What do you do when your spouse leaves town for the weekend? The only obvious answer for Eric was to tear out their two tankless water heaters and the boiler so he could start over. But wait, there’s more! In order for this to be called a success it had be finished before Heather returned home after just two days away. Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Oct 08, 2024•50 min•Season 8Ep. 306
The title may be confusing or even misleading. The guys talk about a recent trailer purchase Eric made for the business. It's not anything special but it should help with the workflow. Here's to hoping he made the right purchase! Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Oct 01, 2024•33 min•Season 8Ep. 305
Thanks to longtime listener Will Rutherford for writing in to the show asking our thoughts on taking a job started by another contractor. Also, have you ever walked on a job? You might be surprised who actually has (Andy or Eric?)! Thanks Will! Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Sep 24, 2024•37 min•Season 8Ep. 304
Hey we got caught up in vacation, so here is a throw back from our conversation with Patrick Caldow @caldowplumbing on IG. We'll be back soon with new content! Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Sep 17, 2024•42 min•Season 7Ep. 303
Industry news starts off today's episode with earning report from Lowe's indicating a droopy economy related to home improvements. But don't let that get you down! Eric gives us a recap of a recent Heat Pump Water Heater install. Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Sep 10, 2024•38 min•Season 7Ep. 302
Not every day is great. Sometimes you need to depend on the ones who depend on you. Side note: No mater how much you talk thru a project and setting expectations before the job, there’s likely going to be some revelations by the customer as they realize how things are different now. After you did the install of the new furnace or water heater etc Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up...
Sep 02, 2024•31 min•Season 7Ep. 301
One of Andy's recent projects takes a turn for the worse when the general contractor decides safety is definitely not first! Warning: This episode is probably cool af and you'll likely be hooked for life on the MTGA podcast! Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Aug 27, 2024•43 min•Season 7Ep. 300
We're so excited and thankful for all the support and reaching this milestone! In this week's episode the guys look back at some highlights from the first four years of the MTGA podcast! There have been many great guests and some big supporters over the years. Special thanks to all who have dropped in, stuck around, sent in your ideas and questions. And thanks to our super fans Jay, Chad, Denver, Pat! Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mec...
Aug 20, 2024•36 min•Season 7Ep. 299
"Do you have any advice for couples considering starting a business together?" We had so much fun having the girls join us that we asked them back for another episode and it was awesome. Once again we'd like to thank Sheryl and Heather for putting up with us and for making every day better as we work our way to the top building our business and making this life together. Thank you! Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mick...
Aug 13, 2024•41 min•Season 7Ep. 298
Ever think "If only I knew then what I know now" ? We are so pumped to bring you this and the next episode with special Guests Heather Aune & Sheryl Mickelson, the obvious better halves of the MTGA team. Sheryl runs the office and a good part of the business for Mickelson Plumbing & Heating. Heather has done the books for both MH & Aune Plumbing & Heating for over a decade on top of her (former) day job. It was so cool to hear their perspectives as we consider looking back to the...
Aug 06, 2024•55 min•Season 7Ep. 297
Milwaukee Tool invited Eric out to see all the new tools available and coming soon to a job site near you. Eric gives us an inside look at some of the new tools and info you might not have seen yet. This episode has a ton of visual info best viewed on the MH Youtube channel Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Jul 30, 2024•40 min•Season 7Ep. 296
You might know Colton as @viking_pipefitter on the socials. You might know him from a training session or trades show when he worked for Viega but do you know how he got his start? This was a fun conversation, we hope you enjoy it! Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Jul 23, 2024•41 min•Season 7Ep. 295
The guys talk stress relief and how to handle the day-to-day stresses of running a small business. Some days are better than others for sure but having one or two things to keep you sane can make a huge difference! Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Jul 16, 2024•30 min•Season 7Ep. 294
The guys are bs'ing about vans again. Should we change the title to the podcast to "Van Talk"? lol Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Jul 09, 2024•34 min•Season 7Ep. 293
The guys talk AI and how they've been using it for work. Scheduling, emails, videos etc. are just some of the ways Eric has put ChatGPT to work for him. Are you using any form of artificial intelligence on the job or in the office for day to day tasks? We'd really like to talk to you about it so text us! Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Jul 02, 2024•36 min•Season 7Ep. 293
Most would agree it’s a good idea to have options when it comes to supply chain but we’re often loyal to at least one supplier. So, what would make you switch to another supplier? Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Jun 25, 2024•31 min•Season 7Ep. 292
As things slow down and the job outlook or load changes we have to consider how to fill the schedule. Does that mean taking on work you normally wouldn't? Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Jun 18, 2024•30 min•Season 7Ep. 291
Longtime friend of MTGA, Jason Norman joins Eric & Andy to get deeper into the EV Fleet debate. Will we be forced to change our work schedules, driving habits? Will field techs no longer get to drive their work van home? This has been a very popular topic for the podcast, thank you all for the feedback and listens! Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Jun 11, 2024•50 min•Season 7Ep. 290
Eric hits the road, or sky’s to join Andy in Missoula for a special project. We’ve talked connected appliances and controls many times on the podcast and do it again this time. A couple new Tekmar products will serve Andy’s clients well. Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Jun 04, 2024•22 min•Season 7Ep. 289
There's no other way to say it, it sucks falling behind on keeping the shop and vehicles tidy. Extra money is spent on redundant materials and tools, time is lost looking for that one thing you just know you had... The guys talk shop and all things that go with it in this episode of the Make Trades Great Again podcast. Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
May 28, 2024•28 min•Season 7Ep. 288
Milwaukee Tool recently announced and shipped the long awaited M12 tubing cutter capable of cutting up to 2" copper pipe. Whoa, whoa that's not all! Andy makes a pretty bold statement, naming the BEST SCREWDRIVER IN THE WORLD. Hint: It's a Wiha. The guys talk new tools, favorite tools and get into some general BS about tools for the heck of it. Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: ...
May 21, 2024•55 min•Season 7Ep. 287
MTGA friend Denver Baker joins the guys to talk E.V.’s. Specifically, service vehicles for his or the many HVAC contracting companies. The crew talks tech, charging, current offerings from the usual suspects and so new auto makers offering rechargeable cargo vehicles. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject! Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
May 14, 2024•48 min•Season 7Ep. 286
The guys answer an email from a friend of the show. What do we want from our sales people? Mark says he's recently moved into an outside sales position for the supply company he works for, he's looking for our feedback on what we are looking for from our sales partners in the industry. Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
May 07, 2024•30 min•Season 7Ep. 285
Ever just get to a point you cant stand your own playlist? We have and Andy wants to know what you're listening to. This week the guys relax and reminisce about the early days of XM Radio and talk about some of their favorite things to stream now. Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Apr 30, 2024•21 min•Season 7Ep. 284
Some pretty big changes are in the works for how Minnesotans pay for, and use electricity which had the guys discussing everything from electrification, off-peak electrical and the home heating utility usages from one state to the next. To our faithful listeners: No actual investigative journalism was used for this groundbreaking discussion and revelations. Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newslet...
Apr 23, 2024•38 min•Season 7Ep. 283
In all seriousness, the guys do talk about a couple recent medical events as a reminder that none of are invincible and taking care of ourselves is paramount to having a long successful career in the trades. Pre-surgery talk started back in February in episode 279: https://maketrades.buzzsprout.com Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Apr 16, 2024•21 min•Season 7Ep. 282
Eric and Andy share insights and strategies for navigating economic slowdowns amidst shifting market conditions. Whether it's seasonal fluctuations or the impact of high interest rates and inflation on consumer behavior, they delve into practical approaches. This episode focuses on the effective practices that have sustained their plumbing and heating service business, with potential applications for various other industries. Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social...
Apr 09, 2024•27 min•Season 7Ep. 282
It’s time for a break from new episodes while the guys work on a new approach to delivering the MTGA content and topics. Please take a look at any one of the 280 previous episodes in our library if you haven’t heard them all. We will be back, thank you for your continued support! Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Feb 27, 2024•12 min•Season 7Ep. 281
Credit card payments are the norm but how much of a risk are they if payments can be easily disputed and taken from you? The guys talk about this as it all started from, where else but a stupid Facebook group… Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Feb 20, 2024•40 min•Season 7Ep. 280
Eric has a minor surgery coming up, Andy just had one himself and both could've been done months or even years ago but it's too easy to put it off for another day. In this episode the guys say lit like it is, you gotta make yourself a priority, if you don't it's only going to get worse. Send us a text Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email...
Feb 13, 2024•25 min•Season 7Ep. 279
