The Dispatch

Zach Karre, owner of A Plus Heating & A/C, went from learning the trade to owning the company, and he did it by asking the right questions, finding the right people, and diving headfirst into everything he didn't know. In this episode, you'll hear:How seller financing makes buying a business possible without a bankThe real cost of buying a used van (it's not what you think)The 3 things you need to understand before going out on your ownIf you've ever thought about making the jump from technician to owner, this is the episode you didn't know you needed.Follow us on TikTok: @RyanTradesUpFollow us on Instagram: @Fieldmind_app

Dominic Furnback walked away from the union, got laid off at 25, and decided to build something of his own. Today he's the CEO of Elite Service Group and one of the youngest company owners making noise in the HVAC industry, and he's doing it by betting on attitude over experience and building a crew that shows up like family.In this episode, you'll hear:-Why the union culture wasn't built for guys with something to prove-Why Dominic hires green techs over seasoned ones every single time-What it really takes to go from tech to business owner in your 20sIf you've ever thought about making the jump from tech to owner, this one's for you.Follow us on TikTok: @RyanTradesUpFollow us on Instagram: @Fieldmind_app

Rich Ortega is a third-generation tradesman who turned 20 years of fixing commercial kitchen equipment, refrigeration, and foodservice HVAC into something bigger, his own company, On The Rock Services, built on the radical idea that doing things right and treating people well is actually a competitive advantage.In this episode, you'll hear:Why the guys who latch every door and replace every screw always end up trusted with the big stuffHow private equity is quietly changing the trades, and what it means for techs and customersHow to know which employer will actually invest in youIf you've ever felt like there has to be a better way to do this, this one's for you.Follow us on TikTok: @RyanTradesUpFollow us on Instagram: @Fieldmind_app

Ty Smith (@Icemaster_ty) is a licensed journeyman and commercial refrigeration specialist based in Canada with 15 years in the trade. He's kept grocery stores running, managed million-dollar product saves, and built one of the most respected reputations in the refrigeration community. In this episode, you'll hear:-Why commercial refrigeration is one of the highest-pressure gigs in the trades, and why Ty thrives on it-The "fix it or f*ck it" mentality that actually builds great techs-Why the most in-demand guys in the trade can always write their own ticketWhether you're new to the trade, mid-career, or running a shop, Ty tells it straight.Follow us on TikTok: @RyanTradesUp

Shawn (@hvac_animation) is a seasoned HVAC veteran in Canada who's spent three decades mastering the craft, raising the next generation of tradespeople, and proving that the best relationships in this business are built one coffee order at a time.In this episode, you'll hear:The flooding incident that taught him the most important lesson of his careerWhy knowing your customer's coffee order matters more than you thinkHow the trades will humble you, shape you, and keep you learning for lifeIf you've ever wondered what it looks like to build a career you're truly proud of, this one's for you.Follow us on TikTok: @RyanTradesUp

Andrew (@hvac_disciple) is a Gen Z HVAC tech in Florida who's proving that age is just a number when you've got the obsession to back it up. He went from doubting himself in trade school to training his own helpers, and inspiring thousands online along the way. In this episode, you'll hear:The moment he almost quit in his first week (and why he didn't)How to earn respect when everyone in the room is twice your ageWhy the toughest days make you question everything—and the best days remind you why you chose thisIf you've ever felt like you don't belong, or wondered if you made the right call choosing the trades, this one's for you.Follow us on TikTok: @RyanTradesUp

Tim De Stasio (@timdestasiohvac) has spent over 25 years mastering HVAC, from service tech and installer to designer, business owner, and instructor. He's seen critical systems in hospitals, built his own company, and now consults on the comfort and air quality problems that plague homes across coastal North Carolina.In this episode, you'll hear:The carbon monoxide mistake that sent workers home with headaches, and the lesson that changed everythingWhy some senior techs might gatekeep (and how to learn anyway)Whether AI should be on the job site, and how to use it without looking like a rookieWhether you're an apprentice dealing with gatekeepers, a business owner wondering about AI, or just someone who wants to understand why your house won't stay comfortable, Tim breaks down the science, the shortcuts, and the stuff that really matters.Follow us on TikTok: @RyanTradesUp

Jake Krauss (@koolinwithkrauss_hvac) is a residential HVAC tech with 2.3M+ YouTube views and co-host of HVACKnights. He's the guy who shows up when your AC dies in the Florida heat, and he's building a reputation by taking care of his community one call at a time.In this episode, you'll hear:Why Jake offers free second opinions and no dispatch fees for veterans, teachers, and first respondersHow being honest about pricing (even when it costs you the job) builds long-term trustWhy residential HVAC means being part technician, part problem-solver, part community pillarWhether you're in the trades, running a service business, or just trying to find an HVAC guy you can trust, Jake's got the straight talk on what it takes to do it right.Follow us on TikTok: @RyanTradesUp

Adrian Garcia (@reliablehvacr) owns Reliable Kitchen Services in South Texas and hosts the Reliable Trades Podcast. He's seen it all, from starting at the bottom in his dad's company to dealing with hecklers while fixing hospital freezers.In this episode, you'll hear:Why starting in the trades means starting at the bottom—even when it's your family businessWhy buying that brand new truck will kill your future (and what to do instead)How a little effort goes a long way when older techs are gatekeepingWhether you're thinking about the trades, already in the field, or running a service business, Adrian's got the real talk you need to hear.Follow us on TikTok: @RyanTradesUp

Welcome to the very first episode of The Dispatch!Join Ryan Prosser and Jessica Begley, Co-Founders of FieldMind, as they kick things off by answering the big question: What is FieldMind and why does it exist?In this episode, you'll hear:The real problem facing field techs today (hint: it's not just about finding manuals)Why the trades are harder to break into than ever before—and how technology can help instead of hurtThe story behind building AI that actually works FOR tradespeople, not against themWhether you're running a service team, working in the field, or just curious about what's happening in the trades, this is your behind-the-scenes look at how FieldMind came to be.Follow us on TikTok: @RyanTradesUp

I’ve spent most of my career building technology for the people who keep the world running, the ones out in the field, fixing what breaks, often before anyone even knows it did.The more time I spent with them, the more I realized: these are the stories worth telling.Welcome to The Dispatch. Every other week, I sit down with the voices you already know, the field pros, trainers, and creators showing what this work really looks like.We talk about the work, the culture, the tools, and the lessons. No scripts. No PR. Just real conversations with the people who know what it takes to get the job done.I’m Ryan Prosser, founder of FieldMind and this is The Dispatch — where your favorite voices from the field finally get the mic.