EP358: How One Event Flipped Our Hustle w/ Larry Delisanti of Side Hustle Squad Podcast
The Deep End with Eric Triplett
Release Date: 11/17/2025
The Deep End with Eric Triplett
Triplett emphasizes that empathy is the most critical tool in a sales professional’s arsenal. He argues that making a client feel accurately understood is more influential than price, product quality, or specific scripts. A central focus of the discussion is the "recap" technique, where the contractor paraphrases a client’s story and emotions to build profound trust before discussing project costs. The group explores how to avoid robotic repetition by weaving personal details and specific "buzzwords" into a narrative that demonstrates genuine care. Additionally, the participants...
info_outlineThe Deep End with Eric Triplett
Eric shares a personal epiphany regarding how to better serve his clients by restructuring his teaching model. He recounts a heated political argument with a friend that highlighted how "conspiracy" thinking and conflicting information can create friction and division between people. To address the short attention spans of his audience, Eric decides to pivot from a traditional pyramid framework to an hourglass model. This new visualization represents the choke point where internal lies and mental hurdles prevent professionals from reaching their goals. By focusing on collapsing time and...
info_outlineThe Deep End with Eric Triplett
Today Eric talks with personal branding consultant regarding their professional evolutions for 2026. Triplett details his decision to rebrand his long-running podcast to The Deep End to broaden his appeal from a niche water feature audience to a wider market of general contractors and entrepreneurs. Mashman provides a strategic audit, encouraging Eric to leverage controversy with purpose by announcing the end of his current show to build anticipation for the new launch. In turn, Mashman outlines his ambitious "Inevitable Tour 365," a goal to complete an interview every day of the year to...
info_outlineThe Deep End with Eric Triplett
Today Eric introduces the Price Tag Principle, which posits that achieving personal or professional growth requires a specific cost paid in discipline, diligence, and depth. He argues that the universe does not negotiate on these costs and that individuals often fail because they are under-disciplined rather than truly stuck. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on entropy, described as the social and internal resistance that pulls people back toward their comfort zones, often through the well-meaning but limiting influence of family and friends. Eric challenges contractors to stop...
info_outlineThe Deep End with Eric Triplett
In episode #2 of Eric's new podcast he uses personal anecdotes, such as rescuing his younger brother from a pool and escaping dangerous encounters while skateboarding, to illustrate the importance of urgency and accountability. He introduces the trident logo as a symbol for his core values of depth, discipline, and diligence, linking these to the mastery of one's craft. Throughout the session, he manages technical equipment and interacts with a live social media audience, demonstrating a modern approach to digital content creation. Ultimately, the episode serves as a motivational framework for...
info_outlineThe Deep End with Eric Triplett
Eric Triplett announces the rebrand of his show to The Deep End, shifting focus from specific industry tactics to personal development and capability. Drawing on forty years of experience in construction and aquatics, he emphasizes that the program is designed for tradesmen and leaders who strive to become the best versions of themselves. The content moves away from surface-level hype to explore the foundational values of depth, discipline, and diligence. Triplet argues that the "deep end" represents a space of high responsibility where growth occurs by facing challenges without excuses....
info_outlineThe Deep End with Eric Triplett
In this final episode of the Pond Digger Podcast, host Eric Triplet announces the conclusion of his seven-year journey to focus on a new professional chapter. Originally launched to provide educational resources for pond owners and koi enthusiasts, the show evolved into a platform for business coaching and leadership advice for various trade contractors. Triplet reflects on significant milestones, including his personal battle with stage four cancer, which shifted his perspective on time and purposeful living. He highlights the vast archive of evergreen content available to listeners, ranging...
info_outlineThe Deep End with Eric Triplett
Eric announces that the long-running Pond Digger Podcast is officially concluding after one final upcoming episode, emphasizing that the project has simply fulfilled its original purpose. He clarifies that this decision is not fueled by burnout or health issues, but rather a desire to close a significant life chapter with dignity. He expresses deep gratitude toward his listeners for their attention and credits the show for his personal growth in business and leadership. To maintain a connection with his audience, he encourages them to join his email list or follow him on social media for...
info_outlineThe Deep End with Eric Triplett
Erica interviews James Hatfield, the co-founder of , to discuss how video technology and AI are transforming the contracting industry. Hatfield introduces the concept of "Race to the Face," arguing that virtual face-to-face interactions build trust faster than traditional phone calls or slow in-person estimates. The discussion highlights how the platform enables remote diagnostics, instant documentation, and AI-driven work orders, significantly reducing wasted travel time and overhead costs for service professionals. Beyond business efficiency, Hatfield emphasizes the human impact of...
info_outlineThe Deep End with Eric Triplett
Today Eric discusses the controversial practice of gifting live Japanese koi for Christmas. While social media critics view the surprise as irresponsible, Triplett argues that meticulous preparation and expertise can transform it into a deeply meaningful experience. He highlights the importance of vetting the recipient's experience and the health of their existing pond to ensure the animals thrive long after the holiday. By sharing a story where he refused a sale to an ill-prepared customer, he emphasizes that true thoughtfulness must prioritize the well-being of the fish over the shock value...
info_outlineEric's guest today is Larry from the Side Hustle Podcast. The main topic of conversation is Larry's experience attending the EQUIP Exposition, initially for equipment viewing, which unexpectedly led to a complete transformation of his business model—starting with raising prices, moving to better employee treatment, and adopting software like Jobber to streamline operations and payment collection. Both Eric and Larry emphasize the profound value of networking and socializing at these events, often citing specific learning opportunities that occurred outside of formal sessions, like at the bar. Larry also shares his strong positive opinion of battery-powered Kress equipment, despite initial employee resistance, highlighting the benefits of adopting new technology.
Key Takeaways:
- Be courageous and implement steep rate increases for your services, followed by automated annual price adjustments.
- Adopt intuitive software to charge customers automatically upon job completion and instantly improve cash flow and eliminate outstanding debt.
- Prioritize socializing and networking at industry events because invaluable business insights often come from casual conversations.
- Eliminate the bottleneck of slow service by ensuring fast response times and quick quoting to capture new customers immediately.
- Make attending professional conferences a principled commitment because even a single piece of knowledge gained can radically improve your business.
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