Behind The Boom

In Episode 10 of Behind The Boom, we sit down with Mark Baatz, owner of Tow Industries and one of the most recognized names in the towing world.For years, Tow Industries has supplied heavy wreckers, rotators, carriers, and tow trucks to companies all over California and beyond  including ours. From Hulk 1.0 and Hulk 2.0 to many of the trucks in our fleet, we've bought a huge number of trucks through Mark over the years.We talk about how the towing industry has evolved, behind-the-scenes stories from the tow truck business, how companies build their fleets, what makes a great truck, and where the future of towing is headed.If you're into heavy-duty towing, tow truck business discussions, rotators, recovery equipment, or the stories behind the industry, this episode is for you.Welcome to Behind The Boom.

What does it take to buy and run a tow company before turning 30?In this episode of Behind The Boom, we sit down with Laura from Foglesong Towing to talk about what it’s really like being a young female owner in one of the toughest, most male-dominated industries out there.From taking over a towing company at just 29 years old, to earning respect in an industry built around long hours, heavy equipment, and nonstop pressure, Laura shares the real story behind the success.We talk business, family, leadership, growth, challenges, and what it takes to survive and thrive in towing as a young entrepreneur.This is one of the most unique conversations we’ve had on the podcast so far.Follow Behind The Boom for more conversations from inside the towing and recovery industry.#BehindTheBoom #Towing #TowTruck #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneur #FemaleCEO #BlueCollar #TowBoss #Podcast

In Episode 8 of Behind The Boom, we sit down with Ron Pratt, a true pioneer in the world of heavy-duty towing and recovery.Long before YouTube and social media brought attention to the industry, Ron was already out there doing the work; building a name through experience, skill, and some of the toughest recoveries you can imagine.In this episode, we dive into how Ron got started, his decision to put this industry on YouTube, what the towing industry looked like in its early days, and how it has evolved over time. We also talk about rigging techniques, challenging recoveries, and the mindset it takes to last decades in this line of work.This is more than just a conversation, it’s a look at the foundation of modern towing and recovery from someone who lived it.

Episode 7: USAR Captain: Inside His Toughest RescuesWhat does it really take to become a USAR Captain — one of the most elite rescue positions in the country? In this episode of Behind the Boom, we sit down with a seasoned Urban Search and Rescue Captain who has responded to some of California’s most dangerous incidents, including the recent Palisades Fires.From high-angle rope rescues and collapsed structure operations to the intense training required to make split-second life-or-death decisions, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what the job is truly like. We go far beyond the headlines and get into the reality of the work, the mindset required, and the lessons learned from years on the front lines.In this episode we cover:• How he became a USAR Captain and the brutal training it takes• His direct involvement in the Palisades Fires and other major California emergencies• The most dangerous and technically challenging rescues he’s worked• Fire safety insights everyone should know• The mental and physical demands of working at the highest level of rescue• What life is really like on a busy Urban Search and Rescue teamWhether you’re in emergency services, fascinated by rescue operations, or just want to hear incredible real-world stories, this episode delivers.If you enjoy real, in-depth conversations about high-stakes work, make sure to subscribe and leave a review — it helps us bring on even bigger guests.

What does the repossession world actually look like behind the scenes?In this episode of Behind the Boom, we sit down with Eric, a commercial repo specialist who’s built a reputation recovering everything from forklifts and heavy equipment to luxury vehicles and even medical machines.Most people picture repossessions as chaotic and confrontational, but the reality is very different. A large percentage of these jobs are voluntary, and success in this industry comes down to professionalism, communication, and experience.We talk about how he got started, the craziest repos he’s handled, and what it really takes to operate at a high level in the commercial repo space.If you’ve ever been curious about how repos actually work, this episode gives you a real inside look at a side of the industry most people never see.

In this episode of Behind the Boom, we sit down with one of the co-owners of Pepe’s Tow to hear his side of the story: my uncle Manuel Acosta.After starting alongside his brother in the early days of Pepe’s Tow, he eventually branched off into the Inland Empire to build something of his own. What followed was years of hard work, risk, and growth as he turned that move into a thriving operation.This episode is his version of the journey, the decisions, the challenges, and what it really took to grow in a different market while still being part of the bigger picture.Together with his brother in Los Angeles, their paths helped turn Pepe’s Tow into one of the largest heavy duty towing operations around.If you’re interested in business, growth, or what it takes to build something from nothing in this industry, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Episode 4 of Behind The Boom - The Man Behind LA’s Most Famous Police Chases.In this episode, I sit down with my Stu Mundel (SkyFOX / KTLA), one of the most iconic TV helicopter news reporters.Known for his hilarious humor and witty remarks on live air, Stu is well known in not just the Los Angeles area but all over the world for his police pursuit reporting. We go over how Stu got started in this industry, his takes on new school vs old school tech, and so much more. Buckle up because this episode is a doozy! In this episode we cover:- How Stu got started in the news and helicopter- The evolution of news reporting since the 90s- Personal stories such as his favorite cars- Drama behind the scenes in the news reporting world- Great adviceFollow the show for more conversations about towing, heavy recovery, crazy roadside stories, and the people behind the trucks plus adjacent industries like this one. New episodes weekly.

In this episode of Behind the Boom, we talk about how Pepe’s Towing grew from a single truck into a heavy recovery operation with multiple rotators.We discuss the purchase of the first rotator and how it changed the business, what led to buying additional rotators, and what it really takes to become a heavy duty recovery operator.This episode is all shop talk. We get into some of our toughest recoveries, lessons learned on the road, and the realities of working major accident scenes.If you are interested in heavy towing, rotator operations, or the world of large scale vehicle recovery, this episode gives you a real look at the work behind the scenes.Behind the Boom is the official podcast of Pepe’s Towing Service where we share stories, experience, and the realities of heavy recovery.

Episode 2 – From One Truck to California’s Largest Tow CompanyIn this episode, I sit down with my dad, the founder of Pepe’s Towing Service, to talk about how it all started.What began by recycling junk cars for $100, eventually grew into one of the largest towing and recovery companies in California. In this conversation, we go back to the early days of working long hours, taking risks, and building a reputation in an industry where trust and reliability mean everything.My dad shares the real story behind the growth of Pepe’s: the struggles, the big breaks, the crazy recoveries, and the decisions that helped turn one truck into a fleet of over 100.If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a business from the ground up or what the towing industry is really like behind the scenes, this episode is for you.In this episode we cover:- How Pepe’s Towing first started- The challenges of building a towing company from scratch- Stories from the early days of heavy-duty recovery- Growing from one truck to a fleet of over 100- Lessons learned from decades in the towing industryFollow the show for more conversations about towing, heavy recovery, crazy roadside stories, and the people behind the trucks.

In Episode 1 of Behind the Boom, we talk about how social media has completely changed our towing business, from bringing in new jobs to reshaping how the public sees our industry.We discuss the negative perception surrounding towing, why the industry is resistant to change, and how we’re working to shift that narrative.New episodes weekly.