Smaller Rooms. Bigger Breakthroughs. Why This Episode Should Be on Your Short List

In the trades, growth rarely comes from another keynote or another slide deck. It comes from getting the right operators and experts in one room, laying your business on the table, and working through the real constraints together. That’s exactly what this episode of Catalyst for the Trades is about.

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Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz convene a panel of operators and subject-matter experts to preview Climb to $10M, a three-day, small-group business adventure workshop designed to create actual movement in your company. Expect hot seats, working sessions, and targeted guidance on operations, finance, brand, recruiting, and exit strategies—plus an optional Day 3 adventure designed to spark reflection and real talk.

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Don’t have your ticket yet? Register before May 5, 2026 to attend!

Why listen to this episode

• You’re evaluating where to invest your time and budget, and you want to know whether a small, hands-on workshop can really outperform a big conference.
• You’ve felt the squeeze on recruiting and lead flow and need to understand how the latest shifts in search are opening a window for contractor-owned websites.
• You want straight talk on debt, cash flow, deal structure, and how to protect enterprise value—even if you’re not selling soon.
• You’re ready to leave events with decisions made, priorities set, and a plan you can act on the next day.

Key highlights from the episode

• What makes small-format workshops work: The team breaks down the hot-seat model, candid peer problem-solving, and why side-bar conversations with true experts often create the biggest breakthroughs.
• The new search landscape for contractors: Jennifer explains why she’s seeing aggregator sites, comparison engines, and job boards lose first-page visibility—and how that opens a rare opportunity for contractors to win with their own websites, content, and recruiting pages.
• The 356-point business data worksheet: A first look at the structured “entity” data every attendee will complete to strengthen visibility in search and AI-driven results, and to unify brand, operations, and recruiting assets.
• M&A without the traps: M&A advisor Craig Wendel (Black Trident Capital) shares how deal structure, reps and warranties, escrows, and payment timing can swing millions—and a real story of increasing a contractor’s transaction value by 30% in under two weeks by restructuring terms.
• Building a business buyers want: Craig outlines three value levers owners can control now—reducing key person risk, installing SOPs and KPIs, and stabilizing labor—whether you plan to sell in 2 years or 20.
• HR that retains: Lindsey Beckstrom (Pine Canyon HR) walks through culture-forward onboarding that sets techs and office staff up for success, aligns teams, and improves retention—even through tough, real-world scenarios.
• Capital readiness and true liquidity: Paul Childers (Blue Sky Biz Solutions) explains how to separate personal and business credit, access EIN-only financing, and escape predatory high-interest loans. On average, his clients saved roughly $150,000/year in fees and interest by restructuring.
• Branding beyond a logo: Crystal Williams (Lemon Seed Marketing) shows how to build a cohesive identity and track the right metrics from call to close so operations and marketing lift each other—and your cost per lead drops as performance improves.
• What owners are really struggling with: Rapid-fire from the group—cash flow and budgeting, financial visibility, labor, key person risk, focus and distraction, accountability and communication, tracking marketing performance, and the shift from firefighting to strategic leadership.
• Who this event is for: Owners from under $1M to $100M+ who want working sessions, not lectures. One ticket covers up to three people from your company so owners can bring a GM or key leaders to make decisions together.
• The “business adventure” format: Three days in Houston (May 5–7). VIP Day features direct access to the M&A advisor. Day 3 offers two tracks: deepen your work on the business or head out on an optional hog hunt for candid conversations in the field. The venue includes multiple small breakout areas at Jennifer’s home to keep discussions focused and productive.

What you’ll take away

• A prioritized, company-specific plan built during the event—not a notebook of ideas you’ll never implement.
• Clarity on your financial picture, capital options, and the specific moves that improve enterprise value.
• A recruiting and brand plan aligned with the current search environment so you can compete for both customers and talent.
• A network of operators and experts you can call when the next constraint shows up.

Why this matters right now

Consumer behavior, search, and hiring channels are shifting faster than most contractor websites and teams can keep up. That gap shows up in lead volume, close rates, cash flow, and culture. This episode explains why a smaller, smarter format helps you find the real constraint in your business quickly, and leave with cross-functional solutions you can deploy immediately.

About the Hosts

Jennifer Bagley
Jennifer Bagley is the CEO and founder of CI Web Group, an AI-enabled marketing agency helping home service businesses achieve exceptional growth. With over 15 years of experience, she has led companies to significantly increase their leads and revenue through innovative strategies and emerging technologies. Her 12 Step Roadmap to Accelerated Results is a trusted framework for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies looking to expand their markets and achieve lasting success.

Chuck Staszkiewicz
Chuck is an accomplished entrepreneur and growth strategist, renowned for scaling All Hours Plumbing into a $20 million industry leader before its successful sale in 2023. A co-founder of The Opus & Golds Group, he helps companies grow through innovative strategies and operational excellence. Through his work, Chuck continues to inspire entrepreneurs to achieve their highest potential.

Listen to the episode

If you’re ready to stop circling the same issues—cash flow, hiring, deal risk, marketing ROI—and want a format that turns insight into action, this is the episode to queue up next. Hear how the event is structured, what you’ll work on, and how to secure one of the limited seats for May 5–7 in Houston.

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