#202 - When The Lights Went Out

Brent Garrett, The Skilled Trades Coach www.theskilledtradescoach.com In this episode of The Sprinkler Nerd Show, Andy talks with Brent Garrett, owner of Sirius Plumbing & Air Conditioning, founder of The Skilled Trades Coach, and author of 30 Days to a Better Business. Brent has lived the skilled trades from the inside. He has built companies, sold companies, rebuilt companies, coached contractors, trained technicians, and learned some of the hardest lessons a business owner can learn. One of those lessons came when the lights went out in his own office because the electric bill had not been paid. That moment forced Brent to look honestly at the business, the financials, the culture, the leadership, and his own responsibility as the owner. This conversation is for every contractor who has ever felt busy but still wondered where the profit went. Brent and Andy talk about what it really takes to build a better trades business. They discuss why sales should not feel sleazy, why technicians should be trained as experts and problem solvers, and why the customer experience starts before anyone ever knocks on the door. Brent shares his approach to needs-based selling, option-based proposals, and the "must, should, could" framework that helps customers choose what is best for their home, their family, and their budget. He explains why people love to buy but hate to be sold, and why value, likability, and affordability must all be in place before a customer says yes. The conversation also gets into one of the biggest challenges in the trades: pricing. Brent explains why contractors often undervalue themselves, why revenue can become a vanity number, and why gross profit is the number every business owner needs to understand. He makes the case that a clean truck, a professional uniform, a trained technician, clear communication, and a repeatable customer experience all have value, and that contractors should price their work accordingly. Andy and Brent also talk about marketing, Google Local Services Ads, PPC, SEO, word-of-mouth growth, and why some contractors may be spending too much with marketing companies. Brent shares how Sirius has grown through organic growth, referrals, top-of-mind awareness, and a disciplined approach to marketing spend. They also discuss AI and technology in the trades, including tools like Claude, Zapier, AI answering systems, texting, CRM workflows, and the difference between leading-edge and bleeding-edge technology. Brent's advice is clear: use technology when it improves the client experience, reduces overhead, or helps the team. Do not chase tech just because it looks exciting. This episode is packed with practical wisdom for irrigation contractors, HVAC contractors, plumbing companies, and any skilled trades business owner trying to move from owning a job to building a real company. Topics covered include: The story behind the lights going out in Brent's business Why business owners can delegate tasks but not responsibility Sales as a culture issue, not just a sales issue Needs-based selling and option-based proposals The "must, should, could" framework Why likability comes before price How technicians can sell without acting like salespeople Why "early is on time" matters The first five minutes of a service call How to ask better questions and listen with your pen Why customers choose the better option How to become your own competition Choosing the right customer for your business PPC, LSA, SEO, and marketing spend in the trades Why contractors need to understand gross profit Revenue vs. profit Why working harder is often not the answer AI tools, texting, call booking, and customer communication Leading-edge vs. bleeding-edge technology Why the magic moment still happens in the field Building a business without compromising your values Brent's message is simple and powerful: you do not have to compromise your values to build a successful, skilled trades business. You can make a fair and honest profit, serve customers well, provide for your family, support your team, and build something that lasts. Learn more about Brent Garrett and The Skilled Trades Coach at: theskilledtradescoach.com