Episode Overview
Brad Barron’s efforts show a third-generation family business can triple revenue (to $45 million) and still maintain its soul.
The CEO of Barron Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical and Plumbing led his team through dynamic growth. The company avoided private equity or merger and never compromised on culture.
Barron points to success factors such as building scalable systems, leading with clarity and humility and buckling down to make hard decisions when growth moves faster than process.
The bottom line speaks for itself, but Barron looks beyond the bottom line.
“If you don't enjoy working with the people that are to your left and right and above you and below you, why are you working at that company?” he asks.
Barron says culture can’t be forced.
“It's grown,” he says. “And you grow culture through building trust.”
Part of the trust relationship comes through hiring experts in their fields.
“When you surround yourself with people who are a lot smarter in those different areas than you are, you're going to have a lot of success in the business,” Barron says.
Success also comes from taking the right approach to problem solving, he says.
“There's a solution to every problem, usually more than one,” Barron says. “Our job is to have the tenacity to go after that solution and the discernment to identify the correct one.”
Through every process, Barron believes the key is accountability based on clear expectations.
That might sound like a pitch for technology over human know-how – but it’s not.
“You can't replace technicians, electricians and plumbers with AI,” Barron says.
Brad Barron recently joined ServiceTitan’s Jackie Aubel on the “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast, which included Barron’s thoughts on:
[3:01] Family business succession planning that actually works
[15:32] Tripling revenue: scalable process vs tribal knowledge
[26:00] Omni-channel marketing and acquiring a media company
[34:23] The mistake Brad regrets most: waiting too long
[47:20] Five core values for building company culture
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, or anywhere you get podcasts.
Related Videos
About ServiceTitan
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive software solution built specifically to help home service companies streamline their operations, boost revenue, and substantially elevate the trajectory of their business.
Our comprehensive, cloud-based platform is used by thousands of electrical, HVAC, plumbing, garage door, and chimney sweep shops across the country—and has increased their revenue by an average of 25% in just their first year with us.
Ready to learn more about what ServiceTitan can do for your business?
