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What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn’t your team, your competition, or the market? What if it’s you?

As a business owner, confidence is important. But when confidence turns into ego, it can quietly affect how you lead, make decisions, and build relationships with your team. In this episode of From the Yellow Chair, Crystal sits down with author and corporate keynote speaker Schalee Sanchez to explore the connection between ego, humility, and business growth.

Schalee shares the leadership lesson behind the Challenger disaster, why your team might have stopped telling you the truth, small moves that rebuild trust, and a simple 3-day challenge to help you let go of control. If you’ve ever wondered why no one pushes back in your leadership meetings, this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways

• Confidence and ego aren’t the same thing. Learn why recognizing the difference matters for effective leadership.
• Your reactions shape your team’s behavior. Defensiveness and poor listening can make employees hesitant to share valuable ideas.
• Humility is a leadership advantage. Being willing to listen, learn, and acknowledge mistakes can strengthen trust and accountability.
• You don’t have to have all the answers. Creating space for your team’s input can lead to better decisions and stronger collaboration.
• Leadership affects business growth. The way you lead can influence employee engagement, creativity, loyalty, and performance.
• Getting out of your own way starts with awareness. Recognizing ego-driven patterns is an important step toward becoming a stronger leader.

Resources & Links

• Schalee Sanchez’s Website: https://schaleesanchez.com
• The Humility You Want and the World Needs by Schalee Sanchez
• Flex With Purpose Podcast, hosted by Schalee Sanchez
• Lemon Seed Marketing: https://www.lemonseedmarketing.com

About Our Guest: Schalee Sanchez

Schalee Sanchez is an author, corporate keynote speaker, and host of the Flex With Purpose podcast. She is the author of The Humility You Want and the World Needs.

Drawing on decades of leadership experience and conversations with corporate professionals across industries, Schalee helps ambitious leaders recognize ego-driven patterns, build trust, and lead with humility as a performance advantage.

Through her keynote, Get Out of Your Own Way, she equips leaders with practical strategies to strengthen relationships, improve decision-making, and create environments where teams can thrive.

Connect with Schalee:

• Website: https://schaleesanchez.com
• Email: Schalee@SchaleeSanchez.com
• Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube (available through her website)

If you enjoyed this chat From the Yellow Chair, consider joining our newsletter, "Let's Sip Some Lemonade," where you can receive exclusive interviews, our bank of helpful downloadables, and updates on upcoming content.

Please consider following and drop a review below if you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

From the Yellow Chair is powered by Lemon Seed, a marketing strategy and branding company for the trades. Lemon Seed specializes in rebrands, creating unique, comprehensive, organized marketing plans, social media, and graphic design. Learn more at www.LemonSeedMarketing.com

Interested in being a guest on our show? Fill out this form!

We'll see you next time, Lemon Heads!

Send us Fan Mail

Are marketing mistakes quietly draining your home service company’s cash flow?

In this episode of From the Yellow Chair, Crystal breaks down six common marketing mistakes that could be costing your business more than you realize. From chasing leads without a strategy and copying competitors to spreading your budget too thin and failing to track the right numbers, these mistakes add up fast.

If you own or lead an HVAC, plumbing, roofing, electrical, or other home service business, this episode will help you take a closer look at where your marketing dollars are going and whether they’re actually working for you.

It’s time to stop guessing, get strategic, and make your marketing budget work harder.

🍋 Learn more about Lemon Seed Marketing: https://lemonseedmarketing.com/

If you enjoyed this chat From the Yellow Chair, consider joining our newsletter, "Let's Sip Some Lemonade," where you can receive exclusive interviews, our bank of helpful downloadables, and updates on upcoming content.

Please consider following and drop a review below if you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

From the Yellow Chair is powered by Lemon Seed, a marketing strategy and branding company for the trades. Lemon Seed specializes in rebrands, creating unique, comprehensive, organized marketing plans, social media, and graphic design. Learn more at www.LemonSeedMarketing.com

Interested in being a guest on our show? Fill out this form!

We'll see you next time, Lemon Heads!

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More leads will not solve the problem if the opportunities you already have are moving through a business that is underpriced, difficult to measure, or inconsistent in execution.

If your marketing needs a clearer strategy, book a call with Lemon Seed Marketing:

https://www.lemonseedmarketing.com/contact/

In Episode 240, Crystal Williams is joined by Danielle Putnam of The New Flat Rate and Ryan Bowman of Divergent for a conversation about the connection between pricing, marketing, operations and profitability.

Danielle begins with one of the numbers every contractor should understand: the billable hour. She walks through how labor burden, efficiency and profitability influence the price a home service company actually needs to charge.

Ryan challenges the idea that flat rate pricing or another software platform can replace understanding what is happening operationally inside the business.

Crystal brings those lessons into marketing and explains why contractors cannot simply give every win to PPC, cut brand building activity, or assume more leads will fix a weak customer journey.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Why underpricing can quietly damage growth
• Why every truck should have a clear daily target
• Why flat rate pricing still requires understanding the numbers
• Why brand recognition supports lead capture
• Why existing customers should not be forgotten
• How to map the customer journey from first contact to payment
• Why implementation matters more than simply buying another tool
• How leadership affects the performance of every system in the business

About Danielle Putnam

Danielle Putnam is CEO of The New Flat Rate and works with contractors on pricing and profitability.

Learn more:
https://thenewflatrate.com/

About Ryan Bowman

Ryan Bowman works with contractors on process, systems engineering, workflows and operational execution through Divergent.

Learn more:
https://divergentbsg.com/

Listen and Follow

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-the-yellow-chair/id1598195561

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1goGP66YLPIxzpX1TxFGvT

YouTube:
https://youtu.be/4KQUyjt8JkY

More From the Yellow Chair:
https://www.lemonseedmarketing.com/contractor-marketing-podcast/

If you enjoyed this chat From the Yellow Chair, consider joining our newsletter, "Let's Sip Some Lemonade," where you can receive exclusive interviews, our bank of helpful downloadables, and updates on upcoming content.

Please consider following and drop a review below if you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

From the Yellow Chair is powered by Lemon Seed, a marketing strategy and branding company for the trades. Lemon Seed specializes in rebrands, creating unique, comprehensive, organized marketing plans, social media, and graphic design. Learn more at www.LemonSeedMarketing.com

Interested in being a guest on our show? Fill out this form!

We'll see you next time, Lemon Heads!

Send us Fan Mail

Your marketing strategy can keep working exactly the way it always has right up until your customers stop behaving the way they always have.

That is the problem contractors need to be paying attention to.

👉 Wondering whether your current marketing strategy is keeping up?
Book a call with Lemon Seed Marketing:
https://www.lemonseedmarketing.com/contact/

In Episode 239, Crystal Williams welcomes Jennifer Bagley of CI Web Group and Matt Benton of Real Time Marketing and Unify 360 for a conversation about AI, Google, websites, search behavior and what contractors should actually be doing right now.

The conversation starts with one of the biggest fears surrounding AI marketing: Will Google eventually punish companies for using AI generated content?

From there, the group tackles the much bigger issue.

Homeowners are researching differently.

Contractors need content that helps people learn and compare, not just pages targeting customers who are already ready to call. Businesses also need strong authority signals, better customer experiences and faster ways for homeowners to interact with them.

You’ll hear:

• Why AI generated content and useful AI assisted content are not the same thing
• How the homeowner journey is becoming Learn, Compare and Act
• Why traditional contractor websites may leave major questions unanswered
• How reviews, community involvement and brand authority fit into search
• Why speed to lead remains critical
• What AI hype contractors should approach carefully
• Where contractors can begin adapting without rebuilding everything overnight

Meet the Guests

Jennifer Bagley is CEO of CI Web Group, Catalyst for the Trades, cofounder of Just Start AI, author of Hands Up and founder of Hydra OS.

Matt Benton is CEO of Real Time Marketing and Unify 360.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch the full conversation on YouTube.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-the-yellow-chair/id1598195561

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1goGP66YLPIxzpX1TxFGvT

YouTube: https://youtu.be/c-v_dLr4N2U

From the Yellow Chair: https://www.lemonseedmarketing.com/contractor-marketing-podcast/

If you enjoyed this chat From the Yellow Chair, consider joining our newsletter, "Let's Sip Some Lemonade," where you can receive exclusive interviews, our bank of helpful downloadables, and updates on upcoming content.

Please consider following and drop a review below if you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

From the Yellow Chair is powered by Lemon Seed, a marketing strategy and branding company for the trades. Lemon Seed specializes in rebrands, creating unique, comprehensive, organized marketing plans, social media, and graphic design. Learn more at www.LemonSeedMarketing.com

Interested in being a guest on our show? Fill out this form!

We'll see you next time, Lemon Heads!

Send us Fan Mail

A big network does not automatically create great referrals.

If networking has become a cycle of collecting business cards, adding LinkedIn connections, and walking into rooms wondering who can send you work, Crystal Williams wants you to change the way you think about it.

In Episode 238 of From the Yellow Chair, Crystal talks about shifting from traditional networking to intentional relationship building.

The strongest referrals usually do not come from meeting someone once.

They come from trust.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why knowing people is different from building relationships
• Why giving before you ask can strengthen your network
• How to stay connected without turning every interaction into a sales pitch
• Why vendors, past customers, community connections, and business partners can become valuable advocates
• How mutually valuable relationships can create stronger referral opportunities
• Why your reputation matters every time someone recommends your company

The goal is not to know every person in the room.

It is to create relationships strong enough that people know your business, trust your company, and are excited to advocate for your brand.

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-the-yellow-chair/id1598195561

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1goGP66YLPIxzpX1TxFGvT

More contractor marketing resources:
https://www.lemonseedmarketing.com/contractor-marketing-podcast/

Ready to take a closer look at what is working in your marketing and where there may be opportunities to grow?

If you enjoyed this chat From the Yellow Chair, consider joining our newsletter, "Let's Sip Some Lemonade," where you can receive exclusive interviews, our bank of helpful downloadables, and updates on upcoming content.

Please consider following and drop a review below if you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

From the Yellow Chair is powered by Lemon Seed, a marketing strategy and branding company for the trades. Lemon Seed specializes in rebrands, creating unique, comprehensive, organized marketing plans, social media, and graphic design. Learn more at www.LemonSeedMarketing.com

Interested in being a guest on our show? Fill out this form!

We'll see you next time, Lemon Heads!

Send us Fan Mail

Your community should know who you are before they ever need to call.

For many home service companies, brand visibility still revolves around advertising, trucks, sponsorship logos, and telling customers why the company is the best.

Crystal Williams argues that contractors need something more: real community involvement.

Want to build a contractor brand people recognize and trust?

Book a call with Lemon Seed Marketing:
https://www.lemonseedmarketing.com/contact/

In this episode of From the Yellow Chair, Crystal explains how HVAC, plumbing, roofing, pest control, electrical, and other home service companies can become more visible by showing up in the places their customers already care about.

You will learn:

• Why local recognition matters
• Why your community needs reasons to talk about your company
• Where contractors can start showing up
• How to choose causes that fit your brand
• Why writing a check is not the same as getting involved
• How to include your employees in community service
• How to set guidelines for sponsorship and donation requests

Crystal also challenges contractors to stop trying to support everything. Decide which causes matter to your company, create clear parameters, and invest more deeply in the opportunities that genuinely fit.

Your action step this week:

Choose one local organization, cause, event, or relationship where your company should be showing up more.

Then go own it.

Listen to From the Yellow Chair:

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-the-yellow-chair/id1598195561

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1goGP66YLPIxzpX1TxFGvT

YouTube:
https://youtu.be/7HOrJsrHYNg

More contractor marketing resources:
https://www.lemonseedmarketing.com/contractor-marketing-podcast/

If you enjoyed this chat From the Yellow Chair, consider joining our newsletter, "Let's Sip Some Lemonade," where you can receive exclusive interviews, our bank of helpful downloadables, and updates on upcoming content.

Please consider following and drop a review below if you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

From the Yellow Chair is powered by Lemon Seed, a marketing strategy and branding company for the trades. Lemon Seed specializes in rebrands, creating unique, comprehensive, organized marketing plans, social media, and graphic design. Learn more at www.LemonSeedMarketing.com

Interested in being a guest on our show? Fill out this form!

We'll see you next time, Lemon Heads!

Send us Fan Mail

Your Google rating is only one piece of your reputation.

Before a homeowner ever searches your company, they may have already heard about you from a neighbor, interacted with one of your employees, seen your trucks around town, watched you support a local organization, or heard how you handled a problem.

That is your reputation too.

If your company has grown but your brand, customer experience, and marketing are not creating the reputation you want, talk with Lemon Seed Marketing:

https://www.lemonseedmarketing.com/contact/

In this episode of From the Yellow Chair, host Emily Fleniken explains why contractors need to think beyond review count and start intentionally building the kind of reputation that generates trust, referrals, repeat business, and loyal customers.

YOU WILL LEARN:

• Why strong Google reviews do not always equal a strong reputation

• Why customers remember how your team made them feel

• How CSRs can build trust before the technician arrives

• Why small acts of care create stories customers tell other people

• How community involvement builds familiarity and trust

• Why relationships and referrals belong in your marketing strategy

Emily challenges contractors to stop asking only how they can collect more five star reviews and start asking a more important question:

What are we doing that makes people want to recommend us?

ABOUT EMILY

Emily Fleniken is a host of From the Yellow Chair. In this solo episode, she shares practical ways home service companies can strengthen the reputation being created through their employees, customer experience, community involvement, and relationships.

LISTEN AND FOLLOW

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-the-yellow-chair/id1598195561

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1goGP66YLPIxzpX1TxFGvT

YouTube:
https://youtu.be/pg0FXbRzyjM

More From the Yellow Chair:
https://www.lemonseedmarketing.com/contractor-marketing-podcast/

Lemon Seed Marketing helps home service contractors build stronger brands and smarter marketing strategies designed for long term growth.

If you enjoyed this chat From the Yellow Chair, consider joining our newsletter, "Let's Sip Some Lemonade," where you can receive exclusive interviews, our bank of helpful downloadables, and updates on upcoming content.

Please consider following and drop a review below if you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

From the Yellow Chair is powered by Lemon Seed, a marketing strategy and branding company for the trades. Lemon Seed specializes in rebrands, creating unique, comprehensive, organized marketing plans, social media, and graphic design. Learn more at www.LemonSeedMarketing.com

Interested in being a guest on our show? Fill out this form!

We'll see you next time, Lemon Heads!

Send us Fan Mail

Before They Call: What Homeowners Look for on Contractor Social Media

A homeowner sees your truck, hears your name, or finds you on Google.

Then they start investigating.

What does your social media tell them?

👉 If your marketing is not showing homeowners why they should trust your company, talk with Lemon Seed:
https://www.lemonseedmarketing.com/contact/

In Episode 235 of From the Yellow Chair, Crystal Williams and Emily Fleniken break down the homeowner’s social media cheat sheet and explain what customers actually want to see before deciding which contractor to call.

The answer is not another perfectly designed graphic.

It is proof.

Real employees. Real jobs. Real trucks. Real projects. Real community involvement. Real personality.

In this episode:

• Why showing real people builds trust and memorability
• How contractors can create a reusable photo bank
• Why before and after photos should become part of your operational process
• Video topics that can help customers understand financing, IAQ, and your services
• Why culture and community content gets attention
• How to audit your social profiles today
• Simple ways to create local content without an elaborate production plan

Crystal and Emily also explain why consistency matters more than waiting for the perfect piece of content.

About the hosts

Crystal Williams and Emily Fleniken are marketing strategists at Lemon Seed Marketing. Lemon Seed helps home service contractors organize their marketing, create intentional budgets and strategies, build memorable brands, and become the easy choice in their markets.

Book a conversation with Lemon Seed:
https://www.lemonseedmarketing.com/contact/

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-the-yellow-chair/id1598195561

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1goGP66YLPIxzpX1TxFGvT

More episodes:
https://www.lemonseedmarketing.com/contractor-marketing-podcast/

If you enjoyed this chat From the Yellow Chair, consider joining our newsletter, "Let's Sip Some Lemonade," where you can receive exclusive interviews, our bank of helpful downloadables, and updates on upcoming content.

Please consider following and drop a review below if you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

From the Yellow Chair is powered by Lemon Seed, a marketing strategy and branding company for the trades. Lemon Seed specializes in rebrands, creating unique, comprehensive, organized marketing plans, social media, and graphic design. Learn more at www.LemonSeedMarketing.com

Interested in being a guest on our show? Fill out this form!

We'll see you next time, Lemon Heads!