Build It To Sell It: Home Service Secrets with Lance Bachmann

In this powerful episode of the Build it to Sell it! Podcast, host Lance Bachmann welcomes entrepreneur Ismael Valdez to share the raw, unfiltered story of building his company from a garage start-up to a staggering $100M+ exit to the Wrench Group.   Ismael dives deep into the "Home Comfort School" of business, explaining how he mastered marketing to ensure his "sales machine" never stopped running. The conversation explores the often-overlooked emotional side of success, including the heavy sacrifices made during the early years of fatherhood and the importance of maintaining an abundance mindset even when facing betrayal and bad partnerships.   Key Highlights: The Blueprint for Growth: How Ismael transitioned from a supply house counter to managing a company with 160+ employees. Ethics in Action: Why choosing to walk away from a bad partnership was more profitable than entering a lengthy legal battle. Recruiting the Best: The secret to attracting "A-Players" and "Sharks" by prioritizing pay, respect, and consistent work. The Weight of Sacrifice: A candid discussion on the guilt and necessity of spending time away from family to secure a multi-generational legacy. Whether you are in the roofing space, HVAC, or any service industry, this episode offers a masterclass in operations, marketing, and the heart of a true hustler.

In this episode of the "Build It To Sell It" podcast, host Lance Bachmann sits down with serial entrepreneur Blake Miller to pull back the curtain on home service mergers and acquisitions. Blake shares the raw details of his first major exit—selling Charleston Heating and Air—and how that million-dollar payday changed his perspective on business and life. Whether you are running an HVAC, roofing, or window company, this episode is a masterclass in preparing for an exit. Blake and Lance discuss: Why raising your prices by 10% might be the easiest way to boost your EBITDA. The "Gotcha" moments in business sales and how to avoid being stuck in a holding pattern. How to acquire distressed or owner-operated businesses using seller financing. The importance of "mindset training" for sales teams to overcome a down market. Dealing with "seller’s depression" and finding your identity after a major exit. Don't miss Blake’s "Gunslinger Rule" and his advice for business owners looking to retire or partner with private equity.

The episode focuses on the mission of Topline Pro to provide an "AI assistant" for solo owner-operators in the home services industry (roofing, landscaping, plumbing, etc.). The discussion highlights the transition from manual "firefighting" to automated growth, the challenges of scaling a SaaS company with multiple funding rounds, and the importance of serving the "long-tail" market that larger CRM players often overlook.78 Key Points AI as a Business Operator: The software acts as an AI agent handling inbound inquiries, generating quotes, and managing invoicing, effectively replacing the need for a full-time admin or marketing team for small businesses.9 Market Opportunity: Out of 2.6 million home service companies, 2.4 million are small owner-operators or small crews, representing a massive underserved market.10 Default Alive: Despite having raised four rounds of funding, including a Series B, the company remains "default alive" while prioritizing rapid growth.11 Efficiency over Hard Work: Nick argues that growth shouldn't just come from working 18-hour days; it comes from implementing tools that automate 85-90% of the workload.12 The "Human" Component: Despite being an AI-heavy product, Topline Pro maintains account managers to build personal relationships with contractors who value direct communication.13 YouTube Description In this episode of the Build It To Sell It podcast, we sit down with Nick Ornitz, co-founder and CEO of Topline Pro. Nick shares the inspiring story of how his team is using AI to revolutionize the lives of "the little guy"—the millions of solo owner-operators in roofing, HVAC, plumbing, and landscaping. We dive deep into the reality of building a venture-backed SaaS company, the decision to drop out of business school for Y Combinator, and why Topline Pro is doubling down on the small business market while everyone else chases enterprise deals. If you are a contractor feeling stuck at the $250k–$500k mark, this episode is a masterclass in working smarter, not harder. Learn more about Topline Pro: toplinepro.com Contact Nick Ornitz: [email protected]

Built to Sell: Scaling, Leadership, and Life-Changing Exits with Ellen Rohr   On this episode of the Built to Sell podcast, host Lance Bachmann is joined by Ellen Rohr, a renowned financial expert and a key force behind the success of Zoom Drain. Together, they dive deep into the "unconventional" side of leadership and the hard numbers that drive a business toward a successful sale to private equity.   Ellen recounts her path from marrying a plumber to becoming a leading consultant and franchise owner, while Lance shares raw stories about the leadership failures that led to his own business setbacks. They tackle the tough topics: how to tell if your family members are the right fit for your executive team, why you should never sell to a search fund, and how "grit" is the most important trait to look for when hiring.   Whether you are looking to maintain your independence or are ready to "chase the carrot" toward financial freedom, this conversation provides the roadmap for turning your trade into a high-value asset. Plus, hear details on their upcoming appearances in Australia this May!

What does it actually take to sell a business for nearly $40 million in less than two years? Join us for a raw, high-stakes conversation with Dean Mainardi about the "standard" of excellence required to build a world-class roofing organization. Dean reveals the psychological shift from being "the boss" to being a partner-employee, the "grief process" of letting go of operational control, and the intense pressure of high-level due diligence. Whether you are a contractor looking to scale or an entrepreneur eyeing an exit, this episode provides a masterclass in mindset, strategic partnerships, and the relentless pursuit of growth.