PODCAST · business
Think Like an Owner
by Alex Bridgeman
Exploring how the most ambitious CEOs grow great companies, with a focus in garage door and home services. Hosted by Alex Bridgeman, Co-Owner of Durable Trades Collective.
Episodes
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What $1M+ Garage Door Owners are Doing Right Now | TLAO x TGDLP
Please enjoy this episode where Alex is featured as a guest on The Garage Door Podcast Lab. Andy Felice and Alex Bridgeman explore what garage door business owners earning over $1 million in revenue are experiencing in today's economy, and how they're responding. Bridgeman, co-founder of Durable...
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Carrie Kelsch on Transformative Cultures at A Plus Garage Doors - EP.296
Alex Bridgeman and Carrie Kelsch explore the journey of building A Plus Garage Doors from a side venture during the 2008 mortgage crisis into a $55 million multi-location operation. Kelsch shares how she initially opened the business to provide future jobs for her children, then found herself...
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Josh Melton on Growing into Service at Easy Lift Door Company - EP.295
Josh Melton joined his uncle's garage door business in 2008 during the recession with zero interest in garage doors. Eighteen years later, he's president of Easy Lift Door, overseeing three locations across California and Nevada. Alex Bridgeman and Josh Melton explore how the company has evolved...
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Jason Reid on Compounding Advantages by Focusing Local - EP.294
Jason Reid discusses his journey from general manager of a remodeling company to building a multi-company construction portfolio across Oregon. In his mid-forties, Reid stepped back to reassess his career, ultimately deciding to pursue rapid growth through acquisitions rather than organic...
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Patrick Lange on Selling Your Service Business - EP.293
Alex Bridgeman and Rob Southern speak with Patrick Lange, a business broker specializing in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies. Patrick shares how he transitioned from selling Main Street businesses to focusing exclusively on the trades after buying and running his own heating and air...
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David Williams on Long-Term Ownership in HVAC - EP.292
Alex Bridgeman and David Williams explore the journey of building Advantage Services Group from a single HVAC business in Central Oregon into a multi-state operation targeting $1 billion in revenue. Williams shares how he transitioned from consulting in New York to acquiring his first business at...
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Ty Greneaux on Acadiana Garage Door's Family Legacy - EP.291
Alex Bridgeman and Ty Greneaux explore the human side of building and scaling a family business on Think Like an Owner. Ty shares how his late father-in-law Frank transformed not only Acadiana Garage Doors but also Ty's entire approach to leadership and life. What began with an awkward garage…
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Hans Wright on Transforming Windsor Door - EP.290
Alex Bridgeman and Hans Wright explore the transformation of Windsor Door from a struggling regional garage door company into an integrated platform spanning manufacturing, installation, and service. Hans shares how his family acquired the business when it had declined from $250 million to just…
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Brian Johnson on Refocusing Pioneer Overhead Door - EP.289
Alex Bridgeman and Brian Johnson explore the operations and customer experience challenges of running a garage door company. Johnson, who transitioned from 20 years in commercial lending to acquiring Pioneer Overhead Door in 2023, discusses the realities of buying a business with minimal office...
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Matt Weber on Developing Authentic Values at Alpha Overhead - EP.288
Matt Weber, a second-generation garage door business owner, joins Alex Bridgeman on Think Like an Owner to share his journey from working in his family's construction supply company at age ten to eventually acquiring and expanding Alpha Garage Doors across Montana. After nearly a decade away...
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Alex Johantgen on Setting an Ambitious Vision at Rise and Shine - Ep.287
Alex Bridgeman and Alex Johantgen explore the journey of building Rise and Shine Garage Doors from two personal trucks to a fleet of over 20 vehicles projected to do $10–11 million in revenue. Johantgen shares how he and his business partner started the company in 2015 after selling a home and...
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Building the AI-Native Enterprise: Leadership, Software, and Compounding with Mahesh Rajasekharan - EP.286
Mahesh Rajasekharan has spent over twenty-five years in supply chain and leads Cleo, a category leader in AI-driven supply chain orchestration serving more than five thousand customers globally. In this episode of Think Like an Owner, Alex Bridgeman, Rob Southern, and Mahesh explore how AI is...
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Crafting an Enduring Team with Dustin Winter - Ep.285
Alex Bridgeman and Dustin Winter explore the realities of building and scaling a garage door business in Minneapolis. Dustin shares how he transitioned from fifteen years in commercial banking to buying Metro Garage Door in 2020, drawn by the industry's stability, low cyclicality, and strong...
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Right to Win EP.6: Building an Edge in Multi-Site Healthcare with Zach Jones - EP.284
Zach Jones discusses his experience acquiring and growing a gastroenterology practice in the Washington, DC area as the final episode of Think Like an Owner's Right to Win series. Alex Bridgeman and Zach explore how search entrepreneurs can build successful healthcare platforms through organic...
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Trevor Nix on Growing Multi-Gen Family Garage Business in Portland - EP.283
Alex Bridgeman and Rob Southern sit down with Trevor Nix, a third-generation garage door business owner in Portland, to explore what it takes to build and sustain a multi-generational family company. Trevor shares how his grandfather nearly quit after the first difficult year—until his…
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Andy Felice on Garage Door Marketing for Ambitious Owners - EP.282
Alex Bridgeman and Andy Felice explore the nuances of marketing in the garage door industry on Think Like an Owner. Felice explains how he transitioned from working with hundreds of clients across various industries to specializing exclusively in garage door companies after a consulting…
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Connecting the PNW at SeaPort Airlines with Kent Craford - EP.281
In this episode, Alex Bridgeman sits down with Kent Craford to unpack the evolution of SeaPort Airlines and the lessons learned from building and rebuilding a regional aviation business. Kent shares how a simple frustration with travel time between Portland and Seattle sparked the original idea,...
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Right to Win EP.5: Better Boards with Chris Hendriksen and Aaron Perrine - EP.280
In this episode, Alex Bridgeman is joined by Aaron Perrine and Chris Hendriksen to explore how boards can become a true competitive advantage for entrepreneurs. The conversation dives into the evolving role of boards within the ETA ecosystem, highlighting the growing demand for strong governance…
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Crafting your Life and Business with Matt Kuehlhorn - EP.279
Matt Kuehlhorn joins Alex Bridgeman to share the unconventional journey behind building Kooler Garage Doors and the lessons he has learned about focus, leadership, and craftsmanship along the way. Matt explains how a business that started almost by accident evolved into a disciplined operation...
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Future of Home Services with Workiz CEO, Didi Azaria - EP.278
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, Alex Bridgeman sits down with Didi Azaria to explore how firsthand experience in the trades led to building one of the leading automation platforms for home service businesses. Didi shares his journey from working as a locksmith in Los Angeles to founding a...
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Right to Win Series EP.4: AMA with Lindsey Gray and Aaron Perrine - EP.277
In the fourth episode of the show's Right to Win series, host Alex Bridgeman is joined by Aaron Perrine and Lindsey Gray for an AMA-style conversation on search, investing, and operating small businesses. Drawing on real examples from recent deals, they unpack what separates strong searches from...
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Building Trusted Brands with Dan Antonelli of Kickcharge Creative - EP.276
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, Alex Bridgeman sits down with Dan Antonelli to unpack why branding is the foundation of sustainable growth for home service businesses. Dan shares the long arc of building his firm through specialization, the discipline of saying no to the wrong work, and…
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Right to Win EP.3: Learning to Fly with Jordan Huibers and Alvin Wong - EP.275
Alex Bridgeman is joined by Alvin Wong and Jordan Huibers on Think Like an Owner, exploring their long-standing partnership, the focused search that led them to Advanced Aircrew Academy, and the lessons they've carried into running the company. They walk through the origins of their…
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What You Learn After 40 years of Leading Through Change with T.J. Coombs - EP.274
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, Alex Bridgeman sits down with T.J. Coombs, an experienced operator and turnaround expert with decades of leadership across industries including building products, manufacturing, and distribution. T.J. shares lessons from his 40-year career helping companies...
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Right to Win Series EP.2: Building Trust as Second-Time CEO with Dan Calano - EP. 273
In this second installment of the Right to Win series on Think Like an Owner, host Alex Bridgeman sits down with Dan Calano to unpack the lessons learned from his journey as a two-time search fund entrepreneur. Dan reflects on his first acquisition of Utility Cloud, navigating challenges like...
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Matt Risinger: The New Ways to Sell Building Supplies to Builders - EP.272
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, Alex Bridgeman sits down with homebuilder and content creator Matt Risinger to discuss how the builder-supplier relationship is evolving and how technology is reshaping the construction industry. Matt shares the story of founding Risinger Build and Build…
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Right to Win Series EP.1: Patience and Persistence with Kyle Baer - EP.271
In this episode, Alex Bridgeman sits down with Kyle Baer to reflect on his journey from Accruent to Datacor and now leading Crystal. Kyle shares the lessons he learned sourcing acquisitions, scaling a software business, and ultimately transitioning into his first CEO role. Their conversation...
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Lessons from a Decade of Growth and Acquisitions - Janelle Heuton - Co-Founder @ Heiton Partners - Ep.270
In this episode, Alex Bridgeman talks with Janelle Heuton about her decade-long journey helping transform a small GIS company into a scaled software business serving local governments nationwide. Janelle shares how she joined GIS Workshop by chance, quickly rose to COO, and partnered with CEO Joe...
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From the PGA Tour to the Trades - John Peterson - Founder of Westoplex Garage - EP.269
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, host Alex Bridgeman sits down with John Peterson for a wide-ranging conversation on entrepreneurship, adaptability, and building a service business from the ground up. John traces his path from professional golf—where he saw firsthand the parallels between...
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Richard Emery - Building Private Jet Sales Teams [Replay]
Alex (@Aebridgeman) is joined by Richard Emery (@Richardemery2). In this episode, my guest is Richard Emery, who has held various notable positions in business aviation sales at brands like Canadair, Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Hawker Beechcraft. Richard shares his experiences in different sales...
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Evolving Dynamics of Engine Programs with Delray Dobbins - EP.268
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Delray Dobbins, Director of Sales at Engine Assurance Program (EAP), to dive into one of the most overlooked yet essential components of business aviation: jet engine maintenance programs. With a career spanning Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney,...
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Governance and Family Harmony in Business (From EP.267)
Watch the full episode with Dave Whorton here - https://youtu.be/KPcgK3lm-mw
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Building Evergreen Companies with Dave Whorton - EP.267
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Dave Whorton, founder of Tugboat Institute and author of Another Way, to explore a different path for entrepreneurs—one built on permanence, purpose, and long-term thinking. After an early career in venture capital and tech startups, Dave...
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Henry Schuck - Creating Ambitious Teams at ZoomInfo - EP.266 [Replay]
My guest today is Henry Schuck, founder and CEO at ZoomInfo, one of the most successful data businesses in recent times with a market cap today around $12B. I've been looking forward to this podcast for a long time because Henry has proven to be an effective founder, acquirer, and public CEO...
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How Flying in America Lost it's "shine"
From Episode 265 with Erika Armstrong. Watch the full video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Nc2vgTLhbYA
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A Tour of Aviation Safety with Erika Armstrong - EP.265
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Erika Armstrong, a pilot, author, and aviation expert whose career has taken her from corporate jets to major airlines to the university classroom. Erika shares stories from her early days in aviation, from sleeping on crash pads with seven...
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AI Breakthroughs in the Distribution Sector (From Ep.264)
Watch the full episode here - https://youtu.be/GTxWeRXap9Q
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Katie Poehling Seymour - Inside a 5th Generation Distribution Giant - EP.264
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Kathryn Poehling Seymour, President and CEO of First Supply, a fifth-generation, family-owned distribution business with over 700 employees and 53 locations across the Midwest. We cover everything from leading a 128-year-old company through...
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Hill Hamrick on Relentless Prioritization (From Episode 263)
Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/UTNl0xeSgZY
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Build Series EP.6: Relentless Prioritization with Hill Hamrick - EP.263
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Hill Hamrick, Co-CEO of Central Storage & Warehouse, to explore how he and his team run a complex, high-volume cold storage business that ships hundreds of millions of frozen food products across North America every year. We dive into how…
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Crazy Requests in Aircraft Interiors w/ Trey Bryson
From Episode 262 of Think Like an Owner. Watch the full episode here.
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Running Commercial and Bizav MROs at Scale with Trey Bryson - EP.262
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Trey Bryson, an aviation industry veteran with deep experience across business aviation, commercial MRO, and aircraft completions. Trey shares how his career has spanned everything from customizing luxury VIP jets—including designing in-air...
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Integrating Jet Management and Maintenance at Davinci Jets with Eric Legvold and Trey Darr - EP.261
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Eric Legvold and Trey Darr of Davinci Jets to explore the business of private aviation management and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) services. We dive into how Davinci Jets was built from the ground up, the evolution of private jet...
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5X Airline Founder David Neeleman on Building Ambitious, Customer-Obsessed Airlines - EP.260
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with David Neeleman, one of the most accomplished entrepreneurs in aviation history. With a track record that includes founding five airlines—Morris Air (sold to Southwest), WestJet, JetBlue, Azul, and now Breeze Airways—David has built...
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Talent Acquisition - From Interview to Close (From Ep.259)
Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bmq6URHPLJ0
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Build Series EP.5: The Role of Talent in High Performing Teams with Jake Dancyger and Cyrus Symoom - EP.259
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, we're tackling one of the most critical elements of scaling a business—building a world-class talent engine. Joining me are Jake Dancyger and Cyrus Symoom, co-CEOs of Clariti, who have spent the last five years growing their company from 20 employees to…
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High Performing Sales Highlights from Ambitious CEOs and CROs - EP.258
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I'm diving into one of the most crucial aspects of scaling a business—building and optimizing high-performing sales teams. To bring you the best insights, I've pulled together wisdom from past conversations with some of the sharpest minds in the game,...
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Team Management Principle & Balancing Payoffs
From Episode 257. Watcht the full episode here: https://youtu.be/x1utcQzmxjI
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Build Series EP.4: Identifying and Prioritizing Value Levers with Sam Hyde & Steuart Botchford - EP.257
Ep.257: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Steuart Botchford (@Botchford) and Sam Hyde. In this episode, I sit down with Sam Hyde and Steuart Botchford to dive into their journey of acquiring and growing Northstar Fertility, a leading surrogacy and egg donation agency. Sam and Steuart share their...
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Cory Bengtzen on Customer Journeys and Aircraft Management in Private Aviation
From Ep.256 with Corgy Bengtzen. Get the full episode here.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Think Like an Owner have?
Think Like an Owner currently has 305 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Think Like an Owner about?
Exploring how the most ambitious CEOs grow great companies, with a focus in garage door and home services. Hosted by Alex Bridgeman, Co-Owner of Durable Trades Collective.
How often does Think Like an Owner release new episodes?
Think Like an Owner publishes regularly with 305 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Think Like an Owner?
You can listen to Think Like an Owner 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 Think Like an Owner?
Think Like an Owner is created and hosted by Alex Bridgeman.
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