BlueCollar.CEO – Kevin LeSage is the CEO of SearchLight Digital , the fastest-growing revenue analytics company in the home service industry. He grew up in the home service industry, helping his father clean copper pipes for his plumbing business. After spending 11 years working in the automotive space implementing data-driven digital marketing strategies, Kevin founded SearchLight to help contractors improve revenue growth. In today’s episode, Ryan and Kevin discuss the importance of exposing y...
Dec 10, 2024•39 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Chris Buttenham is the Co-founder of Reins , which creates custom phantom stock and profit-sharing plans to retain employees. Previously, he co-founded Obie, a knowledge management software acquired by Seismic in 2021. In this episode, Ryan and Chris discuss how to retain top talent in your organization through rewards and equity incentives. Blue Collar CEO is a podcast that is all about helping you build a better, more profitable, more sustainable & kick-ass home service bu...
Dec 03, 2024•28 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Darren Yarbrough is the Co-founder and CEO of Yarbrough & Sons , a family-owned and operated HVAC and plumbing business. After starting the company in 1988, Darren worked as a service tech, installer, manager, planner, and advisor. Yarbrough & Sons has grown from a mom-and-pop shop to a team of over 55 technicians. In today’s episode, Ryan and Darren talk about leadership, managing a family business, and community involvement. Listen to the episode with Leslie Harpoole h...
Nov 26, 2024•40 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Charlie Felker is the Co-founder and CEO of Free2Grow , an AI voice tool that supports the trades. Before Free2Grow, he owned and operated a multistate home service business that he sold in 2019. As a graduate of West Point, Charlie served in the Army from 2006-2011. In this episode, Ryan and Charlie discuss how AI voice tools will alter the customer experience in the home service industry. Learn more about Free2Grow here: https://api.twilio.com/2010-04-01/Accounts/AC5c8b056e3f6...
Nov 19, 2024•41 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Robert Keefer is the Co-founder and CEO of Kongify , a home service branding agency. He has built million-dollar home service companies from the ground up. Robert’s mission is to make high-quality branding accessible to smaller businesses. In this week’s episode, Ryan talks with Robert about all things branding for home service companies, including barriers and pros and cons. Blue Collar CEO is a podcast that is all about helping you build a better, more profitable, more sustain...
Nov 12, 2024•35 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Ryan Chute is the Managing Partner of Wizard of Ads® , a branding agency for service-based businesses. He is also the Co-founder of Cognoscenti Syndicate, where he invests in residential home service companies, professional service businesses, and real estate. As a marketing and sales expert, Ryan works with entrepreneurs to 4x their businesses. In this episode, Ryan Redding and Ryan Chute talk about marketing and branding for home service businesses. Blue Collar CEO is a podcas...
Nov 05, 2024•44 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Aaron Gaynor is the Founder and CEO of Eco Plumbers , which recently expanded to include heating, cooling, and electrical services. After his first contracting company collapsed during the 2007 financial crisis, he trained in green plumbing techniques and built a plumbing company using innovative products like tankless water heaters. Aaron also founded The Eco Plumbers University, which has taught professional plumbing skills, workmanship, and customer service delivery to over 1...
Oct 29, 2024•41 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Brigham Dickinson is the Founder and President of Power Selling Pros , a leader in customer service and call handler training. As a CSR coach, he has coached over 900 CSRs in the US, Canada, and Australia. Brigham is also the author of Pattern for Excellence , Something to Give , and Patterned after Excellence . In this episode, Ryan and Brigham discuss CSR coaching and training, including why you shouldn’t give your CSR team sloppy seconds on bagels. Blue Collar CEO is a podcas...
Oct 22, 2024•40 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Chris Koch is a Head Coach and Trainer at BDR (Business Development Resources) , a premier provider of business training and coaching services. He coaches and consults HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and other home service contractors. With over 25 years of HVAC and plumbing industry experience, Chris founded a startup, completed two acquisitions, assimilated cultures, executed financial turnarounds, and developed home service divisions into significant profit centers. In this episo...
Oct 15, 2024•39 min
BlueCollar.CEO – John Akhoian is the Founder and CEO of Rooter Hero Plumbing & Air , where certified, licensed, and insured plumbers use state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and repair maintenance issues. He is also the author of Creating 99 Millionaires and The Secret to Real Wealth. In the latest episode, Ryan and John discuss how the simple act of giving back has propelled Rooter Hero to be one of the largest plumbing companies on the West Coast. Blue Collar CEO is a podcast that is al...
Oct 08, 2024•38 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Richard Willard is the Vice President of Customer Success at Authority Brands, which includes 16 leading home service franchisors, including BuyMax, a company that provides buying rights, networking, and exclusive products to home service businesses. Richard is also the VP of Customer Success at BuyFin , a consumer financing company for home service professionals. In his role, he positions BuyFin to contractors to grow their businesses. He also focuses on internal processes and ...
Oct 01, 2024•25 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Mary Geiger is the Owner and President of All About the Pipes Plumbing , an award-winning plumbing contractor in Charlotte, NC. After working as an accountant for her ex-husband’s HVAC business, she founded All About the Pipes in 2017. Mary also volunteers for various charitable organizations for those less fortunate. In today’s episode, Ryan and Mary talk about leadership structures and adapting to business stress and chaos. Blue Collar CEO is a podcast that is all about helpin...
Sep 24, 2024•34 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Ryan Matthews is the Owner of MyGuy Plumbing & Drain , a family-owned and operated residential plumbing company in Toms River, NJ. He has been providing high-quality plumbing and HVAC services to residential and commercial clients since 2018. With a master plumbing license and over 10 years of experience in the field, Ryan installs, designs, repairs, and maintains various plumbing and HVAC systems. In this week’s episode, Ryan Redding and Ryan Matthews talk about building a ...
Sep 17, 2024•31 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Junior Marte is the Owner of Hamptons Air, a leading provider of HVAC services in the Hamptons, New York. With over 20 years of industry experience, Junior and his team have built a reputation for delivering reliable and high-quality heating and cooling services to clients. He began working at his dad’s pizza shop before transitioning to the HVAC industry. In today’s episode, Ryan and Junior discuss the ins and outs of leadership and partnerships. Blue Collar CEO is a podcast th...
Sep 10, 2024•28 min
John Wilson is the President of Wilson Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electric , the second-largest home services provider in Northeast Ohio. He has grown the company to $26 million in revenue in eight years. John is also the host of the Owned & Operated podcast, which shares growth stories of plumbing, electrical, and HVAC companies. Follow John on X: https://x.com/WilsonCompanies In today’s episode, Ryan and John talk about how to scale a home service business the right way. Blue Collar C...
Sep 03, 2024•45 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Daniel Simon is the Founder and CEO of Coast , a fleet card and expense management platform. As a venture-backed entrepreneur and C-suite executive, he co-founded Bread, a data-driven tech payments company that was acquired by Alliance Data Systems. Daniel focuses on building effective products and high-performing teams. In today’s episode, Ryan and Daniel discuss fleet spending management for growing home service businesses. Blue Collar CEO is a podcast that is all about helpin...
Aug 27, 2024•27 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Andrew Manning is the Owner of Backup Plumbing in La Grange, Kentucky. As a master plumber, he has spent the past six years scaling his business from the ground up. In this episode, Ryan and Andrew talk about Andrew’s best-kept secret to business growth. Blue Collar CEO is a podcast that is all about helping you build a better, more profitable, more sustainable & kick-ass home service business. Join Levergy® CEO Ryan Redding each week who will be joined by industry experts w...
Aug 20, 2024•30 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Lance Ford is the Owner of Bizzy-B Plumbing , an award-winning residential plumbing service company. With over 18 years of experience in the plumbing industry, he served an apprenticeship for five years before becoming a CEO. In this week’s episode, Ryan and Lance discuss how Lance transitioned from a plumber to a CEO. Blue Collar CEO is a podcast that is all about helping you build a better, more profitable, more sustainable & kick-ass home service business. Join Levergy® C...
Aug 13, 2024•33 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Curtis Duncan is the Owner and CEO of Quality Home HVAC , a family-owned company specializing in residential service and dual-fuel heat pump installations. Curtis and his wife Candace have propelled the company to over 60% year-over-year growth. Having transitioned from digital marketing and sales, he brings a unique perspective to the HVAC industry. In this episode, Ryan and Curtis discuss the inner workings of a family-owned and operated business, including communication and a...
Aug 06, 2024•37 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Obed Guzman is the Owner and CEO of Alma HVAC Inc ., a premier provider of HVAC solutions for commercial buildings. As a first-generation immigrant from Mexico, Obed and his wife Alma moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, and founded Alma HVAC Inc. to give back to the community. As a senior HVAC technician, he has over 25 years of experience executing commercial, residential, and industrial installations. In today’s episode, Ryan and Obed talk about identifying and creating opport...
Jul 30, 2024•28 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Aaron Salow is the Founder and CEO of XOi Technologies , a digital field service tool for the trades industry. He founded the company to close the gap in skilled trades workers, fostering rapid growth for businesses. Inspired by his father’s career in the blue-collar industry, Aaron has worked as an entrepreneur and employee in manufacturing and construction. In this episode, Ryan and Aaron discuss how XOi helps technicians save time in the field. Blue Collar CEO is a podcast th...
Jul 23, 2024•30 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Dave MacDonald is the Owner and Founder of Better Together Group , a group of staffing companies that provide specialized recruiting services for clients and personalized services for job-seekers. The companies include Revolution Staffing, Essential Staffing, and Help Unlimited, each serving specialized markets and demographics. In today’s episode, Ryan and Dave discuss workforce and economic trends, including hiring and firing and other internal culture dynamics. Blue Collar CE...
Jul 16, 2024•32 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Sandy Papavero is the Director of Sales and Marketing at CEO Warrior, a membership dedicated to teaching plumbers, electricians, contractors, and HVAC technicians to lead and scale their businesses. As a certified life coach, visionary entrepreneur, and hypnotherapist specializing in T.I.M.E techniques, Sandy works with professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs to help them expand value and realize their full potential. She is also a business coach for prominent figures like Ton...
Jul 09, 2024•38 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Matthew Query is the Owner and Lead Inspector at Freedom Home Services , a home inspection business based in South Carolina. With over 15 years of experience in residential construction, warranty, and internal quality inspections, he holds a South Carolina Residential Builder license, is a licensed home inspector in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Indiana, and holds a Certified Master Inspector designation. Matthew served in the Infantry for the Indiana National Guard for 6 ...
Jul 02, 2024•37 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Gus Puga is the Owner and CEO of Airstream Services , which offers electrical, heating, and AC repair in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. After moving to Tennessee from Southern California in 2005, Gus transitioned out of the automotive industry and founded Airstream Services to offer ethical service and build long-term client relationships. In today’s episode, Ryan and Gus talk about Gus’ most reeling business challenges, and how he turns high-ticket turnovers into valuable opportuniti...
Jun 25, 2024•30 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Dalton Hadley and Zach Jones are the Owners of Air Support Heating and Cooling , an HVAC provider in Louisville, Kentucky. In just one year, they scaled the business from zero to $1.5 million. Now in their second year of business, the pair manages operations in multiple locations. Dalton has experience in HVAC management, installation, and service, while Zach has a background as a sales consultant in the financial services industry. In this episode, Ryan, Zach, and Dalton talk a...
Jun 18, 2024•36 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Al Levi is the CEO and Consultant at The 7-Power Contractor , a business consulting and training firm that has helped hundreds of service and installation-based contracting businesses streamline their operations. He is also the author of The 7-Power Contractor, which includes seven principles for business success. After working more than 25 years as a contractor and leader for his family’s home service business, Al sold his share and began a consulting service catering to contra...
Jun 11, 2024•34 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Andy Wyatt is the Founder of WyattWorks Plumbing , a family-owned business providing fast, reliable, and same-day plumbing services. He began his journey in the trades 43 years ago, working alongside a master plumber. Andy is also the original software architect of PricebookPro. In today’s episode, Ryan and Andy talk about how Andy grew his business to $10 million and the role of faith in his journey. Blue Collar CEO is a podcast that is all about helping you build a better, mor...
Jun 04, 2024•32 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Paul Carmody is the President of Successware , an industry-leading business management software provider for home service companies. With more than 20 years of experience as a senior executive, he has worked in the SaaS, internet infrastructure, supply chain, and manufacturing industries. Before Successware, Paul served as the COO of Nicus Software in the IT and financial management industry. In this episode, Ryan and Paul delve into the importance of having strong operations an...
May 28, 2024•29 min
BlueCollar.CEO – Josh Moryl is the Owner of JM Mechanical , which provides top-notch furnace and air conditioning repairs, as well as plumbing and electrical services. With over 15 years of experience in the HVAC industry, he became a master at the craft while working as a technician before founding JM Mechanical to provide honest, customer-centric, and reliable service. In the latest episode, Ryan and Josh discuss how Josh grew his business from a startup to a multimillion-dollar operation and ...
May 21, 2024•36 min
