In this episode of Titan Talks, Jonathan Stern interviews Chaz Smith, the owner of the Dig It Tree Company based in Mason, Ohio. Chaz discusses the journey of his business from its inception in 2011, detailing the decision to move from Wilmington to Mason for better opportunities and the challenges of low-quality equipment and marketing mishaps they initially faced. Despite these early setbacks, Dig It Tree Company has achieved success, largely attributed to effective marketing strategies with Topline Pro and focusing on quality service within a 30-40 mile radius. Chaz shares insights into the industry’s evolution, particularly the impact of the emerald ash borer epidemic, and stresses the importance of adapting to changes and maintaining high standards. The conversation also touches on the challenges of finding committed employees and outlines Chaz’s aspirations for the company’s growth without expanding beyond their community, aiming to build a reputable local business.

In this episode of Titan Talks, host Jonathan Stern interviews John Ross, the owner of LeafTide Solutions, a pressure washing and cleaning company based in Richmond, Virginia. John discusses his journey from dissatisfaction in a sales job to starting his own pressure washing business, LeafTide Solutions. Using his past experience with chemical applications from a car wash job and relentless self-education through YouTube and supplier support, John has grown his business significantly while leveraging modern marketing tools like Topline Pro’s before-and-after photo feature. John emphasizes the importance of detailed and personal customer service in his business approach and expresses aspirations to expand his company and provide free services to veterans. As the business approaches its first anniversary, John is booked solid through May and is cautiously optimistic about future growth, hoping it will afford him more family time.

This episode of Titan Talks features Steve Lockwood, the owner of Lockwood Finishes, a successful painting company located in Springfield, Illinois. The show discusses his start in the industry, how he came to realize that he was a professional, and how making 100 phone calls a day helped boost his business and client base in the early days. Steve shares insights on the importance of job costing, his pride in carrying the name Lockwood, and how having a website has transformed his business and brought him in front of people that didn’t know about his services.