Build It To Sell It: Home Service Secrets with Lance Bachmann

Third Generation Plumber to $2.5 Billion Sale: Frank DiMarco's Story Part One!

Join us for the first half of a legendary conversation with Frank DiMarco. Before the $2.54 billion sale to Blackstone, Frank was a blue-collar kid from Ohio learning the ropes from "old school guys" who demanded perfection. Frank recounts the "infamous list" of people he intended to prove wrong after being "kicked in the nuts" by a deal that left him with nothing. This is a masterclass in resilience and the blue-collar mindset.

Mastering the Entrepreneurial Mindset with ex-Navy SEAL Mark Divine

Join Lance Bachmann on the Build It to Sell It podcast as he sits down with retired Navy SEAL Commander, entrepreneur, and New York Times best-selling author, Mark Divine. In this episode, Mark shares his unconventional journey from being a CPA and MBA in New York City to becoming an honor graduate of SEAL training at age 25.   Together, they explore the core principles of "The Way of the SEAL," focusing on: * Stress Inoculation: How to transform distress into "eustress" by running toward challenges rather than from them.   * Mental Toughness: The importance of "embracing the suck" and training your mind to find 20 times more potential than you ever thought possible.   * Building Resilient Teams: Why elite performance requires shifting from an "I" to a "We" mentality through shared crucible experiences.   * Actionable Tools: Mark breaks down his #1 prescription for entrepreneurs—box breathing—to rewire the nervous system for mental clarity and flow states.   Whether you are navigating the rapid shifts of AI or the daily grind of scaling a business, this conversation offers a masterclass in developing an unbeatable mind.     Connect with Mark Divine: * Website: unbeatablemind.com   * Email: info@markdivine.com   * Podcast: The Mark Divine Show

From Garage to $100M: The Ismael Valdez Blueprint for Business Scaling!

In this powerful episode of the Build it to Sell it! Podcast, host Lance Bachmann welcomes entrepreneur Ismael Valdez to share the raw, unfiltered story of building his company from a garage start-up to a staggering $100M+ exit to the Wrench Group.   Ismael dives deep into the "Home Comfort School" of business, explaining how he mastered marketing to ensure his "sales machine" never stopped running. The conversation explores the often-overlooked emotional side of success, including the heavy sacrifices made during the early years of fatherhood and the importance of maintaining an abundance mindset even when facing betrayal and bad partnerships.   Key Highlights: * The Blueprint for Growth: How Ismael transitioned from a supply house counter to managing a company with 160+ employees. * Ethics in Action: Why choosing to walk away from a bad partnership was more profitable than entering a lengthy legal battle. * Recruiting the Best: The secret to attracting "A-Players" and "Sharks" by prioritizing pay, respect, and consistent work. * The Weight of Sacrifice: A candid discussion on the guilt and necessity of spending time away from family to secure a multi-generational legacy. Whether you are in the roofing space, HVAC, or any service industry, this episode offers a masterclass in operations, marketing, and the heart of a true hustler.

Building, Scaling, and Exiting Home Service Businesses with Blake Miller!

In this episode of the "Build It To Sell It" podcast, host Lance Bachmann sits down with serial entrepreneur Blake Miller to pull back the curtain on home service mergers and acquisitions. Blake shares the raw details of his first major exit—selling Charleston Heating and Air—and how that million-dollar payday changed his perspective on business and life. Whether you are running an HVAC, roofing, or window company, this episode is a masterclass in preparing for an exit. Blake and Lance discuss: * Why raising your prices by 10% might be the easiest way to boost your EBITDA. * The "Gotcha" moments in business sales and how to avoid being stuck in a holding pattern. * How to acquire distressed or owner-operated businesses using seller financing. * The importance of "mindset training" for sales teams to overcome a down market. * Dealing with "seller’s depression" and finding your identity after a major exit. Don't miss Blake’s "Gunslinger Rule" and his advice for business owners looking to retire or partner with private equity.

Simplifying AI for contractors | Nick Ornitz!

The episode focuses on the mission of Topline Pro to provide an "AI assistant" for solo owner-operators in the home services industry (roofing, landscaping, plumbing, etc.). The discussion highlights the transition from manual "firefighting" to automated growth, the challenges of scaling a SaaS company with multiple funding rounds, and the importance of serving the "long-tail" market that larger CRM players often overlook.78 Key Points * AI as a Business Operator: The software acts as an AI agent handling inbound inquiries, generating quotes, and managing invoicing, effectively replacing the need for a full-time admin or marketing team for small businesses.9 * Market Opportunity: Out of 2.6 million home service companies, 2.4 million are small owner-operators or small crews, representing a massive underserved market.10 * Default Alive: Despite having raised four rounds of funding, including a Series B, the company remains "default alive" while prioritizing rapid growth.11 * Efficiency over Hard Work: Nick argues that growth shouldn't just come from working 18-hour days; it comes from implementing tools that automate 85-90% of the workload.12 * The "Human" Component: Despite being an AI-heavy product, Topline Pro maintains account managers to build personal relationships with contractors who value direct communication.13 YouTube Description In this episode of the Build It To Sell It podcast, we sit down with Nick Ornitz, co-founder and CEO of Topline Pro. Nick shares the inspiring story of how his team is using AI to revolutionize the lives of "the little guy"—the millions of solo owner-operators in roofing, HVAC, plumbing, and landscaping. We dive deep into the reality of building a venture-backed SaaS company, the decision to drop out of business school for Y Combinator, and why Topline Pro is doubling down on the small business market while everyone else chases enterprise deals. If you are a contractor feeling stuck at the $250k–$500k mark, this episode is a masterclass in working smarter, not harder. Learn more about Topline Pro: toplinepro.com [http://toplinepro.com] Contact Nick Ornitz: nick@toplinepro.comNick