In this uplifting episode, Jeff and Danny sit down with Shonna Jordan, founder and CEO of JordanJordan.com Marketing, for a conversation that goes beyond logos and ads and focuses on why your marketing matters. Shonna explains how understanding brand purpose, customer psychology, and tailored messaging can help trades businesses break through noise and build long-term success.

You’ll hear Shonna discuss:

• The fundamentals of effective marketing for service businesses
• How to craft a brand that reflects your values and attracts the right clients
• Why storytelling is essential, even for technical trades
• Common marketing pitfalls and how to avoid them
• How small businesses can compete with bigger competitors using strategy over budget
• This episode gives listeners the tools to rethink their approach and take confident action.

JordanJordan Marketing
https://jordanjordan.com

The Trades Podcast
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

• How to define your brand beyond just a logo
• Why marketing strategy should inform every part of your business
• How to connect with your audience through meaningful messaging
• The difference between marketing that sells and marketing that sticks
• Steps trades professionals can take today to improve their outreach

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast features real conversations with business owners, trades leaders, and industry innovators making an impact in the skilled trades community.

If this episode inspires you, share it with someone in the trades or anyone thinking about starting a home-services business. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

What does it look like when passion, community, and craftsmanship come together to build more than a business? In this episode of The Trades Podcast, hosts Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres sit down with Talena Handley, CEO of Girly Garage, to explore how a single idea can grow into a vibrant community built around cars, confidence, and connection.

In this episode, Jeff and Danny sit down with Talena Handley, CEO of Girly Garage, a community-first company dedicated to making automotive education accessible and empowering. Talena discusses how Girly Garage was built around the idea that anyone can learn to work on vehicles confidently when given the right instruction, environment, and support.

The conversation dives into the importance of inclusive training, breaking down barriers in male-dominated industries, and using community engagement as a foundation for growth. Talena also shares insights on leadership, building events that inspire connection, and nurturing a loyal audience that feels ownership in the brand’s mission.

Girly Garage Website: https://www.girliegarage.com/

About Girly Garage: https://www.girliegarage.com/about

The Trades Podcast: https://www.thetradespodcast.com

• How inclusive education strengthens confidence and skills
• Why community matters in trade and automotive fields
• How Girly Garage expanded from local meetups to a thriving brand
• The role of leadership in fostering inclusivity and belonging
• Practical insights for building community-driven business growth

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Trades Podcast

01:00 Meet Talayna Handley: Founder of Girly Garage

03:31 The Birth of Girly Garage

08:17 Empowering Through Education

11:31 The Importance of Automotive Knowledge

12:54 Expanding Girly Garage's Reach

15:12 The Gender Gap in Automotive Mechanics

18:50 Safety and Education in Automotive Training

20:36 The Future of Trades and Education

24:28 Challenges Facing Small Businesses

27:21 The Role of Girly Garage in Automotive Education

30:56 Career Paths in Automotive Industry

35:08 Staying Grounded in the Trades

37:30 The Vision for Girly Garage's Future

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast features real conversations with business owners, trades leaders, and industry innovators making an impact in the skilled trades community.

If this episode inspires you, share it with someone in the trades or anyone thinking about starting a home-services business. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

In this conversation, Jeff and Danny talk with Rafael Torres about the journey of growing Lefty’s Plumbing Services and the values that guide the company’s work. Rafael discusses how maintaining professionalism, clear communication, and high standards has helped the company earn repeat customers and strong referrals.

The discussion also covers training technicians, developing a reliable team, and the importance of staying organized and responsive in a fast-moving service environment. Rafael shares practical insights into running a plumbing company, managing customer expectations, and maintaining quality as the business grows.

Lefty’s Plumbing Services
https://leftysplumbingservice.com/

The Trades Podcast
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

• How to build a strong reputation in plumbing and home services
• Why communication and professionalism drive repeat business
• The importance of technician training and team culture
• How leadership impacts service quality and customer trust
• Practical insights into operating a growing plumbing company

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast features real conversations with business owners, trades leaders, and industry innovators making an impact in the skilled trades community.

If this episode inspires you, share it with someone in the trades or anyone thinking about starting a home-services business. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

In this episode of the Trades Podcast, Danny and Jeff discuss the challenges and opportunities in attracting young adults to the trades. They explore the importance of paid on-the-job training, creating certificate programs, and the role of technology in training. The conversation also highlights the significance of mentorship, company culture, and engaging with schools to recruit the next generation of tradespeople. With insights from industry experts, the episode provides actionable strategies for business owners to retain employees and build a strong workforce in the trades.

The conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, career progression, workplace culture, and clear communication. Jeff and Danny also share insights on training programs, leadership development, and why creating a sense of purpose in the workplace can dramatically improve retention.

This episode is a practical and motivational discussion for contractors, shop owners, and leaders who want to build stronger teams and a stronger industry.

The Trades Podcast
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

• Why recruiting in the trades requires a new approach
• What younger workers value in a workplace
• How mentorship and training improve retention
• The role of culture in building long-term teams
• Practical ways to attract motivated apprentices and technicians
• Why investing in people strengthens your business

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Trades Podcast

01:05 Attracting Young Adults to Trade Schools

03:55 Competing with Trade Schools for Talent

04:04 The Importance of Paid On-the-Job Training

07:34 Creating a Certificate Program for Employees

09:34 Utilizing Technology in Training

12:13 Bringing in Industry Experts for Training

15:47 Documenting Employee Training and Progress

20:18 Creating a Clear Career Pathway

22:45 The Role of Company Growth in Employee Retention

26:13 Formalizing Apprenticeship Models

30:15 Recruiting Young Adults into the Trades

41:09 Building a Strong Company Culture

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast features real conversations with business owners, trades leaders, and industry innovators making an impact in the skilled trades community.

If this episode inspires you, share it with someone in the trades or anyone thinking about starting a home-services business. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

In this episode, Jeff and Danny talk with Tommy Holstein, CEO of Solid Ground STL, about the challenges and rewards of leading a construction and foundation repair company. Tommy explains why attention to detail, honesty with customers, and strong internal culture are essential in an industry where trust and safety matter most.

The conversation explores leadership under pressure, growing a skilled team, and maintaining high standards as a business scales. Tommy also discusses the importance of educating homeowners, standing behind your work, and making decisions that protect both people and property.

Solid Ground STL
https://www.solidgroundstl.com

The Trades Podcast
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

• How to build trust in high-stakes construction services
• Why quality foundations start with strong leadership
• The role of education and transparency with customers
• How to lead teams in physically demanding, technical work
• What it takes to grow a trade business responsibly
• Why long-term reputation matters more than short-term wins

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast features real conversations with business owners, trades leaders, and industry innovators making an impact in the skilled trades community.

If this episode inspires you, share it with someone in the trades or anyone thinking about starting a home-services business. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

In this episode of The Trades Podcast, hosts Jeff and Danny welcome Kathy Denton from Berger Hardware, who shares her extensive experience in the door hardware industry. Kathy discusses her journey from being a client to working at Berger Hardware for over 32 years. She highlights the transition to their new location in Encinitas, the unique showroom experience, and the importance of building relationships with clients and contractors. Kathy also explains how they guide homeowners and contractors through the selection process, the impact of technology on hardware, and the value of their job walk services. The conversation emphasizes the commitment to customer service and the personal touch that sets Berger Hardware apart from larger retailers.

The conversation explores how Berger Hardware balances tradition with innovation, stays responsive to contractor needs, and remains a trusted resource for builders, remodelers, and skilled trades professionals. Kathy also shares lessons on customer service, communication, and consistency that apply across every trade business.

Berger Hardware Inc.
https://www.bergerhardwareinc.com

VISIT US: 579 Westlake St., Encinitas , CA 92024

Get Directions

SERVING AREA: Del Mar, CA 92014, La Mesa, CA, La Jolla, CA, San Diego, CA, Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and surrounding areas

CONTACT US: (619) 268-1885

BERGER HARDWARE INC. is a Proud Sponsor of The Trades Podcast!

What You Will Learn

• Why supplier relationships matter in the trades
• How product knowledge supports jobsite success
• The role of customer service in construction supply
• How trust is built through consistency and reliability
• Why hardware selection impacts project quality
• How Berger Hardware supports contractors every day

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Berger Hardware and Kathy Denton

02:51 Kathy's Journey with Berger Hardware

05:34 Transitioning to the Encinitas Location

08:43 The New Showroom Experience

11:31 Building Relationships with Clients and Contractors

14:21 Memorable Moments at Berger Hardware

17:24 The Importance of Customer Service

20:07 Navigating Client Needs and Choices

23:00 Unique Design Choices in Hardware

25:54 Problem Solving for Clients

28:44 Crafting Unique Solutions for Home Design

36:27 Embracing Technology in Home Security

42:42 Understanding Security Features and Options

47:37 The Importance of Job Walks in Remodeling

54:21 Custom Solutions vs. Off-the-Shelf Products

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast features real conversations with business owners, trades leaders, and industry innovators making an impact in the skilled trades community.

If this episode inspires you, share it with someone in the trades or anyone thinking about starting a home-services business. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

In this episode, Jeff and Danny talk with Greg Schmitt about how he built Huge Handyman SD into one of San Diego’s go-to handyman service companies. Greg explains the importance of communication, integrity, and skill when working inside a customer’s home. He also shares how he built a service model that focuses on solving problems quickly and correctly while giving homeowners peace of mind.

You will hear Greg discuss the value of dependable technicians, the impact of treating customers with respect, and the importance of offering a broad skill set that covers everything from repairs to installations. Greg also dives into the realities of running a growing service business and the dedication it takes to keep quality high.

Huge Handyman SD
https://www.HugeHandymanSD.com

The Trades Podcast
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

• The mindset behind building a dependable handyman business
• How to earn customer trust through communication and quality
• Why offering a wide range of services boosts business growth
• What it means to lead a team with purpose and high standards
• How to balance business challenges with long-term vision
• The key habits that keep customers loyal and referring

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Huge Handyman

01:46 Navigating Business Challenges and Growth

05:37 Key Performance Indicators and Business Management

11:45 Sales Strategies and Team Dynamics

17:52 Customer Engagement and Marketing Techniques

23:46 Utilizing Technology for Business Efficiency

28:08 Embracing Technology in Construction

36:23 Strategic Growth and Team Development

45:44 Networking and Future Opportunities

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast features real conversations with business owners, trades leaders, and industry innovators making an impact in the skilled trades community.

If this episode inspires you, share it with someone in the trades or anyone thinking about starting a home-services business. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.

In this conversation, Jeff and Danny talk with John Figueroa about the values and processes that define On Point Heating and Air. John breaks down what customers truly expect from an HVAC professional, how his team stays ahead of industry best practices, and why consistent training is essential for both quality and culture.

Topics include maintaining strong communication with homeowners, installing with precision, developing teams with integrity, and staying committed to service excellence. John also talks about the responsibility that comes with entering customers’ homes and the importance of earning their trust every step of the way.

• On Point Heating and Air
  https://www.onpointheatingandair.com
  • CONTACT US
    • (619) 272-6055

• Why personalized service matters in HVAC
• How to build trust through transparency and education
• What separates premium service companies from the competition
• How leadership and communication shape a service business
• Why technicians need continual training and development
• What it takes to grow a values-driven trades company
• This trade is not a nine to five.
• Working hours can extend until the job is done.
• Customer expectations can lead to longer work hours.
• The HVAC industry requires dedication and flexibility.
• Residential HVAC work often involves urgent customer needs.
• Professionals must be prepared for unpredictable schedules.
• Job satisfaction is tied to customer comfort.
• Challenges in HVAC can be rewarding when resolved.
• Time management is crucial in this field.
• Understanding customer needs is essential for success.

Website
https://www.thetradespodcast.com

Hosted by
Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres

The Trades Podcast features real conversations with business owners, trades leaders, and industry innovators making an impact in the skilled trades community.

If this episode inspires you, share it with someone in the trades or anyone thinking about starting a home-services business. Like, comment, and subscribe to help more people discover these conversations.