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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🎧 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

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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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#ToThePointPodcast #HomeServices #HVACBusiness #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #MichaelBrewner #BusinessGrowth #RocketFuel #HVAC #Plumbing #ScaleUp #Mentorship

In this episode of To The Point Home Services, host Chris Yano reflects on the invaluable lessons he's learned over the years—personally, professionally, and spiritually. Chris dives deep into what’s shaped him as a leader, business owner, husband, and father, sharing wisdom gained through faith, experience, and hard work. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating leadership, business growth, or personal development in the home services industry (and beyond).

💡 Key Takeaways:

• The power of faith and trusting God’s plan
• Importance of staying grounded while growing a business
• Lessons in leadership, including vulnerability and accountability
• Why embracing change is key to growth
• Insights on navigating burnout and finding balance
• The role of mentors, self-reflection, and continuous improvement

📌 Links & Resources:

• Learn more about RYNO Strategic Solutions: https://rynoss.com
• Subscribe to the podcast newsletter: https://rynoss.com/podcast
• Previous episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@ToThePointPodcast

⏱️ Timecodes:

00:00 – Intro: Why this episode is different

01:02 – Trusting God’s plan (and letting go of control)

03:05 – What burnout taught me about balance

05:10 – Business mistakes and leadership growth

07:42 – Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness

09:55 – Always stay teachable

11:12 – Why mindset matters more than strategy

13:04 – Wrapping up: Lead with intention

14:25 – Final thoughts and sign-off

📣 Don’t forget to:

👍 Like this video

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📤 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!

In this powerhouse episode of To The Point Home Services, Chris and Chad Peterman welcome John Bowman, President of F.F. Hitchcock — a multi-generational Connecticut-based service business that has evolved from a general store in 1870 to a $20M+ home services juggernaut. 💥

We dive deep into how John helped transform a legacy company through bold branding, exceptional leadership, and a strong service-first mindset. From scaling residential services to creative marketing and navigating the family business dynamic, this episode is packed with gold.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• How F.F. Hitchcock went from construction-focused to residential success
• Creative marketing that builds brand personality (hello, prank calls & upside-down booths!)
• Transitioning leadership in a multi-generational business
• Using humor and authenticity to attract talent and customers
• Leveraging tools like ServiceTitan and online shops for growth
• The impact of industry events like RYNOx on mindset and momentum

⏱️ Timecodes:

00:00 - Intro & Purdue vs UConn rivalry

03:00 - John’s early days and RYNOx connection

07:00 - Company origin: 1870 to present

10:00 - Pivoting during the 2008 crash

13:00 - Working with family & leadership transition

20:00 - Residential vs. Commercial: The strategy shift

26:00 - Key lessons from RYNOx and the power of relationships

33:00 - Marketing wins: Pranks, social media, and upside-down booths

42:00 - Adding e-commerce to the HVAC experience

47:00 - Building internal leaders and delegating for scale

52:00 - Final thoughts and Chad's takeaways

Connect With John!

Website: https://ffhitchcock.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ffhitchcock/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hitchcockoil/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/f-f-hitchcock-co-inc-/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpatrickbowman/

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In this powerhouse episode, Leland Smith, founder of Service Champions, and Aaron Gaynor, host and industry leader, sit down for an eye-opening discussion on how to thrive in the trades—even in the face of rising tariffs, economic shifts, and operational challenges.

Leland dives deep into the art of pricing, how his team stayed ahead of the curve during economic shifts, and why club memberships have been a cornerstone of Service Champions' success. From lessons learned during COVID to building a pipeline of talent through internal training schools, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone serious about growing a home services business.

💡 Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just getting started, you’ll walk away with real strategies you can apply to boost profitability, improve retention, and future-proof your business.

📌 Key Topics Covered

00:00 - Intro

00:01:06 – Leland’s industry reputation & numbers mindset

00:01:37 – Tariffs & pricing strategy: navigating constant change

00:02:52 – Marking up pricing while keeping margins

00:05:00 – Lessons from COVID: don’t delay price increases

00:06:12 – Communicating increases: “Everyone just got a raise”

00:06:56 – The club membership model: structure, renewals & success rates

00:09:22 – Value-driven service: why tune-ups matter more than big-ticket jobs

00:10:50 – M&A insights: what to look for in a company (hint: it’s memberships)

00:14:22 – Building great tradespeople & Service Champions’ core philosophy

00:16:05 – Timeless business lessons from Jim Abrams

00:18:38 – Weekly field meetings to track memberships & instill culture

00:19:11 – Internal training programs & creating your own pipeline

00:24:01 – Million-dollar technician success story

00:25:17 – Balancing pricing with operational efficiency

00:27:53 – Operational audits: don’t hide inefficiencies behind pricing

🔗 Related Resources & Mentions

Service Champions: https://www.servicechampions.com

Airtime 500 (now part of Success Group)

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💬 Drop a comment below: What's your biggest takeaway from this episode?

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#HomeServices #HVAC #ServiceChampions #TradesBusiness #PricingStrategy #Memberships #Entrepreneurship #ToThePointPodcast #AaronGaynor #LelandSmith #Leadership #Tariffs #BusinessGrowth

🔥 In this high-energy micro episode, Chris dives into one of the most overlooked yet powerful business growth strategies: RELATIONSHIPS. Whether you’re leading a multimillion-dollar HVAC empire or just starting out in your trade, this episode is packed with hard-hitting truths, real-world examples, and actionable insights. Relationships aren't just a “nice to have”—they’re a must-have.

From mentors and peers to vendors, competitors, and even yourself—Chris breaks down how building strong, respectful, and strategic connections can completely change your business trajectory. 💥

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: Why this is one of Chris’s favorite topics

00:40 - The most underrated strategy: Relationships

01:35 - The 4 (plus 1!) key relationship types

01:54 - 💡 1. Mentors: Why having the right guide matters

03:30 - Real examples: Keegan Hodges, Jamie DiDominico, Joe Huck, Ken Goodrich

04:09 - Tips on approaching mentors

04:40 - 💡 2. Peers: Your inner circle for real talk

06:08 - 💡 3. Vendors: Don’t be a jerk—be a partner

07:30 - 💡 4. Competitors: Compete without hate

08:59 - Recap of the 4 types

09:28 - 💡 BONUS: Relationship with YOURSELF

09:52 - Self-care, self-esteem & always learning

12:46 - Why self-education feeds confidence

13:25 - The ripple effect of great relationships

14:01 - Final thoughts: Start somewhere—start with relationships

💬 Join the Conversation:

Which relationship type do you need to work on the most? Drop your thoughts or experiences in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!

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Hit that LIKE button, SUBSCRIBE for more real talk from the trenches, and SHARE this episode with someone who needs to hear it today.

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

In this episode of To The Point Home Services Podcast, hosts Chris and Chad sit down with Yossi Wachtel, Founder & President of Monkey Wrench to explore his inspiring entrepreneurial journey. From scaling a one-truck plumbing company to a $25M+ home services powerhouse in Southern California, Yossi gets real about navigating tough markets, leadership through crisis, personal branding, and building a customer-obsessed culture.

Whether you're running a service business, managing a team, or trying to create value in a noisy market, this one’s packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

🧠 Key Takeaways

How Yossi scaled Monkey Wrench to $25M in revenue in one of the most competitive home service markets.

The importance of mission-driven leadership and a customer-centric mindset.

Behind-the-scenes of how the Palisades fire impacted his business and how he led through adversity.

Using personal brand (especially on LinkedIn) to connect with customers and elevate trust.

Creating training systems and internal bootcamps that reinforce service excellence.

Why simplifying the customer experience—even something as small as a voice prompt—can boost conversions.

Marketing strategies that actually leverage your existing customer base.

The power of empathy, handwritten letters, and going above & beyond in a service-based industry.

⏱️ Timecodes

00:00 – Intro + wild flight story

04:00 – Meet Yossi: Founder of Monkey Wrench

07:00 – Dad jokes & Cuban elevator story

10:00 – Palisades Fire: Business impact & leadership through crisis

18:00 – Revenue talk: $25M company in 2024

21:00 – Competing in SoCal: mindset vs market

23:00 – Service over new construction

26:00 – Memberships & marketing to your current base

31:00 – The power of personal branding on LinkedIn

36:00 – Making it EASY to do business with you

42:00 – Training, roleplay, and elevating installers

44:00 – Marketing like a funnel & cross-promotion strategy

47:00 – Final thoughts & gratitude

🔗 Resources & Mentions

Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric - https://www.monkeywrenchplumbers.com/

Connect with Yossi on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yossi-wachtel-70a81412/

Nexstar Network - https://www.nexstarnetwork.com/

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#ToThePointPodcast #HomeServices #HVAC #Plumbing #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Marketing #CustomerExperience