What if the secret to scaling your home service business isn't more trucks or more tools—but showing up online with purpose? In this episode of Born For The Trades , host Mandeep sits down with Jen McKee, the sharp and savvy founder of Kee Hart Marketing, to explore why social media isn't just marketing—it's a business growth engine. Jen is no stranger to the spotlight. She’s a 5x award-winning marketer, a 2024 40 Under 40 honoree, and the creator of the Show Up, Stand Out, Scale framework that’...
May 21, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 73
In this episode of Born For The Trades , Mandeep sits down with Brent Swift, the founder of SwiftCo, a company that has become a cornerstone of Norman, Oklahoma's roofing, construction, and real estate industries. With over 25 years of experience, Brent’s journey is a testament to dedication and craftsmanship. His story began with a simple but ambitious venture: Deckworks. From there, his passion for quality construction and design blossomed into SwiftCo, a business that now serves a diverse ran...
Apr 09, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 72
In this episode of Born For The Trades, host Shreya dives deep with Sandy Papavero, a Master and Growth Advisor at CEO Warrior. With a career spanning sales consulting for industry giants like Tony Robbins and Chet Holmes, and expertise in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), Sandy has made it her mission to help home service professionals shatter limiting beliefs and reach new heights in business and life. Sandy shares her journey—how she transitioned into CEO Warrior and what drives her passion...
Apr 08, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 71
Sales isn’t just about the words you say—it’s about how you say them, how you move, and what your customers unconsciously pick up from you. In this episode of Born For The Trades , host Shreya sits down with sales expert Allan Langer to uncover the game-changing secrets that most sales reps overlook. Allan, the author of The 7 Secrets to Selling More by Selling Less , shares why traditional high-pressure tactics are outdated and how understanding psychology, trust, and nonverbal communication ca...
Mar 05, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 70
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Feb 19, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 69
Welcome back to another exciting episode of Born for the Trades! Today, we’re diving into the world of HVAC with a special guest, Axel Romero. Since stepping into the HVAC industry in 2017, Axel’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. What began as a focus on installations quickly evolved into a deeper passion for the inner workings of HVAC systems, and by 2019, Axel found his calling at Crossway Mechanical. But his story doesn’t stop there. In just a year, he transitioned into specializ...
Feb 12, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 68
On this episode of Born for the Trades, Mandeep chats with Lynn Wise, co-founder of Contractor In Charge, a revolutionary service designed to help home service businesses—plumbers, electricians, HVAC professionals, and more—streamline their operations. With a background in both the trades and tech, Lynn’s journey is a fascinating blend of hands-on experience and cutting-edge solutions. Lynn’s path to entrepreneurship started when she saw a significant gap in the home services industry: contracto...
Jan 22, 2025•20 min
In this episode of Born For The Trades , Mandeep and Shreya sit down with Bill Kean, the President of NEXGEN Air, Heat, and Plumbing, a leading force in Southern California's home services industry. With over 15 years of experience, Bill’s journey from a second-generation contractor to a successful entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. He shares the mindset shifts that helped him navigate pivotal moments—like founding Dynamic Air Services in 2008 and growing it into a $6 million company—be...
Jan 15, 2025•28 min
In this episode, host Mandeep Bhalla talks with James Hatfield, Chief Revenue Officer at LiveSwitch, a leading platform transforming how businesses use video to scale. With years of leadership experience in both startups and Fortune 500 companies, James shares his insights on technology, leadership, and the future of communication. James has been instrumental in LiveSwitch’s success, playing a key role in customer experience and overseeing all revenue-generating processes. Before joining LiveSwi...
Dec 26, 2024•29 min•Season 2Ep. 25
In this episode of Born For The Trades, our host, Mandeep, talks with Brad, the co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of ZyraTalk, a leader in AI and automation solutions for the home service industry. For over a decade, ZyraTalk has been transforming how businesses handle customer interactions by automating phone conversations, helping businesses avoid missed calls, and converting them into booked jobs and revenue. Brad explains that businesses often miss a significant percentage of phone call...
Nov 27, 2024•29 min•Season 2Ep. 24
In this episode of Born For The Trades , host Mandeep is joined by Michael Agugliaro, an entrepreneur, author, and the founder of Warrior Today . Michael’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary, from a childhood steeped in martial arts to becoming a successful business coach and motivational speaker who has helped thousands achieve personal and professional transformation. Michael’s story began at the age of four when he started training in martial arts—a foundation that has influenced every...
Nov 13, 2024•22 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Welcome to another exciting episode of ‘Born For The Trades’, the go-to podcast for insights and inspiration in the home services industry. This week’s host is Shreya, who is thrilled to welcome the incredible Ellen Rohr. Known for her impressive journey in growing ZOOM DRAIN Franchising from zero to an astonishing $50 million, Ellen brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Recently, Shreya had an enlightening conversation with her at Home Service Freedom, sparking an “aha” moment that listene...
Nov 06, 2024•51 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Welcome back to Born for the Trades! In today’s episode, we explore the vital role of work culture in enhancing employee engagement and productivity, along with the unique challenges and opportunities faced in the home service industry, especially for women. A positive work culture is essential for any successful organization. When employees feel valued and included, their engagement and productivity significantly increase. Creating an environment where individuals can thrive is crucial. Open co...
Oct 17, 2024•10 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Welcome to the latest episode of “Born For The Trades,” where we dive into the inspiring journey of Chuck, the founder of All Hours Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling. From humble beginnings with just a truck and a deep commitment to service, Chuck has transformed his passion into a thriving business, generating an astounding $11 million in revenue. Chuck is also the Co-Founder of The Opus & Golds Group alongside his sister, Dana. Join us as we explore Chuck’s entrepreneurial mindset, the lesson...
Oct 09, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Welcome back to “Born for the Trades”, the home service podcast where captivating stories of industry leaders and their successes come to life. Hosted by Shreya, today’s episode, "Scaling to Profit: How Brian Mcdermott Travels While His Business Thrives”, features an insightful conversation with Brian Mcdermott, a distinguished leader in the plumbing and heating sector. Brian Mcdermott, the driving force behind ProStar Plumbing & Heating, has propelled his company to an impressive $4 million...
Sep 11, 2024•34 min•Season 2Ep. 20
In this compelling episode of the "Born for the Trades" podcast, host Mandeep sits down with Mike Agugliaro, a true powerhouse in the home service industry. Mike’s remarkable journey from electrician to empire builder offers invaluable insights for anyone interested in scaling their business and achieving peak performance in every aspect of life. Mike Agugliaro’s career trajectory is nothing short of extraordinary. Starting as an electrician, Mike transformed his modest beginnings into a $32 mil...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Welcome to the latest episode of the "Born for the Trades" podcast, where we dive deep into the stories of industry leaders and trailblazers. In this episode, titled "Building a $17 Million Legacy: Ted Fox on Transforming a Family Business into a Home Services Powerhouse," Shreya sits down with Ted Fox, the visionary behind Fox Plumbing Heating Cooling Electrical. Ted Fox, along with his father Ted Fox Sr., founded Fox Plumbing Heating Cooling Electrical in 1999, operating out of a modest single...
Aug 14, 2024•32 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Unlock the future of home services with AI! Discover how Rilla’s innovative technology is transforming the industry from the inside out. In this exciting episode, “Revolutionizing Home Services with AI: Sebastian Jimenez Returns to Discuss Rilla’s Impact”, we welcome back Sebastian Jimenez, the visionary founder of Rilla, a cutting-edge AI speech analytics technology that’s reshaping the home services industry. Sebastian shares how Rilla’s virtual ride-along feature allows managers to observe an...
Jul 31, 2024•35 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Are you ready to dive into a story full of strategies behind a successful home service business? Well you've come to the right place! In this episode, “Elevating a Family Legacy: Kyle Hagen’s Journey from $400K to $9M with A-One Air”, our Co-Host Shreya sits down with Kyle Hagen, the President of A-One Air, to discuss his incredible journey of transforming his father’s business from a modest $400K operation into a thriving multi-million-dollar company. Let’s dive into Kyle’s inspiring story of p...
Jul 26, 2024•35 min•Season 2Ep. 17
In this episode of our podcast, we sit down with Edward Medor, the Strategic Partnerships Channel Manager at Workiz, to explore the cutting-edge innovations transforming the home service industry. Edward brings nearly two decades of expertise in sales and business development, having significantly impacted the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical sectors during his tenure at ANGI/HomeAdvisor. His deep understanding of the industry and dedication to leveraging advanced technologies make him a pivotal f...
Jun 19, 2024•41 min•Season 2Ep. 16
In this exciting episode of "Born for the Trades," we sit down with Jack Pinsel, CEO of Elite Call, and Lesli Rojas, Director of Client Services and Account Management at Elite Call, to delve into the secrets behind their success in the home service industry. Elite Call has rapidly emerged as a powerhouse in outbound calling, and today, Jack and Lesli share the strategies and philosophies that have propelled them to the top. Jack Pinsel, an entrepreneur with a background in football and telemark...
Jun 05, 2024•27 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In this episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the world of plumbing and entrepreneurship with Cody McLeod. Cody is a second-generation plumber who has spent over a decade working alongside his father before venturing out to establish his own business. With more than 18 years of experience in the industry, Cody brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into the challenges and rewards of running a plumbing business. Cody shares his journey into the trades, recounting how he got started and what...
May 30, 2024•16 min•Season 2Ep. 13
In this episode of our podcast, "Protecting Your Business: Mitigating Risks in the Home Service Industry," we are thrilled to welcome Mike McDonough, a renowned speaker, author, and educator in the insurance industry. With over four decades of dedication, Mike has served as a trusted advisor to countless business owners, helping them navigate the complex landscape of insurance and risk management. Throughout his career, Mike has demonstrated an exceptional ability to secure comprehensive coverag...
May 22, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 14
In this enlightening episode we sit down with Jayson, a seasoned veteran of the home industry, whose diverse background spans over a decade in HVAC, two decades in sales, and a significant tenure managing a sales force of over 10,000 agents. Jayson shares his unique insights and profound passion for the trades, drawing from his extensive experience that began at the age of nineteen. Throughout the conversation, Jayson delves into the concept of call-by-call management, a strategy pivotal to enha...
May 15, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Welcome to "Airflow to Cash Flow: Valuing and Selling Your Home Services Company," where we dive deep into the intricacies of the HVAC business sale process with industry expert Patrick Lange. Patrick, who has carved a niche in the specialized market through his firm, Business Modification Group, brings an entrepreneurial spirit and a wealth of experience to the table. In this episode, we explore Patrick's journey to becoming a renowned broker serving this sector. With over 120 successful compan...
May 08, 2024•16 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Welcome to "Building Beyond Boundaries: Chuck & Dana's Entrepreneurial Journey," where we delve deep into the inspiring success story of Chuck and Dana Staszkiewicz, the dynamic sibling duo behind The Opus & Golds Group. In this episode, we explore how these co-founders transformed a humble garage startup into a multi-million-dollar powerhouse in the home service industry. Our journey begins with Chuck, who, starting with nothing but a truck and a profound passion for service, launched A...
May 01, 2024•38 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Join us on this enlightening episode of "Beyond Recruiting: Behavioral Insights and Marketing Mastery with Deidre Foxx," where we dive deep into the world of internet marketing and recruiting strategies tailored for the home services industry. Deidre Foxx, a seasoned strategist and the COO of RapidHirePro.com , shares her extensive expertise and unique methods that have helped over 300 companies enhance their business processes. Deidre's journey in the sector is not just about recruitment; it's ...
Apr 24, 2024•48 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Breaking Barriers: Weldon Long on Consistency, Accountability, and Growth" is a riveting episode of "Born for the Trades," the essential podcast for anyone navigating the challenging yet rewarding landscape of the home service industry. Hosted by Mandeep Bhalla and Shreya Nagwani, this live session from the EPIC 2024 event in California dives deep into the incredible journey of Weldon Long, a man who transformed his life from the confines of a prison cell to the forefront of entrepreneurial succ...
Apr 10, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 8
In this enlightening episode of "Born for the Trades," hosts Mandeep Bhalla and Shreya Nagwani take you inside the EPIC 2024 event in California, where they sit down with Joe Crisara, celebrated as America's Service Sales Coach. With decades of experience under his belt, Joe has transformed the landscape of service sales, earning him a revered status in the home service industry. This episode, titled "Transforming Trades: 'What Should We Do?' to Revolutionize Home Service Sales," dives deep into...
Apr 05, 2024•19 min•Season 2Ep. 8
In this compelling episode of "Born for the Trades," hosts Mandeep Bhalla and Shreya Nagwani sit down with Justin Judd, VP of Sales and Partnerships at Chiirp, at the vibrant EPIC 2024 event in California. As we dive into the nexus of innovation, personal transformation, and the relentless pursuit of wellness, Justin shares invaluable insights into how Chiirp is revolutionizing communication within the home service industry, all while championing mental health. The Heart of Chiirp: Justin begins...
Mar 22, 2024•27 min•Season 2Ep. 7
