Toolbox for the Trades

Bite Off What You Can Chew: The Project Management Playbook

Contractor associations are in a unique position of being able to draw talent from their membership pool to tackle big projects. And the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association [https://www.smacna.org/], or SMACNA, is no exception. As an international group with chapters across four countries, SMACNA bids on multiple “mega” projects involving thousands of workers. But even an organization as large as theirs has to be wary of biting off more than it can chew. SMACNA’s CEO, Aaron Hilger [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronhilger/], shares his valuable insights on project management, strategies for growth, and elevating universal opinion of the trades. Join us as we discuss: - (9:45) How unionized contractor groups tackle mega projects - (19:48) Five tips for successful project management at any level - (30:50) Why reinvesting in people is critical to long-term success Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Aaron Hilger [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronhilger/] - SMACNA [https://www.smacna.org/] - MEP Innovation Conference [https://www.mepconference.org/] - MCAA [https://www.mcaa.org/] - NECA [https://www.nikasolutions.com/] You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938], on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/76wMZ1SJV4OAql9HzbnQ87?si=85dc59f7c6e244b2], or here [https://www.servicetitan.com/podcast]. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.

Getting Out of the Comfort Zone: A Second Gen Owner’s Succession

WHEN HIS FATHER BECAME VERY ILL, PETE BRADHAM [HTTPS://WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/IN/PETE-BRADHAM-B9189953/] SUDDENLY HAD TO STEP IN AND TAKE THE REINS OF THEIR FAMILY BUSINESS. For years, they had gotten by on respected word-of-mouth in Charlotte, North Carolina. As General Manager, Pete knew that if their company, Bradham Brothers [https://www.bradhambrothers.com/], was going to continue growing, they had to change or die. Pete tells us how valuable mentors helped him through the tough transition of taking over leadership as a second-generation tradesman. Join us as we discuss: - Why communication is a valuable skill in the trades (3:41) - The unexpected transition in leadership from father to son (10:50) - How multiple mentors helped Pete stay the course (20:52) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Pete Bradham [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-bradham-b9189953/] - Bradham Brothers [https://www.bradhambrothers.com/] - Bradham Brothers onboard with ServiceTitan [https://www.servicetitan.com/blog/bradham-brothers-to-servicetitan-the-decision] You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938], on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/76wMZ1SJV4OAql9HzbnQ87?si=85dc59f7c6e244b2], or here [https://www.servicetitan.com/podcast]. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.

Ismael Valdez: Nexgen - The Day I Almost Quit the Trades

In 2019, Ismael Valdez [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ismaelvaldez/], CEO at Nexgen Air Conditioning Heating and Plumbing [https://nexgenairandplumbing.com/], was ready to give it all up. After several years of quietly fighting alone to keep his business afloat, Ismael accepted a colleague’s helping hand. And now, three years later, Ismael is living his best life in the trades. In this episode, Ismael opens up about his ownership struggles, a personal battle with addiction, and the day he almost quit the trades. Join us as we discuss: - What led to the infamous moment when Ismael wanted to give up (2:58) - Why struggling contractors need to open up and ask for help (12:26) - Avoiding burnout during the year-long business grind (17:42) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Ismael Valdez [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ismaelvaldez/] - Nexgen Air Conditioning Heating and Plumbing [https://nexgenairandplumbing.com/] - Wrench Group [https://www.wrenchgroup.com/] You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938], on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/76wMZ1SJV4OAql9HzbnQ87?si=85dc59f7c6e244b2], or here [https://www.servicetitan.com/podcast]. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.

Budgets, Numbers, and P&Ls: A Business Coach’s Perspective on the Trades

A lot of small business owners in the trades are technical experts in their respective crafts. But Jason Arthur [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-arthur-81810673/] , Owner of Eighty-Seven Degrees Coaching [https://87helps.com/] , says that most of those entrepreneurs neglect the one thing that dictates their long-term growth outlook: their budget. And too many are reluctant to ask for help. Jason shares how his former employee experiences shaped his coaching philosophy and how small business owners can create a solid budgeting culture. Join us as we discuss: * (3:44) Why Jason saw a need to start his coaching business * (11:44) Creating an accountable budget reporting culture * (25:44) Integrating employees into the budget creation process * (31:00) Memorable stories from the clients’ perspective Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: * Jason Arthur [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-arthur-81810673/] * Eighty-Seven Degrees Coaching [https://87helps.com/] * jason@87helps.com You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938], on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/76wMZ1SJV4OAql9HzbnQ87?si=85dc59f7c6e244b2], or here [https://www.servicetitan.com/podcast]. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.

Medley HVAC: Building a $50 Million Mom N’ Pop Shop

Texas Medley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/texas-medley-539898197/] , CEO of Medley Heating & Air Conditioning [https://callmedley.com/] , hated the trades as a kid. But after a multi-year stint in grocery retail, he began his journey to build his dream $50 million mom n’ pop HVAC business. Texas shares how realigning his priorities and laying a strong foundation of family culture set his company up for future growth. Join us as we discuss: * (5:50) Negative stigma attached to the trades * (20:38) Shifting mindset to escape the “rat race” mentality * (33:30) The importance of strong culture and positive reinforcement Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: * Texas Medley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/texas-medley-539898197/] * Medley Heating & Air Conditioning [https://callmedley.com/] You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox of the Trades on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toolbox-for-the-trades/id1503078938], on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/76wMZ1SJV4OAql9HzbnQ87?si=85dc59f7c6e244b2], or here [https://www.servicetitan.com/podcast]. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox of the Trades in your favorite podcast player.