In this episode of The TradeMarke Podcast, hosts Eric Thomas and Sarah Ghirardo sit down with Tara Landes of Bellrock to break down what it really takes to scale a business beyond the plateau.

From defining a true BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) to building systems that don’t break as you grow, Tara shares practical insights from years of hands-on implementation with service-based businesses. This isn’t theory. It’s how real companies get unstuck and start moving forward again.

They dive into:

• Why revenue goals alone won’t inspire your team or drive growth
• The difference between leadership and management and why both matter
• How to create real buy-in across your organization
• Why most businesses stall at $5M–$25M and how to fix it
• The power of systems, processes, and saying no to the wrong opportunities

Tara also shares one piece of advice every contractor needs to hear: if you can throw money at a problem to buy back your time, do it.

If you’re stuck in the day-to-day, wearing too many hats, or trying to figure out how to scale without burning out, this episode will give you a clear path forward.

Laura Kelly, CPO of Clover Growth Partners, joins Sarah to break down the mindset shifts that separate high-achieving business owners from burned-out ones. From her RPM planning system to the concept of "who, not how," Laura shares the frameworks she uses to run six home service companies, raise two kids, and still show up as her best self — without sacrificing the life she's building along the way.

What does it look like to lead 15 home services franchise brands — and still be excited about every single one of them? In this episode, Sarah and Eric sit down with Beth Toenies, COO of 1-800-BOARD-UP and VP of Franchise Development for BELFOR Franchise Group, to talk all things franchising, growth, and the future of the trades.

Beth breaks down what makes the franchise model so powerful for tradespeople who are great at their craft but want support on the business side. She shares how BELFOR's family of brands — from Ducks and Z Plumbers to Blue Kangaroo Packouts and Redbox+ Dumpsters — are designed to complement each other and create real synergy in local markets.

The conversation also dives into how AI and automation are reshaping operations in the field, why BELFOR is leaning in rather than shying away, and what intentional, sustainable growth actually looks like in franchising.

Whether you're a trade professional curious about business ownership or a franchise enthusiast looking for your next opportunity, this episode is packed with insights, energy, and a few laughs along the way.