PODCAST · business
Blue Collar Nation
by Eric and Larry
Eric and Larry of Super Tech University, supertechu.com, have years of blue collar service business ownership. They know, all too well, that running a blue collar business is not for the faint of heart. For that reason, the Blue Collar Nation Podcast is dedicated to making the lives blue collar service business better. With humor and an unfailing optimism, Larry and Eric invite guests from all areas to the blue collar world to share ideas and help owners run their businesses more effectively.
Episodes
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The Sales System That Doubled Revenue: Josh Gillow’s Core 10 Playbook
Most contractors don’t have a sales problem — they have a system problem. In this episode, Eric and Larry are joined by Josh Gillow, founder of YES Express and Master Plan Outdoor Living, who shares the painful sales failure that changed the course of his business forever. After getting the door...
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Reviewing and Reprimanding Team Members
In this episode of the Blue Collar Nation Podcast, Eric and Larry tackle one of the toughest—but most important—skills in running a home service business: having hard conversations with your team. From avoiding conflict to losing top performers due to lack of accountability, they break down the...
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A Strategy for a Challenged Tech
In this episode, Larry from Super Tech University breaks down a practical, no-nonsense system for handling difficult team members without letting emotions take over. If you’ve ever had an employee who’s underperforming, causing frustration, or dragging down your team, this session walks you…
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How to Train a Service Manager
Promoting your best technician into management sounds like the right move—until it backfires. In this episode, Eric and Larry break down the costly mistake of promoting based on loyalty instead of leadership fit, and how it can damage team culture, morale, and retention. Learn a smarter approach…
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Creating Fruitful Meetings
In this episode of the Blue Collar Nation Podcast, Larry dives into a practical topic that every home service business owner faces: meetings. While meetings often get a bad reputation for being long and unproductive, Larry explains how the right meetings—done the right way—can dramatically…
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Managing a Business Development Representative
Building a strong referral network can be one of the most powerful ways to grow a service business—but it also comes with challenges many owners aren’t prepared for. In this episode, Eric and Larry dive into the realities of managing Business Development Representatives (BDRs) and why so many...
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Accountability, Follow-Through, and the Why: The Leadership Shift Home Service Companies Can’t Ignore with Nate Cisney
On this episode of the Blue Collar Nation, Eric and Larry sit down with Nate Cisney and Stacy Sargent of Restoration Made Simple for a high-energy, no-fluff conversation about what actually moves the needle in home service businesses. From scaling multi-million dollar restoration companies to...
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5-Star Job-Site Conduct
In this episode of the Blue Nation Podcast, Eric and Larry break down the “theater of business” — the intentional, step-by-step approach to delivering five-star service before ever stepping inside a customer’s home. Designed for home service owners and managers, this conversation walks through…
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Operations Isn’t Paperwork — It’s the experience your customer feels.
In this episode of the Blue Collar Nation Podcast, Eric from Super Tech University takes the mic solo while Larry is off traveling. Eric dives deep into one of the most overlooked drivers of success in home service businesses—operations. Drawing from decades in the trades, Eric shares why...
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High Performance Environments
Strong Environments. Strong Teams. Strong Outcomes. Building a high-performance culture starts with leadership—and it starts before the workday even begins. In this episode of the Blue Collar Nation Podcast, Eric and Larry break down what it really takes to create a winning team in the home…
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Win the Morning, Win the Day | Home Service Business Systems & Leadership
Struggling with late starts, missing tools, and chaotic mornings in your home service business? In this episode of the Blue Collar Nation Podcast, Eric and Larry from Super Tech University break down the proven morning systems they used to get technicians out the door on time, prepared, and...
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Upping the Game in Home Services with Kayla McGowan
Larry and Eric sit down with Kayla McGowan, editor of R&R Magazine to discuss all matters within the trades and how getting the proper training for your team, industry networking, and exposure to the best practices of your trade will help you grow an amazing business. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech...
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Dress To Kill: How Uniforms and Grooming Affect Sales
In this episode, Larry and Eric break down the ins and outs of why how we present to clients matters to our bottom line. They go deep about dress codes, uniforms, grooming, and how to teach your team why looking good matters. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's...
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Your team sucks, and its all your fault.
Hard Work Pays Off: from unemployed and broke to a business owner in 5 years. Claire Carreras has an amazing home service success story and message. As a professional musician, she decided to take a leap of faith and move from her native Canada to Austin, TX in early 2020. Once in the US, she got...
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From Injuries to Insurance: The Real Cost of Safety
Today Eric and Larry sit down with Eric Wick, founder of Safety Team Technologies. Eric breaks down how blue-collar companies can stop bleeding cash from preventable injuries and high workers’ comp. We get real about why paper manuals and sporadic tailgate talks don’t move the needle, how XMOD...
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Lighting the Way to Sales: Ryan Lee's Secrets for Selling Any Home Service
In this episode, Eric and Larry sit down with Ryan Lee - creator of the Lighting Secrets framework and one of the sharpest minds in service sales. Ryan built his reputation by showing contractors how to turn outdoor lighting into a high-value service, and the principles behind that success apply…
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Controlling Your Destiny: Being Creative To Create Business
In this episode, we sit down with the leadership team from One Tom Plumber to dig into how their business model works—and what service contractors can learn from it. Whether you're a restoration company, a plumbing business, or a multi-trade operator, there’s something here for you. We unpack how...
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How Training One Tech Changed Everything: Levi Gain’s Super Tech Success Story
In this episode of the Blue Collar Nation Podcast, Eric and Larry sit down and have a conversation with Levi Gain, owner of Doug’s Carpet & Upholstery Care. Levi shares his journey from running a small, chaotic operation with one underperforming tech to leading a premium service business with...
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Mastering Market Downturns: Sales, Strategy & Soft Skills with Jeff Jones of Violand Management
In this lively episode of Blue Collar Nation, Larry and Eric sit down with Jeff Jones—Director of Sales & Marketing and business coach at Violand Management—to unpack how trade businesses in the disaster restoration, HVAC, plumbing, and janitorial industries can thrive in today’s slower market....
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Leading the Next Generation: Managing Gen Z in Home Services
Gen Z is changing the workforce - and that includes your home service team. They don't respond to fear-based leadership or "back in my day" lectures. In this episode, Eric and Larry break down how to effectively lead and manage Gen Z employees in the trades. They discuss what makes Gen Z tick…
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From Grassroots Beginnings to Industry Leader: The Story of Kevin and Allklean's Culture of Excellence
In this engaging episode, Eric and Larry sit down with Kevin Bunce. Kevin shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey from dropping out of college to building a thriving company in the restoration industry. He discusses the importance of cultivating a strong company culture centered on...
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The 15-Minute Fix: How Daily Morning Meetings Can Transform Your Service Business
In this impromptu Zoom session, we dig into one of the most underrated performance boosters in the home service industry: the daily morning meeting. Discover why 10–15 minutes each morning can reduce turnover, improve communication, and create a magnetic company culture that attracts top talent....
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From Coal Mines to CEO: The School of Hard Knocks with Bill German
In this inspiring episode of the Blue Collar Nation Podcast, Eric and Larry sit down with Bill German, co-owner of New Way Restoration and proud graduate of the "School of Hard Knocks." Bill shares his powerful journey from working in underground coal mines to leading a thriving restoration...
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Inspect to Impress: In-Home Inspections That Close New Sales
In this episode, Larry and Eric break down the art of the in-home inspection—not just to diagnose problems, but to educate the client, build trust, and lead them naturally to a confident buying decision. If you’re in the home services industry, this one’s for you. We’ll explore how to turn your...
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The Perfect Service Call
We are always on the quest of trying to get our techs to perform "the perfect service call" so we get all the repeat business, referrals, and those coveted Google reviews. In this episode, Eric and Larry go step by step through the actions and habits that create the perfect service call. TITLE...
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Winning Every Call: Mastering Soft Skills to Thrive in a Tight Economy
Join this insightful conversation with Eric and Larry as they discuss how home service businesses can maximize each service call's effectiveness by prioritizing technician training and soft skills, especially during a tightening economy. Key Takeaways: Every Call Counts: Each service call is your...
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What Does It Feel Like to Work for You
Most service company owners spend an inordinate amount of time working on and worrying about client experience....as they should. However, do they put the same amount of effort into creating an amazing work experience for their team? Larry and Eric discuss this topic on today's podcast. TITLE...
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Thriving in HVAC for the Next Decade with Service Nation founder Matt Michel
Matt Michel joins Eric and Larry to talk about the future of the HVAC industry for the next 10 years. We tackle topics such as how tariffs will affect HVAC sales, the importance of soft skills to grow a great service company, and how the smaller companies can effectively compete with the big...
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Knowing Your Business Data with Mandy Rewis of JOC Analytics
In this episode, we sit down with Mandy Rewis, Director of Business Development and Strategy at JOC Analytics, to explore how business intelligence tools are revolutionizing the restoration and trades industries. Mandy shares how JOC Analytics pulls data from CRMs and job management software to...
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Gaining Wisdom In Entrepreneurship
In this weeks episode, Larry and Eric sit down to discuss the positives and negatives that come with running a business at a certain age and how to stay on the cutting edge of new business practices. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system…
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Getting Paid for What You're Worth
It is a never ending struggle in the restoration industry to get paid what we are worth, for all the work we have done, and in a timely manner. This week Eric and Larry sit down with Becca Dopher of SFY, Service For You, to talk about what contractors can do to help them get paid in full for the...
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Unlocking Home Service Success using V-Street w/ John Monroe
In this episode, we sat down with John Monroe of Violand Management to talk about their new V-Street educational platform—an essential resource hub designed specifically for service business owners. V-Street consolidates over 750 documents, training videos, and management tools into one...
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Supporting Women in the Trades with Amy O'Grady
Amy O'Grady, Executive Director of Women in HVACR, joined Eric and Larry to talk about the work she and women in HVACR are doing to help recruit, train, and support women who are getting into the trades. Eric and Larry learn about Amy's vast and diversified employment history and entrance into…
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Manufacturing Your Own Leads with 1 Tom Plumbers Rocky Hensley
Many restoration companies are beholden to program work, TPA's and the plumber referral game. 1 Tom Plumber Rocky Hensley sits down with Eric and Larry to educate our listeners on how to make their own water damage leads. You can reach Rocky at 1 TOM PLUMBER (1-866-758-6237) or email him at...
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Eric and Larry Give Thanks
The Grateful podcast. Eric and Larry recount all the things that they are grateful for. They talk about the highlights of the year and their plan for 2025. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your…
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Building Your Business in the Franchise Model with Josh Miller of Rainbow Restoration
Building a business from scratch can be difficult. Often, a franchise model can help smooth the growing pains. Join Larry, Eric, and guest host Katie Harris as they talk candidly with Josh Miller, President of Rainbow Restoration, as he explains the ins and outs of the franchise model. Show…
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The Road to Seven Figures with Eric Sprague and Katie Harris
Join Eric Sprague and Katie Harris, co-authors of The Road to Seven Figures, as they reveal the blueprint that's helped countless business owners scale to seven figures and beyond. They break down the proven strategies that fuel business growth. If you're ready to transform your business with...
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Not Everyone Hates HR with Violand's Scott Tackett and Kelley Dolan
HR is the last thing on a contractor's mind...until it's the only thing on their mind! Go talk to any contractor and ask them about human resources. You will likely get a roll of the eyes or a blank stare. We learn that when HR is ignored, and a BIG problem arises, your company can be lost.…
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Finding Top Talent with Wylander's Kristy Sifford
Finding good help has never been harder in the trades. Go hang out with any home service owners, and a topic of conversation is always " I can't find good people!". Wylander's Kristy Sifford has solutions she shares here. Eric and Larry sit down with Kristy to talk about what companies need to do...
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Building a Beautiful Business
Eric and Larry explain the importance of building a beautiful business. Steve Toburen, a legendary business guru in the service industries, taught about what it takes and what steps need to be made to create a beautiful business. Listen and enjoy Larry and Eric discussing their journey to build a...
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How to Make Money on the Phone with Great CSR's with Steve Toburen
More money is made or lost on the phone than anywhere else in the home services sector. Today, Eric and Larry sit down with service legend Steve Toburen of Home Front Success to discuss the finer points of CSR training. Learn from the best how to make the phone a profit center. Find Steve on...
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The Boys are Back!
Larry and Eric explain why they have been absent and discuss what is new in the world of home services. TITLE SPONSOR: Super Tech University Dramatically improve your team's performance with a system of short daily video lessons training your team in soft skills. When you invest in your team and...
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The Importance of Being Involved in Your Industry with Sid Graef
It is important to surround yourself with other successful business owners. In this episode Eric and Larry sit down with Sid Graef of the HUGE Convention For Home Services to talk about how being involved in your industry can help take you to the next level. The HUGE Convention is going to be in...
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Can AI Replace Your CSR on the Phones?
As AI increases to impact the home services industry, we now are at a point where AI can answer the phone for you 😲. Do you think you could do this in your home service company? Charlie Felker, of Free 2 Grow, joins the Blue Collar Nation podcast again to talk about the huge pivot he did in his...
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Unlocking Excellence: The Power of Coaching and Training in Home Services with Nick Englehart and Mike Busher from Service MVP
Today, Larry talks with special guests Nick Englehart and Mike Busher from Service MVP. In this episode, they explore the indispensable role of coaching and training in fostering success within service-oriented businesses. Discover why continuous learning is the cornerstone of excellence in…
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2nd Generation Roto-Rooter Plumbers on How to Grow a Legacy Business
Eric and Larry sit down with Super Tech U clients Chris and Kyle Brierly, of Roto Rooter Oklahoma, to talk about how they have built upon their Dad’s foundation to build a successful multi-location plumbing business by focusing on culture, accountability, and data tracking. This is a must listen...
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Branded not Blanded with Dan Antonelli
Most of us in the home services space are well acquainted with Dan Antonelli's amazing van wraps. What began as Dan's childhood passion, which started in a basement, grew into the award-winning agency Kickcharge Creative. Kickcharge Creative is now the leading brand creation company in the home...
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Stay-at-Home Mom Turned Plumbing Impresario: Ashley Tanner, Has Big Plans for Her Company.
Today Eric and Larry sit down with Ashley Tanner co-owner and COO of Iron Mountain Plumbing in Cedar City, Utah. Together, they dive into the nitty-gritty of what it takes to start and run a successful plumbing business in today's competitive landscape, and especially the particular hurdles that...
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Tommy Mello: Talking Restoration, Tech Stack, and Home Service Freedom
It's always great to have Tommy Mello on the show. Tommy Mello is one of the biggest names in the home services space. As the founder of A1 Garage, Tommy is a wealth of knowledge for all business owners, and he gives a lot of great insights in this episode. Larry and Eric sit down with Tommy and...
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Become a Sales Superstar with Joe Crisara
Long time friend of the podcast Joe Crisara of Service MVP, widely known in the trades as Uncle Joe, is the Blue Collar worlds #1 sales trainer and today joins Eric and Larry to discuss his new book What Should We Do?: How to Win Clients, Double Profit & Grow Your Home Service Sales. What Should…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Eric and Larry of Super Tech University, supertechu.com, have years of blue collar service business ownership. They know, all too well, that running a blue collar business is not for the faint of heart. For that reason, the Blue Collar Nation Podcast is dedicated to making the lives blue collar service business better. With humor and an unfailing optimism, Larry and Eric invite guests from all areas to the blue collar world to share ideas and help owners run their businesses more effectively.
HOSTED BY
Eric and Larry
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Blue Collar Nation have?
Blue Collar Nation currently has 322 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Blue Collar Nation about?
Eric and Larry of Super Tech University, supertechu.com, have years of blue collar service business ownership. They know, all too well, that running a blue collar business is not for the faint of heart. For that reason, the Blue Collar Nation Podcast is dedicated to making the lives blue collar...
How often does Blue Collar Nation release new episodes?
Blue Collar Nation publishes regularly with 322 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Blue Collar Nation?
You can listen to Blue Collar Nation on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Blue Collar Nation?
Blue Collar Nation is created and hosted by Eric and Larry.
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