Think Like an Owner

Josh Melton joined his uncle's garage door business in 2008 during the recession with zero interest in garage doors. Eighteen years later, he's president of Easy Lift Door, overseeing three locations across California and Nevada. Alex Bridgeman and Josh Melton explore how the company has evolved from paper scheduling boards thumbtacked to cork walls to modern field service software, and how EasyLift is now building out a residential service arm after decades focused on new construction.
They discuss:
- Why the "pit crew" warehouse loading model failed and what replaced it
- How customer service training differs completely between new construction and residential service calls
- The pros and cons of service vans versus pickup trucks for residential garage door work
- What In-N-Out's opening playbook teaches about operational efficiency
- How AI-driven search is changing how homeowners find garage door companies
This episode offers a ground-level view of what it takes to professionalize a second-generation trades business while preparing for third-generation succession on Think Like an Owner.
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:00:53) - Getting into the garage door business
(00:02:42) - Joining during the 2008 recession
(00:03:50) - Lessons from the recession
(00:04:54) - Modernizing operations as president
(00:05:04) - From paper tickets to digital systems
(00:08:37) - Building a company truck fleet
(00:10:44) - Expanding into home service work
(00:12:36) - Customer service training challenges
(00:14:38) - Learning from In-N-Out's efficiency model
(00:20:00) - The failed pit crew experiment
(00:26:32) - Service truck design: pickups versus vans
(00:28:56) - Building a marketing strategy
(00:30:59) - AI and the future of local search
(00:32:48) - Growing pains across multiple locations
(00:42:07) - Succession planning across generations
(00:44:19) - Closing
Links:
Easy Lift Door - https://www.easyliftdoor.com/
Josh on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jomelton/

Jason Reid discusses his journey from general manager of a remodeling company to building a multi-company construction portfolio across Oregon. In his mid-forties, Reid stepped back to reassess his career, ultimately deciding to pursue rapid growth through acquisitions rather than organic expansion. Think Like an Owner host Alex Bridgeman and Reid explore how he scaled from purchasing a small commercial fencing business in 2019 to managing 280 employees across a dozen acquired companies within five years.
They discuss:
- Why commercial fencing offered better scaling potential than residential remodeling
- How 60 to 90-day payment terms from contractors created unexpected cash flow challenges in his first acquisition
- Learning to identify contract language that left him vulnerable to bad-faith general contractors
- Finding untapped talent within acquired companies by simply asking employees what they wanted to do
- The habit of tracking how daily activities aligned with long-term goals, which revealed most time was spent on things unrelated to his ambitions
Reid's approach combines aggressive acquisition targets with steady operational discipline, shaped by mentors like Dan Peña and a willingness to envision goals far larger than what seemed immediately achievable.
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:10) - From masonry to remodeling manager
(00:07:01) - What intrigued you about fencing
(00:08:36) - Building DreamCon management company
(00:10:22) - Memorable projects and learning automation
(00:11:53) - Simple changes driving big improvements
(00:13:46) - Promoting hidden talent from within
(00:15:50) - Learning curve: contract pitfalls
(00:21:07) - Embracing obstacles and staying focused
(00:23:20) - Keeping balance through big goals
(00:27:51) - Becoming a pilot after decades
(00:34:22) - Current goals and art foundation vision
(00:38:53) - Education reform and other causes
Links:
Jason on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonreid2020/

Alex Bridgeman and Rob Southern speak with Patrick Lange, a business broker specializing in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies. Patrick shares how he transitioned from selling Main Street businesses to focusing exclusively on the trades after buying and running his own heating and air company. He explains why most small trade businesses struggle to sell and what drives value in these service companies. Patrick emphasizes four critical factors: getting out of the van and delegating work, maintaining clean books and records, building recurring revenue through service agreements rather than relying on replacement sales, and avoiding the pitfalls of new construction contracts.
They discuss:
- Why so many trade business owners have no realistic idea what their company is worth
- How buyers evaluate risk when the seller has been the primary technician or salesperson
- The problems with earn-outs tied to net income versus gross revenue
- Why Patrick meets buyers and sellers face-to-face early in the process instead of keeping them separated
- What happens when a seller has been running personal expenses through the business for decades
Patrick's approach centers on honest, data-driven valuations and preparing sellers years before they're ready to exit, so they understand what buyers actually pay for and can build toward a realistic number.
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:15) - From financial planner to HVAC broker
(00:05:28) - Why focus matters in business brokerage
(00:07:51) - The four drivers of business value
(00:14:52) - Private equity's impact on HVAC deals
(00:17:32) - The challenge of selling one-person operations
(00:19:39) - Educating sellers on realistic valuations
(00:23:48) - Having the price conversation with sellers
(00:26:57) - Navigating earn-outs and deal structure
(00:32:03) - Managing seller transitions effectively
(00:34:36) - How sellers should diligence buyers
(00:37:06) - Know your business value now
Links:
Business Modification Group - https://businessmodificationgroup.com/about-us/patrick-lange/
Patrick on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lange-businessbroker/

Alex Bridgeman and David Williams explore the journey of building Advantage Services Group from a single HVAC business in Central Oregon into a multi-state operation targeting $1 billion in revenue. Williams shares how he transitioned from consulting in New York to acquiring his first business at 27 with no prior HVAC experience, and why he moved across the country to pursue an entrepreneurial path in the home services industry.
They discuss:
- Why going multi-location immediately forced the development of scalable systems and infrastructure
- How radical transparency around financials and goals became the primary driver of organic growth
- The difference between building one integrated company versus operating as a holding company or roll-up
- What sellers actually care about beyond price when choosing an acquirer
- How to balance acquisition pace with integration depth in a competitive market
This episode offers a detailed look at the operational choices and cultural commitments required to build a consolidation platform in the trades, particularly for listeners interested in search funds, home services businesses, or multi-location service company strategy.
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:00:54) - From consulting to HVAC entrepreneurship
(00:04:42) - Finding Central Oregon Heating
(00:05:29) - Building toward a billion-dollar vision
(00:08:22) - First year in Bend learning the business
(00:11:24) - Going multi-location from the start
(00:12:42) - Single versus multi-location operations
(00:16:39) - Integration strategy across locations
(00:23:07) - Organic growth as primary driver
(00:25:51) - Goal setting unlocks growth
(00:30:33) - Competing for acquisitions as partners
(00:34:03) - Moving to Denver and early mistakes
(00:37:19) - The path to $350M by 2030
Links:
Advantage Services Group - https://advantage-services.com/
David on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-williams-31311353/

Alex Bridgeman and Ty Greneaux explore the human side of building and scaling a family business on Think Like an Owner. Ty shares how his late father-in-law Frank transformed not only Acadiana Garage Doors but also Ty's entire approach to leadership and life. What began with an awkward garage door opener installation evolved into a mentorship that shaped Ty's core philosophy: serve others, treat people with respect, and focus on impact over achievement. The conversation moves from personal transformation to practical business strategy, examining how Ty balanced honoring Frank's people-first culture while implementing the systems and processes needed to scale.
They discuss:
- Why treating people well matters more than operational efficiency alone
- How to involve employees in major business transitions without losing trust
- The value of hiring character over skills in trainable positions
- What business owners can learn from asking candidates one difficult interview question
- How serving others consistently creates both loyalty and long-term success
This episode offers guidance for service business owners seeking to grow without sacrificing culture or relationships.
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:00) - The awkward garage door opener install
(00:03:51) - Frank's passing and its profound impact
(00:05:54) - Shifting to a servant's heart
(00:07:03) - Intentional investment in people's lives
(00:08:36) - The awkward golf course business talk
(00:11:06) - Leaving corporate for garage doors
(00:12:17) - Frank's approach to treating people
(00:15:34) - What stayed and what changed
(00:16:00) - Building systems to support scaling
(00:17:58) - Learning to manage stress differently
(00:22:54) - The record sales vacation breakthrough
(00:25:11) - Handing over control after acquisition
(00:26:35) - Keeping employees motivated and engaged
(00:27:54) - Involving the team in major decisions
(00:29:42) - Vision for Acadiana's future
(00:31:32) - Hiring the person not the skill
(00:33:58) - The three interview questions
(00:41:05) - Closing wisdom for business owners
Links:
Ty on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ty-greneaux-b8a65737/
Acadiana Garage Doors - https://acadianagaragedoors.com/