Episode 13 : Lori Tschohl - Burgers, Bangles, and Blue Collars: The Billion-Dollar Lesson in Transferable Skills

In this episode of Built on Blues, host Graeme Bryks sits down with a true powerhouse of business reinvention: Lori Tschohl, founder of Eagle Pipe Heating & Air. Lori’s resume is anything but typical for an HVAC owner. She started her career under the Golden Arches, rising from a crew member to running a $10 million McDonald’s franchise, before pivoting to own luxury jewelry stores with Pandora. So, how does someone go from selling burgers and bracelets to installing heat pumps in crawl spaces? Lori breaks it down with her philosophy of "Burgers to Bangles to Pipes," proving that elite processes and systems are the universal language of success, no matter the industry.We dive deep into how Lori applied the rigorous discipline of McDonald’s to the often chaotic world of residential HVAC. She shares her strategy for early adoption of AI, explaining why she ditched traditional call centers for AI receptionists that handle overflow and after-hours calls without burning out her staff. Lori also opens up about her time as the President of Women in HVACR, an organization dedicated to bringing more women into the trades through scholarships, mentorship, and education. Whether you’re a technician looking to start your own shop or an entrepreneur curious about how skills transfer across vastly different industries, Lori’s story is a masterclass in adaptability, leadership, and the power of being "100% all in."00:00 Introduction: From Golden Arches to HVAC.01:30 Bringing Franchise Discipline to Blue Collar Trades.03:10 "Burgers to Bangles to Pipes": The Universal Business Lesson.06:18 The Science of Heat Pumps: Why Efficiency Wins.09:59 The Death of the Call Center: Using AI for 24/7 Dispatch.13:08 Proactive AI Adoption: Why You Can't Wait to Start.16:34 Women in HVACR: Scholarships, Mentorship, and Breaking Barriers.22:21 The Magic Wand: Solving the Staffing Crisis with "All In" Attitude.26:01 Transferable Skills: How to Jump Industries Successfully.29:35 Where to Find Eagle Pipe and Women in HVACR.Website: https://www.eaglepipemechanical.comWomen in HVACR: https://www.womeninhvacr.org