Ismael Valdez

Look, I have a free social media group that is called Nuva Networks Group, where I mentor about 7,000 contractors already. I grew it four years ago. I did it just to take my mind off, you know, next gen and all the different things I was doing. So I kind of did it as a side gig just to be able to take my mind off, you know, what I currently had. And it's grown to 7,000 contractors. We're, you know.

Look, I have a free social media group that is called Nuva Networks Group, where I mentor about 7,000 contractors already. I grew it four years ago. I did it just to take my mind off, you know, next gen and all the different things I was doing. So I kind of did it as a side gig just to be able to take my mind off, you know, what I currently had. And it's grown to 7,000 contractors. We're, you know.

So social media, Facebook, on Instagram, it's Ishmael Valdez, CEO. But yeah, most likely you're going to see me with Chris and the Next Level guys here helping more contractors out for sure.

So social media, Facebook, on Instagram, it's Ishmael Valdez, CEO. But yeah, most likely you're going to see me with Chris and the Next Level guys here helping more contractors out for sure.

So social media, Facebook, on Instagram, it's Ishmael Valdez, CEO. But yeah, most likely you're going to see me with Chris and the Next Level guys here helping more contractors out for sure.

I thought you were going to tell me Ishmael's best quality is talking about himself.

I thought you were going to tell me Ishmael's best quality is talking about himself.

if i could yeah i mean they're down on revenue for sure for sure um the data shows that and you know we we had our our heyday there through through covid and everyone was at home moved up you know speaking in terms of hvac at least like moved up a lot of those replacements replaced those systems early we also had the housing boom that you know really played into that so those systems all came up at one time

if i could yeah i mean they're down on revenue for sure for sure um the data shows that and you know we we had our our heyday there through through covid and everyone was at home moved up you know speaking in terms of hvac at least like moved up a lot of those replacements replaced those systems early we also had the housing boom that you know really played into that so those systems all came up at one time

But there's definitely major shifts in consumer sentiment and behavior. They're holding on to their money right now. Election years are always tough. So I think we're seeing a lot of different things that are changing the way consumers are buying. And the people that are adapting are growing and the people that aren't are struggling and going backwards.

But there's definitely major shifts in consumer sentiment and behavior. They're holding on to their money right now. Election years are always tough. So I think we're seeing a lot of different things that are changing the way consumers are buying. And the people that are adapting are growing and the people that aren't are struggling and going backwards.

Yeah. You know, the cost of paid search is up drastically. You know, some searchlight data said 28% in the last two years or since 2022. And one of the things we know, you know, private equity did go to the trades, right? And part of that is you're not going to outspend private equity in marketing. They've got massive budgets. So they're driving the cost of these leads up.

Yeah. You know, the cost of paid search is up drastically. You know, some searchlight data said 28% in the last two years or since 2022. And one of the things we know, you know, private equity did go to the trades, right? And part of that is you're not going to outspend private equity in marketing. They've got massive budgets. So they're driving the cost of these leads up.

And one thing that, you know, we wanted to solve as a group is, you know, everyone is always going to paid search to get a new customer. But, you know, we've seen all these testimonials like, hey, I started remarketing my existing customers and man, those databases are so valuable.

And one thing that, you know, we wanted to solve as a group is, you know, everyone is always going to paid search to get a new customer. But, you know, we've seen all these testimonials like, hey, I started remarketing my existing customers and man, those databases are so valuable.

That's what Leland's alluding to is if you can reach those existing customers, then there's so much more there and they already trust you for the most part, right? And so, What we set out to do is look at how we can retain these customers and what the road or the speed bumps on that road are, how we make it easier for a customer to reach the contractor than Googling.

That's what Leland's alluding to is if you can reach those existing customers, then there's so much more there and they already trust you for the most part, right? And so, What we set out to do is look at how we can retain these customers and what the road or the speed bumps on that road are, how we make it easier for a customer to reach the contractor than Googling.

Because Google is a convenience thing. They do that. But at the end of the day, the best case is they get on, they Google your name because they remembered it. And they click a paid ad, which is going to cost you several hundred dollars, most likely, depending on the industry and location.

Because Google is a convenience thing. They do that. But at the end of the day, the best case is they get on, they Google your name because they remembered it. And they click a paid ad, which is going to cost you several hundred dollars, most likely, depending on the industry and location.

Worst case is there's someone conquesting your great brand that you just paid kick charge to create, and they're going to a competitor now, right? And so our goal that we set out to do is how do we help customers really build a moat, or contractors build a moat around these customers and make it easier than Google to contact them or proactively reach out to them.