In this episode of To The Point, Chris introduces the next evolution of the podcast: the Home Services VIP Room. Inspired by shows like The Pat McAfee Show and built around real conversations with contractors, operators, and industry leaders, this new format is all about bringing listeners inside the room.

From industry legends like Tommy Mello, Ken Goodrich, Frank DeMarco, and more, to the addition of Aaron Gaynor joining Chris Yano and Chad Peterman as a new co-host, the goal is simple: unfiltered conversations, real stories, big ideas, and the kind of discussions that usually only happen behind closed doors at events like Pantheon and Home Service Freedom.

Chris also shares his vision to build the ultimate media platform for the home services industry through real conversations, live interactions, and content built for contractors at every level.

No scripts. No masks. No BS.

Just real conversations with the people shaping home services.

Welcome to the Home Services VIP Room.

00:00 – A New Era for To The Point

00:45 – The Inspiration Behind the New Format

01:30 – Why Chris Wants More Real Conversations

02:15 – The Contractor Conversations That Inspired This

03:00 – Welcome to the Home Services VIP Room

04:00 – Giving Friends the Freedom to Pop In Anytime

05:00 – Familiar Faces Returning to the Podcast

06:00 – Bringing More Independent Contractors Into the Spotlight

07:15 – Aaron Gaynor Joins as the New Co-Host

08:10 – Building the Ultimate Home Services Media Platform

09:00 – “No Scripts. No Masks. No BS.”

10:00 – The Vision for the Future of Home Services Content

10:45 – “There Ain’t Nothing To It But To Do It”

11:15 – Welcome to the Home Services VIP Room

Frank DiMarco (CEO of Champions Group) and Leland Smith (Founder & Chairman of the Board) sit down at RYNOx to break down one of the biggest recent moves in the space: their $2.5B Blackstone deal.

Recorded live at RYNOx 2026, this candid conversation dives into what it really took to build Champions Group into a multi-state platform spanning 19 brands—and how that growth led to a $2.5B acquisition.

From leadership evolution and scaling strategies to private equity and long-term vision, Frank and Leland share an inside look at the decisions, challenges, and opportunities behind the deal.

Whether you're an owner, operator, or looking to understand where the home services industry is headed, this episode delivers real insight from those building at the highest level.

00:00 – What’s Next for the Podcast

00:47 – Breaking Down the $2.5B Blackstone Deal

02:00 – From Plumber to $2.5B Exit

03:30 – Why Private Equity is Targeting Home Services

04:45 – What Actually Attracted Blackstone

06:00 – The Growth Formula That Drove the Valuation

07:30 – What Private Equity Really Looks For

08:30 – Why “People” Matter More Than Anything

10:00 – Employees vs. Customers: A Surprising Shift

11:00 – The Reality of Private Equity Pressure

12:00 – Elevating the Home Services Industry

13:00 – What Makes Champions Group Different

14:30 – “Simple, Not Easy” — Execution at Scale

15:30 – Consistency Over Flashy Growth

16:30 – The Membership Model Explained

18:00 – 150K Memberships & Their Impact on Valuation

19:30 – Cross-Selling & Scaling the Platform

21:00 – Final Thoughts on Growth & the Future

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In this episode of To the Point, we sit down with industry giants Chad Peterman (Peterman Brothers) and Aaron Gainer (Eco Plumbers, Heating & Air Conditioning) to pull back the curtain on what it takes to dominate the home services market. Together, they represent roughly $250 million in annual revenue across Indiana and Ohio.

We dive deep into the "real-life scenarios" and current problems facing HVAC, plumbing, and electrical businesses today. From surviving the post-Covid market shift to the "unsexy" secrets of perfect execution, this is a masterclass in scaling. Whether you are a small shop looking to hit your first million or a large operator eyeing the $100M mark, these insights on onboarding, AI integration, and growth models are game-changers.

00:00 – The New Era of the To the Point Podcast

02:45 – Why HVAC Shipments are Down 30% and How to Pivot

04:00 – Execution vs. Growth: Why Doubling in Size Can Mask Failures

07:24 – The Strategy Behind Lowering Prices to Capture the "Everyday American" Market

09:21 – Why Onboarding is the "Most Sacred" Part of the Peterman Way

12:16 – Greenfield vs. Acquisitions: The $8 Million Lesson

15:05 – The "Lid" of Leadership: Why You Must Grow Faster Than Your Team

17:37 – How Giving 6 Options on Every Call Skyrockets Conversion

20:06 – What Breaks First? Scaling from $10M to $100M

25:17 – Real-World AI: Using AI Agents to Book 30% of All Jobs

35:33 – From Bankruptcy at 28 to a $100M Independent Empire