On this episode of Born For The Trades, Mandeep sits down with Strick Tudor, a leader who has spent more than 25 years serving the trades and learning what truly drives a contractor’s success. From two decades at Enterprise Fleet Management helping contractors optimize their vehicles to leading revenue and partnerships in the world of trade technology, Strick has seen the industry from every angle. He is not just a tech executive. He is someone who understands the field, who has installed window units, cleared condenser lines, and spent time around family members who built their lives in the trades.

The conversation quickly moves beyond the buzzwords. Strick challenges the common belief that a CRM is simply a dispatching and scheduling tool. Instead, he calls it the lifeblood of a business. A true Field Service Management platform becomes the command center where workflows live, numbers tell the truth, and leaders gain visibility into the daily health of their company. Without it, contractors are guessing. With it, they can understand KPIs, identify training gaps, support their teams, and make confident decisions rooted in data.

As the leader of revenue and partnerships at Workiz, Strick explains what makes their platform different. Ease of use. Speed of onboarding. Fast time to value. An intuitive mobile app that technicians actually enjoy using. Embedded communications that capture conversations and turn them into insight. The goal is not complexity. It is clarity and growth.

Then the conversation turns to AI, and this is where things get exciting. AI inside the trades is not science fiction. It is already converting leads, analyzing calls, automating follow-up, and even answering the phone 24 hours a day through virtual AI agents. Missed calls become booked jobs. Data becomes direction. Smaller contractors suddenly have the tools to compete with major players. AI becomes the great equalizer.

Strick shares how contractors are seeing dramatic improvements in review ratings because customers are always being responded to. Some businesses are reclaiming up to 30 hours per week through automation. Others are uncovering hidden revenue by identifying upsell opportunities, aging equipment, and service plan gaps directly from call insights.

For sales managers, the metrics are clear. Speed to lead. Conversion rate. Average ticket value. Service plans that build a competitive moat. The best in class are responding within seconds, not hours. The difference between growth and stagnation often comes down to how quickly and intelligently a business reacts.

This episode is also made possible by our sponsors, Broccoli AI and Grow Reviews. Broccoli AI, at broccoli.com, provides AI voice agents that answer phones around the clock, book jobs, follow up on estimates, and dispatch technicians seamlessly. Grow Reviews, at growreviews.com, helps home service companies capture authentic video testimonials that build trust and drive more business.

Mandeep and Strick close with a powerful reminder. Be genuinely curious. Spend time in the field. Sit with dispatchers. Ride along with technicians. The future of the trades will belong to leaders who combine technology with real-world understanding. This episode is not about replacing people. It is about empowering them.

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In this episode of Born For The Trades, host Mandeep sits down with Ryan Fenn, founder and CEO of CHIIRP, for a real, operator-first conversation about what actually drives growth in home service businesses, and why most owners are leaving money on the table without realizing it.

Ryan didn’t build CHIIRP to chase shiny tech trends. He built it to solve a painfully common problem he saw over and over again: great contractors spending hard-earned money to generate leads, only to lose jobs because they were slow to respond or inconsistent with follow-up. In the trades, speed isn’t a luxury; it’s survival. Ryan breaks down what “fast enough” really means when it comes to speed-to-lead, and why even a few minutes can be the difference between a booked job and a lost opportunity.

The conversation digs deep into what great follow-up actually looks like in the real world. Not theory, not fluff, but practical systems that work in busy, chaotic home-service businesses. Ryan shares why follow-up isn’t about sending more messages, but about sending the right messages at the right time, consistently, without relying on memory or motivation.

Mandeep and Ryan also unpack what separates operators who scale from those who stay stuck year after year. The difference isn’t talent or hustle. It’s ownership, repeatable playbooks, and a willingness to build systems that remove friction from growth. Ryan explains how the latest CHIIRP AI tools are changing the day-to-day for owners by taking follow-up off their mental load while still keeping it personal, timely, and effective.

You’ll also hear Ryan call out one follow-up mistake almost every contractor makes, and how fixing it alone can unlock immediate revenue. Finally, they tackle a question every owner wrestles with: if you want predictable growth, should you fix marketing first or follow up? Ryan’s answer may surprise you, and it could save you thousands in wasted ad spend.

This episode is packed with practical frameworks, hard-earned insights, and no-BS advice for owners who want growth they can actually control. If you’re in the trades and tired of guessing where your next job is coming from, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

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In this episode of Born For The Trades, host Mandeep sits down with Ashlynn Rainaldi, Director of Client Success at Grow Nearby, for a conversation that goes far beyond surface-level marketing tactics. With nearly five years of hands-on experience helping home service businesses scale, Ashlynn brings a rare perspective, one rooted in real client relationships, operational clarity, and what actually drives long-term growth in the trades.

Ashlynn shares how SEO has quietly but significantly evolved over the past couple of years, especially as AI reshapes how homeowners search for service providers. The discussion dives into the rise of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), what it really means in practice, and why businesses that fail to adapt risk becoming invisible, even if they’re still “doing SEO.” As search behavior changes, Ashlynn explains how smart businesses are shifting their strategies to meet customers earlier, faster, and with more trust.

But one of the most eye-opening parts of the conversation centers on what happens after the lead comes in. Ashlynn breaks down a hard truth many owners overlook: marketing often isn’t the problem; systems are. From missed calls and poor follow-up to weak CRM usage, she explains how breakdowns behind the scenes can make great marketing efforts appear ineffective. The phone ringing is only the beginning, and without the right processes in place, growth stalls quickly

The episode also takes a deep look at Google Business Profiles and why they’re one of the most underestimated assets for local home service companies. Ashlynn explains how small inconsistencies, outdated information, or lack of activity can quietly erode trust and rankings, while companies that treat GBP as a living, breathing channel see outsized returns.

Communication is another major theme throughout the episode. Ashlynn shares what strong, productive communication between a home service business and its marketing agency actually looks like, and how that relationship evolves to drive better results. She also touches on branding, challenging the idea that it’s “just a logo,” and revealing how weak branding can drag down performance across websites, ads, and local search without owners realizing why.

Grounded, insightful, and refreshingly honest, this episode is a must-listen for home service owners who want to understand why growth feels harder than it should, and what really needs to change to unlock the next level.

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The world of home services is changing fast, and today on Born For The Trades, host Mandeep sits down with someone who’s been shaping that change for years. Brigham Dickinson, President of Power Selling Pros and founder of the Power Certification Program, returns to the show to dive deep into one of the hottest topics transforming every industry right now: artificial intelligence.

Since 2009, Brigham has helped contractors across the U.S., Canada, and Australia turn their call centers into customer-experience powerhouses with a bold guarantee that teams will book at least 85% of their calls. But what happens when AI enters the picture? Can technology truly deliver the same “Wow!” moment that Brigham has built his entire philosophy around?

In this episode, Brigham and Mandeep explore the crossroads of automation and authenticity. Brigham shares his candid take on AI chatbots and voice assistants, and whether they can ever match the warmth and empathy of a human voice. He believes technology should enhance human connection, not replace it, and he offers a powerful framework for how contractors can use AI to support their teams rather than distance themselves from their customers.

Listeners will get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest AI tools reshaping customer service, from smart call routing to emotion-recognition technology, and how these innovations can help home service businesses stay ahead of the curve. But Brigham doesn’t just focus on tools; he dives into mindset. He emphasizes accountability, excellence, and the idea that creating unforgettable experiences starts with genuine care for people.

For Brigham, the key to future success isn’t choosing between humans and machines; it’s understanding how both can work together to create something even better. As he puts it, “AI can make us faster, but only empathy makes us memorable.”

If you’re a contractor, business owner, or team leader wondering how to embrace AI without losing your human edge, this episode is a must-listen. You’ll walk away inspired to rethink your customer interactions, reimagine your call-handling process, and reignite that spark that keeps customers coming back again and again.

Tune in to Born For The Trades and hear from one of the industry’s most passionate voices about what it really takes to deliver excellence in the age of AI because the future of home services isn’t just smart… It’s human.

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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 aren’t dead, they’re evolving. In fact, they're making a bold comeback. He explains how too many contractors rely entirely on digital leads and miss out on the power of real-world connections. The truth? The trades are about trust, and nothing builds it faster than showing up at the door, being human, and being helpful.

But don’t expect scripts and sleazy tactics here. Sam dives deep into his core belief that identity beats scripts every time. He explains what a “sales identity” really is, and why knowing who you are, and how you show up, will always outperform the perfect pitch. If you’ve ever felt like you're "faking it" during a sale, this part is a game-changer.

One of the most practical segments? Sam’s take on the dreaded “three bids” objection. You’ll learn how to shift the narrative so you're not one of three; you’re the only choice that makes sense. Sam shares how contractors can move from competing on price to competing on value by reframing the way they educate and engage homeowners.

He also shares real-world guerrilla marketing wins, including one story where a low-cost, boots-on-the-ground campaign outperformed a digital ad budget 10x its size. His philosophy is clear: don’t wait for leads. Create your own momentum. And he shows you exactly how to do it.

For any contractor trapped in the "discount to win" mindset, Sam lays out a first step that’s simple, but not easy: stop chasing volume and start building authority. He shows how high-ticket sales aren’t about saying more; they’re about saying the right things, to the right people, with total clarity on value.

Whether you’re a business owner, sales lead, or a technician trying to step into selling, this episode offers a fresh, no-fluff roadmap for turning shaky conversations into confident closes.

This one’s for the contractors who are done racing to the bottom and ready to rise to the top.

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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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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 helped over half a million entrepreneurs and business owners take the guesswork out of using AI. His specialty? Making AI simple, practical, and wildly effective, even for garage door pros, HVAC companies, plumbers, roofers, and anyone else in the home service space.

In this episode, Jonathan debunks the biggest myth in the trades: that AI is just for tech startups. He shares real-world ways that home service business owners can use tools like ChatGPT or Claude to save hours of time, cut unnecessary costs, and even enhance the customer experience. Whether it’s automating basic office tasks, creating powerful marketing content, or improving lead follow-up systems, Jonathan shows you how AI can do the heavy lifting without replacing your team’s expertise.

We also dig into the most common mistakes people make when diving into AI, and how Jonathan’s Perfect Prompting Framework helps business owners ask better questions, get better results, and avoid the trap of generic, useless outputs. If you’ve ever tried AI and felt underwhelmed, this conversation is a must-listen.

Mandeep also presses Jonathan on a key issue: the role of human creativity. Jonathan makes it clear that AI is a tool, not a replacement for judgment, experience, or personality, and when used right, it can actually amplify your strengths as a business owner.

You’ll also hear how AI is set to change local marketing over the next few years, and one powerful story of a small business that used Jonathan’s approach to completely turn things around.

If you’ve been curious about AI but didn’t know where to start, or if you tried it and gave up, this episode is your guide to unlocking its real potential in the trades.

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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 world. If you’ve ever wondered why some leads close fast and others fizzle out, this is the conversation you need to hear.

Robb brings his years of experience and hard-earned insights to the mic as we dive into a topic that’s become a battleground for many in the trades — Google leads versus social media leads. These two sources are not created equal, and Robb makes it clear why understanding the mindset behind each one is critical if you want to scale your business. You’ll learn how intent plays a massive role in the customer journey, and why chasing likes won’t always turn into dollars.

Mandeep asks the tough questions. What’s the real difference between these two lead types? How should your team respond differently to a Google searcher versus someone who clicked a Facebook ad? Robb breaks it down with examples, calling out the biggest mistakes home service companies make when they treat all leads the same. From messaging and follow-up timing to which platform deserves your focus first, this episode gives you the tools to finally stop wasting money and start closing more jobs.

You’ll also get a peek into Robb’s bestselling book Garage Door Gameplan and hear one tactic that applies directly to navigating the two very different lead mindsets. Whether you’re a new business owner or a seasoned pro trying to fine-tune your marketing strategy, Robb lays out a clear path forward that balances quick wins with long-term growth.

This isn’t just another marketing episode. It’s a wake-up call for anyone in the trades who’s tired of chasing leads that don’t convert. Robb’s insights apply beyond garage doors and can help any home service entrepreneur get smarter about where they spend their money and how they handle their prospects.

Press play and get ready to look at your leads in a whole new way.

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