There are two distinct types of contractors in the field service world of today. There are the client focused contractors, who align closely with what a clients vision is, prioritize his requests and specifications, no matter how trendy or predictable they may be. And they are very, very compliant. And then, there is Simon Beames, of the BRITISH REMODELER and GLASS ACT MOSAICS in Colorado Springs, CO, who doesn’t do trendy AT ALL. Or predictable. What he does instead is prioritize that which is different, exciting, and above all else, unique. In this episode of SWIVL SESSIONS, Simon explains why he refuses to chase “Instagram moments,” instead focusing on creating work that is elegant, durable, and deeply personal for each client. From the fulfillment of doing things his way, to hearing about his latest venture, Glass Act Mosaics, where he’s reviving ancient artistry with a modern twist, his advice to future entrepreneurs is simple but powerful: “Don’t be afraid to make the jump.
Scattered and Smothered Plumbing Success: From a Life Changing Decision at the Waffle House To A Life of Impact Through the Trades
The journey to field service success isn’t always an eight lane expressway. For Ryan Hanson, owner of TRUE PLUMBING in Atlanta, Georgia, the road he traveled wound through backcountry trails, snowy slopes, and unexpected, unfulfilling turns….until finally ending in the familiar and welcoming booth of a Waffle House. It was there, hunkered down with friend and mentor, Bruce Ackley, that Ryan made the bold decision to take a road that was becoming more and more less traveled - the plumbing industry. Embracing the challenge of a new career ahead of him, he grew TRUE PLUMBING the old fashioned way - one toilet, one drain, one customer at a time. In this very inspiring episode of SWIVL SESSIONS, Ryan shares some of the important takeaways from his journey to building one of the most trusted plumbing companies in Atlanta - Don’t be afraid to embrace the “hard stuff”. Build lasting relationships with your customers. And, most importantly, ALWAYS acknowledge and celebrate the people who he
About the Guest
Ryan Hanson
Owner
Ryan Hanson is the founder and owner of True Plumbing, a rapidly growing plumbing company based in Atlanta, Georgia. After spending his twenties as a ski bum and tour guide, Ryan made a pivotal career decision at a Waffle House that changed his life forever. Starting with just $5,000 and a $2,000 Buick, he built True Plumbing into a $3+ million operation with 9 vans on the road. A University of Georgia marketing graduate, Ryan combines business acumen with hands-on plumbing expertise, holding both journeyman and master plumber licenses. His company is built on five core values: accountability, lasting relationships, clear communication, generosity, and growth mindset.
Company Overview
Services
- Founded: 2014 (10+ years in business)
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Annual Revenue: $3+ million (targeting $3.5M in 2025)
- Team: 9 service vans, office staff, warehouse operations
- Services: Residential and commercial plumbing, sewer and drain work
- Specialties: Water heater installation, pipe repair, drain cleaning, commercial restaurant services
- Business Model: Service-focused with 60-70% repeat customers
- Mission: To be Atlanta's most trusted service plumber
- Phone: 678-PLUMBER (678-758-6237)
- Debt-free operations - all equipment owned outright
- Organic growth funded entirely by reinvested profits
- Strong employee retention and development programs
- Premium service positioning targeting quality-conscious homeowners
- Recent record-breaking months with $325K in monthly revenue
Business Model
Service-focused with 60-70% repeat customers
Episode Summary
The journey to field service success isn’t always an eight lane expressway. For Ryan Hanson, owner of TRUE PLUMBING in Atlanta, Georgia, the road he traveled wound through backcountry trails, snowy slopes, and unexpected, unfulfilling turns….until finally ending in the familiar and welcoming booth of a Waffle House. It was there, hunkered down with friend and mentor, Bruce Ackley, that Ryan made the bold decision to take a road that was becoming more and more less traveled - the plumbing industry. Embracing the challenge of a new career ahead of him, he grew TRUE PLUMBING the old fashioned way - one toilet, one drain, one customer at a time. In this very inspiring episode of SWIVL SESSIONS, Ryan shares some of the important takeaways from his journey to building one of the most trusted plumbing companies in Atlanta - Don’t be afraid to embrace the “hard stuff”. Build lasting relationships with your customers. And, most importantly, ALWAYS acknowledge and celebrate the people who he
On Identifying Market Opportunities
"I made my decision right there in Waffle House that day. If this is an industry where a lot of people are getting out of it, that means supply and demand is very upset right now."
On Trade Career Earning Potential
"If you can pick up a shovel and get to work every day and just live a clean life, you can make more money than a doctor."
On Business Ethics and Integrity
"Good luck follows the people who try to do the right thing all the time."
On Customer Retention Strategy
"We don't want our customers to use us one time. We want you for the long haul. We're not here to make a quick buck because that's rampant in this industry."
On Problem-Solving as an Entrepreneur
"I think the biggest skill in the entrepreneurial world is to be able to problem solve and wake up that day and say, 'Here's what I got to do.'"
On Financial Management for Small Businesses
"Don't be afraid to save money. Living below your means is important... I've put all my money back into my business."
On Overcoming Analysis Paralysis
"The biggest thing that comes to mind is analysis paralysis. Just be able to get up every day and go. Don't think everyone's out there trying to wrong you."
Getting Started
- Economics matter: Research supply and demand in your chosen industry
- Start lean: Ryan built a $3M company starting with just $5,000
- Live below your means: Reinvest profits back into the business for growth
- Don't overthink it: Avoid analysis paralysis - take action and adjust as you learn
Building Your Business Foundation
- Develop core values: Create an operating system for decision-making
- Focus on relationships: Build clients, not just customers
- Embrace learning: Read books and stay curious about your industry
- Hire for culture fit: Invest time in finding the right people
Growth Strategy
- Quality over quantity: Slow, sustainable growth beats rapid expansion
- Customer retention: Focus on repeat business and referrals
- Word-of-mouth marketing: Let your work speak for itself
- Reinvest profits: Fund growth organically rather than taking on debt
Industry-Specific Insights
- Trades opportunity: Aging workforce creates massive opportunities
- Licensing requirements: Use regulatory barriers as competitive advantages
- Essential services: Choose industries that people always need
- Local market focus: Dominate your geographic area before expanding
Leadership Mindset
- Take accountability: Own both successes and failures
- Be generous with time: Invest in employee development and customer service
- Communicate clearly: Prevent misunderstandings through better dialogue
- Maintain growth mindset: Continuously improve and adapt
Entrepreneurial Transformation:
Ryan's journey from aimless ski bum to successful business owner demonstrates how life-changing decisions can emerge from unexpected moments.
Economic Opportunity Recognition:
The Waffle House revelation about plumbing's supply-demand imbalance showcases the importance of understanding market economics.
Character-Based Business Building:
True Plumbing's success stems from core values and doing the right thing, proving that integrity drives sustainable growth.
Scaling Challenges:
The discussion of plateau at $3M revenue highlights common growth challenges and the investment required to break through.
Trades Industry Evolution:
Ryan's insights into workforce demographics and technology disruption provide valuable industry perspective.
Sustainable Growth Philosophy:
The emphasis on quality over rapid expansion offers a counter-narrative to typical startup growth stories.
People-First Leadership:
Ryan's focus on employee development and customer relationships demonstrates how investing in people drives business success.
Technology Integration:
The conversation about field service software and marketing analytics shows how traditional trades businesses must embrace technology.
Future-Proofing Strategy:
Discussion of AI impact and industry disruption reveals how successful entrepreneurs think about long-term sustainability.
More Episodes
Swivl Sessions
Interviews, tips, and insights from field service entrepreneurs.
Evan Pantano and Russell Olschner, with TX Handyman, are two different guys with two very different skill sets—but together, they’re a perfect example of how teamwork can be the biggest driver of success for a business. While they’ll both readily admit that “his strengths are my weaknesses”, they complement each other in a way that keeps their company moving forward. This episode of SWIVL SESSIONS highlights the power of building strong partnerships, finding mentors to learn from, and then having the guts to get out there and try. It's not about having all the answers—it's about being willing to work together, learn, adapt, and take action.
Join us in this inspiring episode of Swivl Sessions as we sit down with Art, a self-made entrepreneur who started crafting his path to success from the tender age of eight. Discover how his early experiences shaped his business acumen, enabling him to establish All Around Homeworks - a prominent handyman service in the Austin area. Don't miss Art's invaluable advice for young entrepreneurs and his strategic approach to scaling a service-based business without compromising quality. Perfect for anyone interested in entrepreneurship or the home renovation sector.
Discover the inspiring journey from corporate to entrepreneurship with Roman Gera of Roman's Pressure Wash and Fence Staining. In this episode of Swivl Sessions, learn how Roman turned an unexpected career change into a flourishing business. Dive deep into valuable insights on business growth, the importance of understanding profit margins, and the power of excellent customer service. Join our host as he navigates through central Texas' weather challenges, the strategic use of technology, and the pivotal role mentors play in entrepreneurship. Don't miss this enlightening conversation tailored for field service entrepreneurs looking to up their game!
Bryan Landreth, of Huntsville, Alabama, carries forward the legacy of a second-generation field service entrepreneur—but the path he chose was most definitely his own. When he founded NORTH ALABAMA PLUMBING COMPANY, it was a life-changing decision, one built on courage, conviction, and a deep belief in the value of hard work. He’s hands-on not just with the work, but with his people—leading with humility, investing in his team, and showing that ownership means more than a title. It means taking responsibility, learning from every misstep, and building something that reflects who you are. Bryan’s story on this episode of SWIVL SESSIONS is a reminder that when you take the leap, believe in your craft, and care deeply about those who walk beside you—you won’t regret it.
Joseph Lambert went from a Sandy Springs teen doing lawns and construction to building a premium junk-removal company by learning fast from failures, studying proven models, and executing better—scaling from rented trucks to ~$2.8–2.9M revenue with 8 trucks and 30–35 staff. He sold the business in early 2024 with a team-first deal that gave employees life-changing bonuses, later left his VP role in Oct 2024, and now invests in manufactured housing while exploring waste-industry opportunities—his mantra: take imperfect action and keep moving.
The “American Dream” can sometimes be an over-used and tired cliche. But Adriano Redante, co-owner of Limpia Cleaning Services in Philadelphia, PA, has dusted off and rewritten his own incredible “American Success Story.” After coming to the U.S. from Brazil with just $200 in his pocket and no English, he worked his way up from first the restaurant industry to owning a thriving million-dollar cleaning company. The “key ingredient” to the recipe of that growth was his wife, Carolina, who started Limpia Cleaning as a side-hustle to help support their family. Together, that side hustle has grown into a 14-employee operation built on hard work, resilience, and above all else, family values. The takeaway from this amazing episode of Swivl Sessions is that, sometimes, it isn’t always about where you start in life….but how far are you willing to go?
Fear can be crippling, especially for someone wanting to start a business. But for Peters Pierre-Louis, owner of AP Haulers in Philadelphia, PA — fear was the fuel to help him start a moving and junk removal company built on hustle, adaptability, and a priority on customer service. From being a private chef in New York to managing real estate and eventually hauling full-time, Peters embodies the entrepreneurial spirit. He shares how he turned a side hustle into a growing business, why fear kills more dreams than failure, and how staying consistent, managing expectations, and finding creative ways to pivot have been key to his success. In this episode of Swivl Sessions, his message is simple but powerful: just start, and keep getting better every day.
They always say “the second time around” is never better than the first. But Pablo Chavez, of Deer Park Garage Door, Houston, Texas, is proving that age-old adage wonderfully wrong. Pablo shares how his father started the business in 1999 and how he’s now leading it into a new era—embracing technology, digital marketing, and modern service practices. From late-night calls to fix stuck doors to managing a growing team, Pablo talks about the real-life challenges and rewards of running a family business. In this episode of Swivl Sessions, he discusses how staying compassionate, modernizing operations, and keeping community and care at the heart of the business, will keep the Deer Park legacy alive for future generations.
One of the hardest truths business owners deal with in entrepreneurship today is this: you can’t do it alone. Mark Hummel, of Inspector Empire Builders in Friendswood, Texas, understands that all too well. As a seasoned business coach who specializes in helping inspection companies and service based businesses grow, Mark highlights the critical importance of why having a “life vision” is paramount in personal and business growth. From setting a “#1 priority right now”, to the importance of daily huddles keeping everyone focused, he reminds us all that business growth isn’t about “grinding harder”, it’s about finding mentors and coaches and proven systems that can pave the way to success. This episode of SWIVL SESSIONS is a must-listen for any owner who’s ready to stop running in circles, and start building a business that truly serves their life.
Join 1,000+ home service businesses growing with Swivl
Start your 21-day free trial today.
