2025 Recap for Service Business Owners: Real Growth Wins to Apply in 2026

Service Business Mastery for Skilled Trades: HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical Home Service
Hosts: Tersh Blissett & Josh Crouch (Skilled Trades Syndicate)
Date: December 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this dynamic year-end recap, hosts Tersh Blissett and Josh Crouch dive deep into the most powerful growth lessons, challenges, and wins of 2025 for home service business owners. The conversation zeroes in on automation, AI trends, pivotal industry events, key interviews, and personal/business development strategies. Tersh and Josh break down what actually moved the needle this year, what didn’t, and actionable strategies listeners can use for growth in 2026.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Podcast and Community Growth (03:16 – 04:37)

• Record Growth:

  • 4 million all-time downloads
  • Nearly 50 episodes and over 50 interviews in 2025
  • YouTube: 129,900 views, 2,000+ hours watched, 4,400 new subscribers (almost 1000% increase)

• Key Insight:

  • The show's growth illustrates the real thirst for actionable, vetted advice in the skilled trades. Tersh and Josh stress the importance of learning from others' wins and failures.

2. The Power of Best Practice Groups & Actionable Learning (04:37 – 07:58)

• Best Practice Groups:

  • Success is based on engagement, attention, and rapid implementation—not just joining.
  • “Listening to the podcast and using their pains as a gain for yourself–that's the reason I started the podcast.” – Tersh [05:35]

• Actionable Tip:

  • Find two or three ideas at every event or episode and execute immediately. Focus beats information overload.

• Notable Quote:

  • “There are a million ways to grow a home service business… Focus on what’s in front of you.” – Josh [06:37]

3. Industry Events: Standouts and Lessons Learned (10:25 – 12:44)

• 2025 Event Recap:

  • Attended 20+ events; also hosted their own ‘Trade Automation Pros’ event with 120+ attendees for the first time.

• Personal Growth:

  • Engaged a keynote coaching expert to level up stage presence and impact.
  • “Once you run an event, you realize just how much work goes on behind the scenes.” – Josh [11:08]

• Standout Events:

  • BDR Spark: Keynote highlighted innovative approaches to branding and competition beyond price wars.
  • Hosting their own event was transformative for their influence and the community.

4. Embracing (and Surviving) the AI & Automation Boom (14:15 – 19:59)

• AI Fatigue vs. Real Wins:

  • AI and automation dominate headlines, but practical implementation is mixed.
  • Many expensive tools turned out to be “complete busts” (janky, unreliable, overhyped) [14:41]
  • Wary approach: “As contractors, we’re jaded… we’ve been burned by so many vendors.” – Tersh [14:44]

• Bright Spots:

  • b.computer: AI bracelet that records, summarizes, and helps automate personal to-do's for $45–$55. Adds remarkable “external brain” value and daily time savings.
  • “At the end of the day, I get a full summary of all the conversations I had… or I can just have the summary.” – Tersh [17:42]

• Broader Reflection:

  • AI tools are only as good as their practical impact; be skeptical and demand results.

5. Keynote Speaking Growth & Personal Challenges (20:48 – 23:51)

• First Big Keynote:

  • Pre-stage jitters and perspectives: Josh was anxious, Tersh stayed zen, both nailed their 'Optimize, Automate, Delegate' mantra.
  • “I enjoyed just watching you being nervous, because I wasn’t nervous at all.” – Tersh [21:58]

• Lesson:

  • Delivering clear, actionable frameworks and stories proves powerful in moving audiences.

6. 2025 Interview Favorites & Surprising Insights (27:56 – 34:09)

• Top Interview Insights:

  • Mantle: Surprising survey showed referrals/word of mouth (after Google) dominate how homeowners find contractors—underscoring the enduring power of reputation and relationships.
  • “Imagine if you doubled down on the people side of things… those two things alone, you don’t have to worry so much about AI search and Google.” – Josh [29:40]

• Other Recommended Episodes:

  • Mindset:
    • Dustin Van Norman (Rilla Masters) – deep dive on resilience and leadership [32:52]
    • Mike (context: Mindset & overcoming adversity)
  • Industry/AI Impact:
    • David from Pika – state and trajectory of AI in the trades [33:20]

• Tip for New Listeners:

  • Start with episodes that address your current pain point—search by topic at servicebusinessmastery.com.

7. 2025 Challenges: Tariffs, Regulation & Consumer Shifts (34:30 – 39:36)

• “This was the hardest year for contractors since pre-COVID… Price increases, new equipment regulations, AI search, and consumer behavior—it’s all hitting at one time.” – Josh [34:30]
• Emphasized sharing wins in the Facebook group, to help the community stay positive and motivated.

8. Fun & Human Moments (35:30 – 39:36)

• Running joke: Tersh set up an automation to send Josh a daily AI-generated dad joke—Josh’s verdict: “The jokes are getting better… at one point they were all Halloween themed… but it’s improved!” [36:08]
• Banter and reflections on who embarrasses whom more on stage.

9. Looking Ahead: 2026 Excitement & Projects (43:07 – 46:34)

• New AI Product:

  • Announcement of PhoneTap in partnership with Bill Brown—targeting small contractors to democratize powerful automation (43:07)
  • “This product is going to help take care of them [small contractors], and I’m excited to see where it goes.” – Tersh [43:45]

• Trade Automation Pros (TAP) Accelerator:

  • Launch of guided automation programs for businesses wanting to implement AI without overwhelm.
  • Guide-first philosophy: “You need someone that can help you through the journey…” – Josh [45:01]

10. Community Engagement: Questions for Listeners (46:34 – 48:51)

• Where should the podcast focus in 2026?
• Who would you want as a guest—“Anyone, from Joe Rogan to Mike Rowe”—all suggestions welcome! [47:33]
• What changes are you making in your business next year?

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Execution, not Information Overload:

  • “If you do that every single time you listen to an episode… you’re going to look back and, like, see the real growth.” – Josh [06:54]

• On AI Fatigue:

  • “There’s so many people out there that are like, yeah, okay, I paid for that product that’s an AI product. Come to find out it was just an automation product… As contractors, we’re jaded anyways…” – Tersh [14:44]

• On the Surprising Power of Referrals:

  • “Referrals and word of mouth were like number two and three after Google… Imagine if you doubled down on the people side of things…” – Josh [29:03]

• Fun Reveal:

  • “I built an automation several years ago that sends Josh a dad joke every day… thankfully it’s in my personal Zapier account, so Josh can’t turn it off!” – Tersh [35:30]

• On Partnership:

  • “He [Billy Stevens] stopped me a couple years back… you don’t understand the value that you’re putting out there. You need someone to support you financially… That’s how the podcast has grown.” – Tersh [51:25]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:16] – Podcast & Community Growth Recap
• [06:04] – Taking Action, Avoiding Overwhelm
• [10:25] – 2025 Events & Lessons
• [14:15] – AI and Automation: Fatigue vs. Real Tools
• [20:48] – Keynote Speaking Growth & Stage Stories
• [27:56] – Favorite Interviews & Insights (Mantle, Referrals, Mindset)
• [34:30] – The Year's Challenges for Contractors (Tariffs, Regulation, AI)
• [35:30] – Dad Joke Automation & On-Air Fun
• [43:07] – What’s Coming in 2026: PhoneTap, New Accelerator
• [46:34] – Listener Questions & 2026 Community Vision
• [51:25] – Sponsor & Team Thank-Yous

Closing Gratitude & Call to Action

• Deep thanks to listeners, sponsors, team, and each other for a year of support and growth.
• Call for listeners to share their 2025 wins and biggest lessons, favorite podcast moments, and who they want on the show next year.

“We are so blessed with this community, with our team, and with all of you that tune in. Let’s keep growing together in 2026.”

For resources, episode backlog, and community: servicebusinessmastery.com

Join the conversation and share your 2025 win on the Service Business Mastery Facebook group.