Megan Ohlmann on Rebranding for Impact: Aligning Marketing With Company Culture

On this episode of The Kee To Growth Podcast, Jen McKee sits down with Megan Ohlmann of Action Air Plumbing and Septic in Lubbock, Texas. Megan shares her journey shifting from higher education to running a family-owned trades business alongside her husband. The conversation focused on the challenges and opportunities of forming a new entity after decades in the industry, and how stepping into intentional marketing and branding made all the difference in their rapid growth. One concept discussed was the early realization that the company did not have as much brand equity as they thought, leading Megan and her team to invest immediately in a bold rebrand. The discussion explored strategic decisions like choosing highly visible truck wraps and prioritizing employee and customer experience as the foundation for growth. Megan emphasized that marketing is not just about ads but includes every customer touchpoint—from how phones are answered to how technicians leave the home better than they found it. A key theme that emerged was the importance of building authentic connections both with employees and customers. Megan shared tactical ways to stand out, such as personalized review cards, maintaining high standards for service, and creative community outreach events like Touch a Truck. She highlighted how fostering a culture of vulnerability and willingness to try new things has made her team more engaged and the brand more memorable. The episode rounded out with a candid look at current marketing realities for home service businesses. Several points were raised, including the necessity of diversifying lead sources beyond Google, investing in brand-building across platforms, and making use of repeatable, memorable direct mail campaigns. Megan's approach blends strategy, humor, and genuine care for people, offering a roadmap for growth rooted in both strong systems and soft skills like adaptability and humility. Timestamps 01:25 Introduction to Megan Ohlmann and Action Air Plumbing and Septic's backstory in Lubbock, Texas 02:40 Rebranding, company split, and prioritizing both employee and customer experience from day one 05:00 Visual branding with truck wraps and the importance of a disruptive presence in the market 06:04 Redefining marketing: every touchpoint matters, from phone calls to technician behavior in the home 09:03 Realizing the company's true brand equity and reevaluating long-term brand positioning 10:09 Inexpensive tactics for enhancing customer experience and generating reviews 13:03 Lessons from leaning heavily on Google Local Service Ads and the anxiety of platform dependence 14:23 Diversifying marketing channels: radio, direct mail, yard signs, and staying committed for real results 17:25 Shifting focus to branded search, social media efforts, and the slow build of true brand awareness 22:13 Community and customer engagement through events, lunch giveaways, and creative outreach strategies Connect with Megan Ohlmann: Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-ohlmann-b87173134/ Connect with ActionAir Plumbing & Septic: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ActionAirPlumbingandSeptic Instragam: https://www.instagram.com/actionlubbock/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@actionlubbock LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-air-plumbing-septic/ Website: https://actionairlubbock.com/Contact Number: 806-243-1778 Meet Your Host: Jen McKee Jen McKee is the founder of Kee Hart Marketing & Events, specializing in award-winning social media strategies for trade services. With expertise in content creation and personal branding, she helps businesses forge authentic connections with their audiences. As the host of the "Kee to Growth" podcast, Jen simplifies marketing strategies and empowers businesses to thrive. Tune in for actionable insights and inspiring stories to elevate your brand! Connect with Jen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.hartman.73/ or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-mckee-72114824/ Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Kee to Growth in your favorite podcast player. The Kee to Growth Podcast is Powered by: Kee Hart Marketing, the social media company for the trades. Learn more at www.keehartmarketing.com This episode was produced and brought to you by the Skilled Trades Syndicate @ServiceBusinessMasteryPodcast https://www.servicebusinessmastery.com/