Behind the curtain: Marketing, Community and Culture Strategies Driving Today's Top Trade Businesses

Get ready to dive deep into authentic growth Join Jen McKee, founder of Kee Hart Marketing, as she hosts a special live episode of the Kee to Growth Podcast at Service World Expo 2025, featuring Mike Venidis, Owner of Good Golly Garage Doors (Phoenix) and Chief Marketing Officer of Good Golly Garage Holdings. This conversation uncovers the messy middle of entrepreneurship—where strategy meets emotion. Mike opens up about a traumatic event that became the turning point in his life, leading him to build and scale successful brands within the home services industry. Together, Jen and Mike explore how business growth often mirrors personal growth, offering a raw yet practical lens on leadership, branding, and purpose. From the evolution of marketing—Yellow Pages to AI—to the psychology of today's buyer, they break down why timeless human behavior still drives modern decision-making. Mike shares actionable insights on: Guerrilla marketing and audience targeting Why landing pages often make or break campaigns Common mistakes marketers make when ignoring emotional connection As the discussion moves into AI, Mike explains three powerful ways trades businesses can start leveraging artificial intelligence today: On-site content optimization Off-site partnerships Technical SEO and automation Jen complements this with her expertise in social media strategy—revealing how authentic personal branding and healthy digital boundaries lead to sustainable growth, not burnout or performative marketing. The episode closes with an introspective note on legacy and purpose. Mike introduces his new initiative, House of Good, a free community designed to help home service professionals grow, learn, and give back. His philosophy captures the essence of the conversation: "Your business grows at the speed of your healing." If you're a small business owner, marketer, or leader who believes that impact matters more than hype, this episode is for you. Episode Chapters 00:00 — Trauma Fueled My Career Path 05:30 — Marketing Psychology and Connection 08:20 — Buyer Psychology in PPC Strategy 11:38 — Winning with Landing Pages 15:07 — Google's AI Strategy and Market Share 17:59 — Simplifying Success Through Humanity 22:15 — Passion, Impact, and Entrepreneurship 25:11 — Impact Over Money 26:53 — Growth Requires Embracing Hardship Connect with Mike Venidis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mvenidis/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikevenidis/?hl=en Meet Your Host: Jen McKee Jen McKee is the founder of Kee Hart Marketing & Events, an award-winning social media agency for the trades. As host of The Kee to Growth Podcast, she empowers service-based businesses with authentic, actionable marketing strategies. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-mckee-72114824/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.hartman.73/ Website: https://www.keehartmarketing.com Listening on desktop and can't click the links? Just search Kee to Growth in your favorite podcast app. Produced by Skilled Trades Syndicate — Home of the Service Business Mastery Podcast Website: https://www.servicebusinessmastery.com