Build It To Sell It: Home Service Secrets with Lance Bachmann

LB Capital, LLC
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Ready to scale and sell? Build It To Sell It: Home Service Secrets is the ultimate best business podcast for driven entrepreneurs in landscaping, lawn care, cleaning, painting, roofing, plumbing, HVAC, and more. Hosted by home service millionaire Lance Bachmann, a home service expert and business coach who’s built and sold multimillion-dollar companies, this podcast delivers no-nonsense business owner tips to grow fast and secure a high-value exit.Each episode dives deep into home service marketing, profitability, and what buyers value in a home service business. With bold, actionable how-to strategies and zero fluff, Lance shares proven home service secrets to dominate your market. Featuring top industry leaders, private equity pros, and entrepreneurs who’ve cashed out big, this podcast is your roadmap to get rich and transform your business for a lucrative exit.Tune in to Exit Rich: Home Service Secrets and start building your empire today!

  1. 2D AGO

    Simplifying AI for contractors | Nick Ornitz!

    The episode focuses on the mission of Topline Pro to provide an "AI assistant" for solo owner-operators in the home services industry (roofing, landscaping, plumbing, etc.). The discussion highlights the transition from manual "firefighting" to automated growth, the challenges of scaling a SaaS company with multiple funding rounds, and the importance of serving the "long-tail" market that larger CRM players often overlook.78 Key Points AI as a Business Operator: The software acts as an AI agent handling inbound inquiries, generating quotes, and managing invoicing, effectively replacing the need for a full-time admin or marketing team for small businesses.9 Market Opportunity: Out of 2.6 million home service companies, 2.4 million are small owner-operators or small crews, representing a massive underserved market.10 Default Alive: Despite having raised four rounds of funding, including a Series B, the company remains "default alive" while prioritizing rapid growth.11 Efficiency over Hard Work: Nick argues that growth shouldn't just come from working 18-hour days; it comes from implementing tools that automate 85-90% of the workload.12 The "Human" Component: Despite being an AI-heavy product, Topline Pro maintains account managers to build personal relationships with contractors who value direct communication.13 YouTube Description In this episode of the Build It To Sell It podcast, we sit down with Nick Ornitz, co-founder and CEO of Topline Pro. Nick shares the inspiring story of how his team is using AI to revolutionize the lives of "the little guy"—the millions of solo owner-operators in roofing, HVAC, plumbing, and landscaping. We dive deep into the reality of building a venture-backed SaaS company, the decision to drop out of business school for Y Combinator, and why Topline Pro is doubling down on the small business market while everyone else chases enterprise deals. If you are a contractor feeling stuck at the $250k–$500k mark, this episode is a masterclass in working smarter, not harder. Learn more about Topline Pro: toplinepro.com Contact Nick Ornitz: nick@toplinepro.comNick

    27 min

  2. 5D AGO

    You’re Replaceable… That’s Why You’re Failing!

    Built to Sell: Scaling, Leadership, and Life-Changing Exits with Ellen Rohr   On this episode of the Built to Sell podcast, host Lance Bachmann is joined by Ellen Rohr, a renowned financial expert and a key force behind the success of Zoom Drain. Together, they dive deep into the "unconventional" side of leadership and the hard numbers that drive a business toward a successful sale to private equity.   Ellen recounts her path from marrying a plumber to becoming a leading consultant and franchise owner, while Lance shares raw stories about the leadership failures that led to his own business setbacks. They tackle the tough topics: how to tell if your family members are the right fit for your executive team, why you should never sell to a search fund, and how "grit" is the most important trait to look for when hiring.   Whether you are looking to maintain your independence or are ready to "chase the carrot" toward financial freedom, this conversation provides the roadmap for turning your trade into a high-value asset. Plus, hear details on their upcoming appearances in Australia this May!

    1h 10m

  3. MAY 2

    From $0 to $36 Million: The Brutal Truth About Scaling a Roofing Empire

    What does it actually take to sell a business for nearly $40 million in less than two years? Join us for a raw, high-stakes conversation with Dean Mainardi about the "standard" of excellence required to build a world-class roofing organization. Dean reveals the psychological shift from being "the boss" to being a partner-employee, the "grief process" of letting go of operational control, and the intense pressure of high-level due diligence. Whether you are a contractor looking to scale or an entrepreneur eyeing an exit, this episode provides a masterclass in mindset, strategic partnerships, and the relentless pursuit of growth.

    35 min

  4. APR 27

    How to Sell Your Business to Private Equity: Secrets from Katie Donovan and Lance Bachmann

    In this episode of "Build It To Sell It," Lance Bachmann sits down with Katie Donovan, Co-founder and CEO of Camp Digital, to discuss her recent successful exit to the private equity firm Tonka Bay. Katie shares her journey of building one of the nation's top digital agencies for the trades and the high-stakes process of choosing the right partner from 18 different LOIs.   Key topics covered in this episode: The M&A Process: What it's really like to sell to a PE firm and how to handle the extreme stress of due diligence. Choosing the Right Partner: Why culture and reputation matter more than just the highest bid. Marketing Fundamentals: Katie breaks down the "Rule of 5" for Google Business Profiles and why every home service shop needs custom images and videos. Scaling Your Strategy: Marketing advice tailored for shops at $1M, $5M, $10M, and $25M in revenue. The Future of the Trades: Why Chick-fil-A is entering the home services market with "Acrew" and how AI is revolutionizing the industry. Leadership & Loyalty: The importance of a grit-heavy leadership team and building a company culture where employees have a stake in the success. Whether you are just starting your business or are looking to "punch your ticket" and exit, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on building a healthy, sellable company.   Connect with us: Subscribe for more secrets on home services, mergers, and acquisitions!

    1h 15m

  5. APR 24

    From $15k to 8 Figures: How We Built and Sold SHOCK in 8 Years

    In this exclusive "Opening the Vault" episode, we are releasing never-before-seen footage filmed one year ago, just days before the monumental sale of SHOCK I.T. Join business partners Lance and Scott in this time-capsule conversation as they sit in the home studio reflecting on an eight-year journey that began with a $15,000 investment and ended in a life-changing eight-figure exit. This episode offers a raw look at the "grind" of entrepreneurship, the brutal stress of a 900-question due diligence process, and the candid reality of navigating deals with private equity firms. Discover how they pivoted through COVID-19 to find their biggest revenue spikes and what it truly takes to find a partner you can trust for nearly a decade.

    17 min

  6. APR 20

    Your Business Isn’t Valuable… Here’s Why!

    In this episode of the Build It to Sell It Podcast, host Lance Bachmann sits down with Steve Baker, Vice President of The Great Game of Business. With 20 years of experience in open-book management, Steve shares his insights on building business value by investing in people.   The conversation dives deep into: The Power of Open-Book Management: Learn the three simple elements of the "Great Game", understanding the rules, keeping score, and having a stake in the outcome. Employee Ownership (ESOPs): Discover how teaching employees to think and act like owners can transform a company’s balance sheet and culture. Quality Time Remaining: Steve discusses his latest book and personal journey, challenging entrepreneurs to evaluate how they use their most precious resource: time. Mindset for Success: Shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset to achieve true freedom and scale your business. Connect with Steve Baker: Website: greatgame.com Special Content: greatgame.com/steve

    35 min

  7. APR 16

    From $835K Debt to a $36 Million Exit: The Brutal Truth of Business Partnerships with Bryan Toff!

    What does it actually take to sell a company for $36 million? In this candid, unfiltered conversation, FILMED in 2025, Bryan Toff sits down to discuss the grueling 20-month journey from shutting down a failing kitchen and bath business to a multi-million dollar exit. Bryan opens up about the "administrative nightmare" of his past, getting "robbed" by former employees, and the high-tension reality of partnering with Lance. This isn't your typical success story, it’s a raw look at fist-fight-level frustrations, culture shocks through technology, and the unwavering standard required to win in the world of private equity. Key Topics: Taking an $835,000 hit to save your reputation. The transition from "boss" to "managed salesperson." Why the deal almost fell through twice at the finish line. The "Broke and Hungry" mindset of a top-tier salesperson.

    44 min

  8. APR 13

    The Real Numbers Behind Selling a Roofing Company to PE

    This episode of Build It to Sell It features host Lance Bachmann and guest Claudio Vilas, owner of The Roofing Biz Broker. Claudio shares his expertise in selling roofing companies to private equity firms, highlighting the importance of specialization and preparation for a successful exit. Key Topics Covered: The Power of Specialization: Why Claudio transitioned from a general business broker to focusing exclusively on the roofing industry to create a more efficient network.3 Private Equity Realities: Understanding the low "hit rate" of private equity deals and how to pass the initial "sniff test".4 Valuation vs. Efficiency: Why buyers value a money-making machine over physical assets like trucks, which can often be liabilities.5 The Role of an M&A Advisor: Why having a "matchmaker" is critical to balancing the knowledge gap between a seller and professional buyers.6 Negotiating the LOI: Strategies for maximizing leverage before signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) and navigating the risky period before the final Asset Purchase Agreement (APA).7 The Pitfalls of Earnouts: Why Claudio and Lance prefer rolling over equity over earnouts, which can often be manipulated by buyers. Build It To Sell It Conference is where serious business owners go to scale, systemize, and position their company for a profitable exit. This is not another motivational event. This is a real-world, operator-led conference built for entrepreneurs who want clarity, structure, and results.   Join us December 7–9 in Hollywood, Florida, for three days of real strategy, real numbers, and real execution. You’ll learn how to grow revenue, build leadership teams, clean up financials, and create a business that buyers actually want. This event is powered by the Build It To Sell It Movement, created by entrepreneurs who’ve built and sold multiple companies across home services, roofing, HVAC, and more.   🎯 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: • How to scale without chaos • How to increase valuation • What private equity actually looks for • Systems that make your business sellable • How to step out of day-to-day operations

    1h 5m
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4.9
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139 Ratings

About

Ready to scale and sell? Build It To Sell It: Home Service Secrets is the ultimate best business podcast for driven entrepreneurs in landscaping, lawn care, cleaning, painting, roofing, plumbing, HVAC, and more. Hosted by home service millionaire Lance Bachmann, a home service expert and business coach who’s built and sold multimillion-dollar companies, this podcast delivers no-nonsense business owner tips to grow fast and secure a high-value exit.Each episode dives deep into home service marketing, profitability, and what buyers value in a home service business. With bold, actionable how-to strategies and zero fluff, Lance shares proven home service secrets to dominate your market. Featuring top industry leaders, private equity pros, and entrepreneurs who’ve cashed out big, this podcast is your roadmap to get rich and transform your business for a lucrative exit.Tune in to Exit Rich: Home Service Secrets and start building your empire today!

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