Episode Summary

Podcast: Living Your Legacy
Host: Rudy Mawer
Guest: Bradley Jacobson (Founder of Ultravac Technologies; Co-founder, Citywide Dryer Vent and Duct Cleaning; DJ "DJC2")
Episode: Duct Cleaning Franchise Architect: Why Caring Became His Strongest Advantage
Date: December 8, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode explores the journey of Bradley Jacobson, an engineer-turned-entrepreneur and DJ, who revolutionized the duct cleaning industry with Ultravac Technologies through an unwavering emphasis on genuine care for customers and partners. Bradley shares insights into his business's rapid growth, his philosophy on partnerships, his passion for music and ongoing learning, and how these combine to form a lasting legacy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Foundations of the Business & Industry Reform

• Caring as the Core Advantage
  • Bradley emphasizes that true growth begins with caring about people—employees, partners, and customers.
  • He describes the duct cleaning industry as previously riddled with dishonesty, often focused on aggressive sales tactics rather than genuine service.
  • Solution: Ultravac implemented flat-rate pricing, high-quality equipment, and hired people who truly care.

    "People will forget what you say, but they'll never forget how you make them feel. And so if you have the right people in the home that give them a good emotional experience, that's the key. ... Anyone can learn a skill but if they care about people. Now that's what we call the Ultravac difference and that's what separated us."
    — Bradley Jacobson (00:36, 07:25)

2. Bootstrapping to Franchise Expansion

• Bradley started by doing everything himself, then quickly brought in his brother as a trusted partner.
• Explosive growth followed due to their integrity-based approach—they quickly expanded to multiple crews, then scaled nationwide in Canada and are now expanding to the US using a franchise model.
• Two models: small/light commercial and industrial scale, with startup equipment costs ranging from ~$15,000 for small setups to ~$60,000 for large industrial trucks (06:13).
• Standard residential job charges $199 per house, takes 60–90 minutes (07:01, 07:08).
• Strong focus on scalability and repeat business, especially via property management and construction partnerships.
• Recurring business: most homes are serviced every two years; some annually, especially when health/allergy or safety is a concern; commercial business is steady due to safety requirements (07:57).
  • He co-founded the National Dryer Vent Safety Association, working with fire departments to promote safety (07:57).

3. System Simplicity and Support

• The system is engineered for easy onboarding:
  • "It's a really simple system. You need to have a powerful vacuum, you need to have a scrubbing system. ... then the proper processes in place to be able to both promote and then to deliver. And you've got the support in place." (05:19)
• Custom, botanical-based disinfectant solutions developed for health-conscious homes (05:19).
• Equipment and process structure allow for rapid learning and implementation.

4. Growth Through Ethical Partnerships & Marketing

• Bradley credits much of their growth to building and nurturing partnerships—with property managers, construction companies, school divisions, and floorers (09:08).
• Partnerships have created a stable, recurring revenue stream.
• Marketing strategies include Google Ads, targeted outreach, and home shows—especially during slow months, to boost brand awareness (09:08).

5. The Power of Collaborative Synergy

• On building strong partnerships:

  "Why would you want to be on your own? ... Water seeks its own level. What I mean by that is if you find people that are successful, you want to be working with them. So you look for companies that share your values, that share your energy, and then you reach out to them saying, hey, we share all of this. Why are we doing this on our own? Let's partner up."
  — Bradley Jacobson (10:59)

• Partnerships aren't just for growth, but for creating a supportive, ethical environment within and around the business.

6. Personal Passions, Learning, and Balance

• Lifelong dedication to music and DJing, including international gigs and collaborations with big names (Paul Brandt, Jason Kirkness). Latest album reached top charts on iTunes (12:03).
• Lifelong learning: MBA with honors and currently pursuing a doctorate, researching how AI can support small businesses while keeping the personal touch (12:03).
• Advocates for the 80/20 rule, leveraging delegation and automation to prevent burnout and maintain balance (13:50).
• Stresses connection with family and support systems as grounding forces (15:02).

  "Living your life to run a business and have your kids, you know, not connect with you breaks my heart. ... What can you do? Because 20% of what you do is what matters. How can you delegate that 80%? How can you automate it? And how can you find ways to be able to find people to encourage the team that you built to do better because you want to replace yourself."
  — Bradley Jacobson (13:50)

7. Maximizing Productivity & Enjoyment

• Describes a typical productive day: setting a daily goal, prioritizing learning, motivating the team, ensuring smooth operations, and achieving work-life balance (15:02).
• Advocates micro-tasking—breaking big projects into manageable steps.

  "You eat an elephant one bite at a time."
  — Bradley Jacobson (15:02)

8. The Meaning of Legacy

• For Bradley, legacy is about making a direct, positive impact on people, not just creating a ripple but making a splash:

  "Instead of making, they say about a ripple in a pond, I say, make a splash. ... Every person you interact with, you can impact, but you got to do it from the heart."
  — Bradley Jacobson (17:44)

• Inspires listeners to recognize their power to uplift others through simple acts of empathy and respect.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Business Foundations:
  "Anyone can learn a skill but if they care about people. Now that's what we call the Ultravac difference and that's what separated us."
  — Bradley Jacobson (00:36, 07:25)

• On Partnerships:
  "If you find people that are successful, you want to be working with them. So you look for companies that share your values, that share your energy..."
  — Bradley Jacobson (10:59)

• On Work-Life Balance:
  "Living your life to run a business and have your kids, you know, not connect with you breaks my heart."
  — Bradley Jacobson (13:50)

• On Legacy:
  "Instead of making, they say about a ripple in a pond, I say, make a splash."
  — Bradley Jacobson (17:44)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:36 – What sets Ultravac apart: caring and the client experience
• 03:52–04:53 – Early days, partnership with his brother, expansion story
• 05:19 – The simple, effective duct-cleaning system and custom technology
• 06:13–07:08 – Cost structure, pricing per house, job logistics, and profitability
• 07:57 – Building repeat business, safety focus, and forming NDVSA
• 09:08 – Lessons from growth: partnerships and marketing strategies
• 10:59 – Partnership philosophy and its broader application
• 12:03 – Pursuit of passions: music, learning, and evolving career
• 13:50–15:02 – Delegation, balance, the 80/20 rule, support systems
• 17:44 – The legacy perspective: making a significant, heartfelt impact

Where to Find Bradley

• Company: ultravac.net
• National Dryer Vent Safety Association: Search "NDVSA"
• Music: djc2music.com or search "DJC2" on streaming platforms
  • Recommended tracks: "Peanut Butter Pickle and Pastrami Panini" (funk) and "Clouds" (electronic worship)

Tone & Final Takeaways

Throughout the episode, Bradley maintains a passionate, approachable, and ethical tone—encouraging entrepreneurs to center their ventures on genuine care, refuse to cut corners, and find synergy with partners both in business and life. His story illustrates that legacy comes from living out your values daily, being generous with support and respect, and pursuing your passions without sacrificing balance or integrity.