From Family Trades to Success: Cody McLeod on Business & Culture
05/30/24 • 15 min
In this episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the world of plumbing and entrepreneurship with Cody McLeod. Cody is a second-generation plumber who has spent over a decade working alongside his father before venturing out to establish his own business. With more than 18 years of experience in the industry, Cody brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into the challenges and rewards of running a plumbing business.
Cody shares his journey into the trades, recounting how he got started and what drew him to this field. He discusses the initial difficulties he faced when starting his own business, highlighting the steep learning curve involved in building a new service and operations from the ground up. Despite his extensive experience, Cody admits that there are always new lessons to learn, especially on the service side of the industry.
A significant part of our conversation centers around company culture. Cody emphasizes the importance of maintaining traditional values while incorporating modern technology to enhance customer service. He believes in fostering a culture that supports the growth of both current and future employees, ensuring that everyone progresses together. This commitment to culture and development has been a cornerstone of his business strategy.
We also explore the dynamics of working in the same industry as his family. Cody candidly discusses the friendly competition between his company and his father's, illustrating how it has motivated him to innovate and improve continually.
Marketing is another key topic in this episode. Cody shares his approach to marketing, which includes guerrilla marketing tactics and building a strong brand. He explains how he leverages social media not only to attract customers but also to educate both employees and clients.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Cody offers invaluable advice. He underscores the importance of working for someone you admire and soaking up as much knowledge as possible. He also touches on the significance of believing in oneself and overcoming impostor syndrome. With more than ten employees and four vehicles under his management, Cody’s story is a testament to the power of grit, determination, and self-belief.
Join us for an insightful conversation that sheds light on the intricacies of the plumbing industry, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of a strong company culture. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting, this episode offers something for everyone.
In this episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the world of plumbing and entrepreneurship with Cody McLeod. Cody is a second-generation plumber who has spent over a decade working alongside his father before venturing out to establish his own business. With more than 18 years of experience in the industry, Cody brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into the challenges and rewards of running a plumbing business.
Cody shares his journey into the trades, recounting how he got started and what drew him to this field. He discusses the initial difficulties he faced when starting his own business, highlighting the steep learning curve involved in building a new service and operations from the ground up. Despite his extensive experience, Cody admits that there are always new lessons to learn, especially on the service side of the industry.
A significant part of our conversation centers around company culture. Cody emphasizes the importance of maintaining traditional values while incorporating modern technology to enhance customer service. He believes in fostering a culture that supports the growth of both current and future employees, ensuring that everyone progresses together. This commitment to culture and development has been a cornerstone of his business strategy.
We also explore the dynamics of working in the same industry as his family. Cody candidly discusses the friendly competition between his company and his father's, illustrating how it has motivated him to innovate and improve continually.
Marketing is another key topic in this episode. Cody shares his approach to marketing, which includes guerrilla marketing tactics and building a strong brand. He explains how he leverages social media not only to attract customers but also to educate both employees and clients.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Cody offers invaluable advice. He underscores the importance of working for someone you admire and soaking up as much knowledge as possible. He also touches on the significance of believing in oneself and overcoming impostor syndrome. With more than ten employees and four vehicles under his management, Cody’s story is a testament to the power of grit, determination, and self-belief.
Join us for an insightful conversation that sheds light on the intricacies of the plumbing industry, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of a strong company culture. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting, this episode offers something for everyone.
Previous Episode
Protecting Your Business: Mitigating Risks in the Home Service Industry with Mike McDonough
In this episode of our podcast, "Protecting Your Business: Mitigating Risks in the Home Service Industry," we are thrilled to welcome Mike McDonough, a renowned speaker, author, and educator in the insurance industry. With over four decades of dedication, Mike has served as a trusted advisor to countless business owners, helping them navigate the complex landscape of insurance and risk management.
Throughout his career, Mike has demonstrated an exceptional ability to secure comprehensive coverage for his clients while protecting their businesses against unnecessary financial risks. His relentless commitment to excellence and passion for helping businesses thrive in an uncertain world have defined his journey in the insurance industry.
In this episode, Mike shares invaluable insights into how contractors and business owners can safeguard their assets against lawsuits and financial uncertainties. We delve into the importance of establishing a strong safety program and robust HR policies, as well as the critical role of adequate documentation and payroll management. Mike emphasizes that a good company culture, where employees feel valued and motivated, can significantly reduce the risk of lawsuits.
We also discuss some of the most common and impactful lawsuits in the home service industry, including claims of sexual harassment and vehicle accidents. Mike highlights the importance of clear policies and procedures to mitigate these risks and ensure the protection of both employees and clients.
Mike's approach to risk management is holistic and client-focused, emphasizing the need to stay at the forefront of industry trends and regulatory changes. He shares practical advice on how to start with the most critical and risky areas, implementing tailored strategies that align with a company's risk tolerance and financial goals.
This episode is packed with actionable tips for business owners looking to control risks and save money. From hiring practices that ensure respectful interactions on private properties to the significance of protecting client data, Mike covers it all. He underscores the value of working closely with insurance experts to make informed decisions and highlights that even small changes can lead to significant savings in the long run.
Tune in to learn from Mike McDonough's wealth of experience and discover how to protect your business and ensure its financial prosperity in an ever-changing environment.
Next Episode
Mastering Customer Connections: A Conversation with Elite Call, the Home Service Industry's Outbounding Champion
In this exciting episode of "Born for the Trades," we sit down with Jack Pinsel, CEO of Elite Call, and Lesli Rojas, Director of Client Services and Account Management at Elite Call, to delve into the secrets behind their success in the home service industry. Elite Call has rapidly emerged as a powerhouse in outbound calling, and today, Jack and Lesli share the strategies and philosophies that have propelled them to the top.
Jack Pinsel, an entrepreneur with a background in football and telemarketing, founded Elite Call in 2012, focusing on the home service industry. Despite early challenges, including gaining trust from long-established companies, Elite Call has seen tremendous growth, boasting a 150% increase in the last three years alone. Jack attributes much of this success to the strong culture he has cultivated, drawing on his experience as a sports coach to foster teamwork and group thinking.
Elite Call’s approach to outbound calling is distinctive. They emphasize the importance of training, quality assurance, and maintaining a dedicated team of agents based in the U.S. This ensures higher quality control and better employee commitment. Their agents undergo continuous training and quality assessments, ensuring every call meets Elite Call’s high standards.
The seamless integration of appointments into clients' CRMs is another standout feature of Elite Call's service. Jack and Lesli explain how this integration not only streamlines operations but also prevents overbooking, ensuring clients receive the best possible service. By keeping operations in-house, they maintain a high level of quality and dedication from their team.
Jack and Lesli also share a compelling success story of a client who expanded from a single branch to multiple states, with Elite Call managing all their telemarketing needs. This case study highlights the significant impact Elite Call can have on a client’s business, driving growth and enhancing customer experience.
Empathy and understanding are core to Elite Call’s communication approach. They focus on boosting membership value and maintaining strong customer relationships. Leveraging data and analytics, they continually optimize their calling strategies for better results. While AI plays a supportive role in training and analytics, Elite Call believes in the power of human touch for direct customer interactions.
For home service businesses looking to improve their call center operations, Jack and Lesli emphasize the importance of a committed QA team, consistent training, and hiring agents with the right personality. They view their role as an extension of their clients' businesses, preparing them for increased inbound calls and ensuring seamless operations.
Looking to the future, Elite Call is preparing to integrate AI more deeply into their services, promising exciting developments in inbound solutions. Stay tuned to discover how Elite Call continues to innovate and lead in customer engagement.
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