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 platform now transforming the way home service pros do business.
But this isn't just another tech story; it’s a blueprint for innovation grounded in grit and empathy. AJ dives into the early days of Broccoli AI, when he realized contractors didn’t need bells and whistles; they needed time back, smoother operations, and real, practical help. You'll hear how a single conversation with a plumber sparked the creation of a tool now used to automate everything from scheduling to customer follow-ups.
Mandeep challenges AJ on the skepticism many in the trades have toward artificial intelligence. AJ doesn't dodge the question. Instead, he shares exactly why this tech isn’t just for big companies, and how contractors are using it today in ways even he didn’t expect. From voice-powered job notes to instant customer responses, this isn’t AI for the future, it’s AI for right now/
We also get a raw look at the missteps and tough lessons AJ learned while entering a world where trust matters more than trends. He opens up about what it takes to earn the respect of tradespeople, and why solving for the human, not just the process, is Broccoli’s North Star.
If you're a contractor wondering whether technology has a place in your growth story, this episode will leave you fired up. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, AJ offers one simple, powerful piece of advice that might just change how you think about your next move. Visit www.broccoli.com for more info!
This is the kind of episode that makes you believe that the trades aren't just evolving, they're leading.
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