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Mission Control Podcast

Welcome to the Mission Control Podcast! Your host, Michael Stearns has many years in the digital marketing business, so he has plenty of wins & failures to share on the show.
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Last Episode Date: 05/14/2025

Total Episodes: Not Available

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14 May 2025
This Is Why Texting Closes More Roofing Jobs!

In this episode, Mike sits down with Aaron Weiche, CEO of Leadferno—a platform helping service businesses and contractors turn more website traffic into real conversations and closed deals through SMS and omni-channel messaging. They dive deep into how modern consumers prefer to communicate, why email is getting ignored, and how slow response times are silently killing your leads. Aaron shares how Leadferno is helping companies move at the new speed of business by enabling fast, centralized, and team-based texting—plus some wild stats on how many businesses still aren’t replying to web forms at all. Mike also gives a website walkthrough, breaking down the exact design strategies they use to build trust, offer multiple conversion paths (calls, forms, texting), and get roofing leads to take action. If you're still relying on outdated contact forms or assuming people want to talk on the phone, this episode will change your perspective. If you're a roofer or contractor looking to close more jobs and stop leads from slipping through the cracks—this one’s packed with insight. Interested in learning more about Roofr? Get your first roof measurement report for free: https://shorturl.at/quCQ5 Contact us : takeoff@ascenddigitalexperts.com Let's Connect! ==== ==== ==== Website: https://bit.ly/3NQXXKK Facebook: https://bit.ly/3xH8VaT Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3RWTSyr Aaron Weiche: Website: https://leadferno.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronweiche/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leadferno Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadferno/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadferno9209   ​

52 min
9 May 2025
She Keeps Pro Athletes in the Headlines!

In this episode of The Mission Control Podcast, Mike sits down with legendary PR pro Kelly Swanson, founder of Swanson Communications. With just $8,000 in the bank and a Volkswagen Beetle, Kelly launched her agency from a New York apartment—and went on to represent some of the biggest names in sports, including 15 years as Floyd Mayweather’s publicist. They dive into the real grind of building a business: How Kelly landed her first clients and stayed afloat early on What it takes to scale when your name is the brand  Managing crises (like hacked accounts at 4 a.m.)  The difference between publicity and advertising and how to leverage both  Why hustle, consistency, and just showing up still win  Whether you're in PR, marketing, or building a business of your own, this conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom and real-world lessons. Interested in learning more about Roofr? Get your first roof measurement report for free: https://shorturl.at/quCQ5 Contact us : takeoff@ascenddigitalexperts.com Let's Connect! ==== ==== ==== Website: https://bit.ly/3NQXXKK Facebook: https://bit.ly/3xH8VaT Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3RWTSyr  

45 min
21 April 2025
Two Roofing CEOs Talk Real Growth, Real Results

Brock McClelland (Pittsburgh) and Corey Combes (Tampa) didn’t just start roofing companies — they built machines. In this conversation, they talk candidly about the actual numbers they finished at last year, the market shifts they navigated, and the real-world impact of going all-in on branding and marketing. From $800K commercial jobs to 700+ lead months, they break down how consistent investment (and not letting off the gas) separated them from the pack. They cover what’s working, what’s not, and what most contractors still don’t get about marketing in 2025. This one’s for the builders — not just of roofs, but of companies. Interested in learning more about Roofr? Get your first roof measurement report for free: https://shorturl.at/quCQ5 Contact us : takeoff@ascenddigitalexperts.com Let's Connect! ==== ==== ==== Website: https://bit.ly/3NQXXKK Facebook: https://bit.ly/3xH8VaT Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3RWTSyr Corey Combes (SouthShore Roofing & Exteriors): Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthShoreRoofingandExteriors Website: https://southshorecontractorstampa.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCuSTqyiihxDvtgmwiv9iP-g Brock McClelland (McClellands Contracting and Roofing, LLC) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087350456632 Website: https://mcclellandsroofing.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCimn7kmRMOL5ycIhYLUCcjw  

35 min
14 April 2025
From $2M to $20M: What It Really Takes!

What does it really take to grow a roofing company from $2M to $20M—and should you even want to? In this episode, Mike sits down with Nathan Tebedo from Contractor Coach Pro to break down the realities of scaling, the hidden pitfalls most owners ignore, and why chasing growth without intention can wreck your culture, systems, and profits. They talk leadership, CRMs, team building, and what separates contractors who burn out from those who build something sustainable. If you're stuck wearing 13 hats and wondering what’s next, this one’s for you. Interested in learning more about Roofr? Get your first roof measurement report for free: https://shorturl.at/quCQ5 Contact us : takeoff@ascenddigitalexperts.com Let's Connect! ==== ==== ==== Website: https://bit.ly/3NQXXKK Facebook: https://bit.ly/3xH8VaT Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3RWTSyr Nathan Tebedo: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathan.tebedo.7 Contractor Coach PRO: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contractorcoachpro  

74 min
5 March 2025
The Truth About Leadership & Culture

In this episode of Mission Control, Mike Stearns sits down with Jon Broce to talk about leadership, culture, and building a team that actually wants to run through walls for you. Jon breaks down the biggest blind spots contractors face when it comes to leadership, why culture is more than just a buzzword, and how to measure effective leadership with a real system. They also dive into: ✅ The AEP Scale (Attitude, Effort, Performance) and how it changes the game ✅ The biggest mistakes business owners make when scaling ✅ Why delegation is the hardest skill for leaders to learn (and how to do it right) ✅ The one thing that makes or breaks your company’s culture Mike & Jon fire off some rapid-fire questions, talk about Buffalo’s questionable weather, and debate whether strawberries can be considered a proper business investment. 🍓💰 🎯 If you're a business owner, leader, or just someone who wants to build a company people love working for—this episode is for you. Interested in learning more about Roofr? Get your first roof measurement report for free: https://shorturl.at/quCQ5 Contact us : takeoff@ascenddigitalexperts.com Let's Connect! ==== ==== ==== Website: https://bit.ly/3NQXXKK Facebook: https://bit.ly/3xH8VaT Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3RWTSyr Jon Broce: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathon.broce.5 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathonbroce/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC5rZGE0XhRlR_St_5CXYL6g Website: https://jonathonbroce.com/ Ugly Roof: https://uglyroof.com/  

49 min
24 February 2025
Stop Making These Leadership Mistakes!

In this episode of Mission Control Podcast, Mike and Diego Dante, the president at RoofCON, connect at the Roofing Process Conference in Marco Island. The conversation focuses on something that truly matters in business—leadership. They break down the biggest leadership mistakes business owners make and why leadership is the key to solving most business problems. The discussion covers how to hold yourself and your team accountable for success, the ‘pay to go away’ mentality (and why it’s hurting businesses), and a real-world example of turning an underperforming employee into a rockstar. For anyone running a business, leading a team, or looking to level up their leadership game, this episode delivers valuable insights. 💪 Interested in learning more about Roofr? Get your first roof measurement report for free: https://shorturl.at/quCQ5 Contact us : takeoff@ascenddigitalexperts.com Let's Connect! ==== ==== ==== Website: https://bit.ly/3NQXXKK Facebook: https://bit.ly/3xH8VaT Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3RWTSyr Diego Dante: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diego.dante LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-dante-822594113/ RoofCON: https://roofcon.com/  

12 min
21 February 2025
Breaking Down 2024 Roofing Stats!

In this episode of Mission Control Podcast, Mike sits down with Otis Floyd, owner of Paramount Roofing & Consulting in Atlanta, GA, to break down roofing statistics from 2024. They dive into the insane number of new roofing companies popping up daily and why most won't survive, exposing the difference between "Chuck in the Truck" lowballers and the top 1% of roofers. Otis shares his secret weapon for landing clients without chasing them and reveals the one thing most roofers are too scared to do on camera—costing them business. They also tackle insurance headaches, how to turn denied claims into paid roofs, the biggest hiring mistakes roofing companies make, and why content and branding are the future of lead generation. This episode is packed with raw, unfiltered insights that every roofing business owner needs to hear—don't miss it! 🚀 Interested in learning more about Roofr? Get your first roof measurement report for free: https://shorturl.at/quCQ5 Contact us : takeoff@ascenddigitalexperts.com Let's Connect! ==== ==== ==== Website: https://bit.ly/3NQXXKK Facebook: https://bit.ly/3xH8VaT Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3RWTSyr  Paramount Roofing & Consulting: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063616776783 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paramountroofingandconsulting/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ofloyd35 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC_V_zWZlTf8I_HHrQ78hR_w Website: https://www.paramountroofingandconsulting.com/    

57 min
19 February 2025
Fantasy Roofing Draft, Building The Perfect Company!

In this episode of Mission Control Podcast, Mike sits down with Eric Reno, owner of Paramount Roofing in Detroit, to map out the ultimate blueprint for launching and scaling a roofing company in 2025. They dive deep into what actually works, from low-cost marketing strategies to avoiding the biggest financial mistakes that put new roofing businesses in the grave. 🚀 Key Topics Covered: 🔹 The Fantasy Roofing Draft—If you had to start from scratch, what’s the first move? 🔹 The cheapest, most effective marketing hacks every roofer should be using. 🔹 Why most roofing startups fail—and how to be in the top 1% that survive. 🔹 The GMB secret that turns local searches into paid jobs. 🔹 The ONE thing every roofer should do on social media but most are too scared to. 🔹 How to turn denied insurance claims into paid roofs like a pro. 🔹 The dumbest hiring mistakes roofing companies keep making. 🔹 Why content and branding are the future of lead generation—and how to actually do it right. This episode is packed with high-impact advice for new and seasoned roofers alike. If you're serious about growing a roofing company in today’s world, you don’t want to miss this one! 🚀🔥 Interested in learning more about Roofr? Get your first roof measurement report for free: https://shorturl.at/quCQ5 Contact us : takeoff@ascenddigitalexperts.com Let's Connect! ==== ==== ==== Website: https://bit.ly/3NQXXKK Facebook: https://bit.ly/3xH8VaT Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3RWTSyr   Paramount Roofing: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParamountBuildingInc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/paramount-building-inc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6cfqbfHqf2wt1xXqqgHQ5g Eric Reno: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eric.reno.165 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-reno-78471865/  

14 min
30 January 2025
The Future of Local SEO & Google Business

In this episode of The Mission Control Podcast, Mike sits down with Mike Blumenthal, a leading expert in Local SEO & Google Business Profiles, to break down the shifting digital landscape. With Google’s local search algorithms evolving and new players like Apple & ChatGPT shaking things up, what does the future hold for businesses that rely on online visibility? 🔥 Inside this episode: ✅ The real ranking factors behind Google Business Profiles 📍 ✅ Why local SEO is changing (and what businesses need to do NOW) ✅ Apple vs. Google – Could Siri search disrupt the industry? 🍏 ✅ The impact of fake reviews & GBP suspensions 🚨 ✅ Why brand signals & user behavior now matter more than ever ✅ The BIG shift in online search that’s already happening With search algorithms evolving fast, business owners NEED to stay ahead of the game. Is Google still the king of local search? Or are we on the verge of a major shake-up? Tune in for expert insights that could make or break your local visibility! Interested in learning more about Roofr? Get your first roof measurement report for free: https://shorturl.at/quCQ5 Contact us : takeoff@ascenddigitalexperts.com Let's Connect! ==== ==== ==== Website: https://bit.ly/3NQXXKK Facebook: https://bit.ly/3xH8VaT Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3RWTSyr Mike Blumenthal: Email: mblumenthal@nearmedia.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mblumenthal/ Blog: https://blumenthals.com/blog/about-mike-blumenthal/ Near Media: https://www.nearmedia.co/  

71 min
22 January 2025
The Future of TikTok: What’s Next?

In this episode of The Mission Control Podcast, Mike sits down with Jon Cater from The Creators Den to dive deep into the world of TikTok. With the platform making headlines recently—especially after a short-lived government ban—Mike and Jon explore the controversy surrounding TikTok's future. They break down the role of government intervention, debate whether such actions were justified, and discuss TikTok's unique business model. Jon also shares valuable insights into how creators are leveraging the platform to make money. But what's next for TikTok? Will it continue to dominate, or will a new platform rise to take its place? Tune in to hear their take on what lies ahead for creators and the social media landscape. Interested in learning more about Roofr? Get your first roof measurement report for free: https://shorturl.at/quCQ5 Contact us : takeoff@ascenddigitalexperts.com Let's Connect! ==== ==== ==== Website: https://bit.ly/3NQXXKK Facebook: https://bit.ly/3xH8VaT Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3RWTSyr Jonathan Cater: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014115033049 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/managerjon/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@managerjon?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@xkhourspodcast  

22 min
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