In this insightful episode of 'The Successful Life Podcast,' Corey Berrier converses with Lou Hobaica, a veteran with 40+ years in the trades industry. Lou shares his journey from growing up in a family-run air conditioning and refrigeration business to steering it through economic crises, including the 2008 downturn. He discusses the importance of fostering a good work ethic, creating a unique in-house apprenticeship program, and developing a business model that emphasizes multi-trade technical skills and exceptional customer service. Lou delves into the financial strategies that saved his company, such as hiring subcontractors to minimize labor costs and focusing on maximizing existing customer relationships. He also highlights the significance of maintaining a positive company culture where employees 'want to' work rather than 'have to.' This episode is packed with invaluable lessons for anyone looking to build a successful and sustainable business in the trades industry.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
00:40 Family Business Origins
02:12 Growing the Business
03:37 Apprenticeship Program
06:54 Private Equity Partnership
11:09 Customer Service Philosophy
24:36 Economic Challenges and Recovery
32:05 The Cost of Wine Cellars
32:43 Building Trust with Clients
33:18 The Importance of Expertise
36:30 Personal and Professional Challenges
40:16 Faith and Business Resilience
41:48 Maximizing Revenue Per Employee
44:48 Labor vs. Material Costs
49:45 Subcontractors and Profitability
55:43 Creating a Positive Work Culture
58:42 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
Also watch
-
Life Decisions: Regret or Reward?
Join our journey of self-reflection and decision-making! We explore the impact -
Unlock Your Potential: Living by Your Values
Unlock your potential with this inspiring video exploring personal values and go -
Alcoholism: My 29-Year Sobriety Journey
Join our deeply personal journey of overcoming alcoholism. This powerful video e -
Contractor Reviews: Honest & Centralized
Discover how we're centralizing contractor reviews to provide trustworthy inform
Comments & Upvotes