HVAC Heroes: Stories of Growth and Success

Alex Van Leeuwen

Details

The HVAC Heroes Podcast is a show created to inspire HVAC contractors to achieve optimal success in their businesses. On this show, we talk with some of the top HVAC companies across the USA to unveil the strategies and decisions they have made to eventually become some of the most successful in the industry. The host, Alex Van Leeuwen, is the Founder of HVAC Marketers, the Digital Marketing Agency for the HVAC industry. On each episode, Alex will be sitting down with industry leaders to talk about their processes, the lessons they learned, and how to find success in HVAC.

Recent Episodes

NOV 4, 2026
The Money Sitting in Your ServiceTitan: Bernie Ollila of Titan Pro on Getting Paid for the Work You Already Did
Every time Bernie Ollila logs into a home service company's ServiceTitan, he finds money on the table. Open estimates nobody followed up on, invoices that never got collected, leads from Google that never got booked. As he puts it, the conversation usually starts with: "Did you know you have $840,000 on the table right now?" Bernie is Head of Partnerships at Titan Pro Technologies, a ServiceTitan consulting firm that helps plumbing, HVAC and electrical companies run the platform the way it was meant to be run. They handle price books, reporting, payroll, Marketing Pro and team training. Before Titan Pro, Bernie spent years on the marketing side at 1SEO, so he's seen both halves of the growth equation. In this episode, Alex and Bernie dig into why ServiceTitan is so often an expensive tool that companies never get their money's worth from. Bernie's analogy: ServiceTitan built the plane, but somebody still has to teach you to fly it. They also cover how to get techs and office staff to follow the process, and why your CRM, not your agency's dashboard, should be the scorecard for every marketing dollar you spend. What You'll Learn: Where the hidden revenue usually sits in ServiceTitan (open estimates, open invoices, unfollowed leads) Who should be your company's "ServiceTitan champion," and why it usually shouldn't be a CSR How to get techs to stop skipping steps that break your revenue reporting Why "Google" as one lead source hides the truth. You need GBP, LSA, PPC and organic broken out. Why the CRM is your no-BS scorecard for marketing, CSRs and sales What keeps $1–8M shops stuck at the same number for years, and how to stop overthinking the next move Connect with Bernie: titanprotechnologies.com HVACMarketers.com The HVAC Heroes Podcast Text Alex @ (513) 845-1675 – Say Hi! I would love to hear your feedback, pros & cons! Please leave us a review!
33 MIN
MAY 23, 2024
Building a Robust HVAC Business: The Right Way to Success
In this episode, Bill Ratliff, owner of Right Way Heating and Cooling, shares his journey of transforming his business philosophy from a focus on profits to building a robust system that prioritizes customer service and employee development. Discover the importance of not cashing out too early, investing in growth, and why a company should be built around systems, not employees. Bill's approach to hiring based on personality and potential, coupled with a comprehensive training program, has led to a team that delivers consistent, high-quality service, reflected in their strong customer ratings. We also explore the challenges of scaling a business, the value of learning from failures, and the significance of making smart decisions based on the wisdom of Luke 14. Bill's story is a testament to the power of persistence, faith, and a clear vision in achieving long-term success. Whether you're starting your HVAC business or aiming to reach new heights, this episode is packed with insights to help you build your 'car' and drive your business forward. Don't miss out on the valuable lessons and strategies shared by one of the industry's most successful leaders. What You'll Learn: The key to building a sustainable HVAC business How to create a system-focused company culture Strategies for effective employee training and development The importance of customer service in business growth Overcoming challenges and learning from business failures HVACMarketers.com The HVAC Heroes Podcast Text Alex @ (513) 845-1675 – Say Hi! I would love to hear your feedback, pros & cons! Please leave us a review!
57 MIN
APR 25, 2024
Skyrocketing Success: How BOSS Services Boosted Growth by Making Customers the Star
In this episode of HVAC Heroes, we delve into the world of HVAC business growth and management. Primarily focusing on marketing strategies, customer engagement, and the challenges of content creation within the home services industry. Jen Wagner shares the journey of the marketing strategies employed by BOSS Services, a home services company. Jen Wagner, Marketing Manager of BOSS Services, emphasizes the importance of community involvement and creating memorable experiences for clients. Using data analytics, the company tailors its marketing efforts based on customer demographics, interests, and behaviors. They have strategic outreach through various channels, including social media, text messaging, and targeted advertising on platforms like Facebook and streaming services. Jen highlights the significance of understanding the customer base to optimize marketing spend and avoid waste. Jen also discusses the value of continuous engagement with existing customers, particularly through maintaining memberships and the challenges of scheduling regular service appointments. They stress the importance of multiple touchpoints and personalized follow-ups to strengthen customer relationships. This approach is reinforced by their responsive customer service, where they send out gift baskets or flowers to address service delays or client life events, fostering long-term loyalty. Additionally, Jen notes that Boss Services analyzes their entire customer list to understand its target audience better and refine its marketing strategies. She underscores the effectiveness of direct mail within certain zip codes and the importance of adapting messaging for different services offered by the company. The episode concludes with a discussion on the proper use of social media, advocating for authenticity and relatability over polished content. Jen suggests incentivizing technicians to provide raw footage for social media to increase engagement and demonstrate the company's services in a relatable manner. HVACMarketers.com The HVAC Heroes Podcast Text Alex @ (513) 845-1675 – Say Hi! I would love to hear your feedback, pros & cons! Please leave us a review!
70 MIN
NOV 21, 2023
Breaking $5 Million: The Art of Community Engagement for HVAC Growth
In this episode of HVAC Heroes, we welcome Krista Landen, the Marketing and IT Manager at Gulfshore Air, who has played a pivotal role in the company's remarkable growth journey. Krista takes us through her 12-year evolution with Gulfshore Air, detailing how the company surged from generating $1.2 million to over $5 million in revenue. This impressive feat was achieved through a blend of innovative marketing strategies and a strong focus on community engagement and customer relationships. Throughout the episode, Krista highlights how Gulfshore Air leveraged customer referrals and local community events to build a trustworthy brand in the HVAC industry. She delves into the art of balancing traditional marketing with digital outreach, and how this mix helped them connect more deeply with their customers. Krista also shares her insights on adapting to market changes and challenges in the HVAC industry, emphasizing the importance of customer-centric approaches in HVAC business growth. You'll gain valuable lessons on using referral programs, social media engagement, and local community participation to bolster business growth. For HVAC business owners aiming to scale their operations while maintaining strong community ties, Krista's story at Gulfshore Air offers an inspiring blueprint for success! HVACMarketers.com The HVAC Heroes Podcast Text Alex @ (513) 845-1675 – Say Hi! We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Please leave us a review and let us know what you think!
57 MIN