• Cancer Survivor. Reality TV Winner. International Speaker. Contractor with 600% Growth. Meet Luke Soderling.Shape
    Jan 30 2026
    Book a free Discovery Call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591 šŸ”— Grab our FREE resource: The Foundation Series, Real strategies to build a business that runs (and grows) without chaos: https://bit.ly/3Yqzow5 At 33, Luke Soderling was running plumbing calls when his mom noticed a lump on his neck. Three days later, a doctor’s voicemail changed everything: stage 3 thyroid cancer. What happened next? Luke didn’t just survive—he went on to win a Discovery Channel survival show, buy his family’s plumbing business, and grow Approve Home Services by 600% in just four years. In this episode of The Successful Contractor, Luke Soderling of Proof Home Services in northern Minnesota shares one of the most remarkable stories we’ve ever featured. From eating caiman in the Amazon to building a thriving plumbing and electrical company an hour south of Canada, to becoming an acclaimed professional speaker, Luke’s journey proves that the mindset you build in crisis becomes the foundation for business success. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • How surviving cancer at 33 reshaped Luke’s approach to life and business—and why he refuses to complain now • Why he competed on The Wheel (Discovery Channel) and survived 60 days alone in South America after beating cancer • The exact steps he took after buying his family business—and how CertainPath helped him hit 600% growth in 4 years • Why ā€œsimply answering the phoneā€ beat every competitor in his small market • How his 14-year-old son with flyers generated $100K in leads (guerrilla marketing that actually works) • The painful truth he avoidedā€”ā€œI didn’t look at the numbers because I didn’t want to knowā€ā€”and how facing it fixed his electrical margins • Why Culture Index and clear core values (ā€œfaith, family, fantastic serviceā€) transformed his hiring • Why he added electrical to his plumbing business—and the $100K wake-up call that proved it was the right move • What he’s learned from Brandon Marshall’s The Lion’s Pride mentorship program • His new BHAG: $10 million in five years Luke’s story is part survival tale, part business masterclass, and 100% proof that with the right mindset, mentors, and systems, any contractor can build something extraordinary. šŸŽ§ Watch now on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform. And don’t forget to subscribe to The Successful Contractor for more interviews that move the needle. Chapters: 00:00 – Stage 3 Cancer at 33: Luke’s Life-Changing Diagnosis 06:37 – How Cancer Changed His Perspective on Life 07:32 – The Wheel: Surviving 60 Days Alone in South America 10:43 – The Hardest Part of Survival (It Wasn’t the Hunger) 12:36 – From Technician to Business Owner: Buying the Family Business 15:04 – $204K to 600% Growth: The CertainPath Turnaround 17:40 – ā€œWe Had No Competitorsā€ – The Power of Answering the Phone 19:24 – Hiring in a Small Market: Culture Index & Core Values 23:21 – Weekly Training: Meet ā€œGladysā€ the Role-Play Customer 26:07 – The Numbers Wake-Up Call: 47% Material Costs 28:27 – Cross-Selling Plumbing & Electrical with Club Memberships 31:02 – Marketing That Works: Billboards, Geo-Targeting & Flyer Walks 34:25 – Why He Added Electrical (And How It’s Going) 37:30 – Leadership Lessons: From 1 Employee to 9 41:40 – Lion’s Pride: What Mentorship With Brandon Marshall Looks Like 43:38 – The Next BHAG: $10 Million in 5 Years Show Notes The Successful Contractor Podcast is a part of the CertainPath family. CertainPath builds successful home service businesses—and has for 25 years. We do it by providing contractors with a proven path to success, professional coaching, software solutions, and a member community of 1,200+ strong. Doubling your sales, with a 20% net profit, and an inspiring company culture is ALL possible. Let us show you the way. With CertainPath, Success is Made Certain. Visit www.mycertainpath.com for more information. FOLLOW CERTAINPATH: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CertainPath LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/certainpath Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/certainpath/ About the Guest: Luke Soderling is the owner of Approve Home Services, a plumbing and electrical company in northern Minnesota. A cancer survivor, Discovery Channel survival show winner, and professional speaker, Luke has grown his business from $204K to over $1M in four years. He’s a three-time Crown Champion and member of Brandon Marshall’s Lion’s Pride program. Connect with Luke: Approve Home Services: https://approvehomeservices.com/ Luke’s YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@LukeSoderling Luke’s Professional Speakers Page: https://lukesoderling.com/
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • Why Daikin Bet Big on R-32 (And What It Means for Your Business)
    Jan 23 2026
    Book a free strategy call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591 Grab our FREE resource: The Foundation Series, Real strategies to build a business that runs (and grows) without chaos: https://bit.ly/3Yqzow5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What if the refrigerant decision you make today determines whether you're ahead of the curve—or scrambling to catch up five years from now? Ben Middleton, National Sales Training Manager for Goodman, Amana, and Daikin, has spent nine years helping contractors navigate the biggest shifts in HVAC. In this episode of The Successful Contractor, Ben breaks down why Daikin chose R-32 over 454B, what that means for your business, and why the contractors who embrace change now will dominate their markets. But this conversation goes far beyond refrigerants. Ben shares how Daikin is revolutionizing HVAC training with virtual reality—yes, actual VR headsets that eliminate distractions and boost retention. He reveals a game-changing rebate tool that finds all 2,000+ utility programs and files the paperwork for you. And he delivers a powerful message about thriving in what he calls the era of 'perma-uncertainty.' What You'll Learn in This Episode: • Why Daikin chose R-32 over 454B—and the real-world benefits contractors are seeing (smaller units, lower cost, proven since 2012) • How to use Daikin's free VR training to get new techs job-ready faster • The Daikin Energy Rebate Center—a tool that finds all available rebates and files the paperwork for homeowners • Why the $2,000 IRA heat pump rebate is going away—and how to use that urgency to close more sales NOW • The financing shift: why 15-year loans are now beating 0% interest (and what it means about affordability) • Ben's 'perma-uncertainty' framework—why NOW is the time to innovate, test, and push the envelope • Why Ben says 'the days of the cube-style unit are numbered'—and how to position yourself as the innovator in your market • Critical advice: have 3-6 months of operating capital in the bank Ben also hosts his own podcast, Accelerated HVAC Success, where he brings in vendors, contractors, and product managers to share what's working right now. Check it out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratedHVACSuccess Resources Mentioned: • R32Reasons.com - Learn why Daikin chose R-32 • HVAC Learning Campus - Free on-demand training and VR simulations • Daikin Energy Rebate Center - Find and file utility rebates automatically Whether you're evaluating refrigerant options, looking for better training tools, or trying to figure out how to close more sales in a tight economy—this episode delivers actionable insights you can use today. Watch now on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform. And don't forget to subscribe to The Successful Contractor for more interviews that move the needle. Chapters: 00:00 - Meet Ben Middleton, National Sales Training Manager at Daikin 02:15 - Time Is the Biggest Barrier to Training 06:28 - Ben's Journey: From Aeronautical Engineering to HVAC Training 09:45 - The Ripple Effect of Great Training 11:41 - Accelerated HVAC Success Podcast 14:36 - Why Daikin Chose R-32 Over 454B 18:30 - R-32 Is Proven Since 2012 19:00 - Market Response to R-32 21:55 - The Financing Shift: 15-Year Loans vs 0% Interest 23:26 - Daikin's Core Value: Absolute Credibility 26:37 - The Days of the Cube-Style Unit Are Numbered 27:50 - Daikin's Training Resources & HVAC Learning Campus 30:50 - The Daikin Energy Rebate Center 31:20 - The $2,000 Heat Pump Rebate Is Going Away 33:49 - VR Training: The Magic School Bus for HVAC 37:15 - Why Retention Is Higher in VR 40:13 - Perma-Uncertainty = Innovation Opportunity Show Notes The Successful Contractor Podcast is a part of the CertainPath family. CertainPath builds successful home service businesses—and has for 25 years. We do it by providing contractors with a proven path to success, professional coaching, software solutions, and a member community of 1,200+ strong. Doubling your sales, with a 20% net profit, and an inspiring company culture is ALL possible. Let us show you the way. With CertainPath, Success is Made Certain. Visit www.mycertainpath.com for more information. FOLLOW CERTAINPATH: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CertainPath LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/certainpath Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/certainpath/
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • How Contractors Grow Through the Hard Stuff | Brandon Marshall
    Jan 13 2026
    Book a free Discovery Call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591 šŸ”— Grab our FREE resource: The Foundation Series, Real strategies to build a business that runs (and grows) without chaos: https://bit.ly/3Yqzow5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brandon Marshall knows leadership in the trades isn’t just about KPIs and schedules — it’s about people. And people bring stress, purpose, and pressure with them every day. As the Transformational Leadership Mentor with CertainPath, Brandon has worked with countless contractors to help them grow not just as professionals, but as human beings. In this conversation, he shares how leaders in home services can learn to manage stress, lead with purpose, and build lasting cultures that truly pour into others. • Why most contractor stress doesn’t come from the job • How to build ā€œmini leadersā€ who multiply your culture • Why accountability without leadership never works • How to create a team culture that runs deeper than systems • What Brandon learned about leadership from the pulpit to the trades • Why Lion’s Pride was built — and what it’s doing for service leaders If you’re a contractor who feels the weight of leadership, this conversation will speak directly to you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • How to identify the real source of stress on your team • What it means to ā€œpour intoā€ people as a home service leader • Why culture is like a river — and how to shape its flow • The power of mentoring vs. managing • Why Brandon believes leadership is a calling, not a role Want More Support Growing Your Business? When you join CertainPath, you’re not just getting coaching and training. You’re getting access to our Partner Network—120 vendor partners, including solutions like Reins, offering exclusive discounts and rebates on the tools and services you’re already using. Last year alone, our members earned back over $10 MILLION in rebates. That’s more cash in your business—and more partners helping you grow, profit, and scale. Book your free Discovery Call to learn how we can help you level up: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591 Chapters TBD Show Notes The Successful Contractor Podcast is a part of the CertainPath family. CertainPath builds successful home service businesses—and has for 25 years. We do it by providing contractors with a proven path to success, professional coaching, software solutions, and a member community of 1,200+ strong. Doubling your sales, with a 20% net profit, and an inspiring company culture is ALL possible. Let us show you the way. With CertainPath, Success is Made Certain. Visit www.mycertainpath.com for more information. FOLLOW CERTAINPATH: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CertainPath Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/certainpath Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/certainpath/
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • How Kelson Carter Built an $11M Plumbing Company Debt-Free
    Dec 19 2025

    Book a free Discovery Call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591

    šŸ”— Grab our FREE resource: The Foundation Series, Real strategies to build a business that runs (and grows) without chaos: https://bit.ly/3Yqzow5

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Kelson Carter built an $11M plumbing company — without ever offering HVAC or taking on debt. And he’s done it while only 35 years old.

    As a third-generation plumber and owner of Carter’s My Plumber in Indianapolis, Kelson has taken bold, focused action to grow fast and profitably. In this episode, he shares how he:

    • Grew a plumbing-only company to $11M, completely debt-free
    • Branded his business around water heaters and a $500 guarantee
    • Closes 60% of water heater sales over the phone
    • Trains every week and manages his team daily with KPIs
    • Promotes future leaders, not just top-performing techs
    • Uses specific systems to scale with structure and confidence

    If you're a plumbing contractor ready to grow without chaos — this one's for you.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    • The water heater sales strategy that changed Kelson’s business
    • Why ā€œguys with billsā€ are his best hires
    • How to create team-wide accountability through leadership
    • The value of weekly training and daily coaching
    • Why CertainPath has been key to staying consistent while scaling fast

    Want More Support Growing Your Business?

    When you join CertainPath, you’re not just getting coaching and training. You’re getting access to our Partner Network—120 vendor partners, including solutions like Reins, offering exclusive discounts and rebates on the tools and services you’re already using.

    Last year alone, our members earned back over $10 MILLION in rebates.

    That’s more cash in your business—and more partners helping you grow, profit, and scale.

    Book your free Discovery Call to learn how we can help you level up: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591

    Chapters

    TBD

    Show Notes

    The Successful Contractor Podcast is a part of the CertainPath family. CertainPath builds successful home service businesses—and has for 25 years. We do it by providing contractors with a proven path to success, professional coaching, software solutions, and a member community of 1,200+ strong. Doubling your sales, with a 20% net profit, and an inspiring company culture is ALL possible. Let us show you the way. With CertainPath, Success is Made Certain. Visit www.mycertainpath.com for more information.

    FOLLOW CERTAINPATH:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CertainPath

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/certainpath

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/certainpath/

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 11 mins
  • $0 to $21M: How Brett Hadley is Growing a Great Company—and Great Humans
    Dec 12 2025

    Book a free Discovery Call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591

    šŸ”— Grab our FREE resource: The Foundation Series, Real strategies to build a business that runs (and grows) without chaos: https://bit.ly/3Yqzow5

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    How do you grow a home services company to $21 million in revenue—and still stay true to your values?

    In this episode, Bob Houchin sat down with Brett Hadley, president of Mountain Home Services in Ogden, Utah. Brett shares how he:

    • Navigated a major company merger
    • Rebuilt his team’s culture from the ground up
    • Built a high-performing business by hiring for character, not just skill

    You’ll hear how he overcame marketing breakdowns, aligned two companies into one mission, and scaled sustainably—all while developing leaders and ā€œgreat humansā€ along the way.

    This is a must-listen for any contractor who wants to grow without losing what matters most.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    • How Brett helped scale Mountain Home to $21M in revenue
    • His strategy for merging companies while protecting team culture
    • Why ā€œhumble, hungry, and smartā€ beats any resume
    • How to lead through marketing chaos and operational setbacks
    • Systems and leadership habits that make scaling sustainable
    • What’s next for Brett and Mountain Home Services

    Want More Support Growing Your Business?

    When you join CertainPath, you’re not just getting coaching and training. You’re getting access to our Partner Network—120 vendor partners, including solutions like Reins, offering exclusive discounts and rebates on the tools and services you’re already using.

    Last year alone, our members earned back over $10 MILLION in rebates.

    That’s more cash in your business—and more partners helping you grow, profit, and scale.

    Book your free Discovery Call to learn how we can help you level up: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591

    Chapters

    TBD

    Show Notes

    The Successful Contractor Podcast is a part of the CertainPath family. CertainPath builds successful home service businesses—and has for 25 years. We do it by providing contractors with a proven path to success, professional coaching, software solutions, and a member community of 1,200+ strong. Doubling your sales, with a 20% net profit, and an inspiring company culture is ALL possible. Let us show you the way. With CertainPath, Success is Made Certain. Visit www.mycertainpath.com for more information.

    FOLLOW CERTAINPATH:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CertainPath

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/certainpath

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/certainpath/

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 35 mins
  • How Smart Contractors Lock in Their Top Employees with Phantom Equity
    Nov 21 2025

    Book a free Discovery Call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591

    šŸ”— Grab our FREE resource: The Foundation Series, Real strategies to build a business that runs (and grows) without chaos: https://bit.ly/3Yqzow5

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    What if you could retain 94% of your key employees—without giving up a single share of equity?

    In this episode, we sit down with Chris Buttenham, Co-Founder of Reins, a game-changing platform that helps home service contractors create performance-based incentives like phantom equity and profit sharing—without the complexity, confusion, or legal risk.

    Reins makes it dramatically easier to set up and manage profit-sharing plans—giving you a powerful way to reward performance without getting buried in spreadsheets or back-end admin. Whether it’s short- or long-term incentives, Reins handles the heavy lifting so you can focus on running your business.

    Chris shares how growing up in a contractor household inspired him to tackle one of the industry’s toughest challenges: employee retention. You’ll learn how the most forward-thinking contractors are locking in their top techs and leaders—while keeping full control of their businesses.

    šŸ”‘ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    • Why traditional equity doesn’t work for most contractors
    • How phantom stock creates buy-in without ownership
    • Why profit sharing is powerful—and how Reins makes it easy
    • The incentive system behind 94% employee retention
    • How to align your team without giving up equity
    • Real-world examples of contractors using this strategy today

    šŸ’¼ Want More Support Growing Your Business?

    When you join CertainPath, you’re not just getting coaching and training. You’re getting access to our Partner Network—120 vendor partners, including solutions like Reins, offering exclusive discounts and rebates on the tools and services you’re already using.

    Last year alone, our members earned back over $10 MILLION in rebates.

    That’s more cash in your business—and more partners helping you grow, profit, and scale.

    Book your free Discovery Call to learn how we can help you level up: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591

    Show Notes

    The Successful Contractor Podcast is a part of the CertainPath family. CertainPath builds successful home service businesses—and has for 25 years. We do it by providing contractors with a proven path to success, professional coaching, software solutions, and a member community of 1,200+ strong. Doubling your sales, with a 20% net profit, and an inspiring company culture is ALL possible. Let us show you the way. With CertainPath, Success is Made Certain. Visit www.mycertainpath.com for more information.

    FOLLOW CERTAINPATH:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CertainPath

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/certainpath

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/certainpath/

    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • How Leadership, Training, & Systems Took Ongaro & Sons to $40M | with CGO Nick Hartman
    Nov 14 2025

    Book a free Discovery Call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591

    šŸ”— Grab our FREE resource: The Foundation Series, Real strategies to build a business that runs (and grows) without chaos: https://bit.ly/3Yqzow5

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    What does it take to grow a home service business to $40 million—without chasing headcount or cutting corners?

    In this episode, Nick Hartman, CGO at Ongaro & Sons, shares how a relentless focus on leadership, training, and accountability helped the company scale across HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. From record-breaking margins to life-changing employee outcomes, this is a playbook for contractors who want to grow the right way.

    Whether you're leading a $2M shop or managing multiple trades, you’ll walk away with clear, proven strategies to elevate your team, improve operations, and build a people-powered company that lasts.

    šŸš€ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
    • How Ongaro & Sons grew to $40M by developing leaders at every level
    • The systems behind 25% net profit and $1.7M+ months in HVAC
    • Why growing your people can unlock exponential company growth
    • The impact of growth plans—from new homes to reunited families
    • How to lead managers so they lead their teams
    • What it looks like to scale HVAC success into plumbing & electrical
    • The role of trust, training, and communication in high-performing teams
    • How culture drives results—and breaks sales records

    šŸ’” This is how you scale with intention. This is how you build something that lasts.

    šŸ’” Want insider strategies from operators like Nick Hartman?


    CertainPath members get access to leaders like Nick at our twice-annual Expos—where contractors come to learn, level up, and lead.

    Chapters

    TBD

    Show Notes

    The Successful Contractor Podcast is a part of the CertainPath family. CertainPath builds successful home service businesses—and has for 25 years. We do it by providing contractors with a proven path to success, professional coaching, software solutions, and a member community of 1,200+ strong. Doubling your sales, with a 20% net profit, and an inspiring company culture is ALL possible. Let us show you the way. With CertainPath, Success is Made Certain. Visit www.mycertainpath.com for more information.

    FOLLOW CERTAINPATH:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CertainPath

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/certainpath

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/certainpath/

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 38 mins
  • Adapt or Die: AI & Content Marketing for Contractors with Marcus Sheridan
    Oct 31 2025

    Book a free Discovery Call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591

    šŸ”— Grab our FREE resource: The Foundation Series, Real strategies to build a business that runs (and grows) without chaos: https://bit.ly/3Yqzow5

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    What do you do when your business is on the brink—and you’re out of options? If you’re Marcus Sheridan, you lean all the way into your buyer, start answering the tough questions no one else will touch, and transform your company into a national brand.

    Marcus is the author of They Ask, You Answer and Endless Customers, a globally recognized speaker, and a partner in multiple companies. But his journey began in the trenches—saving a struggling pool company in the wake of the 2008 crash by becoming radically transparent and customer-obsessed.

    In this no-fluff interview, Marcus shares exactly how home service contractors can grow faster, gain trust, and dominate their market using content, video, and AI. Whether you're a one-truck operation or a $100M business, these insights will help you level up—fast.

    šŸš€ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
    • How Marcus saved his pool business from bankruptcy with content
    • Why most contractors still don’t talk pricing—and how it’s costing them
    • What the ā€œBig 5ā€ questions are—and why you must answer them
    • The easiest way to start creating high-impact content TODAY
    • Why ā€œcommunion, not charismaā€ is the key to winning over homeowners
    • How to use video and AI tools to scale trust and authority
    • The mindset shift that separates great contractors from good ones
    • Why training your team to think like buyers changes everything
    • How to make complex services simple—and close more work

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins