Go the Distance

Bob, from CertainPath, breaks down how the company helps HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and roofing contractors scale through training, operational systems, and leadership development. He dives into the impact of private equity, what buyers are looking for, and why clean operations are critical for a successful exit. Bob also shares hard-earned insights on lead generation, client retention, and workforce shifts from his two decades in the industry.—------------------------------Show notes:01:36 Career Journey and Early Experiences04:44 The Evolution of the Home Service Business06:22 Impact of Private Equity in the Industry14:28 Challenges and Opportunities for Small Business Owners19:13 The Importance of Showing Profitability21:00 Due Diligence Process in Business Sales22:12 Challenges and Risks in Selling to PE Groups23:41 Client Retention Post-Acquisition24:45 Expanding into New Markets26:47 Growing Independently vs. With PE Money28:53 Current Business Priorities and Challenges31:25 Labor Shortages and Industry Trends—------------------------------Go the Distance brings you top contractors, disruptors, and investors redefining home services. Stay ahead with cutting-edge insights on business strategy and technology built to fuel your growth. Hosted by entrepreneurs and investors Nick Durbano and Ethan Song, Go the Distance is where the future of the trades takes shape.—------------------------------Powered by Distance. Distance is a sales automation software that provides powerful tools and AI agents like Miles to help you grow faster while cutting costs. We’re built to help business owners scale efficiently while gaining more freedom and control over their success.https://distance.so/

Vlad, founder of Restoration Inbound, shares how he went from starting his first business at 17 to building Logic Inbound and moving into the restoration industry. He breaks down the unique dynamics of the restoration industry, why he chose the sector, and how marketing and AI are shaping its future.—------------------------------Connect with Vlad and Restoration InboundVlad Mkrtumyan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladimir-mkrtumyan/Restoration Inbound website: https://restorationinbound.com/Restoration Inbound LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restoration-inbound/—------------------------------Show Notes:01:26 Founding Logic Inbound02:01 Why Focus on Restoration?04:38 Challenges in the Restoration Industry08:41 Restoration Industry Overview16:05 Competitive Landscape and Business Advice19:29 The Importance of Google Reviews21:35 Local Service Ads and Their Impact23:14 The Value of Small Details in Home Services25:53 Challenges and Solutions in Managing a Restoration Business28:02 Franchising in the Restoration Industry35:19 The Role of AI in Home Services—------------------------------Go the Distance brings you top contractors, disruptors, and investors redefining home services. Stay ahead with cutting-edge insights on business strategy and technology built to fuel your growth. Hosted by entrepreneurs and investors Nick Durbano and Ethan Song, Go the Distance is where the future of the trades takes shape.—------------------------------Powered by Distance. Distance is a sales automation software that provides powerful tools and AI agents like Miles to help you grow faster while cutting costs. We’re built to help business owners scale efficiently while gaining more freedom and control over their success.https://distance.so/

Michael Bellows, co-founder of Go Materials, discusses the supply chain challenges in landscape construction and how his background at PepsiCo shaped his company. He explains the solutions Go Materials offers and shares insights into the future of the industry, focusing on how technology is improving a fragmented sector.—------------------------------Connect with Go MaterialsWebsite: https://www.gomaterials.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gomaterials/—------------------------------Show Notes:00:35 Michael's journey at PepsiCo04:42 Founding Go Materials07:56 Understanding the landscape construction market12:14 Challenges and innovations in procurement21:34 Early days and expansion strategies30:05 Future vision and industry insights—------------------------------Go the Distance brings you top contractors, disruptors, and investors redefining home services. Stay ahead with cutting-edge insights on business strategy and technology built to fuel your growth. Hosted by entrepreneurs and investors Nick Durbano and Ethan Song, Go the Distance is where the future of the trades takes shape.—------------------------------Powered by Distance.Distance is a sales automation software that provides powerful tools and AI agents like Miles to help you grow faster while cutting costs. We’re built to help business owners scale efficiently while gaining more freedom and control over their success.https://distance.so/

Ethan and Nick are joined by James Ladd, an SEO expert and co-founder of Placeholder, to discuss how businesses can leverage SEO for growth. They cover practical strategies for local markets, the growing role of AI tools, and common mistakes to avoid. The conversation also explores integrating SEO with content creation and staying ahead in a competitive market. Finally, the discussion explores growth strategies for thriving in an AI-driven future.—------------------------------Connect with Placeholder SEOWebsite: https://placeholderseo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/placeholder-seo/—------------------------------Show Notes:00:22 James Ladd’s journey into SEO02:54 Understanding SEO and its impact04:40 Foundational SEO strategies for local businesses09:01 Advanced SEO tactics and AI integration15:46 The future of SEO and AI26:33 Practical advice for business owners—------------------------------Go the Distance brings you top contractors, disruptors, and investors redefining home services. Stay ahead with cutting-edge insights on business strategy and technology built to fuel your growth. Hosted by entrepreneurs and investors Nick Durbano and Ethan Song, Go the Distance is where the future of the trades takes shape. —------------------------------Powered by DistanceDistance is a sales automation software that provides powerful tools and AI agents like Miles to help you grow faster while cutting costs. We’re built to help business owners scale efficiently while gaining more freedom and control over their success.https://distance.so/

Nick and Ethan break down the effectiveness of Facebook ads for home service businesses. Drawing from their experience in scaling businesses and consumer retail, they share insights on building high-performing ad campaigns, customer engagement, and creating standout branding. This first episode also teases upcoming insights from industry experts.---------------------------------Show Notes:00:00 Introduction to Go the Distance02:03 Why start a podcast?03:42 The importance of Facebook ads for home services05:33 Common mistakes in Facebook ads06:19 Strategies for successful Facebook ads11:17 Working with agencies14:39 Creative content and branding18:24 Converting leads into customers20:03 Practical steps for HVAC business growth25:27 Final thoughts and takeaways---------------------------------Go the Distance brings you top contractors, disruptors, and investors redefining home services. Stay ahead with cutting-edge insights on business strategy and technology built to fuel your growth. Hosted by entrepreneurs and investors Nick Durbano and Ethan Song, Go the Distance is where the future of the trades takes shape. ---------------------------------Powered by Distance.Distance is a sales automation software that provides powerful tools and AI agents like Miles to help you grow faster while cutting costs. We’re built to help business owners scale efficiently while gaining more freedom and control over their success.https://distance.so/