How to Unlock Real Growth: Transformation, Follow-Up, and Future-Proofing in the Trades

Is your team stuck attending countless “motivational” events with nothing to show for it? Are your leads going cold because nobody’s following up? Or maybe you’re worried about keeping up as technology and customer behavior change faster than ever. If you want more than hype, and you’re tired of leaving deals (and dollars) on the table, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz dig deep with guest Sam Wakefield, the mastermind behind Close It Now. Fresh off his game-changing event “Relentless: The Ultimate Sales Transformation,” Sam reveals how he’s helping contractors and sales teams create real transformation (not just motivation), implement world-class follow-up systems, and future-proof their business for the evolving demands of the home services industry.

This is about walking straighter, focusing on action, and building long-term revenue you can count on.

Why You Should Listen

Sam Wakefield doesn’t just talk about growth—he builds it, with practical frameworks, step-by-step systems, and a relentless focus on action and accountability. Whether you feel stuck on a growth plateau, are tired of losing deals after a single visit, or want to level up your team’s sales performance, this episode is packed with immediately usable strategies. Sam shares what’s working NOW in top-performing trades businesses, from personal development to the best-in-class follow-up processes that fuel real, lasting revenue.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Real Transformation vs. Temporary Motivation
   Discover why most industry events fall short, and how Sam’s approach leads to actionable change after you leave the room so you don’t just feel inspired, you actually execute.
2. “Relentless” Event Insights: Internal AND Tactical Breakthroughs
   Hear how Sam’s event helped attendees pinpoint their current reality, build a roadmap for growth, and develop new habits that stick. Plus: why self-assessment and role clarity accelerate leadership and sales.
3. The Fortune Is in the Follow-Up—Here’s the System
   Sam unveils his detailed, 12+ touch follow-up system (mapped to real buyer psychology) that’s delivering 20–30% revenue increases using leads you’ve already paid for. Learn why most follow-up efforts fail and how to fix them for good.
4. Data-Driven Growth: Stop Wasting Leads and Double Your Revenue
   Get the math behind follow-up: how capturing “missed revenue” from open proposals and old prospects can double your business, with zero extra lead spend.
5. Why “Lead Babies” Are Failing in Today’s Market
   If your salespeople just wait for fresh leads, you’re in trouble. Sam and the hosts unpack why door-knocking, canvassing, and grassroots prospecting are still dominating and how to weave them into your digital marketing and branding strategy.
6. Future-Proof Your Business—Now
   From follow-up automation to prospecting to preparing for the coming wave of industry regulation, learn how to set your business up for sustainable, compliant growth, no matter what the market throws at you.

Raising the Standard: Trust, Reputation, and Regulation in the Trades Hear why doing business with integrity, raising the bar for service, and prioritizing customer trust is absolutely necessary to protect the industry and your company’s future.