The Trade Traction Podcast with Dennis The Apprentice

Dennis The Apprentice
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Management
  • Updated Biweekly

The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating contractors stop working for free and actually make a profit!

  1. Belief #5: Why You're Losing to Worse Companies

    Jun 10

    Belief #5: Why You're Losing to Worse Companies

    Send us Fan Mail 👇 Take the Trade Traction Score Assessment and discover what to focus on next in your business:  https://tradetraction.scoreapp.com Most plumbing companies think they have a marketing problem when they actually have a branding problem. In this video, Gene Johnson breaks down why the best plumbing company doesn't always win—the best marketer does. You'll learn how successful plumbing businesses create a powerful brand, attract more customers, spend marketing dollars more effectively, and grow without relying entirely on Google, Yelp, Angi, or lead generation platforms. Whether you're a plumber, HVAC contractor, electrician, remodeler, or home service business owner, this training will help you understand how to build a business people specifically ask for instead of competing solely on price or paid leads. You'll discover: ✅ Why branding matters more than most contractors realize ✅ The difference between marketing and brand building ✅ How to create a purpose-driven business customers remember ✅ Why throwing money at ads often fails ✅ How to generate more calls without increasing ad spend ✅ The marketing lessons learned from building a successful plumbing company ✅ How community involvement creates trust and referrals ✅ The contractor growth strategy that compounds over time If you're serious about growing your plumbing business, attracting better customers, hiring great technicians, and becoming the company everyone in town recognizes, this episode is for you. Based on Gene's experience building a leading plumbing company, the core message is simple: build a brand first, then amplify it with marketing. #PlumbingBusiness #ContractorMarketing #PlumbingMarketing #HomeServiceBusiness #BusinessGrowth #ContractorBusiness #ServiceBusiness #LeadGeneration #MarketingStrategy #SmallBusinessGrowth Chapters 00:00 Why the Best Marketer Wins 02:02 The Marketing Budget Formula Every Contractor Should Know 04:15 What Yellow Pages Taught Me About Marketing 06:25 Why Most Contractors Market Too Soon 08:40 Building a Brand One Truck at a Time 11:15 The Difference Between Branding and Marketing 13:20 How Customers Learn to Trust Your Company 16:05 The Cycling Team Sponsorship That Built Our Brand 19:30 Why Google, Yelp, and Angi Aren't Enough 22:10 Finding Your Company's Purpose Beyond Plumbing 25:45 The Compounding Effect of Brand Building 28:10 How to Amplify a Brand With Marketing 30:45 The Biggest Marketing Mistake Contractors Make 34:00 The Sewer Liner Lesson That Changed Everything 37:15 Let Demand Force Growth 40:20 Why Every Contractor Needs Business Coaching 43:10 Trade Traction Score App & Next Steps 45:00 Final Thoughts on Winning Through Marketing The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit.  Connect with Dennis: Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242 Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprentice Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

    22 min
  2. Your Plumber Is Your REAL Customer (Most Owners Get This Wrong)

    Jun 10

    Your Plumber Is Your REAL Customer (Most Owners Get This Wrong)

    Send us Fan Mail 👉 Take the contractor assessment and learn what your business should focus on next:  https://tradetraction.scoreapp.com Are you struggling to grow your plumbing business, retain plumbers, or build a profitable plumbing company? In this episode, Dennis the Apprentice reveals one of the most important lessons every plumbing business owner must learn: your primary customer is not the homeowner—it's your plumber. Most plumbing contractors focus all their attention on customer service, but the most successful plumbing companies understand that attracting, training, and retaining great plumbers is what drives long-term growth. If you want to grow a plumbing company, increase profitability, recruit top technicians, and build a business that lasts, this mindset shift can change everything. Dennis shares how he transformed his plumbing service business by creating an environment where plumbers wanted to work. You'll learn why paying plumbers more often requires charging more, how flat-rate pricing helped support business growth, why technician retention matters more than most owners realize, and how investing in training can help your plumbing company dominate the market. Whether you're a plumbing contractor, service plumber, HVAC business owner, electrical contractor, or home service entrepreneur, this episode will help you build a stronger team, improve recruiting, increase technician retention, and create a more profitable service business. What You'll Learn: ✔ Why your plumbers are your most important customer ✔ How to attract and retain top plumbing technicians ✔ Why great plumbers can work anywhere they want ✔ How to grow a plumbing company with the right culture ✔ Why cheap pricing hurts your plumbing business ✔ The connection between profitability and technician pay ✔ How training programs attract better plumbers ✔ Why "whoever has the plumbers owns the market" ✔ How to build a plumbing business that top talent wants to join If you're looking for plumbing business coaching, plumbing company growth strategies, plumbing management advice, recruiting plumbers, retaining plumbers, flat-rate pricing strategies, or home service business growth, this episode is for you. 👇 Take the contractor assessment and discover what your plumbing business should focus on next. Subscribe for more plumbing business coaching, contractor growth strategies, service business management, leadership training, and home service business success tips. Chapters 00:00 Plumbing Business Owners Are Thinking About Customers Wrong 01:15 Why Your Plumber Is Your Real Customer 03:20 The Plumbing Business Model Explained 05:10 Why Great Plumbers Can Work Anywhere 07:08 How to Attract Top Plumbers to Your Company 09:42 How Plumbing Companies Pay Plumbers More 12:15 Flat Rate Pricing and Plumbing Business Growth 15:00 The Customer Complaint That Changed Everything 18:05 Why Cheap Plumbing Companies Struggle 20:30 Building a Plumbing Company Technicians Love 23:15 Whoever Has the Plumbers Owns the Market 25:40 Plumbing Training Programs That Attract Top Talent 29:05 Creating a World-Class Plumbing Training Center 32:00 Plumbing Business Coaching and Contractor Growth 35:10 Final Advice for Plumbing Business Owners #PlumbingBusiness #PlumbingCompany #PlumbingContractor #Plumber #ServiceBusiness #H The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit.  Connect with Dennis: Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242 Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprentice Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

    16 min
  3. Most Contractors Stay Broke Because They Don’t Know THIS

    Jun 7

    Most Contractors Stay Broke Because They Don’t Know THIS

    Send us Fan Mail Most plumbing business owners don’t fail because they’re bad at plumbing… they fail because nobody taught them how money actually works in business. In this episode of Trade Traction, Dennis sits down with Electra to break down the money mistakes keeping contractors stuck — from underpricing and cash flow chaos to why most owners are terrified to raise prices. They dive deep into Profit First, flat rate pricing, customer psychology, marketing spend, and the mindset shifts required to build a truly profitable service business. If you’ve ever felt like you’re working harder but still not making enough money, this episode will hit hard. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Intro & meeting Electra 02:00 – Why contractors avoid looking at numbers 05:34 – The biggest operational mistakes owners make 08:31 – Profit First & fixing cash flow problems 11:48 – Understanding your real numbers in business 15:07 – Flat rate pricing & charging what you’re worth 18:27 – The truth about customer experience in plumbing 21:50 – What profitable companies do differently 25:00 – Why “singles and doubles” build profitable businesses 28:10 – Pricing mindset & why owners undercharge 31:36 – The servant mindset behind great tradespeople 34:43 – Educating customers the right way 38:05 – ServiceTitan, payroll & when to hire help 39:46 – Final thoughts on growing a profitable trade business The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit.  Connect with Dennis: Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242 Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprentice Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

    43 min
  4. Clifton Podcast | What Nobody Is Telling You About Trades

    May 29

    Clifton Podcast | What Nobody Is Telling You About Trades

    Send us Fan Mail Most contractors think the hiring problem starts with finding apprentices. But according to HVAC education leader Clifton Beck, the real issue is what happens after they get hired. In this episode of ESCO Institute and Trade Traction, we break down why so many young techs leave the trades early, how contractors are failing the next generation, and what companies must do to actually retain profitable employees long-term. From apprenticeship systems and mentorship to company culture, technology, leadership, and the future of the skilled trades — this conversation is packed with insights every plumbing, HVAC, and electrical contractor needs to hear. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why contractors keep losing good technicians 00:32 – Introduction to Clifton Beck & ESCO Institute 02:10 – Why most contractors misunderstand apprenticeship programs 05:00 – How contractors can shape local trade education programs 09:12 – The biggest reason young techs leave the industry 10:00 – Creating career paths that retain employees 15:00 – How technology is changing HVAC & skilled trades 20:00 – Why money alone won’t keep technicians loyal 25:00 – The massive opportunity still available in the trades 30:00 – The deeper purpose behind skilled trades work 35:00 – Different career paths inside HVAC & plumbing 37:15 – Final message on building a profitable company that keeps great people #HVAC #PlumbingBusiness #SkilledTrades #ContractorBusiness #HVACLife #TradeTraction #Apprenticeships #BusinessGrowth #HVACTechnician #Tradespeople   The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit.  Connect with Dennis: Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242 Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprentice Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

    38 min
  5. Don't Take Slow Times Lying Down

    May 11

    Don't Take Slow Times Lying Down

    Send us Fan Mail 🚨 Slow Season in Your Plumbing Business? Here’s Exactly What To Do. In this episode, we break down practical plumbing marketing strategies to keep your phones ringing, your technicians busy, and your business growing — even during slow periods. From direct mail campaigns and email marketing to branding, social media, partnerships, and neighborhood marketing, this is a complete playbook for plumbing company owners who refuse to sit back and accept “slow.” If you own a plumbing, HVAC, electrical, or home service business, this episode is packed with actionable ideas you can implement immediately to generate more service calls, improve team morale, and build a recognizable local brand. You’ll learn why successful companies focus on consistency, branding, visibility, and proactive marketing instead of waiting for leads to magically appear. 🔥 In this episode, you’ll discover:  Why every plumbing business needs 3 calls per tech per day  How to market your plumbing company during slow seasons  The power of direct mail postcards and local radius marketing  Email marketing ideas for plumbing and home service businesses  How to reactivate past customers with simple offers  Why collaboration with electricians, HVAC companies, and roofers works  Social media marketing tips for plumbing businesses  Neighborhood marketing strategies that actually get noticed  How yard signs, A-frames, and truck placement generate leads  The importance of branding in the trades  How purpose-driven marketing builds customer loyalty  Leadership mindset and responsibility as a business owner This episode is essential for:  ✅ Plumbing company owners  ✅ HVAC contractors  ✅ Electricians  ✅ Home service business owners  ✅ Trades entrepreneurs  ✅ Service managers looking to improve call volume 📈 If your business feels slow, don’t panic — market harder, get visible, and create momentum. 👇 Subscribe for more plumbing business coaching, marketing strategies, leadership advice, and home service growth content. #PlumbingBusiness #PlumbingMarketing #HomeServiceBusiness #HVACMarketing #ContractorMarketing #ServiceBusiness #LocalMarketing #BusinessGrowth #TradesBusiness #PlumbingContractor ⏱️ CHAPTERS:  00:00 Why Slow Seasons Are Dangerous  00:55 The “3 Calls Per Tech” Rule  02:26 Direct Mail Marketing Strategy Explained  04:06 Handling Slow Periods the Right Way  05:23 Email Marketing for Plumbing Companies  07:11 Predicting Slow Days & Seasonal Trends  08:25 Calling Your Customer List for More Work  08:53 Partnering with Other Trades for Referrals  10:54 Social Media & Customer Engagement Tips  12:11 Why Doing Something Builds Company Morale  12:52 Neighborhood Marketing Tactics That Work  14:18 The Power of Yard Signs & Visibility  15:02 Why Techs Need Sales Training  16:59 Building a Strong Plumbing Brand  18:18 “Banana on the Roof” Branding Concept  19:35 Creative Marketing Campaign Ideas  20:23 Creating Social Media Content That Stands Out  20:41 Purpose Partnerships & Sponsorship Marketing  22:31 Using Community Branding to Get Direct Calls  23:45 Collaborating With Local Business Owners  24:26 How to Use Your Service Trucks as Billboards  25:21 Why Owners Must Lead Marketing Efforts  26:17 All Hands on Deck During Slow Seasons  26:32 Final Motivation for Business Owners Source transcript adapted from uploaded script file. The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit.  Connect with Dennis: Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242 Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprentice Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

    27 min
  6. Your Hiring Problem Has a Solution—Here's What Works

    May 8

    Your Hiring Problem Has a Solution—Here's What Works

    Send us Fan Mail If you're tired of hiring people who say they know the trade… but then you realize they only know one small part of the job, this episode is for you. Most contractors aren’t struggling because of lack of work… they’re struggling because of bad hires, weak training, and no real pipeline of skilled labor. In this episode, you’ll learn how top contractors are fixing that, by actually knowing who they’re hiring, building stronger training systems, and creating a reliable workforce that drives profit instead of killing it. Jennifer Wilkerson from NCCER breaks down how standardized training, real skill assessments, and national programs are changing the game for contractors across the country. If you want better people, better systems, and better profit, this is the blueprint. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – The Hiring Problem Every Contractor Faces 02:29 – Why “Skilled Workers” Aren’t Actually Skilled 04:36 – The Real Reason Contractors Lose Profit 06:40 – Labor Mistakes & Weak Training Systems 08:35 – How Smart Contractors Fix Hiring 10:27 – Building a Reliable Skilled Labor Pipeline 12:27 – Inside NCCER & Standardized Training 15:10 – How Skill Assessments Actually Work 18:03 – Programs Contractors Are Using Right Now 20:55 – Future of Hiring & Why This Matters  Podcast: Trade Traction Host: Dennis Hamon Guest: Jennifer Wilkerson (VP of Innovation & Advancement, NCCER) The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit.  Connect with Dennis: Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242 Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprentice Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

    23 min
  7. Stuck in Stage 2? Here's Why You're Not Making Money

    Apr 9

    Stuck in Stage 2? Here's Why You're Not Making Money

    Send us Fan Mail If you own a plumbing business and feel like you're working hard but still not making money, this episode explains why most plumbing companies get stuck before reaching real profit. In this Trade Traction episode, plumbing contractors will learn the 4 stages of plumbing business growth and why many plumbing business owners look successful while still struggling financially. Many plumbing business owners stay busy, run trucks every day, and still feel pressure around payroll, cash flow, and profit. The truth is that every plumbing company moves through predictable business stages, and only one stage creates consistent profit, stronger teams, and peace of mind. In this episode, we cover: Stage 1: surviving as a small plumbing companyStage 2: looking successful but still struggling financiallyStage 3: relying too heavily on plumbing salesStage 4: building a plumbing business around training, options, and trustIf you are a plumbing contractor trying to grow your plumbing business, improve plumbing sales, increase profit margins, or build a stronger home service business, this episode will help you identify what needs to change next. Trade Traction helps plumbing contractors stop working for free, improve profitability, and build the business they once dreamed of. CHAPTERS 00:00 Why most plumbing businesses struggle 01:05 Stage 1 plumbing business survival 04:10 Stage 2 plumbing company growth problems 07:05 Stage 3 plumbing sales focus 10:45 Why sales pressure creates problems 13:20 Offering options in plumbing sales 17:10 Why training creates profit 21:05 The profitable plumbing business stage 24:10 What stage is your plumbing business in? #PlumbingBusiness #PlumbingContractor #PlumbingCompany #HomeServiceBusiness #ContractorProfit #TradeTraction The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit.  Connect with Dennis: Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242 Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprentice Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

    13 min
  8. Tired of Being Busy and Broke? Here's What To Change

    Apr 2

    Tired of Being Busy and Broke? Here's What To Change

    Send us Fan Mail If you're a plumbing contractor staying busy every day but still wondering why there’s no money left at the end of the month, this episode of Trade Traction breaks down exactly why busy does not always mean profitable. In this episode, we cover the 3 biggest profit mistakes plumbing companies make that keep contractors stuck working hard without building real financial freedom: Why charging more is necessary if you want to stop working for freeWhy offering more options increases profit on every service callWhy paying yourself first changes everything in a plumbing businessToo many plumbing business owners believe that full schedules automatically create profit—but without proper pricing, upselling, and profit discipline, even a busy plumbing company can stay broke. If you want to build a profitable plumbing business, improve plumbing sales, and finally create the company you once dreamed of, this episode will show you where to start. Chapters 00:00 Why busy plumbers still stay broke 01:12 Why customers always say “that’s expensive” 04:08 Why plumbing contractors must give options 07:25 Charge for the truck you actually want 10:14 Why correct pricing still leaves you broke 13:05 Sell more than they called you for 17:42 The hidden profit in offering upgrades 21:18 Why paying yourself first works 25:07 Profit First for plumbing contractors 28:44 Small price increases that change everything 32:10 Why plumbing is worth charging more for If you're serious about growing a plumbing company that produces real profit, subscribe to Trade Traction for weekly strategies built for plumbing contractors. #PlumbingBusiness #PlumbingContractor #ProfitFirst #ServiceBusiness #TradesBusiness #PlumbingSales The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit.  Connect with Dennis: Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dennis-hamon/?skipRedirect=true Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242 Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprentice Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.

    18 min
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The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating contractors stop working for free and actually make a profit!

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