Mission Control

Podcast

Mike sits down with three titans of the roofing industry: Eric Reno from Paramount Roofing, Austin Fricker from A. Fricker Roofing & Waterproofing, and Connor Rodich from Executive Partners. They discuss hiring strategies, building systems and processes, team development, and selling roofing companies.

Mike is joined by Corey Combes, owner of SouthShore Roofing & Exteriors, and employment lawyer James O’Connor from Phillips Lytle LLP. They discuss the important business decision of when to transition contractors from 1099 to W-2 employee status. James provides valuable legal insights into employment regulations that every business owner should understand.

Mike interviews Corey Combes, founder of SouthShore Roofing & Exteriors in Tampa, Florida. Corey shares valuable insights on building a premier roofing company from the ground up. The conversation covers his best tips and strategies for success in the roofing industry.

Mike is joined by entrepreneur Matthew Danskin, who has played roles in companies like The Building Experts Institute, Boom Institute, and Restoration Referral System. Matt teaches restoration contractors how to develop productive referral relationships and shares insights into producing high-quality online instructional content. The conversation explores AI, the future of technology, and the challenges of raising children in the digital age.

Ascend Digital Experts hosts Stephen Spence from Project Map It for a podcast and basketball showdown. Project Map It is an interactive mapping tool that showcases previous work and helps customers search by area and project category. Stephen shares his journey from being a math teacher for 20 years to successfully launching his mapping platform.

Mike sits down with Stephen Spence, who runs Project Map It, an interactive map tool that showcases previous work and lets customers search by area, project category, or product type. The platform helps businesses enhance their web presence with SEO and show prospective customers their company’s presence in their neighborhood. Stephen shares his entrepreneurial journey and the struggles he faced building his technology-focused business.

Mike interviews Daniel Tighe, Florida’s premier hurricane claims lawyer with over a decade of experience and hundreds of millions recovered. They discuss how Daniel got started in the industry and provide insights into how insurance companies have changed in recent years. The conversation also covers exposing fraud and other key developments in Florida property damage claims management.

Mike interviews Matt Kulhaneck, who runs All Access Builders in Buffalo, NY. Matt shares his unique journey from working in marketing for contractors to becoming a contractor himself. He discusses the struggles and triumphs he’s experienced throughout his transition and provides insights into running a successful contracting business.

Mike is joined by guest Jonathan Cater to review a list of the top 10 best jobs in 2024 and share their thoughts on each position. The list is heavily focused on the tech sector, covering roles from data scientists to content creators.

In this episode, Mike sits down with Eric Reno, founder and president of Paramount Roofing in Detroit. They discuss the benefits of offering roof repair as a service and the best ways to get started with it. Eric shares insights from his many years of experience running a roofing business.

Mike interviews Stephen Spence, Managing Director at Project Map It, about leveraging software to increase contractor sales. They discuss how many contractors underutilize their CRM and software capabilities, only scratching the surface of what’s possible. The conversation emphasizes the importance of proper training and maximizing software benefits as businesses grow to avoid future operational headaches.

In this episode, Mike invites Tim Brown, owner and CEO of Hook Agency, to discuss lead generation. Tim shares insightful tips on what you should be cautious about when buying seller leads. They also dive into the importance of referrals and why they should remain a significant focus even when business is booming.

Mike Stearns answers 18 audience-submitted questions covering digital marketing topics, AI in marketing, Google Ads vs Local Services ROI, website building strategies, and client branding challenges. The episode features a mix of serious marketing insights and lighthearted personal questions about his hair and lifestyle.

Mike interviews Drew Paetow, President of Best Exteriors INC and former GAF territory manager, about transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship in the roofing industry. They discuss customer buying behavior, business optimization through competition, and essential questions to ask manufacturers. The conversation covers marketing strategies, handling difficult customers, building referrals, and key lessons for growing a roofing business.

Expert content coach Jonathan Cater interviews Mike Stearns about his journey in the contracting industry and the development of Ascend Digital Agency. They discuss cold-calling strategies, sales psychology, SEO tools, handling negative reviews, and the standards contractors should expect when working with digital agencies. Mike shares insights on building converting ads, creating content, establishing trust in the roofing industry, and growing businesses with and without marketing companies.

In today’s episode, we revisit some of Mike’s most memorable interviews, bringing you the top highlights from each. This compilation showcases the best moments and insights from previous conversations with various guests.

Dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey of Brock McClelland, who remarkably scaled his business to 7 figures in just 3 years. In this exclusive interview with Ascend Digital Agency, Brock reveals the secrets, strategies, and mindsets that propelled him to the elite league of 7-figure contractors. Learn about Brock’s proven strategies to fast-track business growth, crucial mindset shifts for scaling, and real-world challenges he overcame.

Mike breaks down how investing in quality services and products benefits businesses more than short-term cost-cutting measures. He explains how cheaping out on business expenses actually costs companies more money in the long run.

Mike interviews Dan Antonelli, author of Branded Not Blanded, about home service contractor branding strategies for 2023. Dan discusses the importance of brand identity, consumer psychology, and modernizing communication approaches. The conversation covers everything from choosing business names and colors to rebranding processes and targeting the right audience.

In this solo episode, Mike shares a lesson on not skipping leg day in business. A well-rounded and prosperous business relies on the cultivation of all its facets, not just a singular focus. By nurturing various components of your business, you ensure an evergreen and adaptable business that can weather challenges and take opportunities.