In this quick-hit micro episode, Chris gets straight to the point about a critical concept many contractors overlook: prepping for the shoulder season while you're still crushing summer. Whether you're in HVAC, roofing, or another home service trade, the true pros don't just survive the off-season—they dominate it by preparing early.

👉 Learn the proven tactics successful contractors use to stay ahead:

• Why planning in June/July gives you an edge in fall and winter
• How to train like a pro in the offseason (hint: not during the game!)
• The importance of building a review strategy while you're at max capacity
• Keeping your marketing running while competitors pull back
• How to recruit top-tier talent when others overextend
• And how to reverse engineer your busy season to improve next year

📌 Timecodes:

00:00 – Intro: What’s the shoulder season and why it matters

00:40 – Why top contractors plan for fall during summer

01:15 – Staying aggressive when others relax

02:15 – Tactics to prepare now for success later

02:59 – Use shoulder season to train, recruit, and systematize

04:12 – Max out review collection while business is booming

05:09 – Operational and tech process improvement

06:17 – Keep marketing to take market share

07:17 – Build your powerhouse team before the slowdown

07:57 – Reverse engineer what went wrong (or right!) during the busy season

08:48 – Final thoughts + Memorial Day message

🧠 Key Takeaway:

The offseason isn’t the time to start thinking about strategy—it’s the time to implement it. The best in the business are always thinking a season ahead.

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💬 Comment below with how you're prepping for shoulder season

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Website: https://rynoss.com/podcast/

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/to-the-point-home-services/

🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you get your podcasts.

Welcome back to To The Point Home Services! In this powerhouse episode, Chris and Chad sit down with Sammy Ayoub, the founder of Apex Pros in Columbus, Ohio. Sammy went from running the nation’s largest Boost Mobile retail chain to launching a home services juggernaut—growing from 3 vans to 135 and pushing $50M in under 4 years.

You’ll hear the full story—from humble beginnings and an unexpected pandemic pivot to building a people-first culture, bold branding, and aggressive marketing that turned Apex into a household name in record time.

🚨 First-time podcast guest. First-class growth story. Don't miss this one.

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro & Birthday Banter 🎉

02:24 – Meet Sammy Ayoub of Apex Pros

03:40 – Launching Apex Pros in 2021

04:44 – From 3 Vans to 135 🚐

06:00 – Building Culture + A Giant Koi Pond 🐟

08:08 – From Boost Mobile to HVAC/Plumbing/Electrical

11:00 – Exiting Wireless After 28 Years

14:00 – Transitioning Into Trades During the Pandemic

17:00 – Recruiting First 110 Employees Himself

20:00 – Culture & Weekly Tech Meetings

22:10 – No Signing Bonuses. Just Real Culture.

26:15 – Rapid Education: Podcasts, Facebook Groups & DMs

28:05 – Why Marketing % Rules Are BS

30:00 – TV, Radio, and the Columbus Blue Jackets Partnership

35:00 – Alex the Mascot & Alex Cares Program ❤️

38:46 – Growth Trajectory: 4M → 16M → 33M → 50M

41:00 – Market Competition & Scaling Against Giants

44:00 – Advice: $5M is Great. $50M Ain’t for Everyone

46:30 – Wrapping Up & Growth Mindset Takeaways

🔗 Resources & Mentions

• Apex Pros Website - https://apexpros.com/
• Dan Antonelli / KickCharge Branding - https://www.kickcharge.com/
• ServiceTitan - https://www.servicetitan.com/
• Nexstar Network - https://www.nexstarnetwork.com/
• Clover Marketing - https://www.growwithclover.com/

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💬 Drop your thoughts or questions for Sammy in the comments

📢 Share this episode with a friend or your team!

In this episode of To The Point Home Services, hosts Chris and Chad welcome Michael Brewner, co-owner of Iceberg Home Services, for a powerhouse conversation packed with wisdom on leadership, scaling, and staying grounded while building an HVAC and plumbing empire in Florida.

Mike shares his journey from professional poker player at 22 to HVAC sales, and ultimately to co-founding a thriving home services company that reached $47M in revenue last year — and is on track for $65M this year. He dives deep into the mindset shifts, team-building strategies, and personal growth required to scale without private equity, while maintaining a strong family and team culture.

Whether you're an aspiring business owner or seasoned entrepreneur, this candid conversation is full of golden insights, hard-earned lessons, and a few epic dad jokes.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Iceberg Home Services: https://icebergcooling.com/
• Rocket Fuel (book discussed): https://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Fuel-Essential-Combination-Business/dp/1941631150
• RYNO Strategic Solutions: https://www.rynoss.com

🕒 Timecodes:

00:00 – Intro & Stagecoach Recap

02:00 – Celebrating RYNO’s 17-Year Anniversary

06:45 – Dad Jokes & Laughs

09:00 – Meet Michael Brewner & His Business Journey

14:00 – From Poker Pro to HVAC Business Owner

20:00 – Growing Iceberg Home Services from $5M to $65M

22:30 – Building a Winning Team & Getting Out of the Way

26:00 – Rocket Fuel & Visionary/Integrator Roles

30:00 – Outgrowing Team Members and Having Hard Conversations

34:00 – Letting Go of Family in the Business

38:30 – Partnership Dynamics with Chad and His Brother

41:30 – Mike’s Personal Growth & Health Journey

44:00 – Mentorship, Learning, and Staying Humble

47:00 – Final Thoughts and Advice for Scaling Up

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