In this episode, we sit down with Stephen Spallo, now the Chief Operating Officer at Stag Homes Design Build. Before stepping into that role, Stephen played a key part in growing a residential contracting company from $2 million to $7 million in just two years. He shares the lessons, leadership mindset, and systems that made it possible.

A major turning point in his journey was reading Traction: Get A Grip On Your Business by Gino Wickman, which he credits throughout the episode as a game-changer for how he runs operations. Stephen breaks down how business owners can apply these concepts in real life without getting overwhelmed.

Whether you're in construction, operations, or just trying to scale your business the right way, this conversation delivers sharp and practical insights from someone who’s lived it.

Key Takeaways:

• Traction by Gino Wickman shaped his entire business philosophy
• Systems are the secret weapon for scaling service-based companies
• Good people and employees are hard to find - make the most out of them
• Be 1% better than you were yesterday, and you will see success

Missed an episode? Catch up with our full playlist of Trades Secrets podcasts found here:

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-v2ElYWOqX8jZlaKuHz1krepsTZVY1As

Plus, explore MORE actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades here: https://tradessecretpodcast.com

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Read about the latest in the field: https://elevmarketing.com/blog/

Connect with us on social media:

• Facebook
• X
• Instagram (Elevation Digital Marketing)
• Instagram (Trades Secrets)
• LinkedIn

At Elevation Marketing, we have a tight team of experts in SEO or Search Engine Optimization, Google Ads, Google Local Service Ads, Google Display, Social Media Ads, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Content Marketing, and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO). With a niche focus on Contractor Marketing and working for the Trades, we've been able to make a significant impact on our home services clients. We are more than an agency, we're your marketing partner. Elevating you elevates us. Email us at experts@elevmarketing.com to talk!

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Trades Secrets: Contractor Marketing is for home services contractors and who are looking for easy to implement marketing tips and strategies. This podcast is for you if you're looking for actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades. We'll keep you apprised of what's new, and what should be on your radar for all things digital marketing.

In this reflective episode of Trades Secrets, Amanda and Devon review everything that 2025 taught us about marketing, research, agency life, and more. What worked? What didn’t work? And most importantly, why.

This is not just a look back. It’s a look forward - through the lens of curiosity, intentionality, and growth. The hosts also outline how they’re thinking about 2026: where to double down, what to release, and how to create work that aligns with your values.

Key Takeaways:

• AI is here to stay; however, the correct implementation and guardrails are the keys to success with AI in your business
• Brand Awareness is critical - make sure all of your branding is cohesive and easy for Google to understand what you do and where you do it
• Reviews are still king and will continue to be in 2026

Missed an episode? Catch up with our full playlist of Trades Secrets podcasts found here:

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-v2ElYWOqX8jZlaKuHz1krepsTZVY1As

Plus, explore MORE actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades here: https://tradessecretpodcast.com

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Read about the latest in the field: https://elevmarketing.com/blog/

Connect with us on social media:

• Facebook
• X
• Instagram (Elevation Digital Marketing)
• Instagram (Trades Secrets)
• LinkedIn

At Elevation Marketing, we have a tight team of experts in SEO or Search Engine Optimization, Google Ads, Google Local Service Ads, Google Display, Social Media Ads, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Content Marketing, and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO). With a niche focus on Contractor Marketing and working for the Trades, we've been able to make a significant impact on our home services clients. We are more than an agency, we're your marketing partner. Elevating you elevates us. Email us at experts@elevmarketing.com to talk!

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Trades Secrets: Contractor Marketing is for home services contractors and who are looking for easy to implement marketing tips and strategies. This podcast is for you if you're looking for actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades. We'll keep you apprised of what's new, and what should be on your radar for all things digital marketing.

In this mind-bending episode, Amanda and Devon dive headfirst into the weird and wild world of AI hallucinations. What does it really mean when artificial intelligence "hallucinates"? Why do these systems sometimes get facts completely wrong with absolute confidence? And what can you do to stop it?

Check out the Truth Protocol below to help your AI assistant stop hallucinating and start helping!

The Truth Protocol: (Give this to your favorite chatbot)

1. Frame the claim. Specify the question/claim, audience, geography, and timeframe.

2. Sources & freshness (3–5). Prefer primary/official or first-party data; record title • publisher • date; prefer recent sources and note any “last major update.”

3. Reconcile & rank evidence. Resolve conflicts: primary > secondary; newer > older; consensus > outlier. Note disagreements.

4. Objectivity guard. Remove bias. If interpretation/opinion is requested, label it and tie it to cited evidence.

5. Show your work. For numbers: show calculations/assumptions. For qualitative claims: summarize the reasoning chain.

6. Cite transparently. Inline-cite every non-obvious claim (source name + date). No fabricated or AI-generated citations.

7. Uncertainty & final gate. State confidence (High/Med/Low) + known gaps. If key facts can’t be verified, say “I cannot confirm this” and don’t assert. Before posting, ask: “Are all claims verifiable, current, bias-free, and cited?” If not, revise. Add “Last checked: YYYY-MM-DD.”

Missed an episode? Catch up with our full playlist of Trades Secrets podcasts found here:

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-v2ElYWOqX8jZlaKuHz1krepsTZVY1As

Plus, explore MORE actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades here: https://tradessecretpodcast.com

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Connect with us on social media:

• Facebook
• X
• Instagram (Elevation Digital Marketing)
• Instagram (Trades Secrets)
• LinkedIn

At Elevation Marketing, we have a tight team of experts in SEO or Search Engine Optimization, Google Ads, Google Local Service Ads, Google Display, Social Media Ads, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Content Marketing, and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO). With a niche focus on Contractor Marketing and working for the Trades, we've been able to make a significant impact on our home services clients. Email us at experts@elevmarketing.com to talk!

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Trades Secrets: Contractor Marketing is for home services contractors and who are looking for easy to implement marketing tips and strategies. This podcast is for you if you're looking for actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades. We'll keep you apprised of what's new, and what should be on your radar for all things digital marketing.