In this episode, Chris Lee sits down with David Royce — founder and former chairman of Aptive — to break down how a $500M+ pest control business was built (and scaled) through door-to-door, culture, and a recruiting system that translates to any home service company.If you’re in HVAC, plumbing, roofing, solar, or electrical, this isn’t a “pest control story” — it’s a blueprint for raising your growth ceiling by building a team that can win year-round (including shoulder season).You’ll hear why d...
Jan 22, 2026•46 min
You’ve got an add-on service sitting right under your customers’ feet — and it can save lives and add serious profit to your business.In this episode, Chris Lee sits down with Jeff LeBlanc to break down the “invisible” threat most homeowners don’t even know they’re living with: radon gas. Jeff explains what radon is, why you can’t see/smell/taste it, and why it’s tied to a shocking percentage of lung cancer. Then they shift into the contractor opportunity: how testing works, why it’s such an eas...
Jan 16, 2026•42 min
OIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP: / 1bmudi9htk In 2025, two forces are colliding fast: AI and blue-collar trades.In this episode, Chris Lee sits down with the team from Callsource to unpack what’s actually happening when home service companies replace CSRs with AI voice/text bots — and why it can quietly destroy trust, create missed revenue, and damage your brand even when the phones are ringing.They break down real call data (including thousands of inbound calls handled by AI), the hidden “zero outcome” ...
Jan 08, 2026•49 min
JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Bmudi9HTK/Most business owners think charging less makes them more competitive. In reality, it’s the fastest way to stay stuck, burn out, or shut down. In this episode, Chris Lee teaches you why “affordable” pricing quietly destroys teams, margins, and long-term stability — and how one early pricing mistake led to a $2.2M bankruptcy.Pricing isn’t just a number. It’s a signal to your market, your team, and your future. If you’ve ever wonde...
Dec 23, 2025•8 min
Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Bmudi9HTK/Can’t clearly communicate the pain you solve, who you solve it for, and why you’re the best option, you don’t have an offer… you just have a service.In this video, Chris Lee teaches you the simple structure that turns a basic service into a powerful offer customers actually buy. When you frame your message around pain, proof, and promise, your close rate goes up, your marketing hits harder, and you stop competing on price.If yo...
Dec 11, 2025•5 min
Join our Facebook Group: / 1bmudi9htk Most business owners hire because they’re exhausted. The ones who scale hire because the math says it’s time. In this video, you’ll learn the five critical hires every growing business needs — and the exact order to make them so you can scale without blowing your budget.Chris Lee breaks down the same hiring sequence he uses with hundreds of home-service and trades owners to help them buy back their time, build real teams, and remove themselves from day-to-da...
Dec 05, 2025•6 min
JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Bmudi9HTK/Most business owners think they’re burned out because they’re doing too much. The truth is you’re burned out because you don’t actually know where your time is going — and that’s the reason your business isn’t scaling.In this video, Chris walks you through the Impact Time Audit: the one-week process we use with trades and home-service owners to reveal exactly where their hours are disappearing. Once you see the truth on paper, ...
Dec 04, 2025•5 min
If you feel burned out in your business, it’s probably not because you’re doing too much — it’s because you’re doing the wrong work. In this video, Chris Lee breaks down The Impact Quadrant, the simple framework that shows every home-service and trades business owner exactly where their time is going… and why most of it is keeping them stuck.You’ll learn:- Why burnout has nothing to do with hours worked- How to calculate the real value of your time- The 4 quadrants every task falls into (and the...
Nov 21, 2025•5 min
From living under a bridge to running a $3M plumbing company — this is how Cale Forester rebuilt his life and business from the ground up. We dive into how Cale’s veteran-owned plumbing shop has doubled revenue year after year without outside investment, fancy tech, or massive crews. Cale and fellow trades leader Dylan Moya sit down with Chris Lee to reveal the simple systems, rebrand strategy, and sales process that turned a “chuck-in-a-truck” startup into a multi-million-dollar operation. If y...
Nov 11, 2025•41 min
Everyone says, “No one wants to work anymore.”But while most business owners were complaining, two teenagers built JunkTeens — and turned the labor shortage into their advantage.In this episode, we break down how they built a culture where young people show up, work hard, and stay — and how you can do the same inside your company.Partner Spotlight: 1SEO Digital Agency: At Next Level Pros, we teach you the best ways HOW to market your business. If you want additional hands-on help executing, we t...
Oct 21, 2025•47 min
In this episode of Next Level Pros , hosts dive into an eye-opening conversation with Elaine and Todd , co-founders of Mainstream Electric, Heating, Cooling & Plumbing . After spending over 15 years stuck at $3 million in annual revenue, they made a powerful decision—to get out of their own way. By confronting ego, redefining success, and seeking mentorship through Nexstar Network, Elaine and Todd transformed both their mindset and their company. The result? A thriving $20 million business t...
Oct 14, 2025•37 min
In this episode of the Next Level Pros Podcast, Daryl sits down with his wife Joanna to share the real side of building a marriage and raising a family while growing businesses. Together they open up about the highs and lows of nearly 20 years of marriage, raising four daughters, and navigating seasons where entrepreneurship pulled them in opposite directions. You’ll hear how they built trust, created family culture, and learned to renegotiate their relationship through different phases of life....
Sep 16, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 162
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, Chris sits down with David Mayster, owner of Maester Heating and Air in Seattle. David shares his remarkable journey from Ukraine to building a thriving HVAC business, overcoming personal struggles, and learning the hard truths about running a profitable company. This episode is packed with insights for business owners—especially those in the trades—who want to get their pricing right, build a strong team, and scale their business whi...
Aug 22, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, host Chris sits down with Alex Hormozi, founder of Acquisition.com, to dive deep into the mindset, strategies, and lessons behind building and scaling successful businesses. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or aspiring operator looking to level up, this episode is packed with actionable insights on growth, investment, and the realities of the entrepreneurial journey. Highlights: “I just enjoy playing the game… I know I ...
Aug 20, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, we dive deep into the realities of entrepreneurship and family life. Daryl Kelly is joined by his daughter Evelyn Kelly for an honest conversation about growing up in an entrepreneurial household, balancing ambition with family connection, and the lessons learned along the way. This episode is for parents chasing big goals without losing touch with what matters most, and for kids witnessing the journey up close. Highlights: "Being an ...
Aug 07, 2025•47 min
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, Chris Lee takes us on a candid journey through his entrepreneurial highs and lows, sharing the real story behind building Sol Gen Power and the lessons learned along the way. If you’re an entrepreneur, founder, or anyone interested in the realities of building and scaling a business—especially in the trades or home service space—this episode is for you! Highlights: “Throughout my life, I’ve had a very divisive personality. It’s either...
Jul 31, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, Chris shares the raw, unfiltered story of his first major business failure, the lessons learned from bankruptcy, and how he rebuilt his career and mindset. If you’re an entrepreneur, operator, or anyone in the trades or home service space looking for real, tactical advice and inspiration, this episode is for you. Highlights: “Take everything you believe are going to be your expenses and at least double it, sometimes triple it.” “There...
Jul 25, 2025•49 min
Welcome to a New Episode of Next Level Pros! Today, Chris Lee shares his powerful origin story. From humble beginnings in a small town to early business ventures, overcoming personal challenges, and finding his true path in entrepreneurship. Originally recorded for his first podcast, “The Founder Podcast,” this replay dives deep into Chris’s childhood, his work ethic shaped by necessity, how he found confidence through Cutco sales, and the pivotal decision to walk away from medical school and bu...
Jul 17, 2025•35 min
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! Today, we sit down with Victor Rancour, a powerhouse in the trades and HVAC industry who scaled from scratch to multi-million dollar success in just a few years. In this episode, Victor breaks down the exact moves he makes when acquiring new businesses, the systems he installs for profitability, and the sales processes that drive results. If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or sales professional looking to dominate your market and build a real ...
Jul 11, 2025•46 min
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, Chris reveals three powerful strategies to 3x your revenue in the HVAC and trades industry. Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or sales leader in home services, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you scale your business, avoid common pitfalls, and close more deals with confidence. Highlights: “Customers do not buy products. They buy solutions.” “Do not, I repeat, DO NOT train your technicians to go and do t...
Jul 08, 2025•13 min
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, we dive into the journey of joining a startup from humble beginnings, the power of a clear mission and vision, and how culture can shape both personal and organizational success. This episode is perfect for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone seeking inspiration to build or join a purpose-driven team. Highlights: "He who has the bigger vision will always win." "If people come to you for money, they will leave you for money." "Culture e...
Jun 26, 2025•19 min
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, Chris interviews Aaron Cooper from Sameday.ai, exploring how AI is transforming customer service and sales in home service businesses. Perfect for entrepreneurs, trade business owners, and tech-curious professionals looking to understand the future of customer interactions and business efficiency. Highlights: "If you're not using AI to rewrite your copy now, you're missing out." "The AI can close at rates in the 90s for HVAC, plumbing...
Jun 19, 2025•30 min
Welcome to Next Level Pros! In this explosive episode, we dive deep into the public feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, uncovering critical lessons about leadership, ego management, and healthy communication. Whether you're a business owner, team leader, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode will transform how you handle disagreements and build high-trust organizational cultures. Highlights: "Your ego is the guard dog that's been with you since you were two or three years old, and its self...
Jun 13, 2025•28 min
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! Today, we’re diving into how Google's new AI video platform, VEO 3, is flipping the script for small business marketing and production. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the cost or complexity of creating video content, this episode is for you. Learn how AI is making full-scale video production accessible — and how it could literally save your business millions. This one’s for small business owners, digital marketers, content creators, and anyone loo...
Jun 06, 2025•19 min
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative world of Artificial Intelligence and its game-changing impact on home service professionals. Whether you're a business owner, technician, or entrepreneur in the trades, this episode will reveal how AI can be your biggest opportunity or your biggest threat. Highlight: "AI will teach you about AI" "Don't be scared of AI. Utilize AI, learn AI" "The positions that are going to exist are people managing...
May 30, 2025•17 min
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! Today’s episode is a powerhouse roundtable featuring Ismael Valdez and Dustin Van Orman, two giants in the trades game who have each scaled service businesses to over $100 million in revenue. They join Chris and the team to talk about the real impact of private equity in the trades, the myths, the opportunities, and how the right mindset and sales driven culture can launch your business from $2M to $100M+. If you’ve been skeptical, or scared about pri...
May 23, 2025•57 min
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this engaging discussion, Chris Lee and Trent Lowenstein share the turnaround story of Amber's podiatry clinics in Portland, Oregon. Designed for medical practitioners struggling with profitability and business owners looking to scale efficiently, this episode provides actionable insights to transform your practice from running in the red to flourishing in the black. Learn how Amber went from a net operating income of negative $144,000 to a positiv...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this high-energy workshop, solar industry expert Chris Lee breaks down the critical strategies for building a profitable solar business. Designed for solar entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and installation company owners struggling with low margins and industry challenges, this episode provides a roadmap to transform your solar business from surviving to thriving. Highlights: "There's no such thing as lazy people. Only unclear people." "Competit...
Apr 25, 2025•41 min
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! Today, get ready to learn about surviving (and thriving) during economic chaos. Chris, Daryl, and Levi break down how to overcome fear, get creative with your business, and turn a potential recession into your personal comeback story. They'll show you why getting uncomfortable might just be the best thing for your business right now. Highlights: "What would I do if I had no fear?" "Your experiences are a reflection of your internal thoughts, beliefs a...
Apr 17, 2025•23 min
Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! In this episode, Chris and Daryl dive deep into the public partnership fallout between Grant Cardone and Gary Brecca, using their dramatic split as a masterclass in how to (and how NOT to) manage business partnerships. Highlights: "Having a partner is hard, but there's nothing more rewarding than an incredible partnership." "The faster you can address hard things, the better." "A healthy relationship requires trust, and the ability to conflict." "Equi...
Apr 04, 2025•25 min
