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

CSTG 258: Johnstone Supply VP: The One Thing Every Successful Contractor Does

HVAC equipment costs have skyrocketed — systems that used to cost $7k now cost double. AJ Eder (Regional VP at Johnstone Supply) breaks down why financing isn't optional anymore, what separates successful contractors from struggling ones, and how distributor partnerships should actually work. #HVAC #HVACBusiness #ContractorGrowth #HVACFinancing #HomeServices #ServiceBusiness #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship Additional Resources: Connect with AJ on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aj-eder-0b593115/] Learn more about Johnstone Supply [https://www.johnstonesupply.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 points: • Why financing on every job is critical • The #1 trait of successful contractors • The most important person in the supply chain • Technology that drives contractor profitability

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)