The Home Service Expert Podcast

🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ Jim Leslie is the CEO of Home Service Freedom and former CMO/CTO at A1 Garage Door — where he helped build the company to over $400 million. Today he breaks down exactly what's killing revenue inside most home service companies (hint: it's not your marketing), walks through real HSF member success stories with real numbers, and explains how the right systems, community, and coaching can take any home service company further, faster. In this episode: ▸ The #1 reason home service marketing doesn't work (it's your booking rate) ▸ How a $22M multi-trade company was losing money without knowing why — and turned it around ▸ The speed-of-implementation principle that separates companies that grow from those that stay stuck ▸ How AI is flipping the labor equation — and what it means for your team right now ▸ Why going deeper beats going wider — every time ▸ What smart investors actually look for in a home service company ▸ Inside HSF: membership, coaching, training, and the 90-day money-back guarantee ▸ Freedom Event: October 26–28, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 — Jim Leslie / HSF 08:11 — HSF Membership Overview 16:00 — Member Turnaround Story 23:52 — Speed of Implementation 29:05 — AI Productivity Shift 36:28 — Smart Investor Criteria 44:15 — Freedom Event Details 🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ Tony Hoty filed bankruptcy at 29. Spent 10 years on the road training companies across the country because he had no choice. Then rebuilt to $10M+ in retail remodeling with Window Expo and Bath Expo. His message is simple: stop throwing money at digital ads and start building a system that creates demand. Tommy and Tony break down door-to-door canvassing, home shows, events, call center follow-up, and the lead handling mistakes costing most remodelers thousands every month. -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 Intro & Origin Story 05:40 Hunting vs. Farming 08:42 Door-to-Door Playbook 13:13 Creating Infinite Demand 17:10 Capacity Planning 19:42 Culture & Hiring 23:33 Event Profiling 29:54 Lead Handling & Leakage 33:03 Lead Follow-Up Mistakes 38:53 Process & Discipline 43:11 Ride-Alongs vs. Technology 46:45 Vision & Self-Improvement 49:28 Lead Gen Expo 🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ Peter Thomas built $8 billion in real estate — then lost $70 million when his silent partner went bankrupt. At 87 years old, he's sharp, happy, and still building. Tommy gets the real story: how Peter faced 18 creditors with nothing, negotiated every single one, and rebuilt from zero. The lesson? Your skill set and your network are the two things no collapse can ever take from you. -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 Peter Thomas introduction 01:15 Century 21 Canada 1974 01:34 Built $8 billion 02:13 Biggest failures discussed 03:39 Living well at 87 04:31 What are your values? 04:45 Health and freedom aligned 06:05 Choose your life partner 06:19 Give everything away 07:09 Tommy grew up alone 07:40 Partner went bankrupt 07:58 Down $70 million 08:41 Skill set always survives 09:16 What was next move? 09:42 Negotiating 18 creditors 10:20 Worked all 18 deals 11:00 How to find Peter 11:29 Happiness is a choice 11:48 Tommy's life at 45 12:26 Manifesting your future 🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/ My other podcast: Tommy Mello Millionaire ⟶ https://www.youtube.com/@officialtommymello Live Q&A submission form: https://homeserviceexpert.com/questions

🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ John Block didn't build Unity Partners by being the smartest guy in the room. He built it by making sure he never was. As the founder of one of the fastest-growing private equity firms in home services, John has a framework that most operators never hear — and it has nothing to do with hustle, willpower, or grinding harder than everyone else. In this episode, John breaks down why chasing revenue is the wrong game, what private equity actually looks for before acquiring a home service company, and the one mindset shift that separates operators who plateau from those who build something that lasts. If you're running a home service business and you feel like you've hit a ceiling — this episode is the reason why, and exactly what to do about it. What you'll learn: — Why being the dumbest person in the room is the smartest move you can make — The difference between building bigger and building better — and why it matters — What PE firms actually measure beyond EBITDA — The "who not how" principle and how to apply it to your team right now — Why most operators overestimate what they'll do in a year and underestimate the hockey stick -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/ My other podcast: Tommy Mello Millionaire ⟶ https://www.youtube.com/@officialtommymello

🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ The biggest myth in home service technology? That software solves problems. It doesn't. People do. Tommy sits down with Richard Kohberger — the go-to ServiceTitan expert and founder of Blue Collar Nerd — for one of the most honest conversations about technology, leadership, and what it actually takes to build a great home service company in the AI era.In this episode you'll learn: — Why most companies use ServiceTitan wrong — and what it actually looks like when you use it right — The truth about AI replacing CSRs and what to do about it before it happens to you — Why adding more AI to your business means your people need MORE human attention, not less — The four metrics every home service owner should know cold — Why emotional intelligence is the most underrated skill in home service leadership -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introduction 00:34 - Richard's Background and Blue Collar Nerd Origin 03:08 - Why Investors Are Rushing Into Home Service 06:02 - Advanced ServiceTitan Integrations 10:31 - When to Get on ServiceTitan 13:50 - AI-First Software and What's Coming 17:46 - Tommy's AI-Written Radio Ad Live 21:16 - Social Media vs Traditional Advertising 28:03 - The A1 Garage Model vs HVAC 32:28 - Which Industry Would Richard Build In? 36:12 - Tommy's 2017 Trifecta and Podcast Origin 38:49 - SOPs: SweetProcess vs Trainual 41:13 - AI Supporting People Not Replacing Them 44:41 - Technology Changing Leadership and Culture 47:52 - Longevity Science and Fasting 51:03 - Skills the Next Generation of Operators Needs 54:14 - EQ vs IQ in Leadership 58:42 - Rapid Fire: The Four Metrics Every Owner Must Know 1:09:08 - Die With Zero and Tommy's Philanthropy Plans 1:13:53 - Get Clear on Your WHY 1:17:35 - Is "I'm Doing It for My Family" Really True? 1:23:39 - Meditation, Facing Fears, and Final Thoughts 🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/ Tommy Mello Millionaire ⟶ https://www.youtube.com/@officialtommymello

🚀 FREEDOM 2026 Get your Tickets Today! https://homeservicefreedom.com/ 💎 Top 5 Takes for this Episode! 1. People overestimate what they can do in one or two years — and massively underestimate what they can do in five to ten. Stick with the boring work. 2. Blue collar is the new rich. AI won't replace the trades. Private equity loves scalable home service. Most people couldn't name three flooring companies. That's the opportunity. 3. The real game isn't revenue — it's enterprise value. Lifestyle businesses extract cash. Legacy businesses build an asset worth selling. 4. Master the mundane. Discipline over dopamine. Repetition over inspiration. That's the only secret. 5. There's nothing more dangerous than a wealthy man who gets bored. The same hunter energy that builds empires can destroy everything. Channel it right or it eats you alive. -- 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 🕐 -- 00:00 - Introducing Cody Sperber — The Clever Investor 01:30 - From Navy vet to flipping houses off a napkin 03:39 - 14 months, $30K in debt, and one deal that changed everything 04:57 - Collapsing time: 14 months to 2 months to 3 weeks 06:09 - From wholesaling to rentals to real estate education 07:47 - Why real estate teaches entrepreneurship faster than anything 10:03 - Real estate is a people business — AI can't replace that 11:36 - Why Cody was the best marketer in real estate 16:02 - Why blue collar is the new rich 17:16 - Why Cody chose flooring: most people can't name two companies 18:10 - Selling the education business: first time playing the right game 18:27 - Enterprise value vs. lifestyle business 19:00 - Getting emotional at the Service Titan debate about private equity 20:03 - Why taking chips off the table was about parents, not profit 22:01 - The American dream is still real — immigrants prove it 41:24 - Why authenticity beats selling courses every single time 46:17 - Having kids doubled his income — the hunter mindset intensified 46:42 - The upfront conversation every entrepreneur needs with their partner 48:34 - The system that made marriage and business work together 50:37 - 18 years and a divorce: 'We friendzoned each other' 52:06 - The most dangerous thing a wealthy man can do when he gets bored 53:26 - Having everything on paper and feeling completely empty inside 55:11 - The year and a half that rebuilt his character from the ground up 58:05 - One piece of advice for your 20s: Master the mundane 58:35 - People overestimate 1-2 years. They underestimate 5-10. 59:22 - Why Cody loves failure and what he tells his team 1:00:47 - If you had $10M and your network — what would you build? 1:22:29 - Floor Daddy at 2 years: three crash and burns, $1M+/month 1:23:53 - Tommy's close: financial discipline and the 15% EBITDA rule Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/ My other podcast: Tommy Mello Millionaire ⟶ https://www.youtube.com/@officialtommymello Live Q&A submission form: https://homeserviceexpert.com/questions

Learn more about Lace.ai here: https://lace.ai Boris Valkov is a seasoned software engineer and entrepreneur with a track record of building and scaling products at some of the world's most influential tech companies. He previously worked at Facebook and Slack, where he contributed to high-impact systems used by millions of users globally. He is the co-founder of Lace.ai, an AI-driven platform focused on helping businesses unlock insights from their data and improve performance through automation and smarter decision-making. With deep expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and scalable systems, Boris brings a practical, builder-focused perspective on how technology is reshaping modern businesses. His work sits at the intersection of AI, operations, and the future of work, helping companies move faster and operate more efficiently in an increasingly automated world. Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/ My other podcast: Home Service Expert ⟶ https://open.spotify.com/show/4WHQ3ldGThHsP1cfzNF33G Live Q&A submission form: https://homeserviceexpert.com/questions

Josey Parks is a CEO, venture entrepreneur, and one of the most forward-thinking voices at the intersection of blue-collar industry and technology. As the founder of multiple companies spanning roofing, construction, and AI—including Total Home Roofing, RFX, Roofix, Think Unlimited, and Cognitive Contractor—Josey has built a reputation as a true category creator in the trades. A former Inc. 5000 honoree and one of the youngest leaders to make a major impact in roofing, Josey has been featured on CNBC's Blue-Collar Millionaires and This Old House and was named "Roofing's Fearless Visionary" by industry leaders. Today, through Outlaw Ventures, he's focused on something even bigger: building the infrastructure behind AI, including energy, data systems, and scalable intelligence platforms. Josey is also the force behind initiatives like Win The Storm Conference and SVG University, designed to equip contractors with the tools, technology, and community needed to compete and win in a rapidly evolving industry. Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok ⟶ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram ⟶ https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook ⟶ https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/ My other podcast: Home Service Expert ⟶ https://open.spotify.com/show/4WHQ3ldGThHsP1cfzNF33G Live Q&A submission form: https://homeserviceexpert.com/questions

Email tim@smartwrap.com to get your first wrap FREE! Tim Hilcove is the founder of SmartWrap, a Phoenix-based vehicle wrap and branding company he launched in 2009 alongside his father. Over the past 15+ years, Tim has helped businesses across the country transform their vehicles into high-performing marketing assets: combining design, messaging, and strategy to generate real, measurable growth. With a background in design, production, and marketing, Tim has built SmartWrap into a full-service operation, producing and installing thousands of wraps annually through an in-house model that prioritizes speed, quality, and consistency. His work focuses on helping small and mid-sized businesses stand out in crowded markets by turning everyday vehicles into mobile billboards that drive visibility, brand recognition, and inbound leads. Whether you're in home services, local business, or scaling a growing company, this conversation offers a practical look at how to maximize your marketing dollars and turn your brand into a lead-generating machine. FOR MORE GREAT EPISODES: The Mello Millionaire - https://open.spotify.com/show/1jsZaiMgWe0EGaPfLtelDW?si=3de6091af58d41b4 Check Out My Social Media: TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

Brian Franco is a visionary entrepreneur, dealmaker, and private equity investor widely known as "The M&A Guy." He is the Founder and Managing Partner of Meritage Partners, where he has spent over two decades guiding founders, private equity groups, and strategic acquirers through transformative mergers and acquisitions—helping generate billions in successful exits. Brian is the author of Inevitable Exit, a definitive guide to business succession, strategy, and legacy, and the creator of Empire Builder Studio, a platform focused on scaling companies and preparing them for liquidity events. He also hosts The M&A Guy Podcast, where he shares practical insights on valuation, growth, and exit readiness. Anchored by faith, family, and purpose, Brian blends disciplined execution with long-term vision to help leaders build enduring companies—and exits that truly matter. FOR MORE GREAT EPISODES: The Mello Millionaire - https://open.spotify.com/show/1jsZaiMgWe0EGaPfLtelDW?si=3de6091af58d41b4 Check Out My Social Media: TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

Nate Fischer is a technologist and the CTO of Local Optics, a digital marketing and SEO company focused on helping home service businesses dominate their local markets. With a background in software development and search engine optimization, Fischer has built his career at the intersection of data, automation, and performance-driven marketing. Throughout his work, Fischer has helped contractors and service companies rethink how they approach online growth—moving beyond traditional SEO tactics and toward systems that leverage real-world job data, customer interactions, and proof-based content to drive results. His approach emphasizes turning everyday field activity into scalable digital assets that improve rankings, increase visibility, and generate consistent inbound leads. At Local Optics, Fischer has played a key role in developing strategies that integrate CRM data, reviews, and multi-channel marketing into a cohesive growth engine. By focusing on measurable outcomes and long-term infrastructure, he has helped businesses reduce reliance on outdated agency models and take greater control over their marketing performance. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Cold Open 00:00:11 Title Sequence VO 00:00:30 Show Notes VO 00:01:15 Intro Into Interview 01:07:43 Outro FOR MORE GREAT EPISODES: The Mello Millionaire - https://open.spotify.com/show/1jsZaiMgWe0EGaPfLtelDW?si=3de6091af58d41b4 Check Out My Social Media: TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

Interested in a complimentary market scan or ads workshop from Valpak? Click here: http://asktommypodcast.com/Valpak In this episode of The Home Service Expert, Tommy sits down with Dan Harlacher from Valpak, a marketing expert with over 30 years of experience helping local businesses generate leads and grow through targeted direct mail and data-driven marketing strategies. While many marketers focus only on digital advertising, direct mail continues to be one of the most powerful and underutilized lead generation tools, especially for home service businesses. Valpak has evolved from the iconic blue envelope into a sophisticated omnichannel marketing platform combining direct mail, digital advertising, and advanced audience targeting. Dan breaks down how businesses can use data, targeting, and integrated marketing campaigns to drive measurable ROI and consistently generate new customers. You'll learn why direct mail still works in the digital age and the biggest marketing mistakes local businesses make. You'll also learn how to target the right homeowners for home services, strategies to increase response rates and conversions, and why omnichannel marketing is the future for local businesses. If you're a home service business owner, entrepreneur, or marketer looking to generate more leads, this episode is packed with practical insights you can implement immediately. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Cold Open 00:00:11 Title Sequence VO 00:00:30 Show Notes VO 00:01:16 Intro Into Interview 00:58:24 Outro

Brigham Dickinson is the co-founder and president of Power Selling Pros, a company that helps home service businesses turn more incoming calls into booked jobs through world-class customer service and call-handling training. After years of studying top-performing service companies, Brigham developed proven systems that help CSRs and office teams deliver exceptional customer experiences that drive revenue and loyalty. Today, Power Selling Pros works with contractors across the country to improve call conversion, increase bookings, and build cultures centered on the "Pattern for Excellence." Brigham is also the host of the Service MVP Podcast, where he interviews leaders across the home service industry about leadership, growth, and delivering remarkable service. FOR MORE GREAT EPISODES: The Mello Millionaire - https://open.spotify.com/show/1jsZaiMgWe0EGaPfLtelDW?si=3de6091af58d41b4 Chapters 00:00:00 Cold Open 00:00:15 Title Sequence 00:00:35 Show Notes VO 00:01:20 Intro Into Interview 00:02:45 Power Selling Pro's Testimonial 00:03:33 Interview Resumes 01:03:02 Outro Check Out My Social Media: Tiktok _https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook _https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/