The Home Service Expert Podcast

Ryan Fenn, entrepreneur and CEO of Chiirp who scaled a windshield repair startup into a multi-location business. He reveals how rapid, multi-channel follow-up and wording A/B tests turn leads into booked jobs. Hear how AI and huge messaging datasets refine timing and phrasing. Learn why simple automations, video texts, and training teams unlock scalable, outcome-focused growth for contractors.

Dan Harlacher, a Valpak franchise owner with ~30 years in direct mail and data-driven local marketing. He explains why targeted direct mail still outperforms for many homeowners. He breaks down omnichannel campaigns, audience analytics, mover targeting, creative tips for higher response, and how to track ROI with data-driven testing.

In this episode, we sit down with Ara Mahdessian, co-founder and CEO of ServiceTitan, the software platform that revolutionized how home service businesses operate. Born out of the frustrations of running his family's plumbing business, Ara set out to build technology specifically designed for contractors. What started as a solution for small service companies has grown into a billion-dollar software and one of the most powerful platforms in the home services industry. This episode dives into the story behind ServiceTitan, the challenges of building SaaS for trades businesses, and how technology is reshaping the future of home services. We discuss the origin story behind ServiceTitan, Ara's personal story growing up in a family plumbing business, and building software for contractors and home service companies. You'll learn about turning a startup into a major SaaS platform, the future of the home services industry, and leadership lessons. Whether you're a contractor, entrepreneur, SaaS founder, or startup enthusiast, this conversation offers valuable insights into building technology that solves real-world problems. FOR MORE GREAT EPISODES: The Mello Millionaire - https://open.spotify.com/show/1jsZaiMgWe0EGaPfLtelDW?si=3de6091af58d41b4 Check Out My Social Media: TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@officialtommymello Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/officialtommymello/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thomasmello/

Brigham Dickinson, co-founder and president of Power Selling Pros who trains call teams and technicians, shares practical systems for improving booking conversion and customer experience. They dive into call-handling, why CSRs are the revenue center, pairing data with coaching, weekly practice routines, and measuring true booking performance.

Rob Anderson, a home services entrepreneur with 35+ years in water treatment and retail partnerships, shares stories on building culture-first businesses. He talks about making customers happy on the spot, winning large retail deals, creative community PR campaigns, recruitment and KPI-driven growth, and scaling leadership while keeping people at the center.

Ismael Valdez, Founder and CEO with two decades in HVAC and home services, shares scaling playbooks. He walks through disciplined marketing-first strategies, sales funnel math and capacity planning. They discuss recruiting leaders, reducing cancellations with faster response, productizing services like thermostats, and pathways for acquisitions, greenfields, and growth.

Brian Sooy, brand strategist and author with 30+ years helping companies clarify messaging, walks through branding, differentiation, and marketing for home services. He covers clarity in identity, specializing for competitive advantage, balancing brand-building with direct response, memorable customer experiences, storytelling, data-driven decisions, and building an ownership-minded company culture.

Benjy Yuhl, a data analytics exec at Valpak who turns customer data into targeted marketing, joins the conversation. He talks about using data lakes and enriched customer files to stop guessing. Short takes cover neighborhood targeting, multi-touch sequencing across channels, treating marketing as an investment, and how AI may reshape work and marketing strategies.

Zach Dearing, co-founder of Mantle and former Amazon and McKinsey leader, builds AI-powered shopping experiences for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and garage door contractors. He discusses why homeowners prioritize trust and clarity over price. He explains remote sales that include all decision-makers, how AI should augment sellers, and why simple, repeatable shopping experiences boost close rates and ticket size.

Vince Nardo, seasoned home services executive and CEO with decades across remodeling, manufacturing, and roofing. He discusses breaking into new markets and greenfield growth. He explains private equity challenges and why culture and repeatable playbooks matter. He covers grassroots marketing, aligning teams for scale, and planning life after selling a business.