Kenny Chapman and Chris Crew answer some audience questions in the second mailbag episode of this season. They break down why the HVAC industry is one of the most reliable spaces to build in, what to watch out for when buying a business, and why doing the basics still solves 90% of your problems. By the end, you’ll walk away with sharper instincts, fewer excuses, and a deeper understanding of what it really takes to grow and exit a profitable business.

• Chris and Kenny start by explaining why HVACs are the heartbeat of the blue collar economy.
• For Chris, whenever something breaks in business, 9 times out of 10, it’s because someone skipped the basics. What feels “too simple” is usually the thing holding everything together.
• There’s this myth that growing a business means making it more complex. But Kenny believes whether you’re going big or staying small, just focus on getting the fundamentals right. Everything else is noise.
• Chris’ advice for all business owners: stop overthinking. So many business owners tie themselves in knots trying to be clever when they just need to double down on the basics, and the rest will take care of itself.
• Thinking about opening a new location? Kenny and Chris break down the real difference between starting from scratch and buying an existing business—and why neither is as easy as people make it sound.
• According to Chris, acquisitions can be enticing until you realize what you bought isn’t what was advertised.
• Do your homework. There’s always a reason someone wants out, and if you don’t dig into that reason before buying, you’re the one who’s going to pay for it later.
• When you’re launching a new location, the #1 rule is: leadership needs to be on the ground. Chris has seen too many businesses die because of poor leadership.
• Chris and Kenny agree that the fastest way to fail in a new business is underestimating how much it will cost. Starting a new location without enough capital is like showing up to a marathon in flip-flops. You might survive—but it’s gonna hurt.
• Chris explains how buying customers can fast-track your growth faster than any marketing strategy—but it only works if your systems are tight.
• For Kenny, if everyone is still on the payroll 90 days after buying a new company, either you struck gold or you’ve got leadership issues that are about to blow up in your face.
• Chris and Kenny discuss the do’s and don’ts of selling your business.
• Your business exit plans will not materialize if you haven’t planned for what comes next. Chris warns that an exit without a vision for life after is just a pivot into confusion.
• Want your business to sell for more? Make it less about you. Chris says the most valuable businesses are the ones that run just fine without the owner.
• For Chris, a business that’s simple, profitable, and stable will always attract the right buyer. You don’t need fancy branding, you just need clean books, clear processes, and a solid team. That’s what closes deals.
• Kenny explains how delegation isn’t about handing off your headaches, it’s about empowering your people. When you delegate well, you’re not just freeing up your time—you’re building leaders who carry the vision with you.
• Chris reminds us: tomorrow isn’t promised—but that doesn’t mean you don’t plan for it. Living in the present is powerful. But you have to think ahead if you want long-term peace. You’ve got to think ahead.
• Kenny on “work/life balance.” There's no such thing as a business and a life. There's life, and business is part of it.

Mentioned in This Episode:

HomeServiceBusinessSuccessShow.com/s2e10

The Blue Collar Success Group