Podcast
Can't Stop the Growth
Hosted by Chad Peterman · EN
Can't Stop the Growth is driven by Chad's personal mission to provide a platform for others to grow and thrive. CSTG offers inspiration, leadership lessons on growth, grit, and chasing potential.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
To the Point: Blue Collar Success with a Masterclass in Operational Excellence
1w ago00:58:35Tap to summarizeBlue collar grit meets boardroom-level execution in this powerful conversation on what it really takes to build a home services business that lasts. Chris and Chad sit down with Chris Crew, President of Blue Collar Success Group, to unpack his journey from dropping out of school and becoming an electrician at 16 to helping grow an electrical service company from $3 million to a $30 million run rate. Chris shares the operational truths contractors cannot afford to ignore: pricing correctly, building a real sales system, protecting gross margin, training year-round, and resisting the temptation to chase shiny tools before mastering the basics. From weekly skill practice to implementing AI with purpose, this episode is a masterclass in disciplined growth for home service leaders who want profit, performance, and people moving in the same direction. If you're ready to stop guessing, tighten your operations, and build a business that can grow without losing its soul, this one gets straight to the point. Additional Resources: Listen to To the Point, wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about To the Point Subscribe to CSTG on YouTube! Connect with Chris on LinkedIn Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Price correctly before chasing growth. Sales systems start with company culture. Gross margin problems hide in operations. Train year-round, not just slow seasons. Technology fails without proper implementation.
Transcribe →Replay: Five Foundations of Influence
1w ago00:31:46Tap to summarizeInfluence is not a title, a tactic, or a talent reserved for a select few. It is the daily choice to lead yourself well, care deeply, and create the kind of trust people actually want to follow. Chad breaks down the five foundations of influence every leader can start practicing today: integrity, empowerment, ownership, listening, and a positive attitude. With his signature directness and practical wisdom, Chad reminds us that leadership is a long game, and the real work starts with what we can control. From writing thank-you notes to preventing fires instead of fighting them, this episode challenges people-first leaders to stop chasing results alone and start building the influence that makes sustainable growth possible. Additional Resources: Subscribe to CSTG on YouTube! Connect with Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Learn more about the Peterman Brothers Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Influence starts with leading yourself first. Integrity builds the trust people follow. Empowerment prevents fires before they start. Ownership removes blame and creates progress. Positive attitude multiplies leadership influence.
Transcribe →Replay: Five Ways to Love the Process
2w ago00:32:45Tap to summarizeThe grind gets real long before the goal gets close. Chad gets honest about what it actually takes to love the process when the process feels frustrating, uncomfortable, and anything but fun. He shares five practical ways leaders can stay grounded in the work: protecting their attitude, pairing commitment with urgency, taking focused action, learning from every result, and paying attention to the details. Through personal stories, leadership lessons, and a real-time reminder to practice what he teaches, Chad challenges people-first leaders to stop waiting for conditions to change and start bringing the energy their goals deserve. If you're leading a team, chasing a big goal, or feeling stuck in the messy middle, this episode is a reminder that growth doesn't happen when everything gets easy. It happens when you choose to show up with ownership, urgency, and a willingness to keep getting better. Additional Resources: Subscribe to CSTG on YouTube! Connect with Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Learn more about the Peterman Brothers Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Attitude shapes how you experience the process. Commitment needs urgency to create real momentum. Focused action beats being busy every time. Great leaders remove roadblocks for their people. Details compound into meaningful long-term growth.
Transcribe →CSTG 259: The Highest ROI Lead Source You're Ignoring | Zac Garside
3w ago00:40:53Tap to summarizeYour email list is full of past customers ready to book again — you're just not showing up for them. Zac Garside from Send It breaks down why email is the lowest cost, highest ROI lead source in home services, how to stay out of spam, what makes people actually open and read your emails, and the simple three-line campaign that fills your calendar every single time. Connect with Zac: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacgarside/ Learn more about Send It: https://www.sendit.com 20 Free Email Templates: https://www.sendit.com Connect with Chad: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-m-peterman/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chadmpeterman Learn more about: Chad Peterman - https://chadmpeterman.com/ Peterman Brothers - https://www.petermancareers.com/ The People Forward Network - https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/ #EmailMarketing #HVACMarketing #ContractorGrowth #HomeServices #ServiceBusiness #EmailList #MarketingStrategy #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #LeadGeneration Key Takeaways: Don't project your own email habits onto your customers. 10-20% open rates means your emails are going to spam. The from name matters more than the subject line. Commodity content kills engagement. Email creates demand — it's not demand capture like Google. Rebate offers crush it on email. Don't overthink segmentation. Value and promotional content aren't separate things. Real urgency converts.
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CSTG 258: Johnstone Supply VP: The One Thing Every Successful Contractor Does
May 2600:39:11Tap to summarizeHVAC equipment costs have skyrocketed — systems that used to cost $7k now cost double. AJ Eder (Regional VP at Johnstone Supply) breaks down why financing isn't optional anymore, what separates successful contractors from struggling ones, and how distributor partnerships should actually work. #HVAC #HVACBusiness #ContractorGrowth #HVACFinancing #HomeServices #ServiceBusiness #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship Additional Resources: Connect with AJ on LinkedIn Learn more about Johnstone Supply Subscribe to CSTG on YouTube! Connect with Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Learn more about the Peterman Brothers Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key points: • Why financing on every job is critical • The #1 trait of successful contractors • The most important person in the supply chain • Technology that drives contractor profitability
Transcribe →To the Point: How to Outwork, Outbrand, & Out-Culture the Competition
May 2000:56:39Tap to summarizeSome operators try to outspend the competition. Steve Holland built his business by outworking them, out-branding them, and most of all, out-caring them. Chris and Chad sit down with Steve Holland, founder of Mr. Holland's Heating, Air & Electric, to unpack his journey from a chaotic upbringing to building and exiting a successful home services company. Steve shares hard-earned lessons on scaling, acquisitions, branding, radio marketing, and why you cannot sell your way out of operational problems. But the real heart of this conversation is leadership. Steve makes a powerful case that your employees are your most expensive customer, and the businesses that genuinely know, support, and invest in their people will always have the edge. For leaders who want to win with culture, not just spreadsheets, this one hits home. Additional Resources: Listen to To the Point, wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about To the Point Subscribe to CSTG on YouTube! Connect with Chris on LinkedIn Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Employees are your most important and expensive customer. You cannot sell your way out of dysfunction. Fix operations before trying to scale fast. Branding compounds every other marketing channel. Outwork and out-culture bigger competitors every time.
Transcribe →CSTG 257: The Playbook for a $1 Billion Skilled Labor Business | Michael Aft
May 1901:02:57Tap to summarizeMichael Aft is building a $1 billion commercial garage door empire — and his playbook for scaling skilled labor businesses is unlike anything you've heard. Whether you're in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or any skilled trade, this episode reveals how to unlock the growth you've wanted for 15+ years. #BusinessGrowth #HomeServices #Entrepreneurship #SkillLabor #Leadership Additional Resources: Connect with Michael Aft Learn more about Galaxy Service Partners Subscribe to CSTG on YouTube! Connect with Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Learn more about the Peterman Brothers Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Why commercial garage doors are "mission-critical" (and countercyclical) The "Genie Wish" question every business owner needs to answer How to execute violently on fewer priorities (not more) The operating rhythm that prevents shiny object syndrome
Transcribe →CSTG 256: You Can Make More Money Running Fewer HVAC Calls
May 1200:42:49Tap to summarizeOne simple tweak took an HVAC company from a 37% close rate to 68%. And it wasn't about working harder — it was about slowing down. In this episode, Danny Zatarain (Head of Training at Can't Stop the Growth) breaks down the exact process he used to transform Ireland HVAC's sales performance in just 6 months. Additional Resources: Subscribe to CSTG on YouTube! Connect with Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Learn more about the Peterman Brothers Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Why your techs are only showing 1-2 options (and how to get them to 6) The one metric that predicts success: Options Average How to make MORE money with FEWER calls per day The customer feedback loop that changed everything Why slowing down during busy season is your competitive advantage
Transcribe →CSTG 255: Culture Isn't What's On The Wall, It's What You Tolerate with Steve Sorenson
May 500:45:14Tap to summarizeThe ABC Decision Framework changed how we empower our team. Steve Sorenson, Senior Director of Learning & Culture at Johnsonville, breaks down how to build a culture where your team makes decisions without waiting for permission. Company culture training expert Steve Sorenson shares the ABC Decision Framework for employee empowerment and leadership development. Learn how to stop micromanaging, build organizational culture, and create decision-making frameworks that work in home services, HVAC, plumbing, and trades businesses. The behaviors you tolerate become your culture, here's how to change that. THE ABC FRAMEWORK: → A Decisions = Just do it (I don't need to know) → B Decisions = Tell me after (so I can back you up) → C Decisions = Ask me first (financial or customer impact) This one framework stops micromanaging and empowers your team overnight. Additional Resources: Connect with Steve: LinkedIn: Learn more about Johnsonville Subscribe to CSTG on YouTube! Connect with Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Learn more about the Peterman Brothers Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Why "the worst behaviors you tolerate become your culture" The ABC Decision Framework (A, B, C decisions explained) How to move from training to actual learning & development What Johnsonville does that home services companies miss The AI coaching tool they're building (and why it matters)
Transcribe →CSTG 254: Call Centers Are Your Hidden Revenue Machine with Tyson Chen
Apr 2800:38:40Tap to summarizeMost home service companies still treat the call center like an expense. That is a mistake. In this episode of Can't Stop the Growth, Chad Peterman sits down with Avoca's Tyson Chen to break down why the call center should be treated like a true revenue driver. From booking rate clarity to missed daytime opportunities, after-hours overflow, membership conversion, and smarter coaching, this conversation is packed with practical insight for HVAC, plumbing, and trade leaders who want to stop losing revenue they never even knew they had. This episode is especially valuable for owners, GMs, call center managers, and operators preparing for peak season and trying to maximize every lead that comes through the door. Additional Resources: Connect with Tyson Chen Learn more about Avoca Subscribe to CSTG on YouTube! Connect with Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Learn more about the Peterman Brothers Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Your call center is not overhead Know your real booking rate After-hours is a major revenue leak Missed calls reveal bigger operational problems Coaching needs more than a few sampled calls Input metrics drive output metrics Memberships increase commitment Operations and call center must stay aligned
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