The Catalyst for the Trades

What does it really take to thrive as a new HVAC business in a crowded market? Jason Walker, founder of HVAC Masters of the Hustle, pulls back the curtain on his own journey from law enforcement to leading high-performing HVAC teams—and building a company that stands out against $100M+ competitors. In this high-energy episode, hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz dig into real-world strategies: launching with limited resour...

Ready for a real-world success story that proves the trades are wide open for ambitious go-getters? On this episode of Catalyst, hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz welcome Darren Dixon, an HVAC industry legend, and his son, Tyler Dixon, who swapped college plans for a fast-track sales career in home services. Tyler shares his path from general manager of a fitness club to high-performing comfort advisor at DND Air, breaki...

Is your contracting business ready for the next wave of technology? In this forward-thinking episode, Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz sit down with Paul Redman, CEO of Contractor Commerce, to talk about what it really takes to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market. They dive into the impact of AI, automation, and e-commerce, how lean, tech-centric companies are reshaping home services, and why a customer-first mindse...

Motivation means nothing if you can’t execute. In this episode, Sam Wakefield, creator of Close It Now and catalyst of transformative sales events like “Relentless: The Ultimate Sales Transformation”, pulls back the curtain on what actually drives success in the trades: clarity, consistent follow-up, and evolving beyond “lead baby” mentality. Hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz dig in with Sam on how to deliver events (and...

What does it take to build a thriving, people-first business in the home services industry—and keep it growing for nearly 40 years? In this candid episode, Raul Rodriguez (Founder & President of Power Pro Plumbing) joins hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz to share hard-won lessons on leadership, growth, and adapting to new technology in the trades.

Raul’s journey, from his rough start in 1987 to leading one of the most...

What does it take to scale a family-owned trades business from $12M to $20M in just three years? In this episode, Dana Staszkiewicz, co-founder of Opus and Gold, joins host Jennifer Bagley to share what really happens behind the scenes of explosive growth in the home services industry. Dana gets candid about her journey transitioning from global retail brands to running a legacy trades company with her brother. Discover high-levera...

In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, Jennifer Bagley sits down with Danielle Putnam, President of The New Flat Rate, to talk strategy, pricing, and how contractors can stop giving away their profits. Danielle breaks down why it’s time to retire the word “just” from your team’s vocabulary, how the right pricing menu changes everything, and how to train techs to maximize every opportunity without compromising trust. They also ...

Social media doesn’t have to be overwhelming—or a waste of time. In this episode, Jen McKee, founder of Kee Hart Marketing, shares what actually works for contractors trying to grow online. From personal branding and content ideas to time-saving tools and automation, Jen breaks down real strategies that help HVAC, plumbing, and electrical businesses show up, stand out, and scale.

Whether you're just starting or trying to take y...

In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, co-host Chuck Staszkiewicz sits down with Karen Sager, President of Micro Mesh Gutter Guards, to talk about product innovation, contractor profitability, and strategies for standing out in a crowded market. Karen shares the history and evolution of gutter guard technology, how Micro Mesh uses copper filtration to solve long-standing issues with moss and debris, and why fast-to-cash produc...

Join us for an inspiring episode of The Catalyst for the Trades, featuring Denise Swafford, Chief Commercial Officer at P1 Service Group. Denise shares her incredible career journey, starting from humble beginnings in the call center to reaching the C-suite. Discover how her dedication, resilience, and passion for the trades propelled her to achieve remarkable success and become a leading voice for women in the industry.

Timestamps:

Join us on this episode of The Catalyst for the Trades as we sit down with Ray Reyes, a former Navy veteran turned successful plumbing entrepreneur. Ray shares his inspiring journey of building New Jersey Pipe Doctor from the ground up, highlighting the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. Discover how his military background, strategic planning, and unwavering support system helped him achieve remarkable growth in just ...

In this episode of "Catalyst for the Trades," hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz dive deep into the strategic planning necessary for building a home service business with a future sale or exit in mind. The hosts engage in a rich discussion about vital business practices inspired by recent conversations with successful entrepreneurs from the trades industry. The discussion covers key strategies for financial read...

Join host Jennifer Bagley, CEO of CI Web Group, and her guests, Darren Dixon, CEO and founder of fyxify, and George Donaldson, CEO of Fix-It Group, as they discuss the transformative landscape of the home services industry in this engaging episode. The conversation delves into the significant shifts driven by AI technologies, consumer behavior changes, and evolving business models. Learn from industry leaders about the importance o...

Join Jennifer Bagley as she hosts Trey McWilliams, CEO of McWilliams & Sons and founder of Blue Cardinal Home Services Group, in this enlightening episode of "Catalyst for the Trades." Discover the journey of this third-generation leader as he shares his insights into scaling a home services business with a strong focus on people and leadership development. Trey discusses the decision-making process behind selecting a...

In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz sit down with Mark Evans, a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and wealth-building expert. Mark shares his journey in the trades and breaks down the essential steps for creating long-term financial success. They discuss business scalability, smart investment strategies, and the mindset shifts required for entrepreneurs to build lasting wealth. Ma...

In this episode of "Catalyst for the Trades," hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz are joined by George Donaldson, a leading figure in the home services industry known for scaling the Fix It Group from $1.7 million to $100 million. The trio dives deep into the crucial strategies and considerations for home services businesses looking to scale or plan an exit. Topics covered include the importance of having an exit...

In this episode of The Catalyst for the Trades, Jennifer Bagley sits down with Josh Koplin, co-founder of Eden, to explore the evolving landscape of consumer behavior in the trades industry. The discussion focuses on how businesses can leverage digital tools, AI-driven consumer experiences, and innovative content strategies to gain a competitive edge. Topics include the success of disruptive models like Tesla’s, the importance of S...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Catalyst for the Trades, we engage in an enlightening conversation with Sebastian Jimenez, CEO of Rilla. Drawing striking parallels between tech entrepreneurship and stand-up comedy, Sebastian delves into the essence of trial, failure, and iteration as the cornerstone of success in both fields. The discussion covers Rilla’s unique culture, AI’s transformative role, and the necessity for contr...

 What does it take to turn your customer service team into a powerhouse for growth? In this episode of The Catalyst for the Trades podcast, Brigham Dickinson, founder and president of Power Selling Pros, shares his proven strategies for transforming call-handling into a competitive advantage. Explore the "Pattern for Excellence," learn how to WOW customers on every call, and discover actionable insights that can boost boo...