Toolbox for the Trades

Hosted by ServiceTitan

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Episodes

284

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Toolbox for the Trades is a podcast where top service professionals share the tips, tricks, and tactics they use to succeed in their industry. This podcast is brought to you by ServiceTitan—the leading home and commercial field service software. Episodes will feature stories and strategies to help contractors grow and scale their service business. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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60 recent

June 16, 202634 min

Technology and Growth: Breaking Through the $5M Plateau

What does it take to break through the $4-5 million ceiling that many landscaping companies face? In this episode, we talk with Emily Nickel, Director of Business Applications at Perennial Services Group, to discuss how technology and data can help companies scale smarter, improve profitability, and make better business decisions. Emily shares lessons from her career in landscaping and software, including how one company uncovered $40,000 in missed revenue through better reporting, why delegation matters for growth, and how tools like AI cameras, GPS tracking, mobile apps, and analytics are shaping the future of the industry.Join us as we discuss: [10:11] Why so many landscaping companies stall at the $4-5 million mark[16:18] How clean data uncovered $40,000 in missed revenue[22:19] The future of AI, analytics, virtual reality, and dronesYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

June 9, 202642 min

Toolbox Takeover - Mastering ServiceTitan - Job Costing Masterclass: From Generics, Pricing, Purchasing, to Inventory

High season is heating up and this summer we're bringing you some of the best episodes from both our shows on the ServiceTitan Podcast Network.Between new episodes, ones from the past you might have missed, and conversations and checkins from over 5 years and 280 episodes - there's so much to learn about running your trades business better than ever.Original Air Date - 7/24/2025Job costing is essential for sustainable business growth, and no one explains it better than Tim McGuire, Owner of High Winds Success. With decades of experience across ServiceTitan and large multi-location contractors, Tim breaks down the fundamentals of job costing and how to implement it inside ServiceTitan. From the importance of burdened labor rates to starting with generic Pricebook items, Tim shares a pragmatic path to more profitable operations. He also discusses how tools like Pricebook Pro and dynamic pricing can elevate your costing accuracy over time.Join us as we discuss: [4:14] Job costing basics and finding opportunities for improvement[12:14] Calculating tech labor costs beyond hourly rates[19:54] Linked materials in dynamic pricing and inventory tracking[27:06] Change management issues with job-related purchasingCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Pricebook ProDynamic Pricing OverviewYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Mastering ServiceTitan on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Mastering ServiceTitan in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

June 2, 202638 min

Toolbox Takeover - Mastering ServiceTitan - Implementing ServiceTitan's New Construction Workflows

High season is heating up and this summer we're bringing you some of the best episodes from both our shows on the ServiceTitan Podcast Network.Between new episodes, ones from the past you might have missed, and conversations and checkins from over 5 years and 280 episodes - there's so much to learn about running your trades business better than ever.Episode originally Aired 3/26/2026.In this episode, James Beyer, Owner of Beyer Plumbing, returns to share the story behind moving his construction operations into ServiceTitan and helping test the platform’s new construction workflows. He discusses work breakdown structures, cost codes, and real time reporting, along with the challenges of implementing new workflows across an entire company. James also talks about lessons learned and how better reporting can help teams improve efficiency and profitability.Join us as we discuss: [6:01] How to use cost codes and cost types for financial reporting]14:22] Why real time reporting and labor tracking impacts profitability[26:29] Implementation challenges, lessons learned, and getting buy-inCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:ServiceTitan PantheonServiceTitan Torch NetworkYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Mastering ServiceTitan on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Mastering ServiceTitan in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

May 26, 202638 min

SEO in the Age of AI: How to Stand Out in Search with Brand Trust

What does SEO look like in a world where AI is answering questions before customers ever click a website? In this episode, Amanda Salvatore sits down with William Haddad, SVP of Product and Optimization at Scorpion, to unpack how AI search is reshaping online visibility for home service businesses. They explore the shift from traditional SEO to AI-driven search experiences, why brand authority and customer sentiment matter more than ever, and how contractors can improve visibility without getting overwhelmed by constant change.Join us as we discuss: [4:18] How AI search is changing online marketing[10:08] The three core mechanics of SEO in the age of AI[22:36] The “teach everything” video content strategyYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

May 19, 202642 min

Acquisition Strategy: Why the Playbook Matters More Than the Deal

In this episode, John Wilson returns to Toolbox for the Trades five years after his first appearance to share what it really took to scale the Wilson Companies from under $5 million to more than $40 million in revenue in under five years. John walks through the messy middle of rapid growth, from tripling his team in a single year to realizing they did not yet have the systems, leadership, or structure to support it. What followed was a multi year reset focused on operations, hiring, and building a repeatable playbook. We also talk about what makes a good acquisition, why leadership is the true bottleneck to scaling, and how an internal leadership program became one of the company’s most important growth levers.Join us as we discuss: [4:38] When to pause acquisitions to focus on operations [11:00] How to build a leadership development program in-house[20:20] What makes a good acquisition versus a bad one[31:07] Why a podcast is a great marketing tool and the revenue vs EBITDA mindset shiftCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Toolbox for the Trades Episode 46Owned and Operated PodcastNexstarCertainPathSage IntactYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

May 12, 202634 min

Clarity in Action: How to Build Better Systems From Scratch

In this episode, we sit down with Caren Bueno, Service Division Coordinator, Corbett Irrigation, to talk about what it looks like to build a life and a business from the ground up. Caren shares her journey from arriving in the U.S. as an au pair to leading a service division, building systems, and turning day-to-day chaos into something that actually works. She talks about learning in real time, creating structure where none exists, and why the right team matters more than any process or playbook.Join us as we discuss: [2:59] An unlikely journey through the trades to leading a service division[15:42] How to use Aspire to track costs and get beyond “one big bucket”[25:36] How Green Gap reduces calls and improves technician confidenceCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:AspireYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

May 5, 202642 min

What, Why, and How: Mapping Leadership Roles for Maximum Scalability

Mike Brewner (CEO), Sydney Biancardi (COO), and Clint Hodge (CFO) of Iceberg Home Services join the show to reveal how their distinct leadership styles created a high-performing trifecta. Mike, a trades veteran, started the business in a 12-by-12 shed and transformed it into a dominant force in Central Florida. He is joined by Clint, a non-industry hire from the gaming and finance sectors, and Sydney, a fresh business graduate who climbed the ranks from CSR to COO in just five years. Utilizing the Rocket Fuel framework, the trio explains how they divide responsibilities into the “What” (visionary), the “Why” (financial logic), and the “How” (operational execution). This episode is a masterclass in building a data-driven culture that prioritizes community, healthy conflict, and scaling big.Join us as we discuss: [13:36] How learning resources and mentorship helped define Iceberg’s leadership[20:27] Defining visionary and integrator roles and knowing your lane[25:54] Conflict resolution and interpreting company valuesCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mack C. WintersYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

April 28, 202637 min

Why Career Sponsorship is the Key to Advancing Talent

Amanda Portinari, Director of Industry Transformation at Ambition Theory, joins the show to discuss a critical leadership shift that is transforming the construction and trades industries. Amanda breaks down the fundamental differences between transactional leadership, which relies on top-down delegation, and transformational leadership, which inspires collaboration and innovation. A core focus of the episode is the distinction between mentorship (giving advice) and sponsorship (creating opportunities). Amanda explains that while women are often over-mentored, they are sponsored half as often as their male colleagues, leading to significant talent loss in the leadership pipeline. Tune in to hear how agencies like Ambition Theory are helping companies build more inclusive, high-capacity teams that retain top talent across all generations.Join us as we discuss: [4:04] How transformational leadership can positively impact your retention[17:07] The key differences between employee mentorship and sponsorship[25:43] Why sponsors need to have skin in the game to influence real developmentYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

April 21, 202628 min

Transforming Raw Data into Actionable Business Strategy

Yi Wei, System Analyst at Southern Botanical, joins the show to discuss her unique role as the “cardiologist” for the heartbeat of her company's operations. She details Southern Botanical's massive shift from a heavy construction division to focusing exclusively on maintenance and how she helped build the bridge between their business and their software. Yi breaks down her approach to transforming raw data into strategy , including the implementation of 30 vital metrics and the creation of “gate checks” to catch simple errors before they snowball into major financial discrepancies. This episode is a masterclass in operational due diligence and proactive leadership.Join us as we discuss: [3:40] Conducting “health checks” on your data to protect margins and forecast potential issues[11:43] Why “second opinions” are critical to confirming new SOPs]17:07] How worksite audits can be an effective leadership tool[23:12]The importance of prioritizing personal career growth for your employeesCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:AspireYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

April 14, 202631 min

A $48 Million Mission to Make the Garage Door Industry Sexy

Carrie Kelsch, Founder and CEO of A-Plus Garage Doors in Utah, joins the show to discuss her journey from clandestine business owner to the leader of a $48 million enterprise. Carrie shares the specific tactics her team used to jump from $36 million to $48 million in a single year, including a unique “revenue bell” system that gamifies success for the entire office. She opens up about battling negative belief systems and imposter syndrome, explaining how she finally leaned into her identity as a woman leader in a male-dominated field. From professionalizing the garage door industry to successfully partnering with private equity through Guild Garage Group, Carrie provides a masterclass on balancing high-growth profitability with a thriving company culture.Join us as we discuss: [4:36] How A-Plus accelerated their growth through business-wide revenue goals[12:41] Imposter syndrome and embracing the uncomfortable[16:24] Carrie’s personal mission to give the garage door business a glow up[22:36] The family business dynamic and making tough decisionsCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Guild Garage GroupYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.