In this episode of Expanding Local, I sit down with Laura Kelly, Co-Founder & Chief People Officer at Clover Growth Partners.

Laura shares why you should never tolerate toxic talent, how to use the DP Report to hit revenue goals daily, and the Three Promises Framework that keeps teams engaged and loyal.

From building cultures that thrive to leveraging executive assistants as true strategic partners, Laura drops actionable systems any home service or small business owner can implement.

Connect With Our Guest:
https://www.instagram.com/the.laura.kelly/
https://www.facebook.com/laurajoanmccarthy2019/
https://growwithclover.com/

Connect With Me:
https://www.instagram.com/will.troup/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/willtroup/
https://localsink.com/

In this episode, Caleb White, founder of Dreamlit Creative Company, reveals the secrets to building a powerful, scalable brand for home service businesses.

Caleb explains how to move from DIY chaos to a cohesive, repeatable brand system that builds trust and shortens the sales cycle.

He covers everything from the impact of reviews and packaging to the future of SEO and AI, sharing actionable tips for standing out in a crowded market and creating memorable customer experiences.

Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or service pro, you’ll find practical advice and inspiration to level up your business.

Connect With Our Guest:
https://www.instagram.com/dreamlit.co/
https://www.facebook.com/dreamlit.co
https://www.facebook.com/calebmitchellwhite
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dreamlit/
https://dreamlit.co/

Connect With Me:
https://www.instagram.com/will.troup/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/willtroup/
https://localsink.com/

00:00 – Introduction & Caleb’s Background
02:00 – The Dreamlit Story: From Coffee to Creative Studio
05:00 – Why Founder-Led Companies Need Brand Strategy
08:00 – Taking Brands from Scattered to Scalable
12:00 – Building Trust Through Cohesive Messaging & Visuals
16:00 – Brand Strategy in Saturated Home Service Markets
20:00 – Defining Your Target Market & Customer Persona
24:00 – When to Invest in Professional Branding
28:00 – Measuring Brand Success: ROI, SEO & More
32:00 – The Role of Photography & Visuals
36:00 – Leveraging Reviews & Social Proof
40:00 – AI, SEO, and the Future of Local Search
44:00 – Packaging & Merchandise: Underutilized Brand Tools
48:00 – Customer Experience: Welcome Kits & Touchpoints
52:00 – Training Teams to Represent the Brand
56:00 – Direct Mail & Creative Marketing Tactics
60:00 – Final Thoughts & How to Connect with Caleb

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Melissa Hostetler, founder of Blue Collar Business Advisors, as she shares her journey from a small town to helping entrepreneurs and investors buy and sell blue collar businesses.

Melissa discusses the importance of membership programs, the realities of due diligence, and why separating your personal brand from your business can maximize your exit.

We also dive into common pitfalls, the impact of private equity, and practical advice for scaling, selling, or buying a business in the trades.

Whether you’re a business owner, investor, or just curious about the blue collar world, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world stories.

Connect With Our Guest:
https://www.facebook.com/MelissaBlueCollarBusinessAdvisors
https://www.instagram.com/bluecollarbusinessadvisorsllc/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bluecollarbusinessadvisors/
https://www.bluecollarbusinessadvisors.com/

Connect With Me:
https://www.instagram.com/will.troup/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/willtroup/
https://localsink.com/