In this powerhouse episode, Chris Yano sits down with Ismael Valdez, former CEO of NexGen, founder of Nuve, and straight-talking industry disruptor, to break down the REAL issues plaguing contractors today—and what it actually takes to grow and lead a successful home services business in 2025 and beyond.
This isn't just another podcast episode. It's a masterclass in leadership, accountability, AI, branding, and the future of the trades. From calling out fake mentors and lazy operators to talking billion-dollar visions, robotic labor, and how personal branding is becoming a business necessity—this is the episode you didn't know you needed.
🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Why most contractors operate like employees, not CEOs—and how to fix it
The accountability gap killing growth in small to mid-sized businesses
Why contractors are losing leads due to poor online reviews
The rise of AI and robotics in trades: what’s coming and what to do about it
The future of branding (both personal and company) in an AI-dominated world
What separates real mentors from the frauds in the home services space
How Nuve is changing the game by listening to contractor feedback in real time
⏱️ TIMECODES:
00:00 - Intro & Ishmael’s return
00:51 - The economy, interest rates, and the outlook for 2026
02:05 - The real impact of immigration policies on the trades
04:49 - Why Ishmael is still grinding after a big exit
06:17 - Nuve’s mission and learning from contractor feedback
08:00 - Yelp, Google, and the brutal truth about reviews
10:01 - Every contractor messes up—what matters is how you respond
14:45 - Most “CEOs” still think like employees
17:08 - The rise of fake mentors & predatory coaches in the industry
21:00 - Nobody is coming to save you—do the work
24:14 - AI and the future of CSR & dispatch
26:09 - Robotics in trades: the change is coming faster than you think
31:06 - Brand is everything: company + personal brand strategy
36:11 - Why you MUST get on camera (or find someone who will)
42:05 - Why most contractors suck at social media—and how to fix it
44:52 - The metric that matters most in social: SHARES
47:30 - Final thoughts & actions to take now
🔗 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Nuve: https://www.nuvehome.com/
Prolific Brand Design: https://prolificbranddesign.com/
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Rilla: https://www.rilla.com/tothepoint
Chiirp: https://chiirp.com/
Contractor Commerce: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ryno/
Bluon: https://www.bluon.com/get-demo?referral_code=ToThePoint
Avoca.ai: https://avoca.ai/r/tothepoint
🙌 CALL TO ACTION:
Found this episode valuable? Then stop what you're doing and:
✅ Subscribe to the podcast
💬 Drop a comment below with your biggest takeaway
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Let’s keep building—together. No. Zero. Days.
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