To The Point - Home Services Podcast

Episode Title: Paul Kelly is Personally Raising Home Services GOATS!
Air Date: August 26, 2025
Host: Chris (RYNO Strategic Solutions)
Guest: Paul Kelly (Former CEO, Parker & Sons; Wrench Group; Author & Home Services Leader)
Theme: Raising the Next Generation of Home Services GOATS (Greatest Of All Time)

Episode Overview

In this energetic and insightful episode, Chris sits down in-person with industry legend Paul Kelly to discuss his ambitious new initiative: "Raising GOATS"—a transformative program designed to develop the next wave of home service business leaders into genuine industry GOATs (Greatest Of All Time). Paul and Chris break down what sets this initiative apart, the thinking and operational philosophies behind it, and how it's structured to deliver what most industry events and courses never do: ongoing accountability, real transformation, and legacy-grade leadership.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction and Paul Kelly’s Background

• Paul took Parker & Sons from $7 million in 2004 to $250 million+ in a single market, becoming one of the largest independent home services businesses.
• Post-Parker, Paul assumed a guiding role at the Wrench Group, impacting other notable brands.
• Paul on slowing down:

  "I decided over a year ago…to slow things down…start to do some other things in my life…I wanted to golf more, learn Spanish, get back into magic. Guess what—I haven't got to them yet!" (03:04)

• Chris sets the stage for discussing the “Raising GOATS” project.

2. What is ‘Raising GOATS’?

• Not actual goats (!) — but nurturing home services leaders to become the Greatest Of All Time in their market.
• A highly-selective, small-group (20 companies) program with intense, ongoing coaching, peer learning, and legacy-driven leadership.
• In partnership with EGIA, the initiative features a curated coach lineup, including Chris himself, Tommy Mello, Paul’s son Josh Kelly, Drew Cameron, Mark Matteson, and surprise guests.
• Paul frames the mission:

  "Can I, in a short period of time, raise goats… get them thinking differently, implementing at a higher level than ever before, operating and leading like they never have?" (12:19)

3. Why This? Why Now?

• Paul’s Motivation:

  "Everybody likes to leave a mark on their industry [and]…with friends, family, community… I wrote the book, but I wasn't satisfied. I wanted more." (10:33)

• The GOATS program is designed to be Paul’s legacy, helping owners not just succeed, but create generational change for their families and employees.

4. How Raising GOATS is Different

• Unlike trade events or most coaching courses that provide info-dumps with little to no follow-up, Raising GOATS emphasizes:
  • Small cohort size: Individualized attention and tailored coaching
  • Ongoing accountability: After the core week, regular check-ins and one-on-one time
  • Personal business analysis: Paul reviews each participating company’s website, reputation, and situation ahead of time (20:19)
  • Direct problem-solving:

    "We're going to solve some of their company issues and problems right there in the class… not me solving it, but teaching them how to think and solve on their own." (20:30)

  • Empowering leaders to raise more GOATS:

    "You're going to learn how to raise your own goats. This is going to be a movement, not just a class." (67:52)

5. Four Pillars of the Program

• How to Think: Simplifying complex problems, beginning with the end in mind, fast-tracking better critical thinking (33:39)
  • Example: "If you want to solve a puzzle…start at the treasure and work your way back." (34:38)
• How to Implement: Making processes so simple that they're actually executed; focusing on one or two-step solutions, not complex ten-step programs (53:01)
  • Paul’s mantra:

    "Get crazy good at it. Most people don't…They try something, have a meeting, but the hard part is, how do you get it to stick?" (50:45)

• How to Operate: Cliff-notes approach to key business functions—sales, marketing, recruiting, retention.
• How to Lead: Humility, self-awareness, and actionable leadership and communication skills. Emphasis on finding what you’re best at, capitalizing on strengths, and empowering your team (54:43)

6. Program Structure and Experience

• Selective Enrollment: Only 20 companies, ideally $3M+ in revenue (sweet spot $5–10M, but $10M+ companies encouraged), primarily HVAC, plumbing, electrical—some distributors/manufacturers welcome (27:52)
• Event Dates: October 20th–24th, 2025, Scottsdale, Arizona (57:37)
• Includes:
  • On-site training and problem-solving sessions
  • Access to all EGIA learning content
  • Ongoing monthly coaching ($395/month post-event, includes EGIA membership benefits)
  • Quarterly deep-dives & exclusive networking (58:51)
  • Community & fun: includes social dinners, informal hangouts ("If there's one thing we know how to do, it's have fun." 56:56)

7. On Over-Complication and Real-World Application

• Discussion around why businesses struggle to implement: fear of mistakes, returning to routine, over-complicating simple processes (22:11)
• Chris’s example of using a “Right/Wrong/Missing/Confusing” company audit instead of bloated surveys (39:26)
• Both stress simplicity and action over accruing more information:

  "Quit going to all these things and just focus on implementing." (44:11)
  "Ambition without action is useless." (41:18)

• Attendees will leave with clear, actionable steps and the know-how to maintain momentum in their real business settings.

8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chris (to Paul):

  "You’re one of the goats in the industry… The knowledge that's in your head and experience you have, not to mention what you've done with Rhino, is very, very goat-like." (06:44)

• Paul, on the competitive but collaborative nature of the industry:

  "It's not about you win and everybody…loses…It's about cheering everybody on. Everybody wins. The dealer losing, that's what you're looking for." (26:26)

• On teaching others to “raise goats”:

  "People ask me, aren't you afraid of people stealing your special sauce?...No, I want them to steal it. I want our whole industry to get better." (67:52)

• Chris on Paul’s reputation:

  "Who else can get you to a $200 million company that's going to actually be involved in the business and training?" (67:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro, Paul’s background, and Parker & Sons: 02:26–04:42
• Why ‘Raising GOATS’ came to be: 10:25–12:10
• Defining GOATS (Greatest Of All Time): 12:19–14:20
• Program structure, goals, differentiators: 14:20–20:30
• Coach lineup: 18:34
• Eligibility and business size: 27:32–29:49
• Four Pillars & example curriculum: 33:39–46:22
• Discussion on implementation & simplicity: 50:45–53:55
• Leadership and culture: 54:43–56:51
• Event logistics (where, when, cost): 57:37–58:51
• Legacy and opening the "special sauce": 67:52–69:19
• Classic Paul Kelly Clean Joke: 64:52

Closing Details

Dates: October 20–24, 2025
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Cost: $17,500 tuition + $395/month ongoing (includes EGIA membership & resources)
Class Size: Strictly limited to 20 participants
Sign Up: raisinggoats.com

Who Should Apply:
Home services businesses $3M+ rev (focus on HVAC, plumbing, electrical) serious about rapid, sustainable, accountable growth.

Final Memorable Moment

The Classic PK Joke:

"A guy has the interview of his lifetime, can’t find a parking spot, prays to God and promises to reform if a spot opens up. The moment someone pulls out, he says, 'Never mind—I found one!'" (64:52)

Summary Takeaways

If you’re stuck on a revenue plateau, overwhelmed by endless info, or just hungry to break into a higher league—Raising GOATS is built to turn learning into doing, and doing into legacy. Paul Kelly isn’t just raising businesses, he’s raising GOATS who will, in turn, raise the bar for everyone.

Don’t wait—slots are filling fast.

Connect with Paul and the program:
🔗 raisinggoats.com
🦌 Be a GOAT. Raise a GOAT. Leave a legacy.