Guest:
Andrew Dobbins – Founder & CEO, Intelligent Design Air Conditioning & Heating (Tucson, AZ)
Guest Links:
Company Website: https://www.idesignac.com
Podcast & Content: Sales Wars with Andrew Dobbins (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook)
This episode explores the real inflection point many home service owners face: when stepping out of sales and sales leadership becomes necessary for scale rather than a liability. Using Andrew Dobbins’ journey building Intelligent Design into a multi-trade operation across HVAC, plumbing, roofing, and electrical, the episode breaks down why top closers often become bottlenecks, how sales performance can mask deeper operational issues, and why replacing yourself requires far more than hiring another “good salesperson.” The episode dives into the discipline required to reinvest profits instead of “acting rich,” the long-term advantage of living below your means, and why significance, not money, becomes the real driver at higher levels of success. It unpacks how call-by-call management radically multiplied revenue, why A-level leaders require giving up equity or upside, and how bringing in elite operators and sales leadership unlocked exponential growth without constant owner involvement. Additional themes include adding new trades the hard way, the leadership mistakes that make new departments fail, the psychology behind premium pricing and belief-based selling, and why conviction in being truly better—not cheaper—is the cornerstone of elite sales teams. The episode ultimately lays out a roadmap for founders transitioning from sales warrior to strategic CEO while preserving culture, profitability, and long-term stability.
Guest:
Bob Beall – Founder, Bob Is The Plumber / Master Plumber licensed in 5 states
Guest Links:
Website & Training Programs: https://bobistheplumber.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Bobistheplumber
This episode explores how Bob Beall built one of the fastest-scaling plumbing companies in his region, growing from a single truck to more than 40 by implementing systems, disciplined hiring processes, strong field management, and a training-first culture. The episode covers his early breakthrough after plateauing at five trucks, the moment he realized he had to release control to grow, and how he built leadership layers to support scaling. It also dives into Bob’s personal story of entering the trade legally blind, how “plumbing by feel” shaped his credibility with his team, and the unique challenges and advantages that came with operating in the field. The conversation moves through major operational pillars—adding management layers at the right time, balancing systems with smart decision-making, creating accountability through checklists, building an industry-leading onboarding pipeline, and maintaining 25 years without layoffs. Bob explains the realities of hiring today’s workforce, the creativity behind recruiting on Facebook Marketplace and TV commercials, and why culture built on working with people instead of above them drives retention. The episode also examines scaling decisions, methodical truck-adding strategies, KPIs for leadership evaluation, remote-office management lessons, fast termination frameworks, and why owners harm the entire team when they avoid tough decisions. Finally, Bob shares advice for young plumbing business owners navigating hard seasons—emphasizing perseverance, cash-flow discipline, reinvestment, and the systems he teaches through Service MVP as a certified partner.
Guests:
Dustin Mitchell – Co-Owner, Half Moon Plumbing
Tiffany Mitchell – Co-Owner, Half Moon Plumbing
Guest Links:
Dustin Mitchell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-mitchell-364310250/
Half Moon Plumbing Website: https://HalfMoonPlumbing.com
In this episode of The HVAC & Plumbing Hustle, Tim talks with Dustin & Tiffany Mitchell from Half Moon Plumbing in the Tulsa Metro. After years of steady but stagnant growth, they recently hit $10M+ in plumbing-only revenue, placing them in rare company. They break down the mindset shift, business acumen, leadership development, and operational changes that made it possible.
What We Cover
👉 Subscribe for more home service growth episodes
👉 Learn more about Hook Agency: https://HookAgency.com
19-year-old phenom Jason Melendez Jr. (Legend Air, Dallas) breaks down the five-step sales system that drove $2M in his first year—and how he’s gunning for $5M next year. He talks service-first selling, the “pullback/takeaway,” momentum resets, and making HVAC fixes understandable with kid-level analogies. Guest links: Legend Air (legendairtx.com) and Jason’s LinkedIn (see profile below).
Guest: Jason Melendez Jr., Legend Air — LinkedIn profile (search “Jason Melendez – Aubrey, TX”) and company site: legendairtx.com. (Company pages corroborate Legend Air ownership/family business.)
LinkedIn+1
What you’ll learn
Shoutouts: Sales mentor Devon Murphy (Reignite Sales)—on-site coaching & call-by-call support. (Industry refs: Reignite Sales & author page)
LinkedIn+1
Subscribe for more no-BS growth tactics for home service pros.
From $0 to a market leader in an ~80k city: Brandon Brown (Brown’s Heating, Air, Plumbing & Electrical) breaks down winning in tight markets, getting out of the truck after 12 years, retaining techs with culture (paid birthday off, real appreciation days), and building community ties that compound referrals. We dig into pricing discipline, adding trades the right way, and recruiting from trade schools & farm kids for grit.
Guest: Brandon Brown — Brown’s Heating, Air, Plumbing & Electrical (Lynchburg, VA): brownsheatingair.com
Brown's Heating Air Plumbing Electrical | Book: Cool Success: Navigating the Highs and Lows of HVAC & Life (Amazon)
If you’re a home-service owner with real wins (not just theory), apply to be on the show at Hook Agency.
What you’ll learn:
Homeowners push on price. Pros protect position. In this Plumbing Hustle episode, Jeff Cronin who sold $8.8M in one year breaks down how to neutralize price objections without discounting, anchor with commitments, and close with financing like a pro.
We cover: qualifying for trust, future pacing timelines, dismantling “3 bids,” and the Duck-Duck-Goose mindset for breaking a slump.
Guest: Jeff Cronin — Prime Time Consulting → https://primetimeconsulting.net
Why watch: Protect your price, present with commitments + financing, and stop selling from your own wallet.
From gutter company exit to building a high-performance plumbing team, Mike Braun (Plumbing Director at Randy’s Electric & Plumbing) breaks down the mindset, routines, and processes that turn techs into top producers and salespeople into effective managers. We cover confidence on the call, re-engagement tactics, feedback loops, and leading with consistency.
Want to take your plumbing/HVAC startup from $300k–$500k to $1M+? Tim Brown sits down with Mitch Smedley (Smedley Plumbing) to break down the playbook: three-option pricing, frictionless payments, 10,000-hour tech guarantee, community “Family First” days, and YouTube + SEO tactics that compound growth. You’ll hear why to use AI for production—but never replace the customer intake—and how to turn every job into five-star review flywheels. Watch for concrete scripts, pages to build, and where to invest first to dominate local search and social. Subscribe for more home-service growth ops.
Home service leaders: want higher retention, stronger leadership, and a culture that actually wins? Laura Kelly (Clover Growth Partners) joins Tim Brown to break down transparent systems, solution-oriented surveys, daily EOD check-ins, the DP (Daily Progress) report, and SOPs via Loom. We also cover mental fitness (walks, priming, loving-kindness), scaling psychology vs. strategy, and the “3 Promises” that keep A-players for years. Watch for tactical frameworks you can deploy this week to boost revenue, profit, and quality of life—without losing control. Call to action: Comment your next culture move and grab the survey prompt template in the description.
Laura Kelly links:
https://growwithclover.com/
https://www.instagram.com/the.laura.kelly/?hl=en
Plumbing owner Nick Sambrick (Revelation Plumbing – Pittsburgh, PA) shares the exact priorities that helped him double year after year: learn faster than the business grows, define (and fire) the wrong customer, align tech incentives without nuking margin, make service wildly profitable, and price with gross profit first. We also hit CAC:LTV, option pricing, and why you should market harder when you’re busy.
Guest – Nick Sambrick
Facebook & YouTube: @RevelationPlumbing
Company: Revelation Plumbing (Pittsburgh, PA)
What you’ll learn:
- The 5 priorities to go from $1M → $2M
- Avatar shift: landlords → homeowner service
- Performance pay that protects profit
- Service tickets from $300 → $1,200 with options & education
- Pricing off gross profit, not revenue
Interested in working with a niched Google Specialized Marketing Team?
YOUTUBE DEAL - Book here for $1,000 off: https://hookagency.com/youtube-deal/
Most home service owners plateau because they try to scale chaos instead of systems. In this episode, Chuck Staszkiewicz breaks down the mindsets, cadence, and leadership frameworks that actually move an HVAC/plumbing company from $5–$7M moguls to a clean path to $10M—without burning out your team. We cover letting go vs. micromanaging, the 1-3-1 decision method, running a monthly Shareholder Day, and how to avoid chasing shiny playbooks. If you’re stuck in field fires and Facebook group advice, this will reset your operating system.
Our Website: https://hookagency.com/
Connect with Tim on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/invigorated
Our meme page: https://www.instagram.com/roofermemes/
DIY Website / SEO guide: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaGuWc-oMSAr_vhmT-TgFkLYyC0Uikmcf&si=8-ocEQ9G5Xw2vznR
HVAC owner Derek Cormier (Climate Experts) breaks down how entertainment-first short-form content drives real business: recruiting, sales, and brand trust. We cover AI workflows (Zapier → OpenAI), TikTok hooks, personal vs. company pages, TBO (Total Brand Optimization), and why “fun + thorough” beats cookie-cutter posts. If you market plumbing/HVAC/electrical, this playbook will help you grow faster and hire better.
What you’ll learn:
- Entertainment → education → conversion content ladder
- Personal branding that recruits A-players (60%+ of applicants from social)
- Local list building for AEO/AI search wins
- AI tools to buy back time and boost output
Selling HVAC Online vs. In Person: Pros & Cons with Marko Sipila
Should HVAC companies put pricing online—or stick to in-home sales? In this episode, Tim Brown sits down with Marko Sipila, founder of QuoteDaddy, to break down the future of HVAC sales.
You’ll learn:
Whether you’re running an HVAC or plumbing business, you’ll get actionable advice on how to sell smarter, shorten your sales cycle, and give customers the transparency they want—without racing to the bottom.
📌 Learn more about QuoteDaddy: https://quotedaddy.io
📌 Marketing help for contractors: https://hookagency.com
How to Kill Your HVAC Company in 16 Weeks (and How to Save It) | Tim Cotten
What are the fastest ways to destroy your home service business—and how do you avoid them? In this eye-opening episode, Tim Brown talks with Tim Cotten, business coach and former HVAC owner, about the three most common mistakes that crush companies and how to flip them into growth strategies.
You’ll learn:
Whether you’re running HVAC, plumbing, or another home service business, these lessons will help you stay profitable, grow sustainably, and avoid business-killing traps.
📌 Connect with Tim Cotten: https://timcotten.com
Can’t Find Plumbers or Techs? Here’s How to Fix It | Go Green Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical
Struggling to find skilled plumbers or HVAC techs? You’re not alone. In this episode, Tim Brown sits down with Alicia and Peter Green, owners of Go Green Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, to talk about the skilled labor shortage—and the creative strategies that are actually working.
You’ll learn:
Whether you’re in plumbing, HVAC, or another home service, these tips can help you build a steady pipeline of skilled, loyal employees.
📌 Learn more at: https://hookagency.com
📌 Connect with Go Green: https://gogreenplumb.com
Why Scaling DOWN Made This Plumbing Company More Profitable | Robbie Abruscati
Everyone talks about scaling up—but what if the real money is in scaling down? In this episode, Tim Brown sits down with Robbie Abruscati, owner of Paramount Plumbing Solutions, to talk about why he intentionally made his company smaller… and way more profitable.
You’ll learn:
Why chasing size can destroy margins
How to identify your most profitable work (and drop the rest)
The dangers of growing too fast in plumbing & HVAC
How Robbie doubled profits by simplifying operations
Tips for building a lean, efficient home service business
If you’ve ever felt trapped in “bigger is better” thinking, this episode will change how you see growth.
7 Costly Mistakes Adding HVAC to a Plumbing Company | Go Green’s Hard Lessons
Thinking about adding HVAC to your plumbing business? Stop and watch this first. In this episode, Tim Brown sits down with Alicia and Peter Green, owners of Go Green Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, to reveal the biggest mistakes they made expanding into HVAC—and what you need to do differently.
What you’ll learn:
Plus, we cover ideal hiring strategies, operating capital needs, and the roadmap for a smooth expansion.
📌 Learn more at: https://hookagency.com
📌 Connect with Go Green: https://gogreenplumb.com
$8M Plumber Shares His Exact Plumbing Sales Process (No Fluff)
How does one plumber sell $8 MILLION in plumbing services in a single year? In this episode, Tim Brown sits down with Jeff Cronin, founder of Prime Time Consulting, to break down the mindset, process, and tactics behind his record-breaking success.
You’ll learn:
The plumbing sales process that generated $8M
Why financing is the real hack (and how to sell it)
How to handle objections without sounding “salesy”
Why homeowners pay for peace of mind, not parts
The truth about mindset, margins, and avoiding “cheap work”
🔥 If you want to double your plumbing or HVAC sales, watch this NOW.