Everyday Excellence

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Nicholas Lesko, owner of Texas Patriot Contracting LLC and founder of Patriot Power Washing, two veteran-owned businesses serving Central Texas.

Nicholas shares his journey from serving in the U.S. Army and graduating from West Point to building a construction management business and launching a residential and commercial exterior cleaning company.

He explains how servant leadership, humility, and strong relationships have helped him grow his businesses, including building a lean contracting model through trusted subcontractors and learning to balance competitive pricing with profitability.

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In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Mitch Allen, founder and Head Elf of HireSanta.

Mitch shares how an unexpected opportunity to dress as Santa evolved into a global Santa staffing business, and how he used digital marketing, SEO, and lead generation to build a highly specialized company around a niche market.

He explains why customer acquisition is at the core of every business, how HireSanta built a network of professional entertainers while maintaining a consistent customer experience, and how Shark Tank helped accelerate the company’s visibility and growth.

Mi...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Adam Stokes, owner of Maverick Cleaning Solutions LLC.

Adam shares his journey from working traditional jobs to launching his own carpet cleaning business in Caldwell, Idaho, and the lessons he has learned during his first year as an entrepreneur.

He discusses the challenges of building a customer base with a limited marketing budget, using door hangers, referrals, Angi leads, Google Local Services Ads, and online reviews to grow his business.

Adam also explains how specializing in pet stains and urine treatment helps differentiate...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Christina Gianfrancesco and Ari Hinrichs, co-owners of Hammerhead Window Cleaning.

They share the story of building a family-owned window cleaning and pressure washing business in Southwest Florida from the ground up, starting with industry experience but little local network or business infrastructure.

Christina and Ari discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, including finding customers, overcoming the challenges of seasonality, balancing residential and commercial work, and building a reliable network through local relationships and consistent outreach.

They also explain how they divide responsibilities within the...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Ax Torres, President and Co-Owner of Pristine Remodeling, LLC.

Ax shares his journey from growing up around entrepreneurship and learning the fundamentals of sales and customer service at his family’s flea market businesses to serving in the Air Force, managing large-scale construction operations, and ultimately building his own remodeling company in Central Florida.

He discusses how his logistics background shaped the way he approaches efficiency, pricing, staffing, and project management, as well as the lessons he learned about leadership and personal well-being while managing hi...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Nicole Aquilina, owner of Dust to Glory, a residential and commercial cleaning company serving Livingston and Oakland Counties in Howell, Michigan.

Nicole shares how she turned a job loss and a single unemployment check into a thriving small business, and what it took to go from cleaning every home herself to leading a team of 17 before intentionally scaling back to seven.

She breaks down why she now hires for character, honesty, and reliability over cleaning skill, how she builds a family-like culture that keeps employees...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Tanner Tennyson, Owner of Integrity Roofing & Construction.

Tanner shares the journey behind building a purpose-driven roofing and construction company, from overcoming major personal and professional setbacks to growing Integrity into a multi-location business built around quality, accountability, and community impact.

He explains why investing in great people and paying them well is central to the company’s growth, how a high-performance culture can balance competition with humility and transparency, and why “getting it right” matters more than simply “being right.”

Tanner also discusses Integrity’...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Matt Balducci, owner of HomeHero Roofing.

They explore Matt’s entrepreneurial journey from building and selling his first home service company to scaling HomeHero Roofing, growing a restoration coaching business, and launching The Lighthouse Brotherhood.

Matt shares lessons from major business failures, including losing the financial proceeds from a company sale, and explains how those experiences shaped his approach to leadership, partnerships, and business exits. He also discusses the importance of partnering with people who complement your skill set, building systems and processes as a co...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Jackie Sorensen, third-generation owner of Thorson Heating & AC.

They explore what it takes to take over and grow a multi-generational HVAC business while building a leadership style of your own.

Jackie shares the challenges of family business succession, transitioning from hands-on technician to business owner, and learning to lead through financial, operational, and people-management decisions. She also discusses competing on value rather than price, building a strong company culture, using social media and AI to improve marketing and customer experience, and creating more opportunities for...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Mike Venidis, owner of Good Golly Garage Doors in Phoenix, Arizona.

Mike shares his journey from spending 13 years in digital marketing and helping scale a home services agency to building and operating a garage door business firsthand. They explore the realities of moving from advising entrepreneurs to becoming an operator, including the importance of execution, customer experience, premium positioning, and understanding the full weight of running a business.

Mike also explains Good Golly Garage Doors’ unique family-owned, independently operated network model, its approach to building a...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Michael Marvon, owner and Lucas Jones, Marketing Director of Smiley Drain.

Michael shares the entrepreneurial journey behind building a marketing-focused plumbing and drain cleaning business, from becoming a licensed plumber at 22 to developing a brand designed around customer psychology, efficiency, and local market presence.

The conversation explores why Michael believes entrepreneurs should “bet on themselves,” how focusing on efficiency can be more valuable than simply pursuing growth, and why building the right team is essential to long-term success.

Michael and Lucas also break down...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Jim Caragianes, CEO of Rose’s Cleaning Inc.

They explore how Jim and his wife Rose grew a grassroots cleaning business into a 30+ employee company while maintaining a strong focus on quality, trust, training, and customer relationships.

Jim shares insights on building a high-trust team for a business that operates inside customers’ homes, why evaluating each home personally leads to better service and pricing, and how Rose’s Cleaning approaches sustainable growth without expanding faster than its team and systems can support.

Jim also d...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Jim Caragianes, CEO of Rose’s Cleaning Inc.

They explore how Jim and his wife Rose grew a grassroots cleaning business into a 30+ employee company while maintaining a strong focus on quality, trust, training, and customer relationships.

Jim shares insights on building a high-trust team for a business that operates inside customers’ homes, why evaluating each home personally leads to better service and pricing, and how Rose’s Cleaning approaches sustainable growth without expanding faster than its team and systems can support.

Jim also d...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Chris Edwards, Co-Founder and Head of Installs of Right This Way Flooring.

Chris shares his journey from corporate finance and consulting into entrepreneurship, including acquiring a flooring business with no prior industry experience, growing EBITDA by 2x, successfully exiting, and then returning to the industry to build Right This Way Flooring from the ground up.

The conversation explores the realities of entrepreneurship through acquisition, the importance of systems and accountability in small business, and how improving processes and customer experience can drive profitability and growth. <...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Stephanie Allen, Co-Founder & Operations leader of AirWorks Solutions, Inc.

Stephanie shares how she and her husband, Kevin, built a family-owned HVAC and plumbing company around relationships, operational discipline, and a “better together” culture.

She discusses the realities of scaling a trades business, including why operational excellence in HVAC needs to come before aggressively expanding into plumbing, how AirWorks uses profit sharing to create a stronger sense of ownership across the team, and what she learned after an ambitious EOS implementation nearly pushed the business into fina...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Lisa Farley and Dean Wilkinson, owners of Accurate Door. They explore how Lisa and her team have transformed a long-standing Chicagoland garage door business through leadership, personal development, and a growth-focused company culture.

Lisa and Dean share how Accurate Door is evolving from a traditional workplace into a “growth space,” where accountability, emotional intelligence, and continuous development help employees grow both personally and professionally.

The conversation also covers building a remarkable customer experience, adapting to changing customer behavior, using technology and AI in marketing, navigating risi...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Matthew Green, owner of Blue Duck, a Central Indiana home services company specializing in lawn care, pest control, and Christmas lighting.

Green shares the story behind rebuilding his business after growing his original lawn care company to more than $1 million, explaining why narrowing 23 services down to three core areas became a critical step toward profitable growth and a stronger team.

Green discusses how Blue Duck uses daily video content, SEO, AEO, Google Business Profiles, customer reviews, and AI to establish local authority and generate leads...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Matthew Efird, owner of Lighting Pros and Mosquito Joes.

Matthew shares how he transformed the seasonal challenges of his Mosquito Joe franchise into an opportunity to build a year-round outdoor lighting business, eventually growing Lighting Pros into a franchise organization. He explains the importance of creating complementary business models, maintaining clear brand separation, and knowing when to focus on a core service rather than chasing every revenue opportunity.

Matthew also shares hard-earned lessons on delegation, developing leaders, and building a company culture around clearly defined...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Tiffany Bailey, CEO and co-owner of Bayside Sod Inc.

Tiffany shares her journey of taking over her family’s fifth-generation sod business and transforming it from a traditional B2B sod farm into a diversified company offering delivery, installation, commercial services, and turf care.

They explore the challenges of growing a family business, including transitioning leadership from one generation to the next, navigating family partnerships, managing resistance to change, and building a company culture centered on accountability and clear goals. Tiffany also explains how Bayside So...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Zane Fonseca, General Manager of Landry Mechanical Inc. Plumbing HVAC & Electric.

Zane shares how his experience owning a plumbing company shaped his approach to leadership and helped him navigate the growth of Landry Mechanical from a small home services business into an approximately $18 million HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company.

He discusses the importance of building a strong company culture, establishing daily huddles and accountability systems, and using real-time business data to make better operational decisions. Zane also explains how Landry Mechanical approaches marketing as a...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Jeremiah Wallace, founder and owner of Wallace Roofing & Exterior Construction.

Jeremiah shares his journey from overcoming addiction and building a successful martial arts business to launching a customer-first construction company focused on roofing, siding, windows, gutters, and exterior remodeling throughout the greater Seattle area. He discusses how the discipline, leadership, and systems he developed as a martial arts instructor became the foundation for growing his business, why educating homeowners instead of simply selling to them builds long-term trust, and how he transitioned from knocking on doors to...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Christopher Black, owner of Mighty Dog Roofing of Waynesboro.

Christopher shares his unconventional journey from a 35-year career in IT, cybersecurity, enterprise sales, and consulting to building a thriving home services business focused on creating long-term wealth through entrepreneurship. He explains why he chose the franchise model, how his philosophy that “the first to educate wins” has become the foundation of his customer-first sales approach, and why educating homeowners creates stronger trust than traditional selling.

Todd and Christopher also explore the realities of growing a fami...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Mitch Smedley, founder of Trade Wins Consulting and co-owner of Smedley Plumbing.

Mitch shares how he launched a plumbing company during the uncertainty of 2020, grew it into a successful business, and sold a majority stake just five years later—all while building a coaching business dedicated to helping trades entrepreneurs scale with confidence.

Mitch also breaks down practical marketing strategies that helped increase average ticket values through video-first content, explains how to accurately measure marketing performance, and offers valuable lessons on preparing a business for sa...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Jason Nemes, Founder & CEO of Summit Solutions Roofing & Construction.

Jason shares his unconventional journey from network marketing to building one of the fastest-growing roofing companies in Texas, revealing how personal development, disciplined leadership, and a commitment to integrity have fueled the company’s rapid expansion. He discusses the competitive realities of the roofing industry, why door-to-door sales and relationship building continue to outperform many digital marketing tactics, and how his PAID core values—Positivity, Adaptability, Integrity, and Discipline—shape every aspect of his business.

Jason also r...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Tim Kanak, President and Owner of Perkins Roofing Corp. Tim shares his remarkable journey from aspiring educator to transforming a small, family-owned roofing company into a multi-branch business with a growing franchise model.

He explains how modernizing operations, implementing scalable systems, and building a culture rooted in accountability, transparency, and communication helped drive the company’s rapid growth.

Tim discusses the unique challenges of roofing in Florida, the importance of maintaining quality over competing on price, lessons learned through entrepreneurship, and how proven systems have en...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Kassandra Hornik, owner of Honey Go Fix It, a residential plumbing company based in Dayton, Ohio.

They explore what it really takes to build and scale a home service business from the ground up, including the realities of launching a company and initially struggling with zero inbound calls, and the marketing systems required to generate consistent demand through channels like Google Local Services Ads and pay-per-click advertising.

Kassandra also breaks down how focusing on operational excellence and staying disciplined about service offerings—rather than expanding to...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Brent Garrett, entrepreneur, business coach, author, and president of Sirius Plumbing & Air Conditioning, Inc.

Brent shares practical lessons from building, scaling, and selling businesses, explaining how entrepreneurs can successfully navigate the challenging stage between startup and sustainable growth.

The conversation explores the importance of developing repeatable systems, building a strong company culture, and transitioning from being the person who does everything to becoming a leader who empowers a high-performing team.

Brent also discusses why business owners must prioritize strong sales, effective leadership, strategic...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Jeremy and Joy Griffin, owners of Griffin Plumbing, Inc. and NuFlow Central Coast.

They discuss how they transformed a long-running family plumbing company into a thriving residential service business while building a strong company culture focused on leadership, training, and customer experience.

Jeremy and Joy share lessons learned from transitioning away from new construction into residential service, the importance of delegation and hiring the right people, and how systems, coaching organizations, and leadership development helped them scale the business over the last two decades.

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Michael Budd, owner of Budd’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. They explore how a family-run trade business evolved from decades in new construction into a modern, service-focused operation built for scalability, trust, and operational efficiency.

Michael shares how shifting away from construction allowed the company to focus on higher-control service work, while also expanding into HVAC to create new growth opportunities and improve customer reach.

The discussion also dives into the importance of building measurable marketing systems with true ROI tracking, enabling data-driven decisions that eliminate gu...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Mehdi Khachani, owner of Sunny Bliss Plumbing and Air.

The conversation dives deep into the modern transformation of the HVAC and plumbing industry, highlighting how private equity roll-ups, acquisition-driven growth, and operational scalability are reshaping the trades.

Mehdi also breaks down how Sunny Bliss uses data-driven decision-making, weekly P&L tracking, and structured systems to manage high job volume and improve efficiency. A major focus of the episode is digital marketing strategy, including the role of Google Business Profile optimization, PPC, Local Service Ads, and...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Matt Blauch, President and owner of Blauch Brothers, a multi-generational mechanical contracting company specializing in commercial HVAC, plumbing, and industrial construction services.

They explore how Blauch Brothers has evolved from a small family plumbing business founded in 1954 into a 145-person organization serving Virginia and West Virginia, while maintaining its core values across three generations of leadership.

Matt shares insights into navigating a family business transition, including how he and his brother stepped into ownership roles while their father prepared for retirement, and how implementing the...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Colby Tolbert, owner of Tolbert Garage Door. They explore the foundations of building a successful service-based business in a competitive market, including how Tolbert scaled operations across North Texas by serving both residential and commercial clients while maintaining a strong focus on consistency, customer trust, and operational discipline.

Colby also shares insights on leadership and company culture, emphasizing the importance of daily in-person team meetings to set the tone, build morale, and strengthen communication across his workforce.

The episode further dives into his entrepreneurial background...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Noe Madrigal, owner of A&A Roofing Services. They explore how a relationship-first philosophy became the foundation of a rapidly growing roofing company serving Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Noe breaks down how a single referral opportunity changed the trajectory of his career and ultimately led him to acquire the business at just 22 years old.

Noe shares how A&A Roofing Services scaled to millions in revenue while maintaining a strong referral-driven model, with approximately 70% of business coming from repeat customers and referrals.

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Dan Hanson, owner of All By Design KC. They explore the intersection of creativity and technical expertise in landscape design, and how hands-on construction experience directly improves design outcomes. Daniel shares how working in the field—from building patios and retaining walls to understanding real-world site conditions—shapes more practical, buildable, and effective designs.

He also breaks down his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting how he started his business while still employed elsewhere, the importance of taking action before everything feels perfect, and why communicating your work and consistently putt...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Shane Baldwin, owner of SilverSage ZeroScape InDesign. The conversation explores the evolution of a mission-driven landscaping business specializing in drought-tolerant and water-wise design, and how shifting environmental pressures in the American West are reshaping the industry.

Shane shares how the company has grown from a small startup into a structured team by staying focused on its core expertise rather than trying to serve every type of client or project.

Key insights include the importance of charging for consultations and design work to properly value time...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Eric Soles, owner of ITM Landscape, a full-service landscaping and outdoor design company serving the North Atlanta market. They explore how ITM Landscape has built a reputation for transforming residential properties through custom install design and ongoing maintenance services, with a strong focus on creating functional and elevated outdoor living spaces.

Eric shares insights into the company’s core offerings, including backyard makeovers that range from patios and porches to roofline extensions, water features, and custom outdoor enhancements designed to extend how homeowners experience their outdoor environments.

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Brad Brown, Vice President of Operations of Southern Classic Landscape. They explore how a service-based business defines and identifies high-quality leads in a competitive landscaping market, and why not all inquiries translate into real opportunities.

Brad Brown breaks down the difference between price-driven prospects and well-qualified clients who arrive with researched expectations, realistic budgets, and clear project intent.

The discussion also dives into how effective marketing should attract informed buyers rather than volume-based inquiries, and how businesses can refine their lead qualification process to improve...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Kevin Runyon, owner of Custom Creations Landscaping and Lawn. They explore how Kevin built a long-standing landscaping business rooted in craftsmanship, precision, and a hands-on leadership style that prioritizes quality over rapid expansion.

Kevin shares how his approach to “quality control” means being involved in nearly every project to ensure outcomes exceed client expectations, often leading to memorable client reactions and strong long-term relationships.

The conversation also dives into his intentional decision to remain a boutique operation with a limited number of crews and a mult...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Denise Steininger, owner of ZebraScapes. They discuss how Denise and her husband built their landscaping business from the ground up during the 2008 economic downturn, starting with nothing more than a minivan, basic equipment, and door-to-door outreach to survive.

Denise shares how the company evolved from simple maintenance work into a design-build business, with nearly half of its revenue now coming from outdoor living spaces like kitchens, patios, and fire features.

The conversation highlights two key themes: first, the power of bold branding—such as their me...

In this episode of Everyday Excellence, host Todd Baldwin interviews Chris Cline, owner of Lemus Remodeling Group. They explore Chris’s journey from working his way up in operations to scaling multiple companies into the nine-figure range, and ultimately making the leap to build his own business from the ground up.

Chris shares practical insights on the difference between scaling an established company versus starting from zero, emphasizing the importance of building operational capacity ahead of growth and surrounding yourself with the right people.

He also dives into the realities of early-stage marketing, including the ch...