Talking TOP 500

Mark Franzoso, founder and CEO of Franzoso Contracting, and Mark Sackerson, sales manager for Franzoso Contracting, join Patrick O’Toole and Tim Musch, hosts of Talking TOP 500, for an interesting conversation about their company and time in the industry. Franzoso is a long-time business owner, having founded Franzoso Contracting in 1980. According to the company’s most recent appearance on the Qualified Remodeler TOP 500 list, the firm completed 1,408 jobs on $16.4 million in revenue in 2023, giving it a ranking of No. 166. Franzoso was also a member of Owens Corning Platinum Advisory Board, and his company also won three awards at the most recent Owens Corning conference in Orlando. FAST Remodeler Live, Qualified Remodeler’s upcoming technology conference for home improvement pros, will take place May 20 and 21 at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor. Having the right tech stack is hugely important to success in this industry and it only gets more important with each passing day. The conference is a blend of big-picture explanation along with dozens of ground-level technology hacks that can all be meaningful to business. To see the agenda and list of speakers and to register go to www.fastremodelerlive.com. Use the code 500pod for a reduction in the price of your tickets. Patrick O’Toole is chief of content and co-owner of SOLA Group Inc., parent company of Qualified Remodeler, and Tim Musch, a member of the home improvement hall of fame is with Paradigm Vendo.  

This episode of “Talking TOP 500” features Brian Elias, Co-CEO of Refloor, and former CEO of 1-800-Hansons.   We'll see you at Fast Remodeler Live in May! Click here for your $95 ticket!

Tim and Pat sit down Kyle Powers, brand leader for Apex Energy, part of Great Day Home Improvements, one of the largest companies on the Qualified Remodeler TOP 500 list. Kyle has impressive experience for a young home improvement professional. He has previously worked for: Mad City, AHT Windows, Tundraland, Tony Hoty Training & Consulting, Jacuzzi Bath Remodel, and Apex Energy Solutions. He will also be a featured speaker at the fourth annual technology for remodeling and home improvement professionals, FAST Remodeler Live, to be held at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor, May 20-21, 2025. Want to view the full roster of speakers and register? Go to www.fastremodelerlive.com.

This episode of “Talking TOP 500” features Ryan Shutt, CEO of Southwest Exteriors, an exterior remodeling company based in San Antonio. This year, Southwest is approaching $20 million in revenue. The company’s website features a pricing calculator, which appears to go against aspects of sales orthodoxy, but the results speak for themselves. Shutt was a speaker at 2024’s TOP 500 LIVE conference in Las Vegas, where he presented on Southwest’s reboot of its marketing, sales, and customer service. To watch a clip from Shutt’s presentation, visit Qualified Remodeler’s YouTube channel. He also sat on the CEO Panel Discussion with Audience Questions and Answers. In this episode, Shutt tells the story of how he made Southwest into what it is today.

Enjoy this special episode of "Talking TOP 500". It's an interview with Power Home Remodeling's Co-CEO Asher Raphael, from this year's TOP 500 LIVE conference in Las Vegas. Upon joining Power as a recent graduate of American University, Raphael did not plan on staying long. But he and his Co-CEO Cory Schiller, saw an opportunity. They set out to create a scalable business model capable of attracting the best and brightest people. The company went from being $8 million revenue in 2004 to $1.24 billion today. Raphael tells the story of Power in this special episode. About the Talking TOP 500 Podcast and your Hosts The Talking TOP 500 podcast takes its name from Qualified Remodeler’s annual ranking of the largest remodeling and home improvement companies. It features interviews with leading remodelers from around the United States and focuses on all aspects of growing and succeeding in home improvement and remodeling. Qualified Remodeler co-owner and publisher Patrick O’Toole as well as industry veteran Tim Musch, recently named a Legend of the Home Improvement industry serve as hosts of the podcast. Qualified Remodeler is a leading business-to-business media brand serving remodelers since 1975. To learn more and subscribe go to www.QualifiedRemodeler.com/subscribe.  Patrick L. O’Toole has been and editor in the residential construction space since 1996. Presently, he is EVP and owner of SOLA Group Inc., a holding company for Qualified Remodeler and Kitchen & Bath Design News magazines. With SOLA, he serves as Group Editorial Director for the company and as publisher of Qualified Remodeler. Prior to joining SOLA Group, Mr. O’Toole served as Editorial Director and Publisher of Professional Builder and Professional Remodeler magazines. From 2003 to 2010, he was editor of Qualified Remodeler. Mr. O’Toole began his career in journalism as a Newsman with the Associated Press in Chicago. He holds a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia College and B.A. from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Tim Musch has spent the last 30 years developing and refining technology solutions for contractors in the industry. Prior to that, he spent 15 years gaining experience in a family-owned remodeling company in Central Wisconsin. Tim regularly speaks with industry groups to build the case for the benefits of systemizing local, independent businesses. In 2022, Tim joined the elite group of industry veterans and was inducted into “The Legends of the Home Improvement Industry”. Currently, Tim is a Business Development Specialist for Paradigm, LLC, which is transforming the way that residential construction business is done across the globe with solutions such as their digital selling tool, Paradigm Vendo. QR

Chris Hermes is the CEO & founder of USA Showers in Phoenix Arizona, with over 25 years of successful experience in the home improvement/construction industry. Chris is a respected leader known for his entrepreneurial spirit, strict discipline, and dedication to developing leaders and helping people. With a track record of success and a passion for innovation, he continues to lead USA Showers to new heights in the home improvement industry. With leading a team of over 40 teammates, they are projected to do 8 million in net sales in 2024. Chris is looking to expand in to other markets to continue to provide careers for 100’s of families andcreate a legendary company. About the Talking TOP 500 Podcast and your Hosts The Talking TOP 500 podcast takes its name from Qualified Remodeler’s annual ranking of the largest remodeling and home improvement companies. It features interviews with leading remodelers from around the United States and focuses on all aspects of growing and succeeding in home improvement and remodeling. Qualified Remodeler co-owner and publisher Patrick O’Toole as well as industry veteran Tim Musch, recently named a Legend of the Home Improvement industry serve as hosts of the podcast. Qualified Remodeler is a leading business-to-business media brand serving remodelers since 1975. To learn more and subscribe go to www.QualifiedRemodeler.com/subscribe.  Patrick L. O’Toole has been and editor in the residential construction space since 1996. Presently, he is EVP and owner of SOLA Group Inc., a holding company for Qualified Remodeler and Kitchen & Bath Design News magazines. With SOLA, he serves as Group Editorial Director for the company and as publisher of Qualified Remodeler. Prior to joining SOLA Group, Mr. O’Toole served as Editorial Director and Publisher of Professional Builder and Professional Remodeler magazines. From 2003 to 2010, he was editor of Qualified Remodeler. Mr. O’Toole began his career in journalism as a Newsman with the Associated Press in Chicago. He holds a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia College and B.A. from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Tim Musch has spent the last 30 years developing and refining technology solutions for contractors in the industry. Prior to that, he spent 15 years gaining experience in a family-owned remodeling company in Central Wisconsin. Tim regularly speaks with industry groups to build the case for the benefits of systemizing local, independent businesses. In 2022, Tim joined the elite group of industry veterans and was inducted into “The Legends of the Home Improvement Industry”. Currently, Tim is a Business Development Specialist for Paradigm, LLC, which is transforming the way that residential construction business is done across the globe with solutions such as their digital selling tool, Paradigm Vendo. QR

Sean McGraw is the Founder of FOR Energy. After graduating from ASU with a degree in Sustainable Energy & Materials, Sean founded Affordable Energy Solutions, which would eventually become FOR Energy, with his father Brian in 2010.  When not performing solar consultations, you can find Sean giving back with the Phoenix 20-30 Club or ASU’s GlobalResolve. FOR Energy in Phoenix, AZ provides home energy checkups to homeowners who want to save money and energy. Their certified professionals will use the latest tools and technology to inspect and assess your home’s energy efficiency. They’ll provide a customized report that outlines improvements you can make to reduce energy costs while helping the environment. These improvements include upgrading insulation, windows or appliances, and sealing air leaks. ... About the Talking TOP 500 Podcast and your Podcast Hosts The Talking TOP 500 podcast takes its name from Qualified Remodeler’s annual ranking of the largest remodeling and home improvement companies. It features interviews with leading remodelers from around the United States and focuses on all aspects of growing and succeeding in home improvement and remodeling. Qualified Remodeler co-owner and publisher Patrick O’Toole as well as industry veteran Tim Musch, recently named a Legend of the Home Improvement industry serve as hosts of the podcast. Qualified Remodeler is a leading business-to-business media brand serving remodelers since 1975. To learn more and subscribe go to www.QualifiedRemodeler.com/subscribe.  Patrick L. O’Toole has been and editor in the residential construction space since 1996. Presently, he is EVP and owner of SOLA Group Inc., a holding company for Qualified Remodeler and Kitchen & Bath Design News magazines. With SOLA, he serves as Group Editorial Director for the company and as publisher of Qualified Remodeler. Prior to joining SOLA Group, Mr. O’Toole served as Editorial Director and Publisher of Professional Builder and Professional Remodeler magazines. From 2003 to 2010, he was editor of Qualified Remodeler. Mr. O’Toole began his career in journalism as a Newsman with the Associated Press in Chicago. He holds a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia College and B.A. from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Tim Musch has spent the last 30 years developing and refining technology solutions for contractors in the industry. Prior to that, he spent 15 years gaining experience in a family-owned remodeling company in Central Wisconsin. Tim regularly speaks with industry groups to build the case for the benefits of systemizing local, independent businesses. In 2022, Tim joined the elite group of industry veterans and was inducted into “The Legends of the Home Improvement Industry”. Currently, Tim is a Business Development Specialist for Paradigm, LLC, which is transforming the way that residential construction business is done across the globe with solutions such as their digital selling tool, Paradigm Vendo.

Vince Venditti is an energetic young leader in the home improvement industry. He was previously CMO of American Residential Services and SVP at Leaf Home before making the leap into entrepreneurship. Today he’s president and co-owner of Premier Home Pros in Akron, Ohio.  In Talking TOP 500, episode No. 23, Venditti talks about Premier, which just opened its 7th location in Tampa, only 18 months after the company was founded. The company launched in January of 2023 and has accepted no investment funds from outside sources. It ranked No. 178 on the TOP 500 list with $15.1 million in revenue on 1,114 jobs. In 2024, the replacement baths company expects to hit $80 million in revenue.  Big things lay ahead for Premier, which was founded by Venditti and two other up-and-coming pros. His partners are also well pedigreed in the industry. Premier chief executive A.J. Wadian was formerly with Leaf Home and Window Nation. Chief growth officer Noah Jackson also hails from Leaf Home and Window Nation. Venditti will be a speaker at TOP 500 LIVE at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Oct. 28-30, 2024. QR

Jeff Gunhus is founder and CEO of Home Genius Exteriors based in Hyattsville, Maryland. Last year the company generated $73.7 million on 3,755 jobs. Remarkably the company is on track to double these figures to $150 million by the end of 2024.   Starting in the early 90s he launched a number of companies across several industries. Then, having just moved from California to Maryland in 2017, he attended Qualified Remodeler's very first TOP 500 LIVE conference. His goal was to lay the groundwork to launch a new company in the home improvement space. That company was Home Genius Exteriors.   Gunhus has an entrepreneur's mindset. He’s a person who learns from the successes and mistakes of other business leaders. Patrick O'Toole and Tim Musch cover a range of topics with Gunhus: from lead generation and recruiting to technology and sales.  ---  Jeff Gunhus will be a speaker at TOP 500 LIVE 2024 Oct. 28 to Oct. 30. It will be hosted at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. To learn more and register go to event.qrtop500live.com. Join us there. QR

In episode No. 21 of Talking Top 500, the discussion involves Chadd Castrilli, Vice President of Sales for Dream Home Roofers, which appeared at no. 19 on this year's TOP 500 List with $21 million in revenue on 1,200 completed jobs. Castrilli is an impressive leader in the home improvement industry. He got his start 17 years ago with NuLook Home Designs and rose through the ranks to run the company's sales organization. He then moved to Dream Home Roofers, where he's engineered organizational improvements to the sales department at the New Jersey-based company. Castrilli was also a speaker Qualified Remodeler's technology conference Fast Remodeler Live in Austin, Texas. Patrick O'Toole of Sola Brands Inc. and Qualified Remodeler and Tim Musch, a member of the Home Improvement Hall of Fame and currently of Paradigm Vendo, sat down with Castrelli to discuss his career and successes in the home improvement industry. QR