Pete DiStefano, President of DiStefano Brothers Companies, shares his 20-year journey from solo contractor to leading four thriving divisions: construction, floor coatings, closets, and electrical services. He gets candid about his early struggles with impulse-driven leadership and accountability, revealing the practical systems that helped him transform from visionary entrepreneur to intentional leader. If you’re a trades business owner who sees the vision but struggles with execution, this conversation offers actionable insights on building structure that supports growth instead of stifling it.

Are your sales reps following a script, or thinking strategically about each opportunity? Jeff Cramer, Sales Coach for Nolan Consulting Group and founder of Perceptive Learning, tackles one of the most common problems in trades sales: autopilot selling. When reps run the same process for every customer, they create tactical fatigue—high volume, low profit, and constant price pressure. Jeff explains how to build a sales GPS that aligns every action with your business goals, why strategy must come before tactics, and how role-playing can transform your team’s preparedness. If your reps are busy but not profitable, this conversation will change how you approach sales.

COO of Coeur d’Alene Painting Group, Desiree Cleave, knows what it means to conquer the chaos — running multiple businesses, raising kids, and navigating family business leadership dynamics all at once. In this honest conversation, Des shares what it really took to find her voice in business, create the daily habits that set her up for success, and learn that sometimes the best thing you can do is just reroute. 

Business is Messy is back, bringing you practical solutions to the challenges every growing trades business faces. Brian Nolan and Colin Nolan are digging into three challenges facing their clients right now: shifting sales teams from immediate-results thinking to relationship-building, navigating the complexities of family business succession, and creating accountability systems that actually stick.

Rob Vallentine, National Mental Health Trainer, joins us following his powerful Grand Summit keynote that left attendees still reaching out months later with gratitude. Rob shares how equipping managers with mental health response skills can transform workplace culture, improve retention, and help leaders connect with their teams before problems escalate. Learn about the upcoming Mental Health First Aid Certification workshop in March – a practical training that teaches leaders how to notice warning signs, listen without judgment, and respond with confidence when team members are struggling.

Succession planning isn’t just about paperwork. It’s about trust, timing, and knowing when to let go. Susan Kussin Tompkins shares her 32-year journey at Kent Countryside Nursery & Landscaping, from unexpected tragedy to a proud, intentional transition. She discusses implementing Profit First across two revenue streams, using winter downtime strategically, and why starting succession conversations earlier make everything easier. This is real talk from a business owner who’s preparing to watch her legacy thrive in the next generation’s hands.