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The Successful Contractor Podcast

The Successful Contractor Podcast

De: CertainPath
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Welcome to The Successful Contractor Podcast, Powered by CertainPath. A show for residential contractors about residential contractors… We chronicle business journeys, share insights, and celebrate successes in this wonderful industry.© 2022 Aquila Investment Group, LLC Economía Gestión y Liderazgo Liderazgo Marketing Marketing y Ventas
Episodios
  • $20 Million in a Town of 240,000 — How Wisler Dominates a Small Market

    $20 Million in a Town of 240,000 — How Wisler Dominates a Small Market
    Mar 26 2026
    Book a free strategy call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591 🔗 Grab our FREE resource: The Foundation Series — Real strategies to build a business that runs (and grows) without chaos: https://bit.ly/3Yqzow5 $20 million in revenue. A service area of 240,000 people. And a business that’s been growing — almost without exception — for four decades. James Wisler didn’t set out to build a $20M multi-trade powerhouse in one of the smallest markets you’ll ever hear about on this show. He grew up in the business — running crews at 15, becoming GM at 23 — and learned every hard lesson the hard way. New construction. Bathroom remodeling. Green-fielding HVAC. Adding electrical through acquisition. Every pivot came with a price. But here’s what’s remarkable: Wisler Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric serves just two counties in Southwest Virginia, with a population that most contractors would walk away from. Electric grew 30% last year. Plumbing north of 15%. HVAC is on track to surpass plumbing in total size next year. And their water treatment division — running since 1986 — now holds 750 service agreements with a lead model that works the exact opposite of every other trade. This is a masterclass in what disciplined, market-smart growth actually looks like over 40 years. In this conversation, you’ll discover: • How Wisler built a $20M multi-trade business in a 240,000-person market — and why small markets can be a massive advantage• The sales-install model they pioneered in plumbing before almost anyone else was doing it — and the $2,500 threshold that drives it• Why green-fielding HVAC was the hardest thing they’ve done — and what they’d do differently (acquire)• The #1 operational mistake that stunted their HVAC growth — and how they finally fixed it• How to build a water treatment business with 750 service agreements, a 60/40 lead split, and a sales system that works• The Culture Index hiring system: why they run it at the application stage, what it actually measures, and why it’s a confirmation tool — not a crutch• Their panel interview rule: 3 people, diverse panel, and if it’s not unanimous — don’t hire• How they acquired an electrical company in 2024, grew it from $1.2M to $1.8M in year one, and why that’s the better path• The “Guiding Light” document: how James defines faith, family, excellence, and courage in a way that actually sticks• The weekly culture minute, the 6-7 hour monthly manager meeting, and the annual kickoff that’s replaced their holiday party Whether you’re running $2M and wondering if you can scale without a major metro, thinking about adding a trade, or trying to figure out what a real hiring system looks like — this one is packed with 40 years of hard-earned lessons. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform. Subscribe to The Successful Contractor for more interviews that move the needle.For more information about Sean Mitchell’s RevenueAscent Program: https://hub.mycertainpath.com/hub/resources/make-execution-consistent-with-the-revenueascent-program-featuring-sean-mitchell AboutThe Successful Contractor is a podcast for residential HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and roofing contractors. Hosted by Bob Houchin, each episode features real contractor growth stories, hard-won business insights, and practical takeaways for building a profitable home services company. Meet the GuestJames Wisler is the CEO of Wisler Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric, based in Rocky Mount, Virginia. James grew up in the business his father started in 1986, became GM at 23, and — alongside his brother Brian — purchased the company in 2014. Under his leadership, Wisler has grown from a plumbing-only service company into a $20M multi-trade operation serving HVAC, plumbing, water treatment, and electrical across Southwest Virginia. James has been a CertainPath member since nearly the beginning and is a fixture in the peer community. ConnectWisler Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric: https://www.wislerhomeservices.comCertainPath: https://www.mycertainpath.com Show NotesThe Successful Contractor Podcast is part of the CertainPath family. CertainPath is a business coaching program for residential HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and roofing contractors. For 25 years, we’ve helped contractors double their revenue, hit 20% net profit, and build teams that stay. With proven systems, professional coaching, software solutions, and a member community of 1,200+ strong — Success is Made Certain. Visit www.mycertainpath.com for more information. FOLLOW CERTAINPATH:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CertainPathLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/certainpathInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/certainpath/
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    1 h y 33 m
  • New Construction to $110M in Service: How a Family HVAC Business Survived the Recession and Scaled

    New Construction to $110M in Service: How a Family HVAC Business Survived the Recession and Scaled
    Mar 19 2026

    Book a free strategy call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591

    🔗 Grab our FREE resource: The Foundation Series — Real strategies to build a business that runs (and grows) without chaos: https://bit.ly/3Yqzow5


    $3.5 million in service revenue. A new construction company that survived the Great Recession on discipline and a war chest. And a son who'd spent summers on job sites watching his dad build something real.

    RJ Magee didn't plan to build a $110 million multi-location HVAC and plumbing empire. He planned to take over his dad's company in Las Vegas. Then they sold it — and everything changed.

    Sierra Air Conditioning and Plumbing in Las Vegas alone went from $13 million in 2020 to $50 million in 2025. Their comfort advisor made $500,000 last year. Flip techs clear $200K. And in Boise, they hired a bartender two weeks ago — one week of training, five for five, $18,000 average ticket.

    This is a masterclass in what it actually looks like to scale a residential HVAC company — and what it costs when you don't.


    In this conversation, you'll discover:

    • How CertainPath coaching helped Sierra grow from $3.5M in service revenue to $50M in Las Vegas alone
    • The 3 things RJ says took them from $3.5M to $13M — and the operational discipline behind it
    • How to acquire HVAC companies: market selection, what makes a good partner, and why they keep every call center local
    • How they changed fix-it culture shops into sales-minded organizations — without losing the team
    • Why RJ pays his flip manager $30 per same-day flip (and how that drives behavior better than EBITDA bonuses)
    • The personal loss in 2019 that finally made him build a team — and get his priorities in the right order
    • Their 5-year plan: $500M by 2030, 16–18 partner companies, 20% EBITDA

    Whether you're at $3M trying to hit $13M, thinking about what a sale might look like, or just want to understand how a $110M HVAC operation actually runs — this one is packed.

    🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform. Subscribe to The Successful Contractor for more interviews that move the needle.



    About

    The Successful Contractor is a podcast for residential HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and roofing contractors. Hosted by Bob Houchin, each episode features real contractor growth stories, hard-won business insights, and practical takeaways for building a profitable home services company.


    Meet the Guest

    RJ Magee is the President of Sierra Group, overseeing Sierra Air Conditioning and Plumbing in Las Vegas, NV along with partner locations in Boise, Denver, and Tucson. RJ grew up working summers on his father's job sites, joined the company full-time in 2010, and helped grow the service division from $3.5M to $13M before a private equity sale in 2020. Since then, he has led Sierra's Las Vegas operation from $13M to $50M while building a multi-location portfolio targeting $500M by 2030.


    Connect

    Sierra Air Conditioning and Plumbing: https://www.sierraair.com

    CertainPath: https://www.mycertainpath.com



    Show Notes

    The Successful Contractor Podcast is part of the CertainPath family. CertainPath is a business coaching program for residential HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and roofing contractors. For 25 years, we've helped contractors double their revenue, hit 20% net profit, and build teams that stay. With proven systems, professional coaching, software solutions, and a member community of 1,200+ strong — Success is Made Certain. Visit www.mycertainpath.com for more information.

    FOLLOW CERTAINPATH:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CertainPath

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/certainpath

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/certainpath/

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    1 h y 26 m
  • How an electrician went from two vans and $10k in the bank in 2019 to $10.6 Million in revenue and 28 vans in 2026. Meet Matt Wehrle of Safe Electric & Plumbing

    How an electrician went from two vans and $10k in the bank in 2019 to $10.6 Million in revenue and 28 vans in 2026. Meet Matt Wehrle of Safe Electric & Plumbing
    Mar 12 2026

    Book a free strategy call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591

    🔗 Grab our FREE resource: The Foundation Series — Real strategies to build a business that runs (and grows) without chaos: https://bit.ly/3Yqzow5

    $400,000 in revenue. Two wrapped vans. $50,000 in unpaid taxes. That was electrician Matt Wehrle in January 2019 — sitting in an office for the first time in his life, wondering if he’d made a massive mistake.

    Six years later, Safe Electric & Plumbing in Columbus, Ohio hit $10.6 million. 28 trucks. Double-digit net profit. And a plumbing division that did $2 million in its first full year. Matt’s story isn’t a slow, steady climb — it’s a masterclass in what happens when a field electrician stops doing things his way and follows a proven system.

    In this conversation, you’ll discover:

    • How CertainPath coaching helped one electrician grow from $400K to $10.6M in 5 years

    • Starting a residential electrical business with $10K in the bank and $50K in unpaid taxes — and booking nearly 100% of calls in year one

    • Adding a plumbing division to an electrical company — $2M first full year (after hiring the wrong manager first)

    • Catching bookkeeper embezzlement: fake LLC, unauthorized ACH transfers, and stolen credit cards for 13 months

    • His recruiting secret every contractor will steal — and why “nobody wants to work” is nothing but an excuse

    • What he’d tell his 2017 self: “Drop everything else and just do THIS!”

    Whether you’re an electrician thinking about adding a second trade, a contractor trying to build culture, or a business owner who’s been burned by someone you trusted — Matt’s story will hit home.

    🎧 Watch now on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform. And don’t forget to subscribe to The Successful Contractor for more interviews that move the needle.


    About

    The Successful Contractor is a podcast for residential HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and roofing contractors. Hosted by Bob Houchin, each episode features real contractor growth stories, hard-won business insights, and practical takeaways for building a profitable home services company.


    Meet the Guest

    Matt Wehrle is the owner of Safe Electric & Plumbing in Columbus, Ohio. A lifelong electrician who started his career in new construction, Matt launched his residential service company in 2019 with two vans and $10,000 in the bank. In six years, he’s grown Safe Electric & Plumbing to $10.6 million in revenue with 28 trucks, a thriving plumbing division, and double-digit net profit.


    Connect

    Safe Electric & Plumbing: https://safeelectricohio.com

    CertainPath: https://www.mycertainpath.com


    Show Notes

    The Successful Contractor Podcast is part of the CertainPath family. CertainPath is a business coaching program for residential HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and roofing contractors. For 25 years, we’ve helped contractors double their revenue, hit 20% net profit, and build teams that stay. With proven systems, professional coaching, software solutions, and a member community of 1,200+ strong — Success is Made Certain. Visit www.mycertainpath.com for more information.

    FOLLOW CERTAINPATH:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CertainPath

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/certainpath

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/certainpath/
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    1 h y 28 m
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