Marketing • Business Tips • Management • 21 minutes

From Startup to Sale: Achieving Rapid Trades Growth in 3 Years

December 23, 2025

Episode Overview

Leap Service Partners Regional VP of the Gulf Chris Gist brought his story about rapid growth in the trades to ServiceTitan’s most recent Pantheon user conference. 

His journey from startup to the sale of his plumbing company took just three years, all the while doubling revenue annually.

Gist says creating a distinctive brand and culture is a critical role. His team wears Hawaiian shirts and drives in tiki hut-decorated vans. 

“Standing out is a huge key to marketing, and a huge key to revenue growth is being part of the community,” Gist says. “The more you can make an impact on your community…when they realize [they] need a plumbing problem fixed, they're like, ‘I remember that van. I'll call them.’”

That’s the external view. Internally, company culture is just as important. Gist sees his team as extended family. 

“ It's not just my employees I have to take care of, but I also have to make sure that their families are fed, too,” he says. “That connection is strong, and it's real, and it drives you to do better and make good decisions and be there for them.” 

Looking around the humming convention floor at Pantheon, Gist is reminded that working with peer groups in the industry is a key part of learning to make good business decisions. 

“ If you're not part of a networking group, [like] Masterminds, be part of one,” he says. “Reach out to somebody and get help, get advice, whatever you need to move past the hurdle.” 

Chris Gist recently joined ServiceTitan’s Jackie Aubel on the “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast, which included Gist’s thoughts on:

  • [3:27] Making it through the pandemic years

  • [6:11] Why private equity cares about your company’s culture and branding 

  • [11:48] Why higher marketing spend is the key to rapid growth

  • [17:54] Gist’s go-to ServiceTitan reports for gauging a company’s fiscal health

  • [22:30] The Pantheon experience

Additional Resources

To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to “Toolbox for the Trades” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, or anywhere you get podcasts.

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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.

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About the Show

Toolbox for the Trades is a podcast where top service professionals share the tips, tricks, and tactics they use to succeed in their industry. Hosted by Jackie Aubel and Amanda Salvatore, this podcast is brought to you by ServiceTitan—the leading home and commercial field service software.

Episodes will feature stories and strategies to help contractors grow and scale their service business.

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