In this episode of The Home Service Hot Seat, hosts Michael Grigery and Jonathan Maynard discuss how to navigate the challenges of the winter slow season in the home service industry.

They share strategies for maintaining cash flow, keeping top employees during downtime, and planning for long-term financial stability. From hiring fractional CFOs and cutting unnecessary expenses to preparing seasonal budgets and building relationships with complementary trades, this episode is packed with practical advice to keep your business strong year-round.

If you’re a home service owner looking to survive the slow season and build a wealthier, healthier business, this conversation is a must-listen.

In this episode of The Home Service Hot Seat, hosts Michael Grigery and Jonathan Maynard discuss the evolution, challenges, and strategies behind running a successful Christmas light business.

They explore how the industry has changed over the years, from rising competition and lead costs to marketing shifts and scaling obstacles.

Michael and Jonathan break down how to manage crews efficiently, train seasonal staff, use pre-qualification effectively, and develop offers that resonate with customers. They also share insights on how to handle capacity, maintain culture during the holiday grind, and finish the season strong with celebration and appreciation for the team.

If you’ve ever considered adding holiday lighting to your service mix—or want to scale your existing business—their experience-driven insights will help you plan, execute, and grow sustainably.

In this episode of The Home Service Hot Seat, hosts Michael Grigery and Jonathan Maynard dive into the art of conflict resolution for business owners and leaders in the home service industry.

They break down how to handle difficult conversations, avoid emotional reactions, and address conflict before it damages team culture or company performance. From separating behavior from character to building trust through clear agreements, Michael and Jonathan share the practical skills that help leaders maintain healthy relationships and accountability in their businesses.

Whether you manage a small crew or lead a large team, this episode gives you actionable tools to approach conflict with confidence and clarity.

In this episode of The Home Service Hot Seat, hosts Michael Grigery and Jonathan Maynard break down how AI is transforming “speed to lead” in home service businesses.

They explore why most sales problems aren’t about leads but about response times and process, and how AI can help contractors connect faster without sounding fake. They also discuss how consumer expectations are shifting, how to balance automation with authenticity, and why having a plan for AI implementation matters more than ever.

If you’re looking to improve your lead conversion and stay competitive in today’s market, this episode gives you the tools and insights to make it happen.

In this episode of The Home Service Hot Seat, hosts Michael Grigery and Jonathan Maynard dive into the essentials of running effective leadership meetings for home service businesses.

They break down why most meetings fail, how to structure them for clarity and accountability, and the importance of KPIs, scorecards, and consistent follow-through. They also cover the EOS L10 framework, assigning responsibility, and how meetings can drive revenue when done right.

This conversation is packed with practical insights on building stronger leadership teams, improving communication, and creating a culture of radical transparency.

Here's a Template for you guys:

Home Service Scorecards

Reference:

Jonathan Brill

Unique Genius

ClickCallSell

In this episode of THE Home Service Hot Seat, hosts Michael Grigery and Jonathan Maynard dive into the future of AI and how it’s reshaping the Home Service Industry.

They explore how AI (artificial intelligence) is disrupting traditional marketing, what automation could mean for technicians, and why adapting now is critical for long-term growth. From autonomous service vehicles to AI-driven sales pipelines, they break down what’s coming and how business owners can prepare.

This episode is packed with insights on using AI to strengthen your brand, streamline operations, and outpace competitors. Stay tuned for the next episode, where they’ll cover practical strategies for leveraging AI in day-to-day operations.

Reference:

Jonathan Brill

Unique Genius

ClickCallSell

In this episode of THE Home Service Hot Seat, hosts Michael Grigery and Jonathan Maynard break down what it takes in learning how to hire, train, and keep A-players in the home service industry

They share lessons from years of building teams, from avoiding the trap of hiring B-players to creating documented systems, onboarding processes, and clear success criteria. They also cover how to manage Virtual Assistants effectively, structure performance-based pay, and develop leadership skills within your team to create long-term growth opportunities.

Whether you’re scaling your first crew or managing a multi-location operation, this conversation is packed with proven strategies to build a culture where A-players thrive.

Shoutout to UniqueGenius for helping Jonathan find his Strategic Partner.

Book mentioned in the podcast:

Extreme Ownership

In this episode of The Home Service Hot Seat, Michael Grigery sits down with Ariel Carrero, another ClickCallSell account manager and native Spanish speaker, to talk some marketing advice for Home Service Businesses who are just getting started.

They dive into realistic lead generation expectations, the impact of budget on performance, and why newer businesses should focus on building their brand through accessible tools like Google Business Profile, landing pages, and Facebook ads. Ariel shares what he’s learned over his 7+ years in the industry and offers practical tips on scaling without burning out.

Whether you're a new Home Service Business Owner struggling to compete or a franchisee trying to build processes that scale, this episode is for you! Build ideas to grow your business smarter.