Can't Stop the Growth

To the Point: How to Outwork, Outbrand, & Out-Culture the Competition

Some operators try to outspend the competition. Steve Holland built his business by outworking them, out-branding them, and most of all, out-caring them. Chris and Chad sit down with Steve Holland, founder of Mr. Holland's Heating, Air & Electric, to unpack his journey from a chaotic upbringing to building and exiting a successful home services company. Steve shares hard-earned lessons on scaling, acquisitions, branding, radio marketing, and why you cannot sell your way out of operational problems. But the real heart of this conversation is leadership. Steve makes a powerful case that your employees are your most expensive customer, and the businesses that genuinely know, support, and invest in their people will always have the edge. For leaders who want to win with culture, not just spreadsheets, this one hits home. Additional Resources: Listen to To the Point [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/to-the-point-home-services-podcast/id1496811695], wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about To the Point [https://rynoss.com/to-the-point-home-services-podcast/] Subscribe to CSTG on YouTube! [https://youtube.com/@cantstopthegrowth?si=WNfHy3q6IKDLIotx] Connect with Chris on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisyano/] Chad on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-m-peterman/] Chad Peterman | CEO | Author [https://chadmpeterman.com/] Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network] Learn more about PeopleForward Network [https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/] Key Takeaways: * Employees are your most important and expensive customer. * You cannot sell your way out of dysfunction. * Fix operations before trying to scale fast. * Branding compounds every other marketing channel. * Outwork and out-culture bigger competitors every time.

CSTG 257: The Playbook for a $1 Billion Skilled Labor Business | Michael Aft

Michael Aft is building a $1 billion commercial garage door empire — and his playbook for scaling skilled labor businesses is unlike anything you've heard. Whether you're in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or any skilled trade, this episode reveals how to unlock the growth you've wanted for 15+ years. #BusinessGrowth #HomeServices #Entrepreneurship #SkillLabor #Leadership Additional Resources: Connect with Michael Aft [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelaft/] Learn more about Galaxy Service Partners [https://galaxyservicepartners.com/] Subscribe to CSTG on YouTube! [https://youtube.com/@cantstopthegrowth?si=WNfHy3q6IKDLIotx] Connect with Chad on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-m-peterman/] Chad Peterman | CEO | Author [https://chadmpeterman.com/] Learn more about the Peterman Brothers [https://www.petermancareers.com/] Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network] Learn more about PeopleForward Network [https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/] Key Takeaways: * Why commercial garage doors are "mission-critical" (and countercyclical) * The "Genie Wish" question every business owner needs to answer * How to execute violently on fewer priorities (not more) * The operating rhythm that prevents shiny object syndrome

CSTG 256: You Can Make More Money Running Fewer HVAC Calls

One simple tweak took an HVAC company from a 37% close rate to 68%. And it wasn't about working harder — it was about slowing down. In this episode, Danny Zatarain (Head of Training at Can't Stop the Growth) breaks down the exact process he used to transform Ireland HVAC's sales performance in just 6 months. Additional Resources: Subscribe to CSTG on YouTube! [https://youtube.com/@cantstopthegrowth?si=WNfHy3q6IKDLIotx] Connect with Chad on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-m-peterman/] Chad Peterman | CEO | Author [https://chadmpeterman.com/] Learn more about the Peterman Brothers [https://www.petermancareers.com/] Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network] Learn more about PeopleForward Network [https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/] Key Takeaways: * Why your techs are only showing 1-2 options (and how to get them to 6) * The one metric that predicts success: Options Average * How to make MORE money with FEWER calls per day * The customer feedback loop that changed everything * Why slowing down during busy season is your competitive advantage

CSTG 255: Culture Isn't What's On The Wall, It's What You Tolerate with Steve Sorenson

The ABC Decision Framework changed how we empower our team. Steve Sorenson, Senior Director of Learning & Culture at Johnsonville, breaks down how to build a culture where your team makes decisions without waiting for permission. Company culture training expert Steve Sorenson shares the ABC Decision Framework for employee empowerment and leadership development. Learn how to stop micromanaging, build organizational culture, and create decision-making frameworks that work in home services, HVAC, plumbing, and trades businesses. The behaviors you tolerate become your culture, here's how to change that. THE ABC FRAMEWORK: → A Decisions = Just do it (I don't need to know) → B Decisions = Tell me after (so I can back you up) → C Decisions = Ask me first (financial or customer impact) This one framework stops micromanaging and empowers your team overnight. Additional Resources: Connect with Steve: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sorenson-994a5915/]: Learn more about Johnsonville [https://johnsonville.com/] Subscribe to CSTG on YouTube! [https://youtube.com/@cantstopthegrowth?si=WNfHy3q6IKDLIotx] Connect with Chad on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-m-peterman/] Chad Peterman | CEO | Author [https://chadmpeterman.com/] Learn more about the Peterman Brothers [https://www.petermancareers.com/] Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network] Learn more about PeopleForward Network [https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/] Key Takeaways: * Why "the worst behaviors you tolerate become your culture" * The ABC Decision Framework (A, B, C decisions explained) * How to move from training to actual learning & development * What Johnsonville does that home services companies miss * The AI coaching tool they're building (and why it matters)

CSTG 254: Call Centers Are Your Hidden Revenue Machine with Tyson Chen

Most home service companies still treat the call center like an expense. That is a mistake. In this episode of Can't Stop the Growth, Chad Peterman sits down with Avoca's Tyson Chen to break down why the call center should be treated like a true revenue driver. From booking rate clarity to missed daytime opportunities, after-hours overflow, membership conversion, and smarter coaching, this conversation is packed with practical insight for HVAC, plumbing, and trade leaders who want to stop losing revenue they never even knew they had. This episode is especially valuable for owners, GMs, call center managers, and operators preparing for peak season and trying to maximize every lead that comes through the door. Additional Resources: Connect with Tyson Chen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tysonchen17/] Learn more about Avoca [https://www.avoca.ai/] Subscribe to CSTG on YouTube! [https://youtube.com/@cantstopthegrowth?si=WNfHy3q6IKDLIotx] Connect with Chad on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-m-peterman/] Chad Peterman | CEO | Author [https://chadmpeterman.com/] Learn more about the Peterman Brothers [https://www.petermancareers.com/] Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network] Learn more about PeopleForward Network [https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/] Key Takeaways: * Your call center is not overhead * Know your real booking rate * After-hours is a major revenue leak * Missed calls reveal bigger operational problems * Coaching needs more than a few sampled calls * Input metrics drive output metrics * Memberships increase commitment * Operations and call center must stay aligned