In this lively episode of Blue Collar Nation , Larry and Eric sit down with Jeff Jones—Director of Sales & Marketing and business coach at Violand Management—to unpack how trade businesses in the disaster restoration, HVAC, plumbing, and janitorial industries can thrive in today’s slower market. Jeff shares his journey from family hardware stores to becoming VP of Everything Amazing, reveals why aggressive sales during downturns can lead to market dominance, and highlights essential future-f...
Jun 26, 2025•46 min•Season 7Ep. 303
Gen Z is changing the workforce - and that includes your home service team. They don't respond to fear-based leadership or "back in my day" lectures. In this episode, Eric and Larry break down how to effectively lead and manage Gen Z employees in the trades. They discuss what makes Gen Z tick, what drives them to perform, and how to adjust your leadership style without lowering your standards. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or service manager, this is the playbook for building a high-p...
Jun 17, 2025•42 min•Season 7Ep. 302
In this engaging episode, Eric and Larry sit down with Kevin Bunce. Kevin shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey from dropping out of college to building a thriving company in the restoration industry. He discusses the importance of cultivating a strong company culture centered on professionalism, consistent training, and team development. Kevin emphasizes how investing in people through programs like Super Tech University has fostered loyalty, improved service quality, and differentiated ...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 7Ep. 301
In this impromptu Zoom session, we dig into one of the most underrated performance boosters in the home service industry: the daily morning meeting. Discover why 10–15 minutes each morning can reduce turnover, improve communication, and create a magnetic company culture that attracts top talent. Learn practical steps for implementing these meetings, overcoming resistance from your team, and maximizing ROI. If you’re tired of disengaged employees and inconsistent results, this is your blueprint f...
May 23, 2025•38 min•Season 7Ep. 300
In this inspiring episode of the Blue Collar Nation Podcast , Eric and Larry sit down with Bill German, co-owner of New Way Restoration and proud graduate of the "School of Hard Knocks." Bill shares his powerful journey from working in underground coal mines to leading a thriving restoration business. He dives into the life-changing lessons learned along the way—how COVID reshaped his views on work-life balance, what it really means to “figure it out,” and how mentorship, community, and relentle...
May 16, 2025•52 min•Season 7Ep. 299
In this episode, Larry and Eric break down the art of the in-home inspection—not just to diagnose problems, but to educate the client , build trust , and lead them naturally to a confident buying decision . If you’re in the home services industry, this one’s for you. We’ll explore how to turn your inspection process into a structured, trust-building experience that eliminates sales pressure and increases your close rate. Learn how to ask the right questions, use simple language, and visually inv...
May 08, 2025•38 min•Season 7Ep. 298
We are always on the quest of trying to get our techs to perform "the perfect service call" so we get all the repeat business, referrals, and those coveted Google reviews. In this episode, Eric and Larry go step by step through the actions and habits that create the perfect service call. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft sk...
May 01, 2025•53 min•Season 7Ep. 297
Join this insightful conversation with Eric and Larry as they discuss how home service businesses can maximize each service call's effectiveness by prioritizing technician training and soft skills, especially during a tightening economy. Key Takeaways: Every Call Counts: Each service call is your opportunity to secure a lifetime client, not just a one-time job. Soft Skills are Critical: Connection, clarity, and confidence determine the outcome of your service calls. Consistent Training Pays Off:...
Apr 24, 2025•35 min•Season 7Ep. 296
Most service company owners spend an inordinate amount of time working on and worrying about client experience....as they should. However, do they put the same amount of effort into creating an amazing work experience for their team? Larry and Eric discuss this topic on today's podcast. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft ski...
Apr 02, 2025•23 min•Season 7Ep. 295
Matt Michel joins Eric and Larry to talk about the future of the HVAC industry for the next 10 years. We tackle topics such as how tariffs will affect HVAC sales, the importance of soft skills to grow a great service company, and how the smaller companies can effectively compete with the big players in their markets. This is an episode that should not be missed, regardless of which vertical you are in for home services. Check out Matt's book, Contractor Stories: Inspirational Lessons for Contrac...
Mar 15, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 7Ep. 294
In this episode, we sit down with Mandy Rewis , Director of Business Development and Strategy at JOC Analytics , to explore how business intelligence tools are revolutionizing the restoration and trades industries . Mandy shares how JOC Analytics pulls data from CRMs and job management software to create real-time, customizable dashboards that eliminate manual reporting and provide actionable insights on KPIs, financials, and production metrics . We discuss why small and mid-sized businesses nee...
Feb 15, 2025•58 min•Season 7Ep. 293
In this weeks episode, Larry and Eric sit down to discuss the positives and negatives that come with running a business at a certain age and how to stay on the cutting edge of new business practices. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft skills, your team can make you more profit. Go to https://supertechu.com/ for more info. Cl...
Feb 03, 2025•35 min•Season 7Ep. 292
It is a never ending struggle in the restoration industry to get paid what we are worth, for all the work we have done, and in a timely manner. This week Eric and Larry sit down with Becca Dopher of SFY, Service For You , to talk about what contractors can do to help them get paid in full for the work they have performed. SFY is a leading estimate and supplement solution, offering quick and accurate Xactimate estimates and claims management for restoration and roofing contractors in water mitiga...
Jan 10, 2025•54 min•Season 7Ep. 291
In this episode, we sat down with John Monroe of Violand Management to talk about their new V-Street educational platform—an essential resource hub designed specifically for service business owners. V-Street consolidates over 750 documents, training videos, and management tools into one user-friendly platform, empowering businesses to streamline operations and boost performance. Key highlights include: How to access a 30-day free trial with priority code BCN30 at https://violand.com/vstreet/ . T...
Dec 26, 2024•47 min•Season 6Ep. 290
Amy O'Grady, Executive Director of Women in HVACR , joined Eric and Larry to talk about the work she and women in HVACR are doing to help recruit, train, and support women who are getting into the trades. Eric and Larry learn about Amy's vast and diversified employment history and entrance into HVAC as a second-generation HVAC contractor. Contact Amy at director@womeninhvacr.org . Enjoy the conversation! TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a sys...
Dec 17, 2024•42 min•Season 6Ep. 289
Many restoration companies are beholden to program work, TPA's and the plumber referral game. 1 Tom Plumber Rocky Hensley sits down with Eric and Larry to educate our listeners on how to make their own water damage leads. You can reach Rocky at 1 TOM PLUMBER (1-866-758-6237) or email him at Rocky@1tom.com. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and...
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 6Ep. 288
The Grateful podcast. Eric and Larry recount all the things that they are grateful for. They talk about the highlights of the year and their plan for 2025. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft skills, your team can make you more profit. Go to https://supertechu.com/ for more info. Click here for a discount: https://supertechu....
Nov 30, 2024•38 min•Season 6Ep. 287
Building a business from scratch can be difficult. Often, a franchise model can help smooth the growing pains. Join Larry, Eric, and guest host Katie Harris as they talk candidly with Josh Miller, President of Rainbow Restoration , as he explains the ins and outs of the franchise model. Show notes: Why Do I always have to sit next to the farting cat - Dan S Kennedy is currently not available on Amazon; look here for book description. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your...
Nov 22, 2024•45 min•Season 6Ep. 286
Join Eric Sprague and Katie Harris, co-authors of The Road to Seven Figures , as they reveal the blueprint that's helped countless business owners scale to seven figures and beyond. They break down the proven strategies that fuel business growth. If you're ready to transform your business with practical, no-nonsense advice, this podcast is your roadmap to success. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system of short daily video lessons training...
Nov 15, 2024•47 min•Season 6Ep. 285
HR is the last thing on a contractor's mind...until it's the only thing on their mind! Go talk to any contractor and ask them about human resources. You will likely get a roll of the eyes or a blank stare. We learn that when HR is ignored, and a BIG problem arises, your company can be lost. Violand Management HR experts Kelley Dolan and Scott Tackett sit down with Eric and Larry to do a deep dive into actionable insights that will help keep contractors out of trouble. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech U...
Nov 01, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 6Ep. 284
Finding good help has never been harder in the trades. Go hang out with any home service owners, and a topic of conversation is always " I can't find good people!". Wylander's Kristy Sifford has solutions she shares here. Eric and Larry sit down with Kristy to talk about what companies need to do to be attractive to top talent, how she helps people in the trades find the people they need, and also what the employer must do to be a good fit for a potential team member. Don't miss this episode, as...
Oct 25, 2024•47 min•Season 6Ep. 283
Eric and Larry explain the importance of building a beautiful business. Steve Toburen, a legendary business guru in the service industries, taught about what it takes and what steps need to be made to create a beautiful business. Listen and enjoy Larry and Eric discussing their journey to build a beautiful business. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in you...
Sep 17, 2024•42 min•Season 6Ep. 282
More money is made or lost on the phone than anywhere else in the home services sector. Today, Eric and Larry sit down with service legend Steve Toburen of Home Front Success to discuss the finer points of CSR training. Learn from the best how to make the phone a profit center. Find Steve on Facebook and Instagram . Here is a coupon code to get a 20% discount code for the How to Convert the, "How Much?!?!?!", caller course, STU20C . Here is the link to get the discount, https://homefrontsuccess....
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 6Ep. 281
Larry and Eric explain why they have been absent and discuss what is new in the world of home services. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and teach them soft skills, your team can make you more profit. Go to https://supertechu.com/ for more info. Click here for a discount: https://supertechu.com/register/podcastoffer/ . Here is an entrepreneur...
Aug 16, 2024•47 min•Season 6Ep. 280
It is important to surround yourself with other successful business owners. In this episode Eric and Larry sit down with Sid Graef of the HUGE Convention For Home Services to talk about how being involved in your industry can help take you to the next level. The HUGE Convention is going to be in Nashville August 22-24 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. We have been involved with the HUGE Convention for the past 3 years. We are always impressed with the caliber of business owners attending and the e...
Aug 02, 2024•44 min•Season 6Ep. 279
As AI increases to impact the home services industry, we now are at a point where AI can answer the phone for you 😲. Do you think you could do this in your home service company? Charlie Felker, of Free 2 Grow , joins the Blue Collar Nation podcast again to talk about the huge pivot he did in his business to bring AI CSR's to the marketplace. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft ski...
Jul 24, 2024•44 min•Season 6Ep. 278
Today, Larry talks with special guests Nick Englehart and Mike Busher from Service MVP . In this episode, they explore the indispensable role of coaching and training in fostering success within service-oriented businesses. Discover why continuous learning is the cornerstone of excellence in service industries and how Service MVP approaches personalized development plans tailored to each team member. Nick and Mike share invaluable insights on the importance of investing in employee growth and fo...
Jul 11, 2024•57 min•Season 6Ep. 277
Eric and Larry sit down with Super Tech U clients Chris and Kyle Brierly, of Roto Rooter Oklahoma , to talk about how they have built upon their Dad’s foundation to build a successful multi-location plumbing business by focusing on culture, accountability, and data tracking. This is a must listen for any service business owner who wants to learn how grow. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your tea...
Jun 23, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 6Ep. 276
Most of us in the home services space are well acquainted with Dan Antonelli's amazing van wraps. What began as Dan's childhood passion, which started in a basement, grew into the award-winning agency Kickcharge Creative . Kickcharge Creative is now the leading brand creation company in the home services space. Dan has helped over 2,500 individual brands recognize the better side of business, all while building a best-in-class agency that’s collectively earned over 250 design awards. Join Eric a...
Jun 06, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 6Ep. 275
Today Eric and Larry sit down with Ashley Tanner co-owner and COO of Iron Mountain Plumbing in Cedar City, Utah. Together, they dive into the nitty-gritty of what it takes to start and run a successful plumbing business in today's competitive landscape, and especially the particular hurdles that service businesses face in tight-knit communities like Cedar City. From building and maintaining trust with customers, Ashley sheds light on the intricacies of thriving in a small-town market and she sha...
Apr 26, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 6Ep. 274
