CSTG 223: Gridiron to Generators: Building a Powerhouse with Jesse Rack
Release Date: 07/29/2025
To the Point: The 5-Year Sprint from $5M-$65M with Zero Technical Skills
Can't Stop the Growth
From poker tables in Vegas to leading a $65M home services empireâhow did Mike Bruner scale without ever turning a wrench? Michael Bruner, co-founder of Iceberg Home Services, shares his incredible journey from a 5.5M business in 2019 to a 65M powerhouse in 2024, all without a technical background. This episode dives into the mindsets, leadership shifts, and tough decisions that fueled Icebergâs exponential growth. From letting go of control and embracing mentorship, to prioritizing personal health and inspiring his team, Mike unpacks the habits and lessons that transformed both his...
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CSTG 239: Commit to Enough with Andrew Hasty
Can't Stop the Growth
What if the secret to becoming a better leader isnât getting more, but realizing you already have enough? âł Andrew takes the mic to unravel one of the most transformative ideas from âThe 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadershipâ: the shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance. Blending sharp insights with personal stories, Andrew challenges the deeply ingrained belief that we need more to be successful: more time, more money, more recognition. He breaks down the toxic myths of scarcity that keep us trapped in fear and comparison, and instead offers a refreshing, people-first lens...
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CSTG 238: Lead Like a SEAL | Lessons in Grit and Growth with Dan Newell
Can't Stop the Growth
Every trades leader faces moments that test their grit. In this episode, former Navy SEAL turned business owner Dan Newell joins Chad Peterman to share how the lessons forged in SEAL training resilience, service, and accountabilityâapply directly to leadership in HVAC, plumbing, and home service businesses. Danâs journey from ringing the bell in SEAL training to coming back, graduating #1 in his class, and later running his familyâs custom cabinet shop is packed with wisdom for leaders building strong teams. He opens up about what it means to lead from the bottom up, how to âget your...
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CSTG 237: Find Your Purpose | How to Lead with Passion and Consistency
Can't Stop the Growth
What if work didnât feel like work? In this solo episode, Chad Peterman breaks down how finding your purpose can completely transform not just your leadership, but your life. Too many trade leaders chase âwork-life balanceâ and end up feeling guilty on both sides. Chad shares why that struggle disappears once you align who you are at home with who you are at work. From mindset to mission, this is a reminder that leadership isnât about switching hats, itâs about becoming the same authentic, purpose-driven person in every environment. Leaders in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical: this...
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CSTG 236: Zone of Genius with Andrew Hasty
Can't Stop the Growth
Ever feel like youâre great at your jobâŚbut not alive doing it? Andrew Hasty dives into what it really means to operate in your zone of genius: that magical space where time flies, energy flows, and work actually feels fun. He unpacks the four zones from Gay Hendricksâ âThe Big Leapâ (Incompetence, Competence, Excellence, and Genius) and reveals why so many leaders get stuck in the âgood but not greatâ zone of excellence. đĄ Andrew challenges us to reflect on what truly lights us up, and how leaders can help their teams do the same. If youâve ever wondered what work could...
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You Need to Learn to Give a $h*t with Katie Donovan
Can't Stop the Growth
What happens when you give away 50% of your profits, hire people most companies overlook, and run your business on pure gratitude? Justin sits down with Katie Donovan, CEO of CAMP Digital, to talk about what happens when you lead with gratitude, share profits, and build a culture where people truly care. From second-chance hiring to the boldest bonus structure youâve heard, Katieâs flipping traditional leadership on its head. They get real about imposter syndrome, mindset shifts, and why authenticity is the ultimate business advantage. This oneâs fast-paced, people-first, and full of...
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CSTG 235: Practice Gratitude: The Note Card That Built a Leader
Can't Stop the Growth
Trade leaders win when appreciation becomes a system, not a slogan. In this solo lesson, Chad Peterman shares the 20-year story of a position coachâs handwritten note that flipped his mindset and how HVAC, plumbing, and home-service teams can use the same playbook to unlock belief, consistency, and effort. Youâll learn the four elements of effective appreciation, how to âclose the coaching loop,â and a simple weekly cadence that raises performance without lowering standards. Additional Resources: Key Takeaways: Appreciation outruns perfection: Praise visible effort and progress...
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To the Point: Why 99% of Salespeople Fail -Hereâs the $42M Sales Process That Actually Works with Weldon Long
Can't Stop the Growth
What if the worst mistakes of your past became the fuel for your greatest success? đ Weldon Longâs story is anything but ordinary. From serving 13 years in prison to building and selling multiple multi-million-dollar companies, he proves that mindset and consistency can completely rewrite your future. In this episode, Weldon brings his raw honesty, sharp wit, and proven sales strategies to the table, showing how taking full responsibility, mastering the fundamentals, and pushing through the inevitable âbullshitâ of life can turn setbacks into stepping stones. Expect lessons on...
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CSTG 234: Integrity: The Foundation of Every Leader with Chad Peterman
Can't Stop the Growth
The hardest promise to keep is the one you make with yourself. In this solo episode, Chad Peterman kicks off a new series based on The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, diving deep into one of the most important commitments a leader can make: practicing integrity. Integrity isnât just about morality or âbeing a good person.â Itâs about alignment between what you think, feel, say, and do. Chad explores how to make impeccable agreements, take full responsibility for your results, and repair relationships where trust has slipped. He also shares personal stories from leadership and...
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Turning Data into Revenue with Neal Zamore
Can't Stop the Growth
Trade leaders often obsess over cost per lead while ignoring the bigger picture. In this Around the CAMPfire episode, hosted by Katie Donovan (Camp Digital CEO), Neal Zamore, Head of Marketing at Storr Group, reveals a proven system for managing âcradle-to-graveâ KPIs across marketing, operations, and leadership. From dissecting cost per advertising to spotting red flags in cancellation rates, Neal equips HVAC, plumbing, and electrical owners with practical tools to scale profitably. His insights blend big-company discipline with the grassroots tactics every trade leader can deploy...
info_outlineWhat happens when a former college football player brings locker room leadership to the trades? You get a family business turned industry powerhouse, and one heck of a growth story. đ
Chad chats with Jesse Rack, CEO of Rack Electric and the driving force behind one of the Southeastâs fastest-scaling service businesses. From one truck to 110+ on the road, Jesse breaks down how he transformed a small electrical company into a multi-division operation spanning generators, HVAC, propane, and more.
Tune in for stories about branding that sticks, culture that wins, and what it really takes to lead a team through growth, adversity, and everything in between.
If youâre in the tradesâor leading anything people-firstâthis is your playbook đ
Additional Resources:
Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn
Learn more about Rack Electric
Join The ARENA - a CSTG Community!
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
Key Takeaways:
- Scaling a company requires empowering others and letting go of control.
- Building a strong internal culture leads to consistency, accountability, and growth.
- First impressions and a clear, authentic brand can create lasting trust with customers.
- Growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone and taking calculated risks.
- Recruiting, training, and retaining the right people is the foundation of long-term success.