On this episode of Born for the Trades, Mandeep chats with Lynn Wise, co-founder of Contractor In Charge, a revolutionary service designed to help home service businesses—plumbers, electricians, HVAC professionals, and more—streamline their operations. With a background in both the trades and tech, Lynn’s journey is a fascinating blend of hands-on experience and cutting-edge solutions.

Lynn’s path to entrepreneurship started when she saw a significant gap in the home services industry: contractors were drowning in administrative tasks that kept them from focusing on what really mattered—serving customers and growing their business. Having co-owned a plumbing business and worked at tech giants like IBM and Yellow Pages, Lynn realized that the right blend of technology and personal care could provide contractors with a solution that scaled. That’s when Contractor In Charge was born—an outsourced service designed to handle customer service, real-time bookkeeping, and more, all while maintaining that personal touch.

One of the key moments in Lynn’s career came when she recognized that many contractors made the mistake of neglecting customer service in favor of technical work. While great service is the backbone of any business, many contractors focus too much on their craft and not enough on building long-lasting customer relationships. Lynn emphasizes that leveraging technology to enhance customer service—like real-time booking, follow-ups, and tailored communication—can set a business apart in a competitive market.

However, she’s clear about one thing: tech should never replace the human connection. “It’s not about removing the contractor from the equation—it’s about giving them the tools to succeed while keeping that personal touch”. Contractor In Charge blends the best of both worlds: cutting-edge technology to streamline processes and personalized customer care that builds loyalty and trust.

Lynn also shares a success story about a small contractor who used her service to scale his business. By outsourcing administrative tasks like customer service and bookkeeping, he was able to focus more on his craft and take on more clients. Over time, this helped increase his revenue and reduce stress, ultimately transforming his business into a more efficient operation.

We also wanted to give a big shoutout to our sponsors—Rilla, an AI-powered sales tool that provides call-by-call feedback to help your team close more deals, and Grow Reviews, a platform that makes it easy to capture customer testimonials through text and video. These tools are designed to help you improve your customer experience and grow your business with ease.

If you're a contractor looking for practical insights or someone curious about how tech is changing the home services industry, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in for actionable advice and inspiration on how to grow your business without sacrificing what makes it special.

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In this episode of Born For The Trades, Mandeep and Shreya sit down with Bill Kean, the President of NEXGEN Air, Heat, and Plumbing, a leading force in Southern California's home services industry. With over 15 years of experience, Bill’s journey from a second-generation contractor to a successful entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. He shares the mindset shifts that helped him navigate pivotal moments—like founding Dynamic Air Services in 2008 and growing it into a $6 million company—before transitioning to NEXGEN, where he rose through the ranks to lead the company as president.

Bill's story is one of perseverance, growth, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. He discusses the crucial steps he took while scaling his first business and offers invaluable advice for entrepreneurs looking to take their companies to the next level. With his deep understanding of the home services industry, he highlights what truly sets NEXGEN apart, from their industry-leading processes to the exceptional company culture that’s garnered them recognition as a household name.

What really makes Bill's leadership stand out, however, is his passion for making a positive impact—not just in business but in the lives of his team members and the communities they serve. He introduces us to Project X, a philanthropic initiative that’s making a difference in the lives of families in need. Bill explains how giving back has become an integral part of NEXGEN’s company culture and how it strengthens their relationships with clients and employees alike.

In a heartfelt discussion, Bill shares his thoughts on what it truly means to lead a company with integrity and purpose. He believes success isn't only measured by financial growth but by the lives you touch along the way. Tune in to hear how a commitment to people, culture, and community can create a business that’s not only successful but meaningful.

As Bill reflects on his career and leadership journey, he leaves us with a final thought: the most underrated best practice in home services is often the simplest. It’s a reminder that in a world filled with complexities, staying focused on what truly matters can be the key to long-term success.

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In this episode, host Mandeep Bhalla talks with James Hatfield, Chief Revenue Officer at LiveSwitch, a leading platform transforming how businesses use video to scale. With years of leadership experience in both startups and Fortune 500 companies, James shares his insights on technology, leadership, and the future of communication.

James has been instrumental in LiveSwitch’s success, playing a key role in customer experience and overseeing all revenue-generating processes. Before joining LiveSwitch, he led the creation of the Customer Buying Experience at IQVIA and served as President of Sales at Sageworks. LiveSwitch’s platform is now used by businesses ranging from entrepreneurs to global enterprises, helping them connect with customers and document work in real-time.

A major focus of this episode is the future of video communication. James shares his thoughts on how video technology will evolve in the coming years, particularly in industries like home services, and how it will reshape the way businesses build relationships and streamline operations.

James also reflects on key leadership lessons he's learned throughout his career, including the importance of creating efficient processes and staying agile in a fast-changing tech landscape. He discusses the differences in how startups and large enterprises approach innovation, and offers insights into the challenges and opportunities each faces.

One standout moment in his career was a decision at LiveSwitch that significantly impacted the company’s growth. James shares how data-driven choices and customer feedback played a crucial role in shaping the company’s strategies.

Finally, James addresses the biggest challenges facing tech leaders today, particularly in managing rapid innovation and diverse teams. He emphasizes the need for clear vision and adaptability to lead successfully in today’s fast-paced world.

This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders in the home service industry who want to harness technology to grow and innovate. Tune in to hear James Hatfield’s expert insights and valuable leadership lessons!

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