Born For The Trades: A Home Service Podcast

In this episode of Born For The Trades, Mandeep sits down with one of the most disruptive voices in sales today: Sam Wakefield. An international best-selling author, coach, and host of the Close It Now Podcast, Sam’s mission is to help contractors break out of the price-cutting spiral and start selling with confidence, authority, and real results.

 Right out of the gate, Sam tackles a hot take that turns heads: door-to-door sales ar...

From the back office of a plumbing shop to the frontline of AI innovation, AJ Jain’s journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode, Mandeep sits down with the mind behind Broccoli AI, a platform that was literally built shoulder-to-shoulder with contractors, not in a Silicon Valley boardroom. AJ shares how a 4-hour daily commute, a hands-on plumber named Marcel, and a relentless obsession with solving real problems led to an AI...

Alright, trade pros, today’s episode of Born For The Trades flips the script on how you think about growing your home service business. We’re not talking about tools, trucks, or technicians. We’re diving into something most contractors don’t even realize they need: artificial intelligence.

Mandeep sits down with Jonathan Mast, founder of White Beard Strategies and creator of the Perfect Prompting Framework. Jonathan has he...

Alright trade pros, buckle up for a no-fluff episode packed with gold. Today on Born For The Trades, your host Mandeep sits down with one of the most respected voices in garage door marketing, Robb Leishman. Robb is the Founder and Co-Owner of Legit5 Garage Door Marketing, the brains behind some of the most recognizable garage door brands out there. He’s a sales expert with a deep understanding of what actually converts in the real...

In this episode of Born For The Trades, host Mandeep sits down with a true force in the home service industry: Aaron Gaynor, CEO and Founder of The Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians, which is a $94 million and growing business empire rooted in Ohio. But don’t let the success fool you…Aaron’s journey is built on failure, grit, and an unstoppable mindset.

Aaron’s story is one of total reinvention. After losing...

In this latest episode of Born for the Trades, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with my good friend and fellow marketing powerhouse, April Edwards — founder of Deck Builder Marketers. April is a digital marketing expert with over 15 years of experience, and she’s made a name for herself by helping deck builders grow with clarity, strategy, and serious results. We’re both part of an incredible community that supports each...

What if the secret to scaling your home service business isn't more trucks or more tools—but showing up online with purpose? In this episode of Born For The Trades, host Mandeep sits down with Jen McKee, the sharp and savvy founder of Kee Hart Marketing, to explore why social media isn't just marketing—it's a business growth engine.

Jen is no stranger to the spotlight. She’s a 5x award-winning marketer, a 2024 40 Unde...

In this episode of Born For The Trades, Mandeep sits down with Brent Swift, the founder of SwiftCo, a company that has become a cornerstone of Norman, Oklahoma's roofing, construction, and real estate industries. With over 25 years of experience, Brent’s journey is a testament to dedication and craftsmanship. His story began with a simple but ambitious venture: Deckworks. From there, his passion for quality construction and de...

In this episode of Born For The Trades, host Shreya dives deep with Sandy Papavero, a Master and Growth Advisor at CEO Warrior. With a career spanning sales consulting for industry giants like Tony Robbins and Chet Holmes, and expertise in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), Sandy has made it her mission to help home service professionals shatter limiting beliefs and reach new heights in business and life.

Sandy shares her...

Sales isn’t just about the words you say—it’s about how you say them, how you move, and what your customers unconsciously pick up from you. In this episode of Born For The Trades, host Shreya sits down with sales expert Allan Langer to uncover the game-changing secrets that most sales reps overlook. Allan, the author of The 7 Secrets to Selling More by Selling Less, shares why traditional high-pressure tactics are outdated and how ...

Welcome back to another exciting episode of Born for the Trades! Today, we’re diving into the world of HVAC with a special guest, Axel Romero. Since stepping into the HVAC industry in 2017, Axel’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. What began as a focus on installations quickly evolved into a deeper passion for the inner workings of HVAC systems, and by 2019, Axel found his calling at Crossway Mechanical. But his story d...

On this episode of Born for the Trades, Mandeep chats with Lynn Wise, co-founder of Contractor In Charge, a revolutionary service designed to help home service businesses—plumbers, electricians, HVAC professionals, and more—streamline their operations. With a background in both the trades and tech, Lynn’s journey is a fascinating blend of hands-on experience and cutting-edge solutions.

Lynn’s path to entrepreneurship start...

In this episode of Born For The Trades, Mandeep and Shreya sit down with Bill Kean, the President of NEXGEN Air, Heat, and Plumbing, a leading force in Southern California's home services industry. With over 15 years of experience, Bill’s journey from a second-generation contractor to a successful entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. He shares the mindset shifts that helped him navigate pivotal moments—like founding Dyn...

In this episode, host Mandeep Bhalla talks with James Hatfield, Chief Revenue Officer at LiveSwitch, a leading platform transforming how businesses use video to scale. With years of leadership experience in both startups and Fortune 500 companies, James shares his insights on technology, leadership, and the future of communication.

James has been instrumental in LiveSwitch’s success, playing a key role in customer experien...

In this episode of Born For The Trades, our host, Mandeep, talks with Brad, the co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of ZyraTalk, a leader in AI and automation solutions for the home service industry. For over a decade, ZyraTalk has been transforming how businesses handle customer interactions by automating phone conversations, helping businesses avoid missed calls, and converting them into booked jobs and revenue.

Brad explains t...

In this episode of Born For The Trades, host Mandeep is joined by Michael Agugliaro, an entrepreneur, author, and the founder of Warrior Today. Michael’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary, from a childhood steeped in martial arts to becoming a successful business coach and motivational speaker who has helped thousands achieve personal and professional transformation.

Michael’s story began at the age of four when he started t...

Welcome to another exciting episode of ‘Born For The Trades’, the go-to podcast for insights and inspiration in the home services industry. This week’s host is Shreya, who is thrilled to welcome the incredible Ellen Rohr. Known for her impressive journey in growing ZOOM DRAIN Franchising from zero to an astonishing $50 million, Ellen brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Recently, Shreya had an enlightening conversation with h...

Welcome back to Born for the Trades! In today’s episode, we explore the vital role of work culture in enhancing employee engagement and productivity, along with the unique challenges and opportunities faced in the home service industry, especially for women.

A positive work culture is essential for any successful organization. When employees feel valued and included, their engagement and productivity significantly increase...