#148: Can the Trades Take You Farther Than a Degree // Dustin Van Orman, Ismael Valdez // Next Level Pros

Welcome to a new episode of Next Level Pros! Today’s episode is a powerhouse roundtable featuring Ismael Valdez and Dustin Van Orman, two giants in the trades game who have each scaled service businesses to over $100 million in revenue. They join Chris and the team to talk about the real impact of private equity in the trades, the myths, the opportunities, and how the right mindset and sales driven culture can launch your business from $2M to $100M+. If you’ve been skeptical, or scared about private equity, this episode might just change your mind. Highlights: “AI won’t replace the trades. People still want humans in their homes.” “The loudest voices attract the most labor.” “We don’t have an information problem. We have an accountability problem.” “You’re not selling out. You’re building up.” Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome & Introductions 03:12 From Zero to $108M: Ismael’s Growth Story 08:30 The Private Equity Boom in Trades 13:10 Tackling the Labor Shortage 19:45 California vs. Washington: Tough Markets, Big Upsides 26:30 Sales-Driven Culture: The Real Growth Lever 32:58 How to Attract Top Sales Talent 39:15 Picking the Right Coach (and Avoiding Scams) 45:00 The Power of Accountability & Coaching 51:25 What Drives These Founders Today Want me to teach you how to grow your business? Text me! 509-374-7554 Want access to more of my content? Click the link below for all of our latest updates and events! https://linktr.ee/nextlevelpros Want to be a guest on our show? Apply here!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YlkVBSluEKMTg4gehyUOHYvBratcxHV5rt3kiWTXNC4/viewform?edit_requested=true Watch my latest PodcastApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-pros/id1687030281 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=95980cd4e55a437a YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelPros