BlueCollar.CEO – Jim Anderson is the Founder and President of J.L. Anderson Heating & Cooling , offering air conditioning services and products, knowledgeable replacement advice, and quality installations. Jim’s 30-plus years of experience in the industry have allowed him to grow his skills and abilities in value engineering, contracting, and business coaching. His top priorities are fostering a safe and reliable workplace for his team while simultaneously providing his customers with the be...
Dec 19, 2023•33 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Rich Levert is the Owner of Allied Repair Company , an electrical and plumbing service company that focuses on 24/7 customer service. He started the company in 2012 with electrical services, and expanded to include plumbing services in 2017. Since launching the company, he has grown his business to accommodate 18 employees. Rich views each day as an opportunity to learn how to be a better husband, father, and employer. In this episode, Ryan and Rich discuss the early struggles o...
Dec 12, 2023•40 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Jaime DiDomenico is the President of N&M Cool Today , providing air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical services. Jaime started his career in the home services business in 1981 while working in a warehouse. After graduating with a degree in accounting, Jaime purchased a small company, growing it from $2 million to $40 million in 15 years. In this episode, Ryan and Jaime discuss market domination and changing your perspective on the customer. Blue Collar CEO is a ...
Dec 05, 2023•45 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Travis Smith is the second generation Owner of Sky Heating, AC, Plumbing & Electrical , providing quality services throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. Initially founded in 1979 by Travis’ father, William Smith, he grew up surrounded by the trades. He started as an installer in 2001 and by 2014 he was serving as the company’s president. In this episode, Ryan and Travis discuss the process of becoming a professional engineer and how to successfully retire from the indu...
Nov 28, 2023•35 min
BlueCollar.CEO – David Crandall is the Owner of Crandall Heating & Air , offering residential and commercial HVAC repairs and installation. He is also the Owner and Principal Agent of Four Oaks Insurance Agency and the Executive Director of School Photographers of America. As an entrepreneur in three unique industries, David is passionate about mentoring and training leaders across each discipline. In this episode, Ryan and David discuss topics such as leadership, culture, relationships, and...
Nov 21, 2023•43 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Drew Roberts is the CEO of ProSource Plumbing Supply , a company providing plumbing supplies, luxury plumbing fixtures, lighting installments, and household hardware from reputable manufacturers. As an experienced executive, he has an elaborate history in the wholesale industry. He is knowledgeable in business development, negotiations, market planning, and operations management. His passion is prioritizing his team and putting others’ needs above his own. In this episode, Ryan ...
Nov 14, 2023•31 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Cynthia Adams is the CEO and Co-founder of Pearl Certification , a software services company that verifies and certifies home energy assets for property value. Cynthia is also the Co-founder of the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council. In both of her positions, she aims to focus on growing the cleantech industry. Cynthia is the recipient of the 2020 Charlottesville Business Innovation Council’s Entrepreneur of the Year award. She also received the Ville Linden Winnington Leadershi...
Nov 07, 2023•21 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Lauren Acosta Huckleberry is the President of Acosta Heating & Cooling , a family-owned HVAC and electrical company providing service to Charlotte, NC. While in high school, Lauren helped her father on occasion with clerical tasks. In 2008 she decided to pursue the business more seriously and was hired on as a salesperson at the company. Since becoming president, Lauren has grown them from a $5 million business to a $10 million business. In this episode, Ryan and Lauren disc...
Oct 31, 2023•21 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Eric Light is the President and Owner of Precision Air Heating & Cooling , a heating and air conditioning company servicing Chester County, PA with timely service at a reasonable price. A former bank employee, Eric is passionate about building cultures within organizations that attract customers and encourage employee engagement. While the transition from banking to the HVAC industry appears dissimilar, he recognized that both focus on serving customers. In this episode, Rya...
Oct 24, 2023•35 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Grant Bledsoe is the Founder and President of Three Oaks Wealth , a financial planning firm providing business owners with financial planning, advice, and investment management. Grant is passionate about helping business owners and entrepreneurs align their finances with their business interests. With more than 15 years of experience, his extensive knowledge of the financial service industry is an asset to his clients and listeners of his podcast, Grow Money Business . In this e...
Oct 17, 2023•33 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Jackie Stark is the General Manager at Yellow Dog Creative , a full-service marketing agency specializing in marketing trade businesses. Jackie is passionate about leveraging marketing to grow the customer and talent base for trade companies. Handling the day-to-day tasks gives her insight into the industry and how companies can benefit from strategies she’s found effective. In this episode, Ryan and Jackie discuss the importance of building a community into your business brand....
Oct 10, 2023•25 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Lynn Wise is the CEO and Founder of Contractor In Charge , an answering service and bookkeeping tool for plumbers, electricians, and HVAC professionals. Lynn has over 35 years of experience owning multiple small businesses and 20 years in corporate sales and management. She is passionate about empowering business owners to implement growth strategies and enjoy the benefits of running a small business. In this episode, Ryan and Lynn discuss AI and how technology will impact the f...
Oct 03, 2023•32 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Christina Bazzel is the Managing Director at United Air Temp , an HVAC company providing dependable residential plumbing services. Christina is skilled in talent management, recruitment, corporate development, and networking. With 20+ years of hands-on experience, she has developed and led many highly competent teams. In this episode, Ryan and Christina discuss the relevance of employee attraction and retention in business development. Blue Collar CEO is a podcast that is all ab...
Sep 26, 2023•24 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Krystal Hobbs is the Owner of Reflective Marketing , a social media marketing agency helping local businesses dominate the market and scale their business. Believing that local businesses are the heartbeat of the community, Krystal is passionate about helping small trade businesses thrive. Her team has trained the top one percent of Facebook advertisers, making Krystal’s agency a leader in the North American market. She began her podcast, Beyond the Tools , to feature trade expe...
Sep 19, 2023•27 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Gary Elekes is the Co-owner of iMarket Solutions , a digital brand management firm specializing in website design for trade businesses, optimization post-sale, social media platforms, email strategy, and reviews management. Gary is also the Founder and CEO of EPC Equity, a private equity firm. With over 30 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur, he is passionate about sharing what he’s learned with young entrepreneurs. In this episode, Ryan and Gary discuss the importance ...
Sep 12, 2023•29 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Bonnie Clymer is the Director of Marketing and Product Development at MRCOOL , a manufacturer designing DIY ductless mini splits that allows customers to save money by installing their own air conditioning unit. Bonnie’s experience in business, graphic design, social media marketing, and website management contributes to her insight into the marketing industry. In this episode, Ryan and Bonnie discuss the shift in marketing strategies and leveraging social platforms for your com...
Sep 05, 2023•29 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Lori Tschohl is the Owner of Eagle Pipe & Mechanical LLC , a women-owned HVAC company providing commercial and residential services. After retiring a $10 million franchise for McDonald’s in 2011, Lori opened two Pandora jewelry stores in 2012. Since 2019, she has given her attention to developing her own company. She is a recipient of the 2010 Women of Influence Award from the New York Business Journal and has demonstrated that level of success in multiple industries. In thi...
Aug 29, 2023•28 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Rusty Cochran is the President of We Care Plumbing Heating & Air , the premier residential and commercial plumbing, heating, and air conditioning company in Southern California. A former rock and roller, Rusty turned his passion for music into a passion for his customers and employees. Originally operating out of the family living room with two employees, the company has grown to employ 200-plus individuals and is steadily growing. Rusty believes the company’s success is att...
Aug 22, 2023•28 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Jeremy Lewis is the President of Gleason Plumbing, Heating, Air and Electric , an HVAC company delivering professional service in a timely manner. With more than 10 years in the industry, Jeremy is a proficient problem solver and instructor. He is skilled in relationship building, supportive communication, and expectation-setting — improving productivity and business operations as a result. In this episode, Ryan and Jeremy discuss the transition from commercial contract work to ...
Aug 15, 2023•29 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Rodney Koop is the Owner and CEO of The New Flat Rate , equipping contractors with a profitable menu pricing system to take the pressure out of sales and provide customers with more options. An electrician with 40-plus years of experience and 12 unrestricted electrical licenses, Rodney has proven himself as a knowledgeable entrepreneur and master at his craft. In this episode, Ryan and Rodney discuss the phenomenon of the 15-second second window of decision-making and how to use...
Aug 08, 2023•35 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Billy Stevens is the Founder and CEO of SERA Systems , a field service management software company implementing AI to help small to large-sized HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and home service businesses grow financially. Billy began his career in 1996 after purchasing an HVAC and plumbing business from his father-in-law. Incorporating time-saving strategies and scheduled weekly training sessions allowed him to stay ahead of his competitors. As a serial entrepreneur, licensed master...
Aug 01, 2023•37 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Bob Muller is the CEO and President of Personal Plumbing Inc. , a medium-sized plumbing business offering viable solutions to homeowners and businesses needing installations, upgrades, maintenance, inspection, and repairs. Bob’s entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to working hard, and passion for providing the highest quality service earned him top ratings on Google and Yelp. With 30-plus years of experience in the industry, his perspective on business has grown and endured in sp...
Jul 25, 2023•36 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Ryan Fenn is the Founder and CEO of Chiirp , a platform designed to automate follow-up messaging for home service businesses that leads to increased ROI. Ryan founded Chiirp after scaling his windshield repair business from one location to nine due to implementing text messaging automation. Within a year of putting together his team, Ryan launched Chiirp’s first MVP. In this episode, Ryan and Ryan discuss how automated messaging technology impacts your top line and allows you to...
Jul 18, 2023•31 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Stephanie Allen is the Co-founder and Owner of Air Works Heating & Cooling , a family-owned and operated HVAC company servicing Camarillo and Ventura County in Southern California. Since launching the company in 2010, Stephanie and her husband, Kevin, have earned a reputation for being highly skilled and meticulous while maintaining honesty, integrity, and ongoing relationships with their customers. Stephanie completed her MBA and JD in three years from the University of Ala...
Jul 11, 2023•37 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Chad Peterman is the CEO and President of Peterman Brothers Heating, Cooling & Plumbing , a family-owned and operated company that provides the best HVAC, plumbing, and electrical careers in Indiana. Established by Chad's father in 1986, the company employs more than 250 people and owns more than 100 trucks servicing satisfied customers. They maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and are recipients of the Angie’s List Super Service Award. Chad firmly believes...
Jul 04, 2023•34 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Jim Bodine is the Owner of CJS Heating & Air , providing customers with HVAC maintenance, repairs, and installations in Ohio and Indiana. Jim is committed to providing quality service with integrity and transparency — the kind of quality he’d want his grandmother to receive. With 30 years of experience in the HVAC field, Jim continues his dream to build, buy, and rebuild residential HVAC businesses. In this episode, Ryan and Jim discuss the importance of truly knowing your o...
Jun 27, 2023•29 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Michael Marvon is the Founder, Owner, and Operator of Lesco Plumbing, Heating & Cooling . They are a family-owned company that prides themselves on their honesty and sincerity. From a young age, Michael had a fascination with how things operated and also enjoyed helping others complete mundane tasks. By 22 years old, he was one of the youngest to pass the New Jersey master plumbing exam and the New Jersey business law exam. With the purchase of his first van, he became his o...
Jun 20, 2023•26 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Michelle Jeppesen is the Director of Business Development and Customer Success at Jill's Office , a virtual receptionist firm that books over $2 million of work monthly for clients. Michelle has an MBA and behavioral science background and is obsessed with helping small businesses systematize and grow. Michelle and her team are on a mission to help business owners create a phenomenal customer experience and gain their financial freedom. In this episode, Ryan and Michelle discuss...
Jun 13, 2023•27 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Lawrence Castillo is the President of Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning , Los Angeles’ most awarded HVAC company three years in a row. He is one of the industry’s top operators, generating record revenue growth for well-respected West Coast companies over the past 20 years. He has thorough experience in constructing and implementing blueprints for multiple operations. In this episode, Ryan and Lawrence discuss the necessary fundamentals to add revenue to a new busines...
Jun 06, 2023•39 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Rachel Fears is General Manager at Air Services Heating, Cooling, and All Service Professional Plumbing , one of the largest residential HVAC and plumbing companies serving Springfield and surrounding areas. She crossed over from insurance into the trades as a CSR in January 2015 and eventually grew to her current position. Through her position, Rachel pursues her passion for the inclusion and advancement of women in HVAC. She also educates her clients and team members on mainta...
May 30, 2023•20 min
