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Episode 98

Controlled Business Growth with Joe Cerrone

Episode Overview

In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, hosts Mike Nelson and Derek Foster sit down with Joe Cerrone, owner of Cerrone Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, to explore what it really takes to scale a second-generation trades business. Tune in as they share lessons in leadership, hiring, delegation, software systems, and how to grow a company that can thrive without your constant presence.

Learn more about Cerrone Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning and their work across the Capital Region on their website https://cerroneplumbinghvac.com/.

Check out our new Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content! www.patreon.com/c/BlueCollarStartUp

Time Stamps

0:00 Host Introduction: Mike Nelson and Derek Foster
0:29 What’s New with Daigle Cleaning Systems
1:25 Business Growth and Constant Change
2:13 Remembering a Mentor and Working Until the End
3:00 Sponsor Acknowledgments
3:39 Guest Introduction: Joe Cerrone
4:15 From CrossFit to Career Growth
5:00 Taking Over a 40-Year Family Business
5:24 Early Days: One Van, Three People
6:01 From Installer to Owner: Learning Every Role
7:01 Building the Second Van and the Fear of Scaling
8:22 The Cost of Growth and 24-Hour Service
9:58 Hiring and Delegation Challenges
11:02 Learning When to Add Office Staff
12:18 Moving from Storage Units to Office Ownership
13:17 Balancing Liabilities vs. Revenue Growth
15:08 Learning to Delegate and Manage a Team
17:05 Training from Scratch and Building Loyalty
20:15 Investing in the Right Software Systems
23:33 Transitioning to New Management Tools
25:40 Staying Organized and Prioritizing Tasks
28:34 Working On the Business, Not In It
30:36 Recruiting and Growing the Next Generation
33:36 Keys to Scaling: Patience and Organization
36:07 Looking Ahead: Expansion into Saratoga Region
38:09 Patreon Launch Announcement
39:23 Episode Wrap-Up and Sponsor Thanks
40:05 Closing Remarks


Details

  • Hosts

    Mike Nelson & Derek Foster

  • Guests

    Joe Cerrone

  • Runtime

    40 mins, 22 secs

  • Airing Date

    October 8, 2025


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