Think Like an Owner

45:02

Josh Melton on Growing into Service at Easy Lift Door...

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/10/01

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

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44:10

Jason Reid on Compounding Advantages by Focusing...

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/09/29

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

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42:19

Patrick Lange on Selling Your Service Business - EP.293

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/09/24

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,

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41:47

David Williams on Long-Term Ownership in HVAC - EP.292

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/09/22

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

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42:46

Ty Greneaux on Acadiana Garage Door's Family Legacy -...

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/09/17

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

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39:50

Hans Wright on Transforming Windsor Door - EP.290

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/09/15

Alex Bridgeman and Hans Wright explore the transformation of Windsor Door from a struggling regional garage door company into an integrated platform spanning manufacturing, installation, and service. Hans shares how his family acquired the business when it had declined from $250 million to just $7 million in revenue, then rebuilt it by focusing on transparency, vertical integration, and compound value creation. They discuss: - Why transparency with suppliers and customers became a core operating

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01:04:22

Brian Johnson on Refocusing Pioneer Overhead Door -...

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/09/10

Alex Bridgeman and Brian Johnson explore the operations and customer experience challenges of running a garage door company. Johnson, who transitioned from 20 years in commercial lending to acquiring Pioneer Overhead Door in 2023, discusses the realities of buying a business with minimal office infrastructure and no prior industry experience. They discuss: - Building a training facility to ensure technicians learn away from customer homes - Shifting revenue mix from 85% commercial work to 60%, with

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39:11

Matt Weber on Developing Authentic Values at Alpha...

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/09/08

Matt Weber, a second-generation garage door business owner, joins Alex Bridgeman on Think Like an Owner to share his journey from working in his family's construction supply company at age ten to eventually acquiring and expanding Alpha Garage Doors across Montana. After nearly a decade away exploring different paths, including pursuing a history education degree, Matt returned to the family business in 2010 and has since grown it into a multi-location operation serving Billings, Butte, and

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40:52

Alex Johantgen on Setting an Ambitious Vision at Rise...

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/09/01

Alex Bridgeman and Alex Johantgen explore the journey of building Rise and Shine Garage Doors from two personal trucks to a fleet of over 20 vehicles projected to do $10–11 million in revenue. Johantgen shares how he and his business partner started the company in 2015 after selling a home and cashing out a 401(k), built early traction through door-to-door networking and Google reviews, and later rebranded from the generic "Garage Door Repair Company" to a memorable identity with eye-catching

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42:55

Building the AI-Native Enterprise: Leadership,...

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/08/25

Mahesh Rajasekharan has spent over twenty-five years in supply chain and leads Cleo, a category leader in AI-driven supply chain orchestration serving more than five thousand customers globally. In this episode of Think Like an Owner, Alex Bridgeman, Rob Southern, and Mahesh explore how AI is fundamentally reshaping enterprise software and what it means to build an AI-native company. Mahesh shares how Cleo combines powerful intelligence with accumulated data, context, and domain expertise to close

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01:17:27

Crafting an Enduring Team with Dustin Winter - Ep.285

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/08/18

Alex Bridgeman and Dustin Winter explore the realities of building and scaling a garage door business in Minneapolis. Dustin shares how he transitioned from fifteen years in commercial banking to buying Metro Garage Door in 2020, drawn by the industry's stability, low cyclicality, and strong pricing control. The conversation covers how Metro has grown from 18 to 30 employees while more than doubling revenue and shifting from 12% to 52% commercial work. They discuss: - Why Metro moved away from

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47:45

Right to Win EP.6: Building an Edge in Multi-Site...

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/08/11

Zach Jones discusses his experience acquiring and growing a gastroenterology practice in the Washington, DC area as the final episode of Think Like an Owner's Right to Win series. Alex Bridgeman and Zach explore how search entrepreneurs can build successful healthcare platforms through organic growth rather than M&A, and why this strategy creates unique competitive advantages against both physician-owned groups and private equity platforms. They discuss: - Why organic growth works better than

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01:10:20

Trevor Nix on Growing Multi-Gen Family Garage...

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/08/04

Alex Bridgeman and Rob Southern sit down with Trevor Nix, a third-generation garage door business owner in Portland, to explore what it takes to build and sustain a multi-generational family company. Trevor shares how his grandfather nearly quit after the first difficult year—until his grandmother convinced him to give it one more shot—and how that decision shaped nearly four decades of business. The conversation covers the evolution of the company through three name changes, the challenge of

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40:18

Andy Felice on Garage Door Marketing for Ambitious...

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/07/28

Alex Bridgeman and Andy Felice explore the nuances of marketing in the garage door industry on Think Like an Owner. Felice explains how he transitioned from working with hundreds of clients across various industries to specializing exclusively in garage door companies after a consulting engagement with Tommy Mello's A1 Garage Doors. The conversation examines the operational realities of home service businesses and why specialization allows marketing agencies to deliver deeper value by understanding

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40:19

Connecting the PNW at SeaPort Airlines with Kent...

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/03/31

In this episode, Alex Bridgeman sits down with Kent Craford to unpack the evolution of SeaPort Airlines and the lessons learned from building and rebuilding a regional aviation business. Kent shares how a simple frustration with travel time between Portland and Seattle sparked the original idea, and how early missteps, capital constraints, and strategic pivots shaped the company's trajectory. The conversation explores the realities of operating in niche aviation markets, the pitfalls of

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50:01

Right to Win EP.5: Better Boards with Chris...

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/03/24

In this episode, Alex Bridgeman is joined by Aaron Perrine and Chris Hendriksen to explore how boards can become a true competitive advantage for entrepreneurs. The conversation dives into the evolving role of boards within the ETA ecosystem, highlighting the growing demand for strong governance as the space expands. Drawing from recent industry discussions and their own experience, Aaron and Chris break down what separates high-performing boards from dysfunctional ones. They also share practical

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58:07

Crafting your Life and Business with Matt Kuehlhorn -...

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/03/10

Matt Kuehlhorn joins Alex Bridgeman to share the unconventional journey behind building Cooler Garage Doors and the lessons he has learned about focus, leadership, and craftsmanship along the way. Matt explains how a business that started almost by accident evolved into a disciplined operation centered around service, systems, and intentional growth. The conversation explores how entrepreneurs mature alongside their companies, why focus can unlock new opportunities, and how communication and

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28:56

Future of Home Services with Workiz CEO, Didi Azaria...

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/02/24

In this episode of Think Like an Owner, Alex Bridgeman sits down with Didi Azaria to explore how firsthand experience in the trades led to building one of the leading automation platforms for home service businesses. Didi shares his journey from working as a locksmith in Los Angeles to founding a business intelligence company that scaled to hundreds of millions in ARR, and eventually launching Workiz. The conversation dives into how friction in communication, scheduling, and payments quietly kills

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42:29

Right to Win Series EP.4: AMA with Lindsey Gray and...

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/02/06

In the fourth episode of the show's Right to Win series, host Alex Bridgeman is joined by Aaron Perrine and Lindsey Gray for an AMA-style conversation on search, investing, and operating small businesses. Drawing on real examples from recent deals, they unpack what separates strong searches from stalled ones, how investors evaluate searchers, and where value is actually created post-acquisition. The discussion blends tactical advice with candid reflections on boards, capital structures, and the

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01:09:40

Building Trusted Brands with Dan Antonelli of...

Think Like an Owner ·

2026/01/29

In this episode of Think Like an Owner, Alex Bridgeman sits down with Dan Antonelli to unpack why branding is the foundation of sustainable growth for home service businesses. Dan shares the long arc of building his firm through specialization, the discipline of saying no to the wrong work, and how focusing on being "five-mile famous" can dramatically reduce reliance on paid advertising. The conversation explores how brand decisions influence not just marketing efficiency, but recruitment, culture,

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