The TradeMarke

The TradeMarke
  • 4.7 (23)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Step into ’The TradeMarke,’ your go-to podcast for everything marketing in the trades. Hosted by Award Winning Industry Marketing Experts, Sarah Ghirardo from ReMarketable and Eric Thomas from Rival Digital. Together, we’re here to unite the worlds of trades and marketing, bringing you insights, stories, and strategies from the heart of the home service industry. Whether you’re a trade professional, a marketing expert, or somewhere in between, this is the place for you. Listen in as we’re here for the BIG ideas, the game-changers, and the everyday successes. Because at ’The TradeMarke,’ we’re with the trades and for the trades.

  1. APR 16

    Trades, AI & Sunglasses: Automate, Scale, and Stay Cool with Chris Carter

    Hosts Sarah Ghirardo and Eric Thomas chat with technologist and book author Chris Carter about using AI and automation in trade businesses, practical tools that save time, and how to adopt technology without getting overwhelmed. They cover real-world examples, common operational gaps, and why trades need to start experimenting with AI to stay competitive.

    30 min

  2. MAR 26

    The Systems, Leadership, and BHAGs That Actually Work

    In this episode of The TradeMarke Podcast, hosts Eric Thomas and Sarah Ghirardo sit down with Tara Landes of Bellrock to break down what it really takes to scale a business beyond the plateau. From defining a true BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) to building systems that don’t break as you grow, Tara shares practical insights from years of hands-on implementation with service-based businesses. This isn’t theory. It’s how real companies get unstuck and start moving forward again. They dive into: Why revenue goals alone won’t inspire your team or drive growth The difference between leadership and management and why both matter How to create real buy-in across your organization Why most businesses stall at $5M–$25M and how to fix it The power of systems, processes, and saying no to the wrong opportunities Tara also shares one piece of advice every contractor needs to hear: if you can throw money at a problem to buy back your time, do it. If you’re stuck in the day-to-day, wearing too many hats, or trying to figure out how to scale without burning out, this episode will give you a clear path forward.

    36 min

  3. MAR 18

    The RPM Framework: How to Stop Being Busy and Start Getting Results

    Laura Kelly, CPO of Clover Growth Partners, joins Sarah to break down the mindset shifts that separate high-achieving business owners from burned-out ones. From her RPM planning system to the concept of "who, not how," Laura shares the frameworks she uses to run six home service companies, raise two kids, and still show up as her best self — without sacrificing the life she's building along the way.

    46 min

  4. MAR 11

    15 Brands, One Vision: Inside the BELFOR Franchise Group

    What does it look like to lead 15 home services franchise brands — and still be excited about every single one of them? In this episode, Sarah and Eric sit down with Beth Toenies, COO of 1-800-BOARD-UP and VP of Franchise Development for BELFOR Franchise Group, to talk all things franchising, growth, and the future of the trades. Beth breaks down what makes the franchise model so powerful for tradespeople who are great at their craft but want support on the business side. She shares how BELFOR's family of brands — from Ducks and Z Plumbers to Blue Kangaroo Packouts and Redbox+ Dumpsters — are designed to complement each other and create real synergy in local markets. The conversation also dives into how AI and automation are reshaping operations in the field, why BELFOR is leaning in rather than shying away, and what intentional, sustainable growth actually looks like in franchising. Whether you're a trade professional curious about business ownership or a franchise enthusiast looking for your next opportunity, this episode is packed with insights, energy, and a few laughs along the way.

    32 min

  5. JAN 27

    Be a Good Human: The Secret to Long-Term Success in the Trades

    What does it take to generate $18.5 million in residential sales in a single season? According to Dan Walrack, the founder of Go Beyond the Hustle, it isn’t about fancy tech or aggressive closing tactics—it’s about being a good human. In this episode of The TradeMarke Podcast, hosts Sarah Ghirardo and Eric Thomas sit down with Dan live at the Build It to Sell It conference. With 27 years of experience in the roofing industry, Dan shares his transition from the "blood, sweat, and tears" of door knocking to building a sustainable, high-growth career by leveraging his "village" and putting the homeowner first. In this episode, we discuss: The Evolution of Sales: Why it was actually harder to sell roofs 25 years ago despite today’s increased competition. The "Good Human" Philosophy: Why pursuing the homeowner’s best interest is the most profitable business strategy you can have. Career vs. Job Mindset: How to stop treating your sales role like a 9-to-5 and start building your personal brand within your company. The Power of Support: Dan discusses the importance of delegation and how virtual assistants (like SMA) can break the ceiling on your sales capacity. Modern Entitlement in the Trades: A candid look at how technology has changed the sales floor and what’s missing in the new generation of closers. Whether you're a roofing veteran or a technician looking to improve your conversion rates, Dan’s insights on "playing the long game" will change the way you look at your next service call.

    10 min

  6. JAN 7

    Content Is Monetization: How to Stop Being Held Hostage by Search

    Live from Build It to Sell It in Marco Island (formerly the Roofing Process Conference), Sarah Ghirardo and Eric Thomas unpack what it really takes to scale a home service business you can eventually exit. They dig into the true bottleneck to growth (spoiler: the owner), why buying more software rarely fixes anything, and how agencies and marketers are reacting to the “shift” happening in search as AI changes how customers discover contractors. From AEO and AI search visibility to the fundamentals that still win (brand, community presence, content that actually answers questions), this episode is a rapid-fire reminder that marketing can’t revolve around Google alone. The conversation wraps with a practical list of community-driven marketing ideas contractors can implement immediately, plus a challenge to rethink lead aggregators, referrals, and the long-term game of building a business worth buying. If you’re trying to grow, simplify, and build something that doesn’t depend on you for every decision, this one’s for you.

    26 min

  7. 12/31/2025

    How Sameday AI Turns Missed Leads into Booked Jobs

    In this episode of The TradeMarke Podcast, we are joined by Aaron Cooper, Co-Founder and CEO of Sameday AI, for a deep dive into how AI is transforming call handling, booking rates, and revenue growth in the home services industry. Aaron shares the real story behind building Sameday after discovering his own company was missing 15–20% of inbound leads—and how that realization led to an AI sales agent that now answers millions of calls and books over 90% of qualified leads for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical businesses. The conversation covers why AI should multiply strong systems rather than replace people, how elite contractors are using AI CSRs and dispatchers to outperform traditional call centers, and why missed calls remain one of the most expensive leaks in a contractor’s marketing funnel. They also explore where AI is headed next in the trades—from autonomous follow-ups and collections to predictive dispatching—and why the contractors who “turn it on full-time” are seeing outsized growth. If you’re a home service business owner wondering whether AI is hype or a true competitive advantage, this episode delivers a grounded, operator-level perspective on what’s working right now—and what’s coming next.

    11 min

  8. 12/17/2025

    Build It to Sell It: Scaling Trade Businesses the Right Way

    The TradeMarke Podcast bridges the gap between the skilled trades and modern marketing. Hosted by Eric Thomas of Rival Digital and Sarah Ghirardo of Remarketable, this podcast is built for contractors, trade business owners, and marketing leaders who want to grow smarter, scale faster, and build lasting value. Each episode delivers real conversations with industry leaders across HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and home services. We dig into what actually drives growth in the trades, from systems and technology stacks to leadership, capital, branding, and demand generation. No fluff. No theory. Just proven strategies, real stories, and hard-earned lessons from the field. Whether you are building a local trade business, scaling past eight figures, or supporting the trades through marketing and technology, The TradeMarke Podcast gives you the insights you need to make better decisions and stronger moves. We are here for the big ideas, the everyday wins, and the people shaping the future of the trades.

    13 min
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4.7
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Step into ’The TradeMarke,’ your go-to podcast for everything marketing in the trades. Hosted by Award Winning Industry Marketing Experts, Sarah Ghirardo from ReMarketable and Eric Thomas from Rival Digital. Together, we’re here to unite the worlds of trades and marketing, bringing you insights, stories, and strategies from the heart of the home service industry. Whether you’re a trade professional, a marketing expert, or somewhere in between, this is the place for you. Listen in as we’re here for the BIG ideas, the game-changers, and the everyday successes. Because at ’The TradeMarke,’ we’re with the trades and for the trades.

Information

  • Creator
    The TradeMarke
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    234
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The TradeMarke

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