Toolbox for the Trades

Achieving operational organization is often the difference between a business that barely survives and one that scales profitably. Colin Bemus, founder of Go2 Great, shares his journey from digging trenches in his family's landscaping business to navigating a massive economic boom and a devastating crash. After surviving the 2007 recession, Colin leveraged mentorship and software to transform his company into a high-value asset that commanded a premium sale multiple in 2021. Now a consultant, he explains why many contractors fail by expecting software to fix foundational issues like missing job descriptions and unclear organizational charts. Colin provides actionable advice on preparing for acquisition, the importance of measuring quality, and why every business system must tie directly back to defined goals.Join us as we discuss: [1:30] How Colin’s landscaping experience with his father’s family business inspired his journey to help other owner-operators[8:02] Being an early adopter of new tech and the power of an all-in-one platform for your business operations[15:48] Common software implementation mistakes and operational hurdles that Colin sees owner-operators makeCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Reach out to Colin at [email protected] You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

As we wind up for Pantheon 2026, we're bringing few great episodes back from the past to prep you for the big show and bring you new, amazing conversations. We'll be back on 10/20/2026 with this year's Pantheon breakdown and conversations.Originally Aired: 9/23/2025In this episode, Rob Parker, managing director of residential and commercial services investment banking at Piper Sandler, shares tips for partnering with private equity. A former entrepreneur himself, Rob explains how market forces and technological advancements have made the trades an attractive investment for private equity firms. He breaks down the importance of maximizing EBITDA, shares his experience with a successful client partnership, and offers advice for owner-operators preparing to sell their businesses or take them to the next level.Join us as we discuss: [6:56] The COVID private equity boom and how partnerships have since evolved[16:58] Why trades company IPOs may become common in the not-to-distant future[23:39] The most important metric that PE firms look at when considering a partnership[31:18] How owners can prep their team for a company merger or buyoutCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Email Rob at [email protected] can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

We welcome back Josh Teekell, founder and CEO of Smart AC, to discuss their Gen-2 HVAC monitoring platform. Built to target the 80% of homeowners who reject traditional memberships, Gen 2 helps contractors drive rapid market expansion. Josh details how Gen 2 improves on their original model with a single sensor, 30-second setup, and non-Wi-Fi connectivity. He also shares insights on leveraging AI, leading teams through product shifts, and using low-cost entry points to convert one-off service calls into lifelong customers.Join us as we discuss: [2:54] What changed at Smart AC: Announcing the Gen-2 platform launch[13:03] Leveraging $5/month pricing to capture the non-membership homes[19:56] Homeowner survey results validating low-cost monitoring models.Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Check out the survey data here! You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Burnout in the trades is often a silent killer, a slow decay that catches business owners off guard after years of relentless grinding. Nate Agentis, VP of Plumbing at BDR, joins the show to share his raw, personal journey through the pressures of inheriting a family plumbing business, navigating a tragic stage four cancer diagnosis in his family, and facing a mental health breaking point during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nate discusses the danger of tying your entire identity to business growth and introduces the “balance wheel” exercise to help contractors audit their personal lives. From the importance of finding a neutral third-party counselor to the power of small daily habits, Nate provides a roadmap for entrepreneurs to build a lasting legacy without sacrificing their health, family, or sanity.Join us as we discuss: [2:49] Why the grind mentality ultimately leads to burnout and regret[13:09] How bringing in a corporate outsider helped Nate 3X his family business[21:59] Leaning on others to help alleviate the pressures of business ownership[29:07] Why a healthy work culture starts with a healthy ownerCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Get Shit Done! by Nate AgentisYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.