Episode Summary:

Jeff Rahn shares his journey from the Air Force to building a successful home services business. This conversation dives into what actually makes blue collar businesses work: hiring for personality over technical skills, building team culture that drives retention, and why soft skills matter more than most people realize.

We cover the realities of earning potential in the trades, how to handle employee development and terminations with integrity, and why customer service is the foundation of growth. Jeff shares hard-learned lessons about consistency, fair compensation, and adapting to industry changes driven by technology and customer expectations.

What This Episode Covers:

Jeff's transition from military service to entrepreneurship and the role mentorship played in his success. Why hiring based on personality and character creates better long-term outcomes than hiring for technical skills alone. How soft skills and customer interaction drive business growth in home services. The real earning potential in blue collar trades that most people underestimate. Strategies for building positive team culture that reduces turnover. The impact of integrity and consistency on business operations and reputation. Employee retention tactics that actually work in the trades. Fair compensation structures and employee development pathways. Customer service challenges unique to home services and how to handle them. How the internet fundamentally changed customer expectations and business operations. Predicting future trends in blue collar businesses. How military leadership experience translates to civilian business ownership. Starting consulting businesses in the trades.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Building a Successful Business
27:30 – The Perception of Blue Collar Trades
33:41 – The Impact of Integrity and Consistency
39:28 – Employee Retention and Growth
44:29 – Employee Retention and Integrity
50:33 – Employee Retention and Turnover
56:41 – Predicting the Future of Business and Adaptation
01:03:13 – Motivational Quotes and Funny Stories

How to Contact Our Guest:

Jeff Rahn: https://ontimebusinesspartners.com/jeff-rahn/

Contact Us:

https://thebluecollarrecruiter.com/

More Information About Skilled Trades:

https://thebluecollarrecruiter.com/best-and-worst-skilled-trades-2026-salaries-job-outlook/

Guest Links:

Service Pros: https://ontimeservicepros.com/
Business Partners: https://ontimebusinesspartners.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ontimeservicepros
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ontimeservicepros/