The Elevator Entrepreneur

Sean Madden
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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The Mission is to Empower my fellow Elevator Entrepreneurs with short 15-minute informative & educational podcasts while having a little fun along the way! My Vision is to provide our listeners with 3-things  1. Tools to Grow your Business  2. Tips that will FREE your TIME &  3. Tricks allowing you to REST EASY!

  1. Why Communication Breaks Down in Elevator Businesses with Lisa Diaz

    FEB 3

    Why Communication Breaks Down in Elevator Businesses with Lisa Diaz

    The majority of communication issues in elevator businesses are coming from a lack of clear expectations, missing structure, and conversations that are happening way too late. In this episode of the Elevator Entrepreneur, I sat down with Lisa Diaz from Turf Elevate to talk through why breakdowns between owners, the field, and clients tend to show up before cash flow problems do, and why repeating yourself is often a sign the system (not the people), needs fixing. This conversation reflects exactly what we see inside eGROW: elevator business owners carrying too much because their processes, systems, and early agreement aren’t fully in place yet. Ready to fix the root issue? Join the eGROW waitlist to be the first to know when doors open and get access to proven industry frameworks designed to bring control, predictability, and sustainability to your elevator business. 👉 Join the eGROW Waitlist 00:00 – Welcome 00:35 – Lisa’s background and path into infrastructure 01:30 – The Grand Central “aha” moment 03:50 – Why elevators became the focus 06:20 – Payment cycles and cash flow challenges 08:25 – Why early conversations matter 11:35 – Technology, clarity, and expectations 13:30 – RFPs, relationships, and choosing the right work 16:30 – Trust, clients, and getting paid faster 19:20 – Leadership responsibility and communication 20:30 – Ideal customer profiles and alignment 22:10 – Final thoughts

    23 min
  2. Don’t Panic, Hire Smart with Jeff Hanson

    11/11/2025

    Don’t Panic, Hire Smart with Jeff Hanson

    In this episode of The Elevator Entrepreneur Podcast, I sit down with Jeff Hanson, owner of Genesis Elevator Services in Lewisville, Texas, to talk about one of the toughest parts of running a company: finding and keeping the right people. With nearly 40 years in the elevator industry and experience across multiple OEMs, Jeff brings a seasoned perspective on what it takes to build a dependable team in today’s market. Together, me and Jeff unpack what hiring really looks like for elevator companies: The difference between hiring out of panic vs. hiring with purpose How to spot red flags in interviews (and why hands-on tests still matter) What smaller companies can do to recruit and retain great talent Why setting clear expectations from day one is key to long-term success And Jeff’s golden nugget for any owner feeling overwhelmed: “Don’t panic." [00:01:00] Jeff’s 38-year journey in the elevator industry[00:03:00] The challenges of ownership and people management[00:05:00] Why hiring the right fit matters more than filling the seat[00:08:00] Practical interview strategies for elevator leaders[00:12:00] Lessons from Sean’s own hiring process[00:15:00] The reality of HR and retention in small companies[00:17:00] Jeff’s golden nugget: Don’t panic Ready to grow your elevator business? Join me inside eGROW, a 6-month group coaching experience built to help elevator company owners streamline their operations, strengthen their teams, and scale sustainably.

    18 min
  3. Old Lessons, New Standards: The Evolution of Safety and Training with John Koshak

    10/22/2025

    Old Lessons, New Standards: The Evolution of Safety and Training with John Koshak

    In this episode of The Elevator Entrepreneur Podcast, I sit down with industry veteran John Koshak, founder of EMCP and long-time advocate for elevator safety and education. John shares how he went from wiring hydros at Westinghouse to creating one of the most trusted maintenance control programs in the industry. His decades of experience offer a rare perspective on how training, safety, and accountability have evolved in the elevator world. We dive into the gap between older and newer generations of mechanics. That includes the decline of hands-on troubleshooting skills and the importance of proper training on both vintage and modern systems. John also discusses why companies must invest in better education to protect both workers and the riding public. [00:01:00] From electrician to elevator mechanic[00:03:00] The creation of EMCP[00:05:00] The evolution of safety standards[00:09:00] Training gaps and generational knowledge loss[00:12:00] Relay logic vs. modern control systems[00:18:00] Troubleshooting, accountability, and safety in the field[00:22:00] How to build a stronger, safer company culture

    26 min
  4. Hard Conversations and Honest Leadership with Chris Gutkes

    10/06/2025

    Hard Conversations and Honest Leadership with Chris Gutkes

    In this episode of The Elevator Entrepreneur Podcast, I sit down with Chris Gutkes, President of Island Elevator, to talk about the realities of leadership, growth, and tough decision-making as an elevator business owner. Despite the numerous tech hiccups, me and Chris got to discuss some tough topics in our industry. Chris shares his journey from fourth-generation elevator mechanic to company president, the lessons he learned after suddenly stepping into leadership, and how education helped him fill the gaps no one else could ever prepare him for. We discuss the balance between growth and hiring (and firing), and how performance systems—like scorecards—create accountability and clarity for everyone involved. Chris also opens up about the broader challenges facing the elevator industry, from consolidation to the lack of shared standards, and how we should prioritize education, collaboration, and connection among independent companies ➡️ If you’re ready to get the same clarity and structure Chris talks about in this episode, check out eGROW—The 6-month accelerator built to give Elevator Entrepreneurs the structure, cashflow strategies, and mentorship they need to scale sustainably. Click here to get the details—Now enrolling [00:01:00] Fourth-generation beginnings[00:03:00] Becoming president overnight[00:05:00] Balancing growth and hiring[00:07:00] Making tough calls[00:08:00] Scorecards and accountability[00:09:30] Creating growth pathways[00:10:30] Progress over perfection[00:11:30] The state of the industry[00:13:30] The roll-up cycle[00:14:00] Real advice for every role[00:16:00] Leading through connection

    17 min
  5. How I Overcame Losing $1M in my Elevator Business

    09/22/2025

    How I Overcame Losing $1M in my Elevator Business

    In this solo episode, I’m opening up about one of the hardest years of my career — the year I lost nearly $1M in my elevator business. I’ll walk you through the mistakes that cost me big, the mindset that kept me from giving up, and the plan I built that pulled our business (and our family) back stronger than ever. It’s real and my hope is that it shows you these setbacks don’t define us. What defines us is how we respond to them. And because I know challenges like these are still hitting elevator companies today, I’m opening up early bird registration for my Q4 Cashflow Solutions Workshop. In this workshop, you'll uncover the 3 cashflow solutions that increase year-end revenue, position your business for 2026, and keep more of the cash you’ve already earned. For the next 72 hours only, you can grab your seat at an exclusive discount price.Just use the code 'EARLYBIRD' at checkout. Click here to learn more

    8 min
  6. Time Management That Sticks: How I Plan My Week as an Elevator Entrepreneur

    09/09/2025

    Time Management That Sticks: How I Plan My Week as an Elevator Entrepreneur

    In this solo episode, I walk through the system I use to run my week: find your prime time (morning/evening/midday) and split your time into thirds—in the business, on the business, and personal. I’ll also share how short weekly 1:1s and a simple scorecard keep me out of micromanagement and focused on momentum. If you’re still stuck fighting daily fires, this will give you a rhythm you can keep. Want the tools I mention? Opt in here to Elevator Strategic Hub (esHUB) for the exact frameworks I've used to structure my days in the elevator industry.

    9 min
  7. Using Data to Drive Smarter Decisions in Your Elevator Business with Shae Sealey

    09/02/2025

    Using Data to Drive Smarter Decisions in Your Elevator Business with Shae Sealey

    In this episode of The Elevator Entrepreneur Podcast, I sit down with Shae Sealey of Lift Keeper to explore the power of data in today’s elevator industry. We hash out scorecards and KPIs to data integrity and decision-making, break down how tracking the right numbers can help entrepreneurs cut costs, improve efficiency, and uncover growth opportunities. It doesn't matter if you’re running a small independent shop or managing large-scale projects, this conversation reveals why simplicity beats complexity when it comes to data—and how the right KPIs can enhance your business goals. 🎯 Want to put this into action? Gain access to my Build Your KPIs Workshop replay plus 15 bonus metrics to implement into your elevator business today: https://www.elevatorstrategichub.com/offers/zookdoE7/checkout

    23 min
  8. Building the Next Generation of Elevator Leaders with Amber Catlin-Kolodziej

    08/26/2025

    Building the Next Generation of Elevator Leaders with Amber Catlin-Kolodziej

    In this episode of The Elevator Entrepreneur Podcast, I sit down with Amber Catlin-Kolodziej, Executive Director of the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation. Amber shares her journey from nonprofit leadership into the elevator space and we dive into one of her biggest passions—leadership. We talk about the gap that exists when technicians move into management roles without the right leadership training, why leadership is a learned skill (not just a title), and how collaboration across generations can shape the future of our industry. We also touch on storytelling, mentorship, and how technology like AI can support leadership without replacing the human connection that makes it so powerful. If you’re working to strengthen your leadership mindset, this conversation is packed with takeaways and encouragement you won’t want to miss. [00:02:00] Amber’s story[00:05:00] The leadership gap between technical expertise and people management[00:07:00] Competitors coming together to support each other[00:09:30] Why new leaders often feel like they have to wear every hat[00:11:00] Bridging the old guard’s expertise with the next generation’s energy[00:13:30] The importance of storytelling in leadership development[00:14:00] Finding the balance between AI/tech and human connection[00:19:00] Amber’s golden nugget: leadership can be learned by anyone[00:20:00] My thoughts on how leadership starts with mindset in every role

    22 min
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About

The Mission is to Empower my fellow Elevator Entrepreneurs with short 15-minute informative & educational podcasts while having a little fun along the way! My Vision is to provide our listeners with 3-things  1. Tools to Grow your Business  2. Tips that will FREE your TIME &  3. Tricks allowing you to REST EASY!

Information

  • Creator
    Sean Madden
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Elevator Strategic Hub, LLC
  • Show Website
    The Elevator Entrepreneur