Gartner hype cycle explained 35:00 Why we're still early in AI adoption 38:00 Don't believe the hype Follow the Host and Guest Tersh Blissett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tershblissett/ Joshua Crouch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-crouch/ Jeff Torello: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtorello/ Sinjun AI: https://sinjun.ai Connect with Us LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/service-business-mastery TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@servicebusinessmastery Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/servicebusinessmasterypodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/servicebusinessmasterypodcast Register for NHPC26 in Columbus, OH (April 13-16) and save $270! Use code MASTERY for the $825 rate: nhpc26.org/svc-mastery | Registration deadline: April 9 This episode is kindly powered by: UpFrog: upfrog.com MarketStorm is an AI-powered advertising platform. Results vary by market, budget, and campaign configuration: https://marketstorm.ai/ Get Your 14-Day Free Trial with CallRail!: https://www.callrail.com/sbmpod CompanyCam: https://companycam.com/ Breezy: https://getbreezyapp.com/ Your calls hold the key to growing your business. PhoneTAP gives you instant AI analysis, real customer lifetime value, and tools to coach your team. Learn more: phonetap.ai/demo

    42 min

  7. MAR 25

    Stop Hiding Your Prices: The Real ROI of Transparent Contractor Pricing

    Most contractors are still hiding their prices. But customers are already finding that information somewhere else. In this episode of Service Business Mastery, Tersh Blissett and Joshua Crouch sit down with Paul Redman, President of Contractor Commerce, to break down the real impact of transparent pricing in home service businesses. They discuss why pricing transparency is no longer optional, how AI search and Google are already surfacing pricing data, and why contractors who don't adapt risk losing control of the customer conversation. Paul shares how online pricing tools, conversational AI, and e-commerce experiences are changing the way homeowners shop for HVAC and plumbing services. They also dive into the biggest fears contractors have around showing pricing and why most of those fears are outdated. If you're wondering whether putting pricing on your website will hurt or help your business, this episode will completely change how you think about it. What You Will Learn in This Episode • Why customers ask about price before anything else • The real reason homeowners want pricing transparency • Why hiding your prices doesn't protect you anymore • How AI search and Google are already exposing pricing data • The difference between showing exact pricing and guiding expectations • How online pricing tools increase conversions and reduce friction • Why competitors already know your pricing • How transparent pricing reduces objections and builds trust • The role of financing in pricing presentation • How contractors can use pricing to capture leads earlier in the buying journey • Why owning the conversation is critical in modern marketing Timestamps 00:00 "AI E-Commerce for Contractors" 04:35 "Building Roots, Launching Dreams" 07:28 "Conversational Search and HVAC Insights" 11:09 "AI Transforming Buying Process" 15:17 Google's AC Estimate Feature 17:11 "Fear of Reviews Stalling Growth" 21:54 "Car Pricing and Consumer Reasoning" 23:45 "Conversational Commerce Second Opinion Tool" 27:53 "Answering Customer Price Questions" 30:26 "Call Tracking Maximizes Marketing" 34:25 "Legacy Version and Migration Options" 37:45 "Infuse: Streamlining Buyer Journey" 40:43 "Craigslist Goat Prank Unveiled" 44:02 "Balancing AI and Human Touch" 48:33 "Connect with Contractor Commerce" Follow the Host and Guest Tersh Blissett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tershblissett/ Joshua Crouch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-crouch/ Paul Redman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-redman/ Contractor Commerce: https://www.linkedin.com/company/contractor-commerce/ Connect with Us LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/service-business-mastery TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@servicebusinessmastery Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/servicebusinessmasterypodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/servicebusinessmasterypodcast Register for NHPC26 in Columbus, OH (April 13-16) and save $270! Use code MASTERY for the $825 rate: nhpc26.org/svc-mastery | Registration deadline: April 9 This episode is kindly powered by: UpFrog: upfrog.com MarketStorm is an AI-powered advertising platform. Results vary by market, budget, and campaign configuration: https://marketstorm.ai/ Get Your 14-Day Free Trial with CallRail!: https://www.callrail.com/sbmpod CompanyCam: https://companycam.com/ Breezy: https://getbreezyapp.com/ Your calls hold the key to growing your business. PhoneTAP gives you instant AI analysis, real customer lifetime value, and tools to coach your team. Learn more: phonetap.ai/demo

    50 min

  8. MAR 18

    AI Employee: How Home Service Businesses Are Scaling Without More Staff

    AI is no longer just automation or chatbots. It's becoming a real employee for service businesses. In this episode of Service Business Mastery, recorded live at AHR Expo 2026, Tersh Blissett sits down with Dennis Steele, co-founder of Podium, to talk about the rise of AI agents and how they're transforming HVAC and plumbing companies. From answering calls and booking jobs to handling angry customers and following up on estimates, AI agents are beginning to perform real work that previously required multiple team members. Dennis shares how Podium started by helping contractors get more Google reviews, how the platform evolved into a full communication system for trades, and why the new generation of AI agents can now handle complex tasks across phone calls, text messages, scheduling, and CRM data. They also discuss real-world examples of AI agents turning angry drivers into paying customers, managing after-hours calls, and helping companies scale without burning out their staff. If you're wondering whether AI will replace people or simply help service businesses run smarter and more efficiently, this episode breaks down what's actually happening right now. What You Will Learn in This Episode • What AI agents actually are and how they differ from chatbots • Why AI agents can now perform real human-level tasks • How AI employees can answer calls, texts, and book appointments • How AI agents help service businesses avoid missed calls and lost leads • A real story of an angry driver becoming a booked service call • How AI helps companies scale customer support without hiring more CSRs • Why consumer expectations are shifting because of AI • How AI agents can analyze business data to generate new jobs • How outbound AI will help fill service calendars automatically • Why AI employees need onboarding just like human employees • How companies can customize AI behavior with playbooks • What service business owners should know about AI security and voice cloning Timestamps 00:00 Introduction from AHR Expo 01:43 The origin story of Podium 03:00 What AI agents actually are 04:02 The shift from AI assistance to AI employees 06:05 How AI is changing customer expectations 07:13 Why human interaction still matters 08:15 Customers building relationships with AI agents 09:17 The angry driver story that turned into a booked job 10:16 How AI handles unlimited calls and scaling 11:28 Why after-hours calls are the biggest opportunity 12:11 AI outbound calling and membership follow-ups 13:17 Using data to generate new service opportunities 15:12 Customizing AI conversations with playbooks 18:37 When AI goes off script (opera singing story) 20:05 The origin of Podium's review platform 22:21 Building the communication platform for trades 24:10 The future of AI for service businesses 25:54 Onboarding and training your AI employee 28:47 Building strong company culture at scale 31:46 How to learn more about Podium 32:29 AI safety and voice cloning concerns Follow the Host and Guest Tersh Blissett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tershblissett/ Josh Crouch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-crouch/ Dennis Steele: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steeledennis/ Podium: https://www.podium.com/ Connect with Us • LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/service-business-mastery • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@servicebusinessmastery • Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/servicebusinessmasterypodcast • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/servicebusinessmasterypodcast

    36 min
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4.9
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About

Ready to revolutionize your home service business? Tune into the Service Business Mastery Podcast! We dive deep into automation and AI, including swarm agents, AI chatbots, and AI voice agents, to help you streamline and optimize your operations. Whether you're in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or any other home service trade, we cover leadership, marketing, finance, pricing, and HR to give you the edge you need. Click here to transform your business and embrace the future today!

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