Creative Marketing Strategies from Dennis the Apprentice at AHR Expo
Release Date: 05/20/2025
From Startup to Acquisition: Mehdi Khachani’s Playbook for Sustainable Business Growth
The Kee To Growth
In this episode of The Kee to Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Mehdi Khachani, CEO and founder of Sunny Bliss, to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to scale in the home services industry. The episode kicks off with Mehdi’s story of spinning a plumbing division out of his residential remodeling company and boldly rebranding and expanding the business in under a year. Jen and Mehdi dig into the messy middle between vision and execution, challenging the notion that growth requires waiting for the "perfect" moment. Instead, Mehdi shares how embracing rapid, calculated...
info_outline
How Chuck Worley Grew His Business from $300k to $17 Million
The Kee To Growth
In this episode of The Kee To Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Chuck Worley for an inspiring, no-nonsense conversation about building a business rooted in personal branding, community, and character. Chuck shares his remarkable journey from growing up in a military town and struggling with school challenges, to breaking through industry stereotypes and scaling Whirley’s from a small, struggling company into a $17 million local leader in home services. Chuck and Jen dive deep into the “messy middle”—the real-life detours of entrepreneurship that don’t get talked...
info_outline
Why Mindset Matters Most for Growth: Marketing Wisdom with Jennifer Bagley
The Kee To Growth
In this episode of the Kee to Growth podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Jennifer Bagley, CEO of CI Web Group, for a fascinating deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of digital marketing, AI-enabled websites, and the ongoing digital transformation in the home services trades industry. Jennifer shares her journey from a background in global supply chain and enterprise systems to becoming a pioneering voice in digital marketing for home services. Her approach reflects a unique blend of data-driven strategy, relentless education, and an entrepreneurial spirit focused on learning and...
info_outline
The Power of Relationships: Lawrence DeHart’s Secrets to Scaling a Service Company
The Kee To Growth
In this episode of The Kee To Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Lawrence DeHart, founder and owner of De Hart Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling in Manhattan, Kansas. Lawrence shares his journey of building a thriving home services business from the ground up against all odds, starting with nothing but determination, a $20 box of business cards, and a focus on relationship building. The conversation unfolds with raw honesty, covering the realities of entrepreneurship and how the messiest beginnings often lay the strongest foundations. Lawrence reveals that authentic growth is less...
info_outline
Preparing for Exit: Marketing, Operations, and Mistakes to Avoid in Home Services
The Kee To Growth
In this episode of The Kee To Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Gregg Schonhorn of SF&P Advisors for a refreshingly candid conversation about marketing, branding, and what truly drives the value of a home services business. Gregg, who brings decades of Wall Street experience and a current role matching sellers and buyers in the trades, shares firsthand insights into what makes some companies stand out during a sale—and how marketing plays a much larger role than most owners realize. Forget the “overnight success” talk. Gregg and Jen break down what actually moves the...
info_outline
The Power of Mindset: Fueling Your Brand and Business Growth with Sandy Papavero
The Kee To Growth
In this episode of The Kee To Growth Podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Sandy Papavero, Director of Sales and Marketing at CEO Warrior, to unpack the often-overlooked connection between mindset and marketing success for business owners in the trades. The conversation starts with Sandy’s unique journey flipping houses alongside her dad, navigating both blue-collar grit and white-collar strategy—a story that ultimately led her to roles in finance, entrepreneurship, and even coaching at Tony Robbins. Sandy shares how her immersion in mindset work, from timeline therapy to neuro-linguistic...
info_outline
From Leads to Jobs: The Ryan Fenn Way with Automation
The Kee To Growth
In this episode of the Kee to Growth podcast, host Jen McKee, founder of Kee Hart Marketing, sits down with Ryan Fenn, CEO and founder of Chiirp, an automation tool built to help home service businesses convert more leads into booked jobs. Ryan shares the origin story behind Chiirp, which began with his own windshield repair business and a realization about the power of immediate text follow-ups to convert online leads. This episode explores how automation tools like Chiirp transform the home service industry by closing the critical gap between lead generation and actual job bookings. Jen and...
info_outline
Building a Standout Brand in HVAC: Social Strategy Lessons from Ashley Lynds
The Kee To Growth
In this episode of the Kee to Growth podcast, host Jen McKee, founder of Kee Hart Marketing, sits down with Ashley Lynds, the creative mind behind HVAC Ash and current Director of Education and Brand Management at Viper (Refrigeration Technologies). Together, they dive deep into the intersection of B2B marketing, personal branding, and influencer strategies within the trades, specifically looking at what's driving growth for brands in the HVAC industry. Ashley shares her journey from navigating sales during COVID-19 to building an authentic and impactful social media presence, revealing how...
info_outline
Key Strategies for Building Audience and Brand Visibility with Tim Brown
The Kee To Growth
Welcome to the latest episode of Kee to Growth Podcast with your host, Jen McKee. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of home services marketing with our special guest, Tim Brown, CEO and founder of Hook Agency. With a wealth of experience in marketing for the trades, Tim shares his journey from roofing marketing to expanding into HVAC and plumbing, and the strategic insights he gained along the way. This conversation is packed with valuable tips on leveraging video content, optimizing SEO, and harnessing the power of branding to drive business growth. Tim discusses how video content...
info_outline
How Family Values Drive Success at Abbott Family Insurance
The Kee To Growth
In this episode of the Kee to Growth podcast, host Jen McKee sits down with Matthew Abbott, cofounder of Abbott Family Insurance, to dive into the world of internal marketing in the trades and how offering employee benefits can transform recruitment, retention, and company culture. Matthew shares his unique journey from growing up in a blue-collar, trades family, serving in the military, and rising through the ranks in the home services industry before launching his family-run insurance agency focused on tradespeople. With firsthand experience in both trades operations and benefits brokering,...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Kee to Growth podcast, Jen McKee hosts Dennis the Apprentice, who shares his journey from owning a plumbing and heating company in Seattle to becoming a prominent figure in the trades industry through innovative marketing strategies. Dennis, with his extensive experience, discusses how he transitioned from traditional marketing methods like the Yellow Pages to embracing the power of digital marketing, particularly social media. His early adoption of Google AdWords and creative approaches, such as using campaign-style signs, illustrate his knack for standing out in the competitive trades industry.
Dennis emphasizes the importance of having fun in marketing and being willing to take risks. His unique marketing ideas, such as the "Jean Johnson for plumber" campaign, showcased his ability to draw attention and engage the community effectively. He also discusses how he leveraged social media to market his business and connect with potential recruits and clients. This episode sheds light on the significance of creativity and adaptability in marketing, especially for businesses in the trades.
Moreover, Dennis talks about the value of building a strong company culture through a focus on training and nurturing young talent. His method of integrating apprentices into the business as a key growth strategy has proven successful in retaining skilled workers and attracting top talent. Dennis shares insights into how this approach not only helped his company grow but also transformed it into a dynamic environment for both employees and customers.
The conversation wraps up with a discussion on the impact of attending trade shows and how such events are vital for networking and staying updated on industry trends. Dennis underscores the importance of saying "yes" to opportunities and the long-term benefits of building personal connections within the industry. Listen to this episode for valuable lessons on marketing innovation and business growth in the home services sector.
00:00 "Exploring Jean Johnson's Marketing Beginnings"
05:56 Campaign Signs Ordinance Dispute
08:37 Discovering Cycling Identity
11:40 Building a Personal Brand Strategy
15:06 Expansion with On-Site Training Lab
17:49 "Trade Traction: Job Prep Course"
21:00 Regulating Social Media Marketing
23:30 Trade Show Value Discussion
26:07 "Tech Expert Meets Service Team"
Meet Your Host: Jen McKee
Jen McKee is the founder of Kee Hart Marketing & Events, specializing in award-winning social media strategies for trade services. With expertise in content creation and personal branding, she helps businesses forge authentic connections with their audiences. As the host of the "Kee to Growth" podcast, Jen simplifies marketing strategies and empowers businesses to thrive. Tune in for actionable insights and inspiring stories to elevate your brand! Connect with Jen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.hartman.73/ or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-mckee-72114824/
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Kee to Growth in your favorite podcast player.
The Kee to Growth Podcast is Powered by: Kee Hart Marketing, the social media company for the trades. Learn more at www.keehartmarketing.com
This episode was produced and brought to you by the Skilled Trades Syndicate @ServiceBusinessMasteryPodcast https://www.servicebusinessmastery.com/