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Episode 56: Second-Generation Advances at Cerrone Plumbing & HVAC

Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp, the podcast!
Our Mission is Simple: To facilitate the growth and development of Blue Collar businesses. We will showcase REAL Blue Collar businesses in interviews, and use these stories to help educate and empower the next generation of trades workers to become Blue Collar business owners.

In this episode, our hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster interview Joe Cerrone of Cerrone Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning!

Joe is the second person to head the operations of Cerrone, after his father... What advances did he bring to the business? What's stayed the same? What did he learn along the way? Listen to this episode to hear the answers, plus much more!

00:00 - Introduction

00:15 - What Was That?

00:37 - Show Begins: What’s New at the Farm?

03:30 - Goat Lawn Care

04:41 - Doubling in Size Every Three Years?!

06:02 - Joe Cerrone: A History

07:54 - Coming a Long Way

09:11 - Plumbing is for Plumbers!

10:13 - Cerrone Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning: Entering the Next Generation

12:42 - The Right Way to Scale: It’s All About the Details!

14:39 - Taking the Reins

17:48 - What Changes… And What Stays the Same

19:34 - The Value of the Paper Trail

20:37 - Keep That Product in Stock!

21:58 - A Structured Focus

23:53 - Teachers: The Most Valuable Resource… If They’re Willing!

25:40 - Net Fencing Sure is Frustrating!

26:49 - Becoming an Owner Isn’t Easy!

27:52 - What’s Happening with Work Ethic? Stay Off the Phone!

30:19 - AI as a Professionalism Tool

32:37 - iPads for Technicians: Pull up Data, Record Video, and More!

33:42 - Document EVERYTHING!

34:14 - A Day in the Life of Joe Cerrone: Quality Checking Champ!

36:12 - Curing the “Hey Mike” Disease: Train and Let Your People Problem-Solve

38:46 - Papas Can’t Sleep!

40:15 - The Biggest Challenge… Is the Unending Flow of Challenges!

43:45 - Joe’s Advice: Blue Collar Work Isn’t Easy, but It’s Worth It!

45:32 - Closing Remarks: Shoutout to MLB and Michaels Group!

46:09 - Mike’s Social Media Cycle: Install, Uninstall, Install…


Episode

Details

  • Interviewers

    Mike Nelson & Derek Foster

  • Guest

    Joe Cerrone

  • Runtime

    47 Minutes, 56 Seconds

  • Air Date

    June 10th, 2024