Empowering Small Trades Businesses: A Conversation with Live Oak Bank
September 2, 2023
In a recent conversation between Dan Dowdy and Brandon from Live Oak Bank, they explored the bank’s various services to help small businesses in the trades industry grow through leadership development. Live Oak Bank specializes in providing small loans to plumbing, electrical, and HVAC businesses using the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 7A loan program. This program enables financing based on the cash flow of the company and the owner’s credit, making it an excellent option for businesses with limited collateral.
Elevating Leadership:
A Journey of Empathy, Growth, and Putting People First
August 9, 2023
Welcome to another captivating episode, Built For The Trades, a podcast that explores the essence of leadership development in the trades industry. In this episode, we sit down with Chris Gutkes, the fourth-generation elevator tradesman and esteemed president of Island Elevator in Long Island, New York. Chris takes us on a profound journey from growing up in an elevator family to serving in the Army and discovering his true passion for elevators. Join us as we delve into the importance of self-awareness, empathy, continuous learning, and the significance of putting people first in leadership.
From 3 to 20 Million:
A Journey of Growth and Family Values in the Trades
August 3, 2023
In the dynamic world of business, there are success stories that inspire, motivate, and shed light on the challenges faced by entrepreneurs. One such remarkable journey is that of Crystal, a businesswoman in the trades industry. This blog post will delve into the transcript of an insightful conversation with Crystal. She shares her experiences, lessons learned, and strategies that led her company from a modest $3 million to an impressive $20 million in revenue. Let’s explore the pivotal moments, challenges, and family values that contributed to her success.
The Year Of Two Paths
July 28, 2023
Welcome to the Built For The Trades podcast! I’m your host, Dan Dowdy, and today we’re diving into a topic that’s been on my mind and has been shared in recent talks. The title is “A Year of Two Paths,” throughout this podcast; I aim to teach you what it looks like to take the hard, easy path of leading leaders.
Part 3 | Creating a Team That Excels: Building an Organization That Inspires
July 21, 2023
Welcome back to the Built For The Trades podcast! In this final part of our three-part series, we will explore the importance of creating a team that excels and how leading by example and effective time management play a crucial role in achieving this goal. By implementing these strategies, you can cultivate a high-performing team that goes above and beyond their job description, ultimately leading to tremendous success for your business.
Part 2 | Creating a Team That Excels: Building an Organization That Inspires
July 6, 2023
Welcome to the Built for Trades podcast with your host, Dan Dowdy. This three-part series will explore the steps to create a team that excels. Building a successful team is crucial for overcoming revenue plateaus, shifting culture, and maintaining quality work. However, many leaders face challenges such as lack of time, fear of leaving their comfort zone, and past negative experiences. This blog post will delve into steps three and four: setting the foundation for success and initiating the relationship-building process.
Part 1 | Creating a Team That Excels: Building an Organization That Inspires
June 14, 2023
Building a Strategic Marketing Strategy: Unleashing the Power of Differentiation
June 9, 2023
In today’s episode, we delve into the significance of building a strategic marketing strategy that not only drives growth but also maximizes return on investment (ROI). Join our host, Dan Dowdy, and his fellow team member, Nathan, as they explore the key elements of effective marketing strategies and share valuable insights to help businesses thrive.
Five Steps to Take Advantage of the Recession and Grow Your Business
June 2, 2023
Today’s episode is about the five steps that can help you leverage the recession to your advantage. The recession presents an opportunity for growth and innovation if approached with the right mindset and strategies. By adopting a positive mindset, gaining market share, prioritizing effective communication, strengthening your team, and focusing on high-impact activities, you can position your business for success even in challenging times. Embrace these five steps and turn the recession into an opportunity for growth and advancement.
Exploring the Benefits of Trades: Josh Zolan’s Journey and Insights
May 19, 2023
In a recent episode of the Built For The Trades podcast, host Dan engages in a captivating conversation with Josh Zolan, owner of Wendy City Equipment, podcaster, speaker, and author of the book “Blue is the New White.” This dynamic duo sheds light on the advantages of entering the trades while delving into Josh’s remarkable journey. From a childhood immersed in the stunt industry to finding his true calling, Josh’s experiences provide valuable insights into the world of trades.
Why Having An Online Presence Is Important For Business
May 6, 2023
On today’s Built For The Trades podcast episode, host Dan Dowdy is interviewing Rachel Betterbid from CoalMarch. You will get to hear how having an online presence is essential for any business looking to grow and reach more customers. For home service companies, this is particularly important as consumers increasingly rely on the Internet to find and hire service providers for their homes. But with so many options and strategies to consider, it can be challenging to know where to start.
How XOI Could Benefit Your Technicians
April 19, 2023
Dan Dowdy, the Built for the Trades podcast host, interviews JP Cahalan from XOI Technologies, which provides an app for technicians to capture and collaborate on work and get coaching. Calahan talks about his background and growing up in a small town in Florida, where he worked at a paper plate factory during his summer holidays. Later he worked in construction and became a project manager in a company specializing in modular building systems. He eventually joined XOI Technologies, where he spent nine years.
Investing in Customer Service Skills: A Key to Success for Trades Businesses
March 9, 2023
In the trades industry, customer service skills can be the difference between a thriving business and one that struggles to stay afloat. This was the focus of a recent episode of the Built For The Trades podcast, where host Dan Dowdy spoke with Zach Garside, CEO of Power Selling Pros, a company that provides customer service training to home service businesses.
Overcoming Adversity and Impacting The Next Generation
February 23, 2023
In this episode of the Built of the Trades podcast, host Dan Dowdy interviews John Akhoian, co-founder and CEO of Rooter Hero Plumbing. John shares his journey from adversity to success in the plumbing industry, emphasizing the importance of giving back and leadership development. Despite facing challenges after his father’s passing, John’s determination led him to build a thriving business and become a leader in his field. His story serves as an inspiration to those considering a career in the trades, highlighting the power of perseverance and dedication.
How In-House Training Could Take Your Business To The Next Level
February 9, 2023
In this episode of the Built for the Trades podcast, host Dan Dowdy welcomes Dan Clapper, with Interplay Learning, as their HVAC Marketing Director. Dan Clapper is a third-generation tradesman who is passionate about educating those in the trades and has also written a book called, “Get More HVAC leads.”
Vision Tools for Your Business
February 1, 2023
In this episode of the Built for the Trades podcast, Dan Dowdy shares his insights on setting up a successful business venture. He emphasizes how having a strong and clear vision serves as an essential first step towards success; creating a leadership team to move forward with that vision is then key to achieving one’s goals.
How To Create Your Year Vision Map
January 11, 2023
It’s essential to understand where your business stands and how you plan to get from point A to point B. Having a business vision map that clearly outlines your plans for the next three years can help guide your team through times of opportunity and adversity alike. Why is mapping out a business strategy for the next three years critical? In this episode, Dan discusses precisely why having a detailed, actionable map is key to staying on track with reaching long-term goals. In this episode of the Built for the Trades podcast, Dan Dowdy discusses precisely why having a detailed, actionable map is key to staying on track with reaching long-term goals.
How To Balance Working With Your Spouse In Business and In Life
December 7, 2022
In this episode of the Built for the Trades podcast, host Dan Dowdy welcomes Justin and Kristen Deese, husband and wife duo and home service business owners, to the show. Dan and the Deese’ dive right into multiple pieces of advice they have on leadership development, home service business ownership, and managing a partnership while maintaining holy matrimony.
Only Two Tools You Need To Build Better Team Members
November 23, 2022
This episode is for you if you wish to create healthy boundaries for employees and reduce the threat of miscommunication and failed expectations.
Dig Into A 4th Generation Business Owner’s Key To Success
October 26, 2022
In this episode of the Built for the Trades podcast, host Dan Dowdy welcomes Bret Barnhart, the owner of Barnhart Excavating, to the show. Dan and Bret “dig” right into Bret’s backstory of being a fourth-generation business owner and how he found his success in making sure those around him are also successful and have no regrets.
How the Trades Can Benefit from Diversifying with Women and Minorities
In this episode of the Built for the Trades podcast, host Dan Dowdy welcomes Allie Perez with George Plumbing Company in San Antonio. Dan and Allie discuss the traction to be gained by diversifying the trades with women and minorities.
Valuing People Over Profit
September 28, 2022
How To Build Trust In The Trades
September 13, 2022
3 Steps to Attract and Retain Top Talented Team Members
In this episode of the Built for the Trades podcast, host Dan Dowdy covers the three steps to attract and retain top team members for your company and why the “this is the way we’ve always done it” is not as successful in today’s workforce.
How to Reduce Your Stress and Have a Clear Vision In Your Life and Business
In this episode of the Built for the Trades podcast, host Dan Dowdy welcomes Stephen Christopher with Wit Digital. Dan and Stephen discuss reducing stress, getting more clear on where you’re going, and being able to make decisions. There are many times business owners, and leaders in the trades get in their way, and Stephen has excellent tips for getting out of those same ruts in the road.
How To Recruit In The Trades Using Social Media
July 22, 2022
In this episode of the Built for the Trades podcast, host Dan Dowdy welcomes Levi Torres with High Five Plumbing in Denver. Levi is doing something that is ahead of the times when it comes to using social media to recruit in the trades, Dan and Levi discuss how he’s really caught a lot of traction with it.
Appreciation: The Undervalued Tool in Employee Retention
April 19, 2022
In this episode of the Built for the Trades podcast, host Dan Dowdy, welcomes Michael Sauer from Scorpion to the show. Dan and Michael talk about employee retention attracting great team members, how to curb The Great Resignation, what the “love languages of appreciation” are and how to practice them in real life.
Building Generational Companies with Core Values In Mind
April 19, 2022
In this episode with Dan Dowdy, he interviews Chris Cline from Yochim Plumbing, who is a Founding Member here at Built For The Trades. Dan and Chris chat about their experiences with being second-generation tradesmen and being “old school” where integrity, hard work, and a handshake means everything in business. Chris’s story of how his father and Mark Yochim built Yochim Plumbing to what it is today, truly encompasses the meaning of generational, and people-focused, tradesmen and women with their core values in operation.
Creating the Next Generation of Skilled Tradesmen
April 19, 2022
In this episode of the Built for the Trades podcast, host Dan Dowdy welcomes Brant Martin with Martins Rod and Customs. Dan and Brant talk about bringing in the next generation of tradesmen and women and how to equip them for success in their careers to come!
How Built For The Trades Got Started
April 13, 2022
In this episode, our Founder Dan Dowdy shares his story of where he came from and how Built For The Trades got started. Dan is a second-generation tradesman, growing up in the family business, learning about hard work, God, and plumbing from the time he could walk.
