Profit & Grit with Tyler

Tyler Martin
  • 4.9 (7)
  • Entrepreneurship

Profit and Grit is the no-BS weekly podcast for home service business owners and blue collar entrepreneurs. Each episode features real strategies from successful contractors and industry experts in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and other trades. Hosted by Tyler Martin, a fractional CFO for home service businesses and the trades, Profit & Grit dives into growth, cash flow, hiring, pricing, and leadership. If you own or want to grow a business in the trades, this home service podcast will help you build a stronger, more profitable company.

  1. 1d ago

    How to Become the Next GOAT in Home Services - Paul Kelly

    Scaling a home service company is rarely about one big move. Most of the time, it comes down to implementing the right things faster, following through, and improving the small actions that compound over time. In this episode of Profit & Grit, Tyler sits down with Paul Kelly, former leader at Parker and Sons and author of Tricks of the Trade to Success. Paul shares how Parker and Sons grew into a $250 million-plus home service company by focusing on execution, simplicity, accountability, and a thousand small improvements done consistently well. They also talk about sales recovery, customer “wow” moments, growth ceilings, and why the owner’s own leadership often becomes the limit of the business. What You Will Learn in This Episode Why more ideas are not always what your company needsHow implementation separates growing shops from stuck onesWhy simplicity and speed matter when rolling out changeHow Parker and Sons improved its sales recovery processWhy failed estimates and unclosed leads deserve more attentionHow accountability changes the way employees respond to new initiativesWhy owners often train their teams to ignore new ideasHow to make important changes non-negotiable without losing trustWhy growth ceilings are often tied to the owner’s own capabilitiesWhat the fish tank principle means for trades business ownersWhy small improvements can create major long-term growthWhy customer experience matters more than chasing average ticket aloneHow technicians can create more “wow” moments on service callsWhy small acts of service can lead to stronger customer loyaltyHow better customer experiences can create low-cost leadsWhy owners should focus on actions that lead to resultsHow to build a culture where follow-through becomes the standardMore From Profit & Grit Book your complimentary Financial Insight Session with Tyler Martin, fractional CFO for home services and the trades, here: http://cfointrocall.com Learn more at http://cfomadeeasy.com Follow the show for weekly interviews with HVAC, plumbing, and home service owners and experts who share what it really takes to grow, scale, and profit in the trades. If you listen to any of the following shows, we’re sure you’ll love ours too! To The Point Home Services Podcast, Toolbox for the Trades, Masters of Home Service, Home Service Business Coach With David Moerman, BlueCollar.CEO, The Home Service Expert Podcast, Next Level Pros, Blue Collar Business Podcast, Home Service Millionaire with Mike Andes, The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber, and Blue Collar Success Group. 🎙️ Profit & Grit by Tyler Martin Real stories. Real strategy. Real results for service-based business owners. 🔗 Website: ProfitAndGrit.com 📍 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thinktyler 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @profitandgrit Tyler Martin, a fractional CFO for home services and the trades 📅 Want to grow your business with smarter financial strategy? Book a free intro meeting

    How to Become the Next GOAT in Home Services - Paul Kelly

  2. Jul 14

    The Weekly Numbers That Fix Cash Flow - Ellen Rohr

    A busy trades business is not always a healthy one. The phones can be ringing, the trucks can be moving, and revenue can be growing while the owner is still dealing with tight cash, unclear numbers, and pricing pressure. In this episode of Profit & Grit, Tyler sits down with Ellen Rohr, author, ServiceTitan Ambassador, and longtime champion of the trades, to talk about simplifying the money side of an HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or home service business. Ellen shares how she went from busy and broke in her husband’s plumbing business to understanding pricing, cash flow, financial reports, and the weekly numbers that help owners make better decisions before the month is already over. If you want to build a stronger shop with better pricing, clearer numbers, and more options as an owner, this episode is for you. What You Will Learn in This Episode How Ellen Rohr went from busy and broke to understanding the numbersWhy every trades business must charge more than it costsHow pricing decisions affect cash flow, debt, stress, and optionsWhy raising prices is often more emotional than mathematicalHow trades owners can separate their business from their personal identityWhy understanding your balance sheet and profit and loss is not optionalHow a weekly financial check can help owners catch problems earlierThe key numbers Ellen recommends watching every weekHow gross margin, profit, cash position, and wages affect business decisionsWhy clean financials matter before adding new software or systemsWhy high prices can help protect your team and the full supply chainHow to think about service managers in a growing home service companyHow field supervisors can help create a stronger leadership benchHow trades owners can recover faster from mistakes and keep moving forwardWhy the trades are in a strong position for growth and investmentHow knowing your numbers gives you more options as an ownerMore From Profit & Grit Book your complimentary Financial Insight Session with Tyler Martin, fractional CFO for home services and the trades, here: http://cfointrocall.com Learn more at http://cfomadeeasy.com Follow the show for weekly interviews with HVAC, plumbing, and home service owners and experts who share what it really takes to grow, scale, and profit in the trades. If you listen to any of the following shows, we’re sure you’ll love ours too! To The Point Home Services Podcast, Toolbox for the Trades, Masters of Home Service, Home Service Business Coach With David Moerman, BlueCollar.CEO, The Home Service Expert Podcast, Next Level Pros, Blue Collar Business Podcast, Home Service Millionaire with Mike Andes, The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber, and Blue Collar Success Group. 🎙️ Profit & Grit by Tyler Martin Real stories. Real strategy. Real results for service-based business owners. 🔗 Website: ProfitAndGrit.com 📍 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thinktyler 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @profitandgrit Tyler Martin, a fractional CFO for home services and the trades 📅 Want to grow your business with smarter financial strategy? Book a free intro meeting

    The Weekly Numbers That Fix Cash Flow - Ellen Rohr

  3. Jul 7

    Why Bland Brands Pay More For Leads - Dan Antonelli

    AI is changing how home service companies think about websites, search, and marketing. But Dan Antonelli’s message is clear: AI is a tool, not a brand strategy. In this episode of Profit & Grit, Tyler Martin is joined again by Dan Antonelli, founder of KickCharge Creative, to talk about AI websites, branding, truck wraps, customer acquisition cost, and why trades companies need to focus on becoming memorable in their market. Dan explains why generic content and bland branding can make HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and multi-trade companies more dependent on Google and paid leads. He also shares how community visibility, branded photography, reviews, and strong truck wraps can help homeowners remember your company before they ever start searching. For trades owners trying to grow without chasing every marketing shortcut, this episode is a reminder that the companies people know, trust, and remember often win before the lead ever comes in. What You Will Learn in This Episode Why Dan says AI is a tool, not a brand or strategyWhat home service owners should know before using AI websitesWhy generic branding can make you more dependent on GoogleHow memorable branding can lower customer acquisition costWhy homeowners still choose companies they know, like, and trustHow truck wraps and community visibility support local lead generationWhy branded photography matters on a home service websiteWhat trades companies can learn from Jolly Goat Garage and Utterly GuttersWhy branding cannot fix weak operations or poor customer experienceHow stronger branding can impact booking rates, conversion rates, and average ticketsWhy family-owned shops need to educate customers about what makes them differentHow Dan connects branding, digital marketing, and measurable business resultsMore From Profit & Grit Book your complimentary Financial Insight Session with Tyler Martin, fractional CFO for home services and the trades, here: cfointrocall.com Learn more at profitandgrit.com Follow the show for weekly interviews with HVAC, plumbing, and home service owners and experts who share what it really takes to grow, scale, and profit in the trades. If you listen to any of the following shows, we’re sure you’ll love ours too! To The Point Home Services Podcast, Toolbox for the Trades, Masters of Home Service, Home Service Business Coach With David Moerman, BlueCollar.CEO, The Home Service Expert Podcast, Next Level Pros, Blue Collar Business Podcast, Home Service Millionaire with Mike Andes, The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber, and Blue Collar Success Group. 🎙️ Profit & Grit by Tyler Martin Real stories. Real strategy. Real results for service-based business owners. 🔗 Website: ProfitAndGrit.com 📍 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thinktyler 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @profitandgrit Tyler Martin, a fractional CFO for home services and the trades 📅 Want to grow your business with smarter financial strategy? Book a free intro meeting

    Why Bland Brands Pay More For Leads - Dan Antonelli

  4. Jun 30

    From Family HVAC Shop To Scalable Company - Ray Isaac

    Growing Isaac Heating & Air Conditioning from a family HVAC shop into a scalable home service company took more than adding revenue, employees, and trucks. In this episode of Profit & Grit, Ray Isaac shares how the company became more professionally run, why bad leadership can cost more than money, and how family-owned businesses can avoid the traps of entitlement and lifestyle spending. Ray also breaks down the key numbers he watches, including revenue per employee, office salaries as a percentage of revenue, employee loyalty, Google reviews, and succession planning. He also shares what buyers look for when evaluating HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and multi-trade companies. If you want to build a stronger business that does not depend on constant owner heroics, this episode is full of practical lessons. What You Will Learn in This Episode How Ray Isaac grew up inside the family HVAC businessWhy bad leadership creates a major cost in turnover, culture, stress, and performanceWhat Ray means by the “legacy trap” in a family businessWhy family-owned does not always mean family-operatedHow lifestyle business habits can weaken margins and create entitlementWhy Isaac Heating & Air Conditioning operated with very few personal add-backsWhat buyers look for when evaluating home service companiesWhy scalability matters before selling or partnering with private equityHow revenue per employee can reveal whether a company is efficientWhy office salaries as a percentage of revenue should be watched closelyHow employee loyalty scores and surveys helped improve the businessWhy Google reviews can reveal deeper issues in culture and leadershipWhat red flags Ray looks for in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and multi-trade businessesWhy strong systems, succession, and leadership matter more than owner heroicsMore From Profit & Grit Book your complimentary Financial Insight Session with Tyler Martin, fractional CFO for home services and the trades, here: http://cfointrocall.com Learn more at http://cfomadeeasy.com Follow the show for weekly interviews with HVAC, plumbing, and home service owners and experts who share what it really takes to grow, scale, and profit in the trades. If you listen to any of the following shows, we’re sure you’ll love ours too! To The Point Home Services Podcast, Toolbox for the Trades, Masters of Home Service, Home Service Business Coach With David Moerman, BlueCollar.CEO, The Home Service Expert Podcast, Next Level Pros, Blue Collar Business Podcast, Home Service Millionaire with Mike Andes, The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber, and Blue Collar Success Group. 🎙️ Profit & Grit by Tyler Martin Real stories. Real strategy. Real results for service-based business owners. 🔗 Website: ProfitAndGrit.com 📍 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thinktyler 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @profitandgrit Tyler Martin, a fractional CFO for home services and the trades 📅 Want to grow your business with smarter financial strategy? Book a free intro meeting

    From Family HVAC Shop To Scalable Company - Ray Isaac

  5. Jun 23

    How to Scale From $1M to $10M Without Lowering Your Standards - Treasure Boston

    Fast growth can look exciting from the outside, but inside the business, it usually means something is being tested. Systems get exposed. Hiring standards get challenged. Pricing has to be revisited. And the owner has to decide whether the company is going to keep reacting to problems or build the discipline needed for the next stage. In this episode of Profit & Grit, Treasure Boston shares how she and her husband acquired Cline’s Heating and Air in Spokane, Washington, and helped turn a trusted legacy HVAC company with outdated systems into a faster-growing, more disciplined operation. She talks about growing Cline’s from about $1.2 million to $4 million in revenue, expanding residential service opportunities, and building a team culture centered on accountability, discipline, transparency, and performance. She also talks about the realities of acquiring a company, why fast growth exposes weak systems, how her team uses SOPs, what she looks for when hiring, and why every pricing decision should be tied back to the company’s actual numbers, overhead, and profitability. What You Will Learn in This Episode How Treasure Boston got into home services and HVACWhy Cline’s Heating and Air was an attractive acquisitionHow they grew revenue from about $1.2 million to $4 millionWhy acquiring assets and digital footprint helped grow residential serviceWhy fast growth creates friction inside the businessHow her team handles problems, mistakes, and broken systemsWhy SOPs need to be documented, even when they are not perfect yetHow Treasure hires for accountability, discipline, and transparencyHow daily habits and small standards shape team performanceWhy everyone on the team needs to be rowing in the same directionHow she thinks about comfort advisor targets and activityWhy pricing should be based on your numbers, not your competitorsHow overhead, capital expenses, and profitability affect pricing decisionsWhy trades owners need data and facts before making financial decisionsWhy collaboration is one of the strongest drivers of a growing team More From Profit & Grit Book your complimentary Financial Insight Session with Tyler Martin, fractional CFO for home services and the trades, here: http://cfointrocall.com Learn more at http://cfomadeeasy.com Follow the show for weekly interviews with HVAC, plumbing, and home service owners and experts who share what it really takes to grow, scale, and profit in the trades. If you listen to any of the following shows, we’re sure you’ll love ours too! To The Point Home Services Podcast, Toolbox for the Trades, Masters of Home Service, Home Service Business Coach With David Moerman, BlueCollar.CEO, The Home Service Expert Podcast, Next Level Pros, Blue Collar Business Podcast, Home Service Millionaire with Mike Andes, The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber, and Blue Collar Success Group. 🎙️ Profit & Grit by Tyler Martin Real stories. Real strategy. Real results for service-based business owners. 🔗 Website: ProfitAndGrit.com 📍 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thinktyler 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @profitandgrit Tyler Martin, a fractional CFO for home services and the trades 📅 Want to grow your business with smarter financial strategy? Book a free intro meeting

    How to Scale From $1M to $10M Without Lowering Your Standards - Treasure Boston

  6. Jun 16

    What Numbers Drive HVAC Growth? - Lawrence Castillo

    Lawrence Castillo helped grow Brody Pennell from a roughly $6 million HVAC company into a business approaching $70 million in annual revenue. In this episode of Profit & Grit, Tyler Martin sits down with Lawrence to discuss what changed inside the company as it scaled. He shares the challenges he found when he first arrived, the systems that were built along the way, and the operational discipline required to support that level of growth. The conversation covers recruiting, branding, technician performance, customer experience, pricing, leadership, and the daily metrics that helped the company make better decisions as it expanded. Whether you're running an HVAC company or another trades business, Lawrence offers a firsthand look at what it takes to move beyond the early stages of growth and build a company capable of operating at a much larger scale. What You Will Learn in This Episode How Lawrence Castillo got into the HVAC industry and built a long career in the tradesWhat Brody Pennell looked like when he first stepped into the businessHow the company grew from about $6 million to around $70 million in revenueWhy Lawrence says growth has to be planned carefully before adding more laborWhy his first hire at Brody Pennell was a dedicated recruiterHow recruiting supports HVAC growth before the shop is ready to scaleWhy daily numbers matter more than waiting for month-end reportsThe technician KPIs Lawrence watches, including old call success rate, club conversion, and zero ticketsHow Brody Pennell uses scoreboards and daily reports to create accountabilityWhy mild-weather HVAC markets require stronger customer experience and better maintenance callsHow personality, communication, and training help technicians build trust in the homeWhy large jobs can create risk when they are not priced and managed correctlyHow branding, Google reviews, uniforms, truck wraps, and photos helped rebuild Brody Pennell’s reputationWhat $5 million to $10 million HVAC companies should focus on before chasing the next stage of growthMore From Profit & Grit Book your complimentary Financial Insight Session with Tyler Martin, fractional CFO for home services and the trades, here: http://cfointrocall.com Learn more at http://cfomadeeasy.com Follow the show for weekly interviews with HVAC, plumbing, and home service owners and experts who share what it really takes to grow, scale, and profit in the trades. If you listen to any of the following shows, we’re sure you’ll love ours too! To The Point Home Services Podcast, Toolbox for the Trades, Masters of Home Service, Home Service Business Coach With David Moerman, BlueCollar.CEO, The Home Service Expert Podcast, Next Level Pros, Blue Collar Business Podcast, Home Service Millionaire with Mike Andes, The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber, and Blue Collar Success Group. 🎙️ Profit & Grit by Tyler Martin Real stories. Real strategy. Real results for service-based business owners. 🔗 Website: ProfitAndGrit.com 📍 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thinktyler 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @profitandgrit Tyler Martin, a fractional CFO for home services and the trades 📅 Want to grow your business with smarter financial strategy? Book a free intro meeting

    What Numbers Drive HVAC Growth? - Lawrence Castillo

  7. Jun 9

    How to Reduce Fleet Costs in the Trades - Renee Milum

    For many trades owners, trucks are one of the biggest expenses in the business, but fleet decisions are often made by habit instead of strategy. A paid-off truck can feel like a smart move until repairs, downtime, fuel, maintenance, and lost production start costing more than expected. In this episode, Tyler sits down with Renee Milum, Fleet Advisor at JumpSpark, to talk about how HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and home service company owners can make better decisions around their vehicles. Renee explains what a fleet advisor does, how to think through lease versus buy, and why the true cost of a truck goes far beyond the monthly payment. They also discuss when to replace vehicles, why the 80,000 to 100,000 mile range matters for many gas engines, how downtime quietly impacts revenue, and why fuel cards, cameras, and maintenance management can help owners protect the business. If your shop depends on trucks to generate revenue, this conversation will help you look at fleet management as a business strategy, not just another operating expense. What You Will Learn in This Episode What a fleet advisor does for trades and home service companiesWhy paid-off trucks are not always the cheapest optionHow downtime affects revenue, labor, repairs, and customer serviceWhy owners should look beyond the monthly paymentWhat total cost of ownership means for service vehiclesThe difference between retail leases and commercial fleet leasesHow leasing can help preserve cash for other areas of the businessWhy upfitting, wraps, ladder racks, and shelving should be part of the vehicle planWhen gas vehicles should typically be reviewed for replacementWhy diesel vehicles may have a different replacement timelineHow maintenance management programs help control repair costsWhy fuel cards are useful for fleets of any sizeHow cameras can support safety, accountability, and liability protectionWhy proactive fleet planning is better than waiting for a breakdownHow AI and fleet data are helping owners make smarter replacement decisions More From Profit & Grit Book your complimentary Financial Insight Session with Tyler Martin, fractional CFO for home services and the trades, here: http://cfointrocall.com Learn more at http://cfomadeeasy.com Follow the show for weekly interviews with HVAC, plumbing, and home service owners and experts who share what it really takes to grow, scale, and profit in the trades. If you listen to any of the following shows, we’re sure you’ll love ours too! To The Point Home Services Podcast, Toolbox for the Trades, Masters of Home Service, Home Service Business Coach With David Moerman, BlueCollar.CEO, The Home Service Expert Podcast, Next Level Pros, Blue Collar Business Podcast, Home Service Millionaire with Mike Andes, The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber, and Blue Collar Success Group. 🎙️ Profit & Grit by Tyler Martin Real stories. Real strategy. Real results for service-based business owners. 🔗 Website: ProfitAndGrit.com 📍 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thinktyler 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @profitandgrit Tyler Martin, a fractional CFO for home services and the trades 📅 Want to grow your business with smarter financial strategy? Book a free intro meeting

    How to Reduce Fleet Costs in the Trades - Renee Milum

  8. Jun 2

    Why This Plumbing Company Shares 50% of Profits - Dustin Marx

    After building and exiting a $100 million company, Dustin Marx chose a very different next move: buying a small plumbing company doing around $15,000 a month. In this episode, Dustin shares how that business grew into a company running at roughly a $10 million pace, and why the growth came from listening to the field, building around the right people, and creating a culture where the team understands the numbers. He talks about why Mother Modern Plumbing focuses on one trade, how they put plumbers at the top of the org chart, and why open book management has helped the team make better decisions. We also discuss the 50% profit sharing model, why every truck forecasts its own performance each Friday, how Dustin thinks about gross profit and cash, and what trades owners can learn from building a company where employees are treated like true partners in the business. What You Will Learn in This Episode How Dustin went from building a $100 million company to buying a small plumbing shopWhy he chose to focus on one trade instead of adding HVAC or electrical too earlyHow Mother Modern Plumbing grew from $15,000 a month to a $10 million run rateWhy Dustin believes being a student instead of the expert helped the company growHow listening to plumbers led to a major shift in the service modelWhy putting the field team at the top of the org chart can improve the customer experienceHow open book management helps employees understand revenue, costs, cash, and profitWhy every truck forecasts its own performance every FridayHow forecasting helps the team adjust before the month is already overWhy Dustin focuses on getting each truck to produce around $50,000 per monthHow profit sharing can change team behavior and encourage better business decisionsWhy managing cost of goods sold matters for protecting profitabilityHow the team responded when Local Service Ads traffic droppedWhy Dustin sees adversity as part of building long-term business strengthWhat trades owners can learn from creating a company people would actually want to work in More From Profit & Grit Book your complimentary Financial Insight Session with Tyler Martin, fractional CFO for home services and the trades, here: http://cfointrocall.com Learn more at http://cfomadeeasy.com Follow the show for weekly interviews with HVAC, plumbing, and home service owners and experts who share what it really takes to grow, scale, and profit in the trades. If you listen to any of the following shows, we’re sure you’ll love ours too! To The Point Home Services Podcast, Toolbox for the Trades, Masters of Home Service, Home Service Business Coach With David Moerman, BlueCollar.CEO, The Home Service Expert Podcast, Next Level Pros, Blue Collar Business Podcast, Home Service Millionaire with Mike Andes, The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber, and Blue Collar Success Group. 🎙️ Profit & Grit by Tyler Martin Real stories. Real strategy. Real results for service-based business owners. 🔗 Website: ProfitAndGrit.com 📍 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thinktyler 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @profitandgrit Tyler Martin, a fractional CFO for home services and the trades 📅 Want to grow your business with smarter financial strategy? Book a free intro meeting

    Why This Plumbing Company Shares 50% of Profits - Dustin Marx
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4.9
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About

Profit and Grit is the no-BS weekly podcast for home service business owners and blue collar entrepreneurs. Each episode features real strategies from successful contractors and industry experts in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and other trades. Hosted by Tyler Martin, a fractional CFO for home service businesses and the trades, Profit & Grit dives into growth, cash flow, hiring, pricing, and leadership. If you own or want to grow a business in the trades, this home service podcast will help you build a stronger, more profitable company.

Information

  • Creator
    Tyler Martin
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Profit & Grit with Tyler
  • Show Website
    Profit & Grit with Tyler

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