Hole in the Wall Business Podcast

Hosted by Hole in the Wall Business Podcast

Business Entrepreneurship

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Episodes

165

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Sep 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the Hole in the Wall business podcast w/ Bill and James. I’m James Groves and along with my business partner Bill DeMent, we want to share our journey as small business owners with you. As owners of Hole in the Wall Drywall Repair for over the past decade, we have learned a few things. From the big wins, to the occasional mistakes, we will attempt to peel back the curtain of owning a small business in the trade service industry. We don’t have all the answers but perhaps we can learn a few things as navigate the many adventures of owning a small business.

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September 15, 2026Episode 16735 min

Better Sales, No High-Pressure Tactics | Hole in the Wall Business Podcast Ep. 167 ft. Sean Lyden

In Episode 167 of The Hole in the Wall Business Podcast, Bill and James sit down with Sean Lyden, founder of Systematic Selling, for a conversation about building a sales process that works without relying on high pressure tactics.Sean first joined the podcast back on Episode 111. That conversation turned into a working relationship with Hole in the Wall. They talk about networking without coming across as desperate, creating a useful elevator pitch, preventing sticker shock before an estimate is delivered, running a one-call close, and "up-serving" instead of upselling.Sean breaks down something that gets overlooked in sales: the sales process is already part of the customer experience. Give them clarity without taking away their ability to make the decision, and everyone involved wins.If you own a home service business, sell estimates, manage a sales team, or simply hate the idea that good sales has to feel pushy, this conversation is worth hearing.Join the Hole in the Wall Business Podcast Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/hiwpodcastLearn more about Hole in the Wall:https://www.holeinthewall.com/Interested in Hole in the Wall Franchising?https://www.holeinthewallfranchising.com/Chapters |00:00 Hole in the Wall's First Video Podcast00:04:44 Closing More Sales Without High-Pressure Tactics00:13:20 Why Sales Training Gets More Valuable After the Real Work Starts00:20:37 Why a One-Call Close Doesn't Have to Be Pushy00:30:13 Why Customers Need You to Lead the Process00:34:02 Where to Find Sean#SalesTraining #HomeServices #Sales #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #CustomerExperience #ServiceBusiness #SalesProcess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast

September 8, 2026Episode 16631 min

Hole in the Wall Is Growing Fast | Hole In The Wall Business Podcast Episode 166

In Episode 166 of The Hole in the Wall Business Podcast, Bill & James sit down for an update on what's been happening with the business, the franchise system, and the podcast itself.Hole in the Wall has now sold franchise locations stretching from Massachusetts to California. Fourteen locations opened between January and August 2026 alone, and several more owners are already preparing to open.Bill and James talk about what actually goes into supporting that kind of growth. As the number of owners has grown, Hole in the Wall has also built more support around them.And yes, the podcast is sticking around 😁Chapters00:00 Welcome Back to the Hole in the Wall Business Podcast00:01:32 What’s Been Happening at Hole in the Wall00:06:35 Hole in the Wall Goes Coast to Coast00:12:15 Why Authenticity Attracts the Right Franchise Owners00:16:37 14 New Locations Opened in 202600:27:39 Why New Locations Are Growing Quickly00:31:35 Closing ThoughtsJoin the Hole in the Wall Business Podcast Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/hiwpodcastLearn more about Hole in the Wall Drywall Repair:https://www.holeinthewall.com/Interested in owning a Hole in the Wall franchise?https://www.holeinthewallfranchising.com/#Franchising #FranchiseGrowth #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #HomeServices #BusinessPodcast #ServiceBusiness #FranchiseBusiness #HoleInTheWall

July 14, 2026Episode 16538 min

Leadership, Hiring & Growing a Service Business ft. Tanner Smith of Zerorez Orlando | Episode 165

What does it take to build a team people trust?In this episode of The Hole in the Wall Business Podcast Bill Dement and James Groves sit down with Tanner Smith, the owner of Zerorez Orlando, for a conversation about leadership, hiring, company culture, customer experience, and what it takes to grow a successful service business.They cover lessons learned leading a growing team, hiring for character instead of experience, building systems that scale, developing employees, creating long term customer relationships, and why franchising can be a powerful path for entrepreneurs.If you own a home service business, lead a growing company, or simply enjoy hearing honest conversations about entrepreneurship, there's plenty here for you.Join the Hole in the Wall Business Podcast Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/hiwpodcastLearn more about Hole in the Wall:https://www.holeinthewall.comLearn more about Hole in the Wall Franchising:https://www.holeinthewallfranchising.comCheck out Zerorez Orlando:https://www.zerorez.com/orlandoCHAPTERS |00:00 Welcome to Episode 16500:00:41 Tanner Smith of Zerorez Orlando00:09:07 Hire Character, Not Experience00:13:01 Creating an Amazing Customer Experience00:20:14 Why Franchising Was the Right Choice00:28:16 The Best Investment You Can Make00:35:08 Growing Without Losing Company Culture00:39:20 Closing Thoughts#smallbusiness #leadership #entrepreneurship #franchising #homeservicesmarketing #businesspodcast #companyculture #businessgrowth #customerservice #servicebusinessgrowth

May 5, 2026Episode 16421 min

Handle Price Objections WITHOUT Discounting | Hole in the Wall Business Podcast Ep. 164

In episode 164 of the Hole in the Wall Business podcast Bill and James break down what price objections actually mean and why discounting can quietly damage your business. They dig into how to respond in a way that protects your margins while increasing trust.Price objections typically = uncertainty, comparison, or lack of clarity.Their conversation covers how to ask better questions, explain your process, reinforce your value, and recognize when a customer simply isn’t the right fit.If you own a service business, run estimates, or sell based on trust you'll want to tune in.Join the Hole in the Wall Business Podcast Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/hiwpodcastLearn more about Hole in the Wall:https://www.holeinthewall.comLearn about franchising opportunities:https://www.holeinthewallfranchising.comChapters | 0:00 Intro1:11 Price Is Only One Buying Factor2:30 Price vs Convenience vs Value4:18 Why Price Objections Aren’t Always About Price7:35 How Discounting Hurts Your Business9:10 The Best Response to Price Pushback12:50 Confidence Builds Trust14:55 Knowing When to Walk Away18:15 Focus on the Right Customers20:35 Final Advice on Handling Price Objections#sales #smallbusinessowners #businesspodcast #entrepreneurship #pricingstrategy #salestraining #customerservice #businessgrowth #Leadership #ServiceBusiness #Profitability #BusinessAdvice

April 28, 2026Episode 16329 min

What Happens After Disaster Strikes ft. Joel Moss | Hole in the Wall Business Podcast Ep 163

In this episode, we sit down with Joel Moss from Rytech Restoration. He’s been in this world for a long time, starting out in the trades and eventually building and selling his own restoration company before stepping into a leadership role. We get into how he got started, what restoration work really looks like day to day, and what separates companies that grow from the ones that stay stuck. Joel also talks about walking into real disaster situations, how teams handle that kind of pressure, and why preparation matters more than most people realize.If you’re in the trades, running a service business, or just trying to understand how this side of the industry actually works, this is worth your time.Learn more about Hole in the Wall:https://holeinthewall.comLearn more about franchising:https://holeinthewallfranchising.comJoin the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/holeinthewallbusinesspodcastChapter Markers |00:55 Meet Joel Moss (Rytech Restoration)01:40 Early Days in the Trades04:50 Building a Restoration Business06:05 Selling the Business07:30 Transition to Rytech10:55 What Disaster Work Looks Like14:45 Commercial and Multifamily Work16:10 Emergency Preparedness Planning21:00 What Makes a Good Trade Partner23:30 Real Stories from the Field28:40 Final Thoughts#SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #HomeServices #Restoration #Construction #BusinessPodcast #ServiceBusiness #Trades #WaterDamage #FireDamage

March 31, 2026Episode 16254 min

From Service to Stewardship ft. Mark Holloway of Property Stewards | HIW Business Podcast Ep 162

In this episode of the Hole In The Wall Business Podcast, Bill DeMent and James Groves sit down with Mark Holloway of Property Stewards to talk about a different approach to home services, property stewardship. Instead of one-off jobs, this model focuses on long-term relationships and proactive service to create real value for homeowners. If you’re in the trades or service industry this conversation will challenge how you think about your business and the services you offer. This is a great listen. Learn more about Property Stewards:https://propertystewards.com/ Learn more about Hole In The Wall: https://www.HoleintheWall.com Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hiwpodcast Learn more about franchising: https://www.HoleintheWallFranchising.com CHAPTERS | 00:00 Meet Mark Holloway 00:02:10 How a $499 Pressure Washer Started the Business 00:06:10 The First Real Client & Accidental Opportunity 00:10:40 Discovering the “A-List Client” Model 00:14:45 Scaling to Recurring Revenue & 15 Clients 00:17:55 Shifting from Doing the Work to Running the Business 00:20:00 The Concierge Model: Solving Client Pain 00:25:45 Why “Clients Don’t Come First” 00:37:20 How the Franchise Model Works 00:47:00 Growth Vision, Opportunities & Final Advice #BusinessPodcast#HomeServices#Entrepreneurship#SmallBusiness#ServiceBusiness#PropertyManagement

March 24, 2026Episode 16119 min

How We Beat Imposter Syndrome as Owners (And How You Can Too) | HIW Business Podcast Ep 161

Welcome to Episode 161 of The Hole in the Wall Business Podcast with Bill and James. In this episode Bill DeMent and James Groves tackle a very real topic that almost everyone in business experiences: Imposter Syndrome.You may feel like you don't belong. You may question your decisions. You may wonder when you will get "found out" for being an imposter.This episode digs into the real mental battles many fight when running a business. (Spoiler: You aren't alone!) If you’ve ever doubted yourself as a business owner then this episode will help you understand why and how you can push forward anyway.Join the Hole In The Wall Business Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hiwpodcastExplore the Hole In The Wall services: https://www.HoleintheWall.comLearn more about franchising with Hole In The Wall: https://www.HoleintheWallFranchising.comCHAPTERS | 00:00 – Intro00:01:10 – What is imposter syndrome?00:04:48 – Where imposter syndrome comes from00:06:30 – Why this shows up in business ownership00:08:45 – Real examples from business owners00:13:13 – Why success makes it worse00:16:35 – Reframing the mindset00:17:19 – How to handle imposter syndrome00:19:23 – Outro#impostersyndrome #entrepreneurmindset #businessowner #leadership #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #businesspsychology

March 17, 2026Episode 16028 min

Growth Through Rebranding, Systems, and Partnership | Hole In The Wall Business Podcast Ep. 160

Welcome to Episode 160 of The Hole in the Wall Business Podcast with Bill and James.In this episode, Bill DeMent and James Groves sit down with Andy Lawniczak and Ben Swanson from Precision Auto Wraps to talk about what really happens when a small business begins to grow.They break down the transition from a one man operation to a growing company with employees, systems, stronger financial visibility, and a more intentional brand. This conversation covers rebranding, partnerships, business coaching, operational growth, and the tension every owner faces between staying small and building something bigger.If you are a business owner trying to grow and are concerned with losing control of your business, this episode is packed with insights for you.Check out Precision Auto Wraps:https://precisionautowraps.comJoin our Hole In The Wall Business Podcast Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/hiwpodcastLearn more about franchising with Hole In The Wall:https://www.HoleintheWallFranchising.com Explore Hole In The Wall's services:https://www.HoleintheWall.comCHAPTERS | 00:00 – Intro00:49 – Welcoming Andy Lawniczak and Ben Swanson02:25 – How Ben entered the business04:50 – Why the rebrand mattered08:05 – Growth after rebranding12:50 – What changed in the business systems16:10 – Using numbers to make better decisions20:00 – Growing with the right partner23:00 – What the future could look like27:40 – How to connect with Precision Auto Wraps29:20 – Outro#businesspodcast #smallbusinessgrowth #entrepreneurship #branding #rebranding #leadership #businesssystems #partnership #servicebusinessgrowth #tradesbusiness

January 27, 2026Episode 15936 min

INTENTIONAL Leadership Development Drives Better Results | Hole In The Wall Business Podcast Ep 159

In this episode, Bill DeMent and James Groves sit down with Jorge Figueroa to talk about leadership as a learned skill, not just a job title. The conversation explores what real leadership looks like in practice, how leaders grow through adversity, and why intentional development is critical for building strong teams. This episode is especially valuable for business owners, managers, and franchise leaders who want to improve communication, accountability, and performance without relying on authority alone. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hiwpodcast Learn more about franchising: https://www.HoleintheWallFranchising.com Explore Hole In The Wall's Services: https://www.HoleintheWall.com Chapters | 00:00 – Episode intro & leadership mindset 01:18 – Meet Jorge Figueroa 04:05 – Leadership vs position 07:30 – Why leadership must be learned 11:15 – Developing leaders at every level15:40 – Accountability without authority 19:55 – Communication that builds trust 24:20 – Overcoming leadership blind spots 29:05 – Applying leadership in real businesses 33:45 – Final thoughts on growth and impact #Leadership #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #LeadershipDevelopment #SmallBusiness #FranchiseGrowth #HoleInTheWallPodcast

January 6, 2026Episode 15855 min

Ep 158 | Building a Business on Trust, Leadership, & Systems ft Certified Best Roofing | Hole in the Wall Business Podcast

In this episode, Bill DeMent and James Groves sit down with Carrie Moreau and Derrick Vittitou to talk about what it really takes to build and grow a service-based business without sacrificing trust or operational discipline.They dig into the realities of scaling in the trades, developing strong internal systems to creating accountability across a growing team. If you’re trying to grow without losing control or, almost more importantly, culture, this episode is for you.Join our Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/hiwpodcastLearn more about franchising:https://www.HoleintheWallFranchising.comExplore our services:https://www.HoleintheWall.comChapter Markers00:00 – Episode intro & why leadership matters01:20 – Building trust in service businesses04:10 – The role of systems in scaling08:05 – Accountability as teams grow12:30 – Hiring the right people17:05 – Avoiding chaos during growth21:40 – Culture vs speed in business26:15 – Leadership lessons from the field31:10 – What most business owners overlook35:45 – Final advice for growing service companies#businesspodcast #leadership #servicebusinessgrowth #entrepreneurship #franchisegrowth #smallbusiness #holeinthewallpodcast