Episodios

  • Are You Leading Your Plumbing Business or Just Babysitting It?
    Jul 29 2025

    Overview


    Is your business growing—but so is the chaos? You’re not alone. Many plumbing and trade business owners hit a wall—not from a lack of demand, but from a lack of systems. In this episode, we unpack the three essential systems you need to scale your business without losing your sanity, your team, or your profit. If you're tired of putting out fires and want a business that runs smoothly, this one’s for you.

    Discussions

    1. Scheduling & Dispatch Systems: We break down why daily chaos isn’t a “people problem”—it’s a systems problem. Learn how to streamline dispatching, set clear expectations, and set your techs up for success.
    2. Pricing & Estimating Systems: Too many businesses lose money from inconsistent pricing. We share tools and frameworks to help you implement consistent, scalable, and profitable estimating processes.
    3. Training & Onboarding Systems: Hiring without a training system is a recipe for failure. Discover how structured onboarding builds confidence, trust, and long-term team loyalty—while protecting your culture.

    Remember, growth without systems is just a bigger mess. Take one area of your business that feels chaotic and ask: “Do I have a simple, repeatable system for this?” If not, it’s time to build one. When your business has the right systems in place, it doesn’t just grow—it thrives.

    👉 Like what you heard? Be sure to like, subscribe, and share with someone who’s ready to lead their business through calm, not chaos.

    Keep leading with impact—and I’ll see you next time.

    Free Coaching Call:
    Looking to dive deeper into your leadership journey? Schedule a free 30-minute coaching session with me at https://link.builtforthetrades.com/widget/booking/qetDwdbwknifZZLUGwwp

    👉 Subscribe for more leadership and business tips!
    https://bit.ly/3Zrbu4L


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    5 m
  • Spilled Coffee
    Jul 15 2025

    Overview

    In this episode, Dan Dowdy shares the real story of how a simple spilled coffee moment became a turning point in his leadership journey. Discover why pausing before you react, leading with presence instead of pressure, and understanding the emotional residue you leave behind can transform your team culture. Tune in for practical leadership lessons, authentic stories, and a reminder that leadership isn’t revealed in the spotlight — it’s revealed in the spill.

    Discussions

    1. Realization: How rushing out the door, spilling coffee, and snapping in frustration helped me see that I was bringing the same reactive, rushed energy into how I led my team and made decisions.
    2. Shifting to pause before you react: Why leadership isn’t about having the perfect answer in every moment, but about showing up with presence and calm — so your team knows they can rely on you even under pressure.
    3. Emotional residue & crisis culture: How every reaction, even in small crises, leaves an emotional imprint on your team — and why creating a culture where it’s safe to fail leads to deeper trust, accountability, and growth.

    Leadership isn’t revealed in the spotlight — it’s revealed in those everyday, messy moments when things spill or plans fall apart. My challenge for you: notice your next “spilled coffee” moment, pause before you react, and remember that’s where real leadership shows up.

    Keep leading with impact—and I’ll see you next time.

    Free Coaching Call:
    Looking to dive deeper into your leadership journey? Schedule a free 30-minute coaching session with me at https://link.builtforthetrades.com/widget/booking/qetDwdbwknifZZLUGwwp

    👉 Subscribe for more leadership and business tips!
    https://bit.ly/3Zrbu4L


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    5 m
  • The Five Minute Sales Habit That Doubled Our Service Tickets
    Jul 1 2025

    Overview

    In this episode, we dive into the five minute sales habit that doubled our service tickets—one simple daily practice that helps home service teams shift from just taking orders to becoming trusted advisors.

    Discussions

    1. The power of a daily game plan: how five minutes of prep can transform every service call.
    2. Turning technicians into trusted advisors through quick, consistent role play.
    3. Using service MVP recognition to reinforce habits and build a culture of serving well.

    Small habits create big impact—start tomorrow by asking your team to spend just five minutes reviewing their calls. Keep it simple, keep it consistent, and watch how it changes your business. Thanks for tuning in, and remember: you don’t need to overhaul everything—just start with five minutes and make it count!


    Keep leading with impact—and I’ll see you next time.

    Free Coaching Call:
    Looking to dive deeper into your leadership journey? Schedule a free 30-minute coaching session with me at https://link.builtforthetrades.com/widget/booking/qetDwdbwknifZZLUGwwp

    👉 Subscribe for more leadership and business tips!
    https://bit.ly/3Zrbu4L


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    5 m
  • What Your Team Actually Wants From You
    Jun 20 2025

    Overview


    What if I told you your team isn’t asking for more pay or better perks—but for something deeper? Today, we’re diving into the unsaid needs that every plumbing leader should be aware of, and how meeting those needs will make your team more loyal, motivated, and productive. Let's unpack the true desires of your team and how to provide them—without them ever having to ask.


    Discussions

    1. Clarity in Expectations – Your team craves direction and defined goals so they know exactly what success looks like.


    2. Trust and Autonomy – Empowering your team to make decisions builds ownership, confidence, and motivation.


    3. Opportunities for Growth – Investing in your team’s development shows you believe in their long-term potential.


    Your team’s not just clocking in—they’re looking for leadership that brings clarity, trust, and growth. When you meet those silent needs, you won’t just lead better—you’ll build a team that’s more loyal, engaged, and driven to succeed. So this week, take action: clarify your expectations, extend trust, and create space for growth. Because at the end of the day, your team’s success is a direct reflection of your leadership. Let’s make it count.


    If this episode helped you, like, subscribe, and share it with another trades leader who’s ready to level up their leadership.


    Keep leading with impact—and I’ll see you next time.


    Free Coaching Call:
    Looking to dive deeper into your leadership journey? Schedule a free 30-minute coaching session with me at https://link.builtforthetrades.com/widget/booking/qetDwdbwknifZZLUGwwp

    👉 Subscribe for more leadership and business tips!
    https://bit.ly/3Zrbu4L


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    5 m
  • The 3 Questions Your Team Wishes You’d Ask
    Jun 3 2025

    Overview

    Welcome back to Built for the Trades! Today, we’re diving into three simple but powerful conversations every plumbing leader should have with their team this week. These aren't just nice-to-have check-ins—they’re essential tools for building trust, improving performance, and setting your business up for long-term growth.

    Discussions

    1. "How are you feeling about your role?" – Use this check-in to gauge morale, spot burnout early, and show your team that their voice matters.
    2. "Where do you want to grow?" – Learn your team’s personal and professional goals so you can align their development with business needs.
    3. "How can we work together to improve?" – Encourage collaboration and empower your team to be part of the solution, not just the execution.


    These questions might seem simple, but when asked with intention, they open doors to stronger relationships, better communication, and a healthier business culture.

    When you build your leadership around open, intentional conversations, you don’t just grow a business—you grow people.
    Special thanks to Project to Payment for sponsoring today’s episode. If you're tired of chasing payments and want to take control of your cash flow, make sure to check them out using the link in the description.

    If this episode helped you, like, subscribe, and share it with another trades leader who’s ready to level up their leadership.

    Keep leading with impact—and I’ll see you next time.

    Free Coaching Call:
    Looking to dive deeper into your leadership journey? Schedule a free 30-minute coaching session with me at https://link.builtforthetrades.com/widget/booking/qetDwdbwknifZZLUGwwp

    👉 Subscribe for more leadership and business tips!
    https://bit.ly/3Zrbu4L

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    6 m
  • The Hidden Costs of Poor Leadership in the Trades (And How to Fix It)
    May 21 2025

    Overview


    Welcome back to Built for the Trades! In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late—how poor leadership silently drains your trades business. From high turnover to missed opportunities and a damaged reputation, weak leadership costs more than money—it costs you your people, your productivity, and your future growth. If you're ready to stop babysitting your business and start leading it, this one's for you.

    Discussions

    1. Poor Leadership = High Turnover
    When your team feels unsupported or unclear, they don’t just get frustrated—they leave. And often, it's your best people walking out the door.

    2. Missed Opportunities & Low Productivity
    Weak leadership leads to indecision, rework, and wasted time—all of which silently kill your profits and momentum.

    3. Damage to Your Reputation
    Poor leadership on the inside will eventually show up on the outside—in your reviews, your customer experience, and your growth.

    Let today’s message serve as a wake-up call: poor leadership has a cost you can’t afford. But the good news? It’s never too late to turn it around. Your challenge this week—just pick one leadership habit to improve. Whether it’s listening better, clarifying expectations, or showing appreciation—take that step. Because leadership isn’t a title—it’s a choice you make every day.

    Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with fellow business owners who need to hear this!


    Free Coaching Call:
    Looking to dive deeper into your leadership journey? Schedule a free 30-minute coaching session with me at https://link.builtforthetrades.com/widget/booking/qetDwdbwknifZZLUGwwp

    👉 Subscribe for more leadership and business tips!
    https://bit.ly/3Zrbu4L


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    5 m
  • From Wrenches to Wealth
    May 6 2025



    Welcome back to Built for the Trades! In this episode, today, we're diving into what truly separates stagnant plumbing businesses from those that scale into wealth and long-term impact—and it has nothing to do with having more tools or trucks. It starts in the mind of the leader.

    Discussions

    1. Identify one person on your team who’s ready to take on more responsibility. Empower them. Invest in their growth. Give them a win.
    2. Delegate one task you’re still holding onto that’s limiting your leadership potential. Don’t just hand it off—train someone to own it.
    3. Reach out to one customer this week—not to sell, but simply to thank them. A 30-second call from the owner or leader can make a bigger impact than any discount.


    Remember, great teams don’t build themselves. They’re developed by leaders who serve well, delegate smart, and lead by example. If this episode helped shift your mindset or gave you practical tools, do me a favor: like it, share it, and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next. Until next time—keep leading strong, serving well, and building something that lasts.


    Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with fellow business owners who need to hear this!

    Free Coaching Call:
    Looking to dive deeper into your leadership journey? Schedule a free 30-minute coaching session with me at https://link.builtforthetrades.com/widget/booking/qetDwdbwknifZZLUGwwp


    👉 Subscribe for more leadership and business tips!
    https://bit.ly/3Zrbu4L

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    6 m
  • How to Raise Prices Without Losing Customers
    Apr 22 2025

    Welcome back to Built for the Trades! In this episode, we dive into one of the most challenging yet essential topics for business owners—raising prices without losing customers. As costs rise across the board, it’s crucial for service businesses to adjust their rates to stay profitable. But how do you make this transition without scaring off your loyal customers? We’ll discuss practical strategies, how to communicate effectively, and how to maintain your customer relationships while increasing your rates.

    Discussions

    • Why Raising Prices is Necessary: As costs continue to rise, it’s crucial to adjust your pricing to maintain profitability and ensure your business thrives long-term.
    • Communicating Price Increases with Confidence: By clearly explaining the value behind the price change and offering advance notice, you can maintain trust while raising your rates.
    • Gradual Adjustments and Customer Retention: Start with small price increases to help customers adjust and focus on retaining those who appreciate the quality of your
    • service over the lowest price.

    Raising prices isn’t just a matter of adjusting numbers on a spreadsheet—it’s about positioning your business for long-term growth and sustainability. Be transparent, stay confident in your value, and remember that some customers may leave, but they’re making room for better clients. For those ready to take the next step in leveling up their business, I encourage you to book a coaching session with me to dive deeper into growing a profitable service business.

    Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with fellow business owners who need to hear this!

    Free Coaching Call:
    Looking to dive deeper into your leadership journey? Schedule a free 30-minute coaching session with me at https://link.builtforthetrades.com/widget/booking/qetDwdbwknifZZLUGwwp

    👉 Subscribe for more leadership and business tips!
    https://bit.ly/3Zrbu4L

    Más Menos
    4 m